Small house big home

With the house move a week away I've started to dream about having less 'stuff' to move! It's amazing how a family's possessions expand to fill the size of the house. I can see how the small house movement has gained traction - less space, less stuff, less hassle!

One Christmas we visited the Cotswolds in England. It was idyllic - think Kate Winslet's village in The Holiday. The Beloved and I have dreamed of living there ever since! One of my favorite blogs The Inspired Room just highlighted a House and Garden feature of my ideal little cottage:

You can view the whole cottage tour here - but my two favorite shots are of the view into the dining room from the first floor and the gorgeous library. I can just hear the laughter ringing around that dining room table and the inspiration singing from the library desk, what a delight!

Small in this instance is definitely beautiful.  It's not about the square footage of a home but about the ecosystem that thrives there. It's about the coming and going; the loved filled meals and hugs; the spilled drinks and tears; the shared cuppas and dreams. A smaller house invites (necessitates!) intimacy while reminding us that having too much 'stuff' can get in the way of welcoming family and friends.

Who knows if we'll ever get to fulfill our Cotswolds dreams but till then I'm going to enjoy making and finding 'home' no matter the footprint of our space!