Book Review: The Nesting Place

The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith

I'm not really interested in interior decorating. We have some beautiful things we've picked up on our travels and I asked my mom or Kansas Dad to hang them for us. Nearly all of our furniture was given to us and most of what we've purchased is either used or from some superstore. Honestly, up until a year ago or so, I didn't have the mental energy to think too much about anything besides growing babies and kids.

Recently, though, I've been thinking a little more about "decorating," especially the kids' bathroom, which is also the guest bathroom. I've been slowly working on that. When I saw this book mentioned at Conversion Diary, I decided to check it out from the library. I had to wait a while for a copy, but it was worth it. I read this book a few pages at a time while driving to visit my parents for a much-enjoyed-though-not-relaxing vacation.

You don't have to get perfect to have a pretty house. Most of us simply need to learn to see the beauty in the imperfect. Because life is gloriously messy. We can find rest in our less than perfect circumstances when we figure out that no amount of striving can create the perfect life we think we are looking for.

The book was wonderful. It's not about decorating as much as it is about allowing yourself to create beauty in your surroundings, with whatever you have. Even as I read through the book and thought to myself, "I don't think I'd like that living room for our family," I was thinking about what we could do around the house - and came up with lots of ideas! (And only one of them will require safety goggles and masks.)

Her advice on husbands was fabulous, too, and applicable on a wide range of topics (not just decorating or home improvement).

I've found, though, that often we ask our husbands for advice when we are unsure of what to do. Then we blame them if we don't like the color of the new bathroom rug, when they didn't really care what color it was in the first place. They were just answering a question that we asked out of obligation or lack of confidence. It helps to figure out what things your husband cares about and get his input on those things, and then don't bother him with the rest.

Oh how Kansas Dad must loathe the homeschool curriculum questions!

I didn't go crazy and paint the fireplace bricks and tiles bright green (though they'll probably end up painting something). I did "shop" my mom's house extensively for some interesting pieces for above our fireplace. I also wandered the house and moved some things around. I even (oh, shock!) hammered in a few nails.

There's a long list of blogs at the end of the book to seek out for decorating ideas, in addition to the author's blog: Nesting Place. I think my own decorating is done for a while as we settle into a new school year and start up all our activities (but hopefully not too long as there are quite a few frames standing on the floor just now). I'll be keeping my eye out for ideas, though!