Start with meaning: Designing The Cottage at Philo + Beauty Points to Hope
If we had to sum up my intention for our home, I’d use the word belonging. Maybe it’s because of my adoption? Maybe it’s because of hardship in childhood? Maybe it’s the loneliness and struggle of growing up as one of the few Black kids in a predominantly White community? Maybe it's the innate desire in all of us for community, given we are image bearers, created by the community of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Likely it’s a mix of all of these things; but, what I do know is that my quest for belonging - for myself and others - is a force within that won’t let up.
So we bought Philo. I shared more about that here, if you want to read it, but what I didn’t talk about in that post is our home.
Home. The first place one’s sense of belonging is typically formed. Though I’m sure you and I can agree that this formation is sometimes...complicated. And while I’m not seeking perfection, I am seeking to intentionally create spaces of belonging here, for my family and I, and all those we invite in.
By the time we moved in here, we had already lived in six other homes. Long story. But never before had we done a remodel like this. I was eager to put my design skills to practice. The previous owners were an elderly couple who built this home to live in until they died - which they did. Their children, who were well into their 60s and 70s themselves, shared bits of the history and how this all came to be, connecting us to the land, the home, and most importantly, the people, who came before us. Given that the house was built for two people older in age, we naturally had to make some adjustments to make it work for our young family of five (now six, I got pregnant about a month after moving in).
How to Start.
When I work with a client, I ask them to share three words that they want to encompass the space we’re working on. I also ask for a verse that they have for the home. The three words and verse help to set the intention for the space. They are a guide, reminding you not just what you’re doing but why. I believe our homes can shout to the glory of God. Jesus said rocks could, so I wondered, why not our houses? If we’re going to buy a new sofa, set up the kitchen, and put up shelves for our beloved books, then why not do so intentionally, thoughtfully, with something deeper in mind? Or rather, some One.
29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples 30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 “The Lord needs it,” they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it. 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:
38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!
39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”
This passage is beautiful to me. One of my children is actually named Hosanna. BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. What an amazing picture. Jesus, the King, strolls in on a colt. People praising (wow to have been there!) and Pharisees rebuking (oh the audacity!) and Jesus’ response..“the stones would cry out”.
Wow. Stones? Then again, He did make them.
So, perhaps I took this too literally, but this verse has been a guide for me in my own home’s design and strengthened my resolve to create beauty that points to Hope.
When we see something beautiful we develop a yearning within. Sometimes we weep. Other times laughter may come billowing out of us. Think about how a song that hits you, truly hits you, can literally change your mood and give you courage when you had none. The well crafted words of a poem, story or reflection can help you to feel seen, known and perhaps even loved. These are beautiful things. They are hopeful things.
And they all reflect the most beautiful One. The bearer of all hope. Hope Himself. Jesus is King. He has come and will come again. This is glorious news!
And I want to make beautiful and hospitable places that reflect that, which is what we are doing here at Philo, on the land and in the Cottage. I’m excited to share more of the process, and for today, I’ll show where we started and some of what we did to begin.
Before Photos
The room on the bottom right connects to the main house, but was actually completely sealed off due to a broken window, moldy wood, rain leaks and so. many. bugs (oh to live in the South). It is now our dining room.
The screened porch on the bottom left wasn’t in as bad of shape as the other room, though the floor was carpeted (…not a great idea since it rains a lot and those are screens, not windows) and our framer said it was actually not stable. So, we had to re-do this space, too.
We had to re-arrange the rooms which included completely moving the kitchen, laundry room and adding a pantry and mudroom/laundry room combo. Below are the original plans we drafted.
Before (Original Layout) + After
This was my first experience creating a kitchen and it was delightful. So much obsessing over the spacing of walkways, lining up the pendant lights, moving walls and closing others. I’ll break down each room over time, but for now, I’ll pause here.
Tell me about you. What are the words or verse(s) you use as a guide for our home? And this isn’t limited to only homes. It can be in your work place, your classroom, your coffee shop, your church. There are so many spaces we dwell in that are outside of our homes too, and I think this exercise applies to all of them.
Onward in hope.
