Fifteen years ago, I got divorced and found myself in need of a place to live.
My ex-husband was moving into an apartment, and I did not want my daughter to have to live the apartment life, so I felt I needed to buy a house.
The prices were skyrocketing at that time, and I ended up buying a little historical cottage in a neighboring town. Everyone who comes into the house says it reminds them of a cozy dollhouse. I tend to understand what they mean. I furnished the living room with cherry furniture that has a lot of swirls and curves in the legs and such. The wooden tables gleam like polished glass and the paintings on the walls show off the elegant furniture well. To the right as you walk in the front door is the brick fireplace, and on either side of the hearth, I have placed leather chairs. Between the two leather chairs there is a small wooden table that holds a traditional style lamp. I spend time reading there after dinner and feel traditional excellence at home. At the same time, I have a family room that is less cozy dollhouse and more rustic meets traditional. This is where there are big pillows to snuggle with and the television to watch. I gather here with my daughter and her friends, and we eat brownies and take-out pizza. The wooden tables here are pieces of oak furniture that can take a beating and were more reasonably priced. My high end furniture has its place and so does my comfy oak furniture built to withstand rambunctious children.