Does your house have a name?

[Madame Oak]

Changing my original thread because I just noticed that Gigi posted the exact same question!

So let me ask another question - does your home decor have a theme or an initial point of inspiration? My initial inspiration was ladybugs, as there were hundreds of them in the home when we first moved there. As a result, I chose a ladybug design for my return address labels and add a little kick of red where I can for the decor. We also have a barn in the back that was full of ladybugs and I'd like to add a little homage to them in the yard when I begin gardening.

What about you?

[Gigi]

We now live on the water ~ so I'd say inspiration is purely nature driven ~ the resident & annual birds, the view, and of course the water itself...

Aww... ladybugs--- at our last home we had lots and lots of them... I can see why you would be inspired by them ;)

[Madame Oak]

We now live on the water ~ so I'd say inspiration is purely nature driven ~ the resident & annual birds, the view, and of course the water itself...

Aww... ladybugs--- at our last home we had lots and lots of them... I can see why you would be inspired by them ;)

How lucky you are to live near the water! Nature-driven inspiration, especially when taken from the immediate environment, definitely makes a home feel more harmonious.

[shabbychick]

My inspirations are two-fold. One is chickens. I have them (not real) everywhere, even in my car. The other is the now-defunct Creative Home magazine. It had lots of interiors done in apple-green, yellow, and various shades of pink, and I'm using those colors in the bedroom, master bath, and main living areas of my home. The hardest thing for me is finding chicken "stuff" in my colors, as most decor tends to try to depict them in natural colors. I've done a lot of spray painting to get my chickens the colors I want them to be. :)

By the way, has anyone noticed there's a new edition of Cottage Style out? Some of the pictures look familiar from other magazines published by Meredith, but I don't think it's the same one they've had out the last two years.

[chyna]

I don't know if my house, my yard or just my general love of roses brought on the name but I do have a pink kitchen which was inspired from all the antique-y plates I have collected (of course they have roses on them, hard to find anything but). I did come up with the briar rose because I have some rather nasty roses with wicked thorns which reminded me of roses protecting the castle in Sleeping Beauty. But again that is one of my favorite Disney movies. :) My livingroom has dragons and gargoyles which is pretty romantic I suppose.

[Heather]

Hmmm let's see - this house is on the end of a peninsula on an Island in the middle of old farmland. It has been decorated coastal inspired and farmhouse-like. It's funny how people say when they see the house - I love what you've done - it really suits the house. Like they are telling me something, you know? It's like yes, that's why we bought this house and that's why we are doing what we are doing to it. Do I make sense? I'm sick and been up all night so maybe I'm just babbling....

[yarborough house]

Our house is the Brown-Yarborough house. We live in a historic district so all the homes are named after the original owners..Nothing fancy there..I'd love to come up with a cute name but haven't thought of anything yet..guess too much remodeling has left the brain empty..:)

[Madame Oak]

My inspirations are two-fold. One is chickens. I have them (not real) everywhere, even in my car. The other is the now-defunct Creative Home magazine. It had lots of interiors done in apple-green, yellow, and various shades of pink, and I'm using those colors in the bedroom, master bath, and main living areas of my home. The hardest thing for me is finding chicken "stuff" in my colors, as most decor tends to try to depict them in natural colors. I've done a lot of spray painting to get my chickens the colors I want them to be. :)


Pink happens to be my favorite color! Your style sounds very sweet and feminine. How did you ever start collecting chickens? I think you can tell a lot about a person based on the animals they are drawn to. For fun, here's a little description of chickens I pulled online, perhaps it reminds you a little of yourself:

The Chicken

Chickens descended from the wild red jungle fowl of India and belong to the species Gallus gallus. Raised for the production of eggs and meat since the early 1930's the chicken symbolizes nourishment. They keep bugs and weeds under control and provide fertilizer for gardens. Chickens are prone to heat stroke and need plenty of water to maintain optimum health. Those with this medicine benefit by living in an environment where water is plentiful.

The chicken has an exploratory inquisitive nature. They love to scratch around in lush vegetation uncovering every pebble, leaf or blade of grass always looking for a hidden treasure. Extremely attuned to what lies beneath the surface the chicken holds the teachings of observation, reflection and knowledge.

Personal space is important to the chicken. It requires open space in which to roam. If confined they can become aggressive with a tendency to pick on each other. A low ranking hen may be cornered and cannibalized.

Chickens have an uncanny ability to remove obstacles by pecking away tirelessly at anything that gets in their way. The skills of patience and determination seen in the chicken are often reflected in the personalities of those who hold this medicine. Although able to cooperate in groups chickens have a strong independent character and when the mood strikes they will demand their space, sometimes aggressively. Those with this medicine need occasional retreat and isolation from others. This need can come about unexpectedly at any time without warning.

Chicken medicine people are true teachers within the structure of relationships. They remind us not to become too needy of our partners, family or friends. They show us how to maintain a sense of independence in groups and ask us to take appropriate time for inner reflection. Those associated with chicken medicine people must respect that individuals need for personal space or feathers will ruffle!

Known for their hardiness chickens will run quickly and frantically away from danger. When danger is close they take off with a loud explosion which startles their predator. They are mindful creatures that have extreme sensitivity. Chickens feel the vibrations of mother earth and all life forms that inhabit her. This indicate its empathic abilities. Because empaths literally absorb the energy of everything around them a high strung nervous system can develop. If nervous energy isn't expressed in a balanced way sporadic unpredictable behavior can occur. Yoga or any other form of meditative movement can help those with this medicine acquire balance.

Those with this medicine are natural born empaths. They "feel" their way through life. Their feelings are always right and they need to honor and abide by them in everything they think, do and say.

[Madame Oak]

I don't know if my house, my yard or just my general love of roses brought on the name but I do have a pink kitchen which was inspired from all the antique-y plates I have collected (of course they have roses on them, hard to find anything but). I did come up with the briar rose because I have some rather nasty roses with wicked thorns which reminded me of roses protecting the castle in Sleeping Beauty. But again that is one of my favorite Disney movies. :) My livingroom has dragons and gargoyles which is pretty romantic I suppose.

Very romantic indeed! Have you been to any renaissance faires? I'm sure you'd enjoy the handmade creations. Also, my china, which was passed on from my late grandmother, sounds like it would fit in with your collection. It's white with baby blue and pink flowers and a silver trim. I guess they'd be considered shabby chic, and they (along with my husband's grandmother's heirlooms that are also white, pastel, and delicate) are definite decorating inspiration for me.

[Madame Oak]

Hmmm let's see - this house is on the end of a peninsula on an Island in the middle of old farmland. It has been decorated coastal inspired and farmhouse-like. It's funny how people say when they see the house - I love what you've done - it really suits the house. Like they are telling me something, you know? It's like yes, that's why we bought this house and that's why we are doing what we are doing to it. Do I make sense? I'm sick and been up all night so maybe I'm just babbling....

I think when a home feels immediately comfortable and "right," you're definitely on the right track! An island in the middle of farmland?! Wow! Your home must have a lot of history!

[Madame Oak]

Our house is the Brown-Yarborough house. We live in a historic district so all the homes are named after the original owners..Nothing fancy there..I'd love to come up with a cute name but haven't thought of anything yet..guess too much remodeling has left the brain empty..:)

I like the "Brown-Yarborough House." It sounds very dignified ;-)

[shabbychick]

Well, I definitely am all over that needing a lot of personal space and isolation thing, and I do tend to run from danger. And God help anyone who tries to horn in on my place in the pecking order. Hm...maybe that's why I like chickens so much. Thanks for that analysis. It was fun to read.

When I was growing up, we raised chickens and bunnies in our backyard. I guess that's why they appeal to me. They seem like comfortable little homebodies, but they have personalities, too, and tempers.

Pink is one of those colors that comes and goes, isn't it? Back in the 80s, I was all over the rose and gray combination everyone was doing. I still have some of the items I collected from that period. Now the pink is pinker, more of a clear, spring pink, and I think I like it better. I did notice that Rachel Ashwell is going back to those dusty rose colors again, but I don't think I'll be following her. I've always been attracted to bright, happy hues of pastel colors (maybe hues isn't the right word). I love yellow, pink, purple, green, and blue, but I don't care for them to be too muted. I like them bold and bright. Somebody accused me of living in an Easter egg the other day. Oh well, I guess you could do worse. :)

[Madame Oak]

It only makes sense for you to live in an Easter egg, considering the chickens and bunnies!

I rarely wear or decorate with pink, but when given a choice between a technical gadget that's pink and one that's not, I'll almost ALWAYS choose the pink. I love it. I think I still have a mini black and white TV from the 80s in my parent's attic (you know, the kind with the built-in antenna and carry handle) - the color being pink. In the 80s it was kind of that poodle skirt color pink, or florescent/hot pink. Now it's definitely more of a cotton candy colored pink (which I prefer). I happen to like dusty rose too.

[vintage girl]

I still have not come up with a firm name for our house. I do rescue (dog and bird (parrot), so I need to incorporate something that represents both of these. You guys gave me some great ideas before, but have not made a decision yet. I lived in England for many years and everyone names their homes, and I have always found that charming, so I want to do the same. I am thinking about "three times remembered". Most of my birds and dogs have been in at least three homes, so thought that might be good, and we are the third owners of our 1950's house. Hubs wants to name our house "Fat Dog Haven", after our Fat Chiwi and the namesake of my blog. Have to think about that one:D

[chyna]

Didn't we have something about the parrots and the chis before? Thought we had somehting really cute but now I can't remember.:o How about spoiled dog manor? :p

[vintage girl]

I think we came up with Dolittle Acres, and that is still running around in my head as a possibility. I guess I have just not come up with the right name yet, since I have not decided. Hubs suggested Barking Nest or Wings and Paws. Any other suggestions, send them my way. Once I decide I am going to make a house plaque:)