Having a spiritually fertile and inspiring home?

[Soulcarer]

So on my journey back to a more intuitive/natural path I am trying to purge our house and in the place of our old things I want to fill our house to make it more inspirational and spiritually fertile. I understand that what inspires us and our children is very individual however I guess I need a little help with some foundation and then I am sure it will grow more organically as the time goes on.

I think the seasonal table is a great idea, so I guess similiar things to this.

More then happy for Steiner inspired things as my daughter will be going to a Steiner school.

So what do you have in your home to inspire and grow your families spirituatily and imagination?

[Phoenix]

To be honest, nothing! We have visual aids to help my son but that is it. Oh and a map of Australia.

I would love to do an inspiration wall. It was an idea I got out of a book, they have a string on the wall and stick pictures, collected items and all sorts of things they liked. It was a nice way to incorporate the kids craft, arty things for the adults and fun. My Dad doesn't want anything on the walls though so not sure how I would pull it off.

[lucylu]

Hmm... not sure about the spirituality. We have a beautiful plant at our front door, and some dangly red glass hearts from oxfam. They are a lovely welcome to our home as you can see them through the window next to the door.

We have candles and oil burners here and there, and lots of art on the walls, books and cd's and lots of crayons, pencils, sketch books and craft stuff everywhere. Basically there is a lot of stuff everywhere! :2lol helpful aren't i ;)

[jodiemiller]

My idea of a 'spiritually fertile' home has nothing to do with the stuff in it and everything to do with the absence of stuff in it.

However, I think the toys we choose for our children to play with can represent our values and inspirations. Cheap plastic toys with a short life-span therefore represent lesser values and inspiration than hand made toys and specially manufactured toys for a specific kind of play. If you're purging your home for the sake of your kids, that is one place to start. (Don't go purging them all at once though or the kids want them back!)

We used to do a seasonal table but have let it slide in favour of a general 'nature table'. Where we live in the sub-tropics, noting the seasons in the traditional European way doesn't hold much inspiration for our family.

Participating in rituals is another way our family fosters connection with the world. Having special objects or ornaments related to our calendar-based festivals (easter, xmas, or solstice, new moon, whatever) and a few rituals surrounding their use can help define a family culture around those holidays. Even for an atheist family a little ritual can be a very powerful thing. :)

[michelle_j_r]

Music is important to me. I got a beautiful old piano and some nice drums. And we borrow lots of books. And the boys have a treasure box where they keep little treasures that they find or are given (simple things like a crystal or a US penny etc, just things that they seem to find special)

[jodiemiller]

Yes, musical instruments are a big part of it for us too.

[Madi]

I completely agree with Jodie about purchasing wooden or quality toys. I also like to apply this to our art products, quality is a beautiful thing. We try to store things in a respectful way, books especially. I've found that my kids enjoy knowing that certain things are in a certain place, that toys, music, books, or art supplies are easily accessible. I also like to have workspaces for the kids at their height, we have an art table and two computer desks that my DH adjusted to the right height for children. Child sized office chairs ect. Pictures and clocks at their height. My aim is to create an enviroment that is not necessarily overtly "inspiring" but a place where the kids feel like their requirements are of equal importance. Does that make sense?

[Rinelle]

I'm not all that into wooden toys to be honest. I mean, I personally love them, but in our house at least, none of the wooden toys have received even half the playtime of the plastic ones. That could just be my daughter though, she is known for going against the grain in everything!

We try to keep clutter to a minimum as many others have said, though this is hard some days. Rather than going for spirituality, which isn't my thing, as homeschoolers we're going for learning. We have lots of posters on the walls, and entire wall taken up with bookshelves, and our computer does double time as the tv, saving space.

I do have the intention of setting up one wall for family photos and a big wooden inspiration word, but haven't gotten around to it yet!

[Soulcarer]

I have no idea why but I had visions of silks hanging everwhere and wind chimes and satined glass and and and....I dont know...maybe that is what I want??? or a pre conceived idea...they are a lot of memories from my childhood I guess.

The purge is for the whole family for sure and I agree having an empty space to be creative and imaginative is important, esential even...you need somewhat of a blank canvas.

Jodie, I think a nature table is good because it is more flexible, I will keep going with the seasonal table at the moment because it is a little more structured and I need that now :) bit of a lost cause I am ;)

We have mostly wooden toys, DD does have a box of plastic ones and a plastic bus and plastic truck...she seems to gravitate more towards her wooden toys...particularly her train set at the moment...books and felt stuff. She seemed to prefer plastic when she was younger I think that was just because it was lighter? and brighter. We have lots of musical instruments...although I want to get some more wind instuments and maybe some drums (good idea michelle)

Most of the things in the lounge are at her level, except for the tv. However I think I might start to pin up her drawings and creations at her level and not just stick them on the fridge.

We have a family photo wall (our seasonal table is under it) but I might add other things too it.

You have gotten my creative juices going ;) thanks heaps

I will look further in to the ritual thing too.

[Rinelle]

We did have a picture shelf at one point in time, and used to put DD's art work in frames there. Easy to change, but looked very special.

[lucylu]

We don't have that much stuff ;) I just couldn't find the words to explain what our house is like. But I disagree to some extent. I don't think spirituality has anything to do with how much stuff is in your house. My Dad springs to mind - his house is immaculate - not a thing out of place. It has no soul, it has no life and he is a deeply unspiritual person. But yes, I agree that it is difficult to be zen in the midst of clutter.

Interestingly though, I find the kids always seem to find the most cozy corner of the house to play. They won't play in a neatly tidied and recently cleaned room. It's the same at school - the won't set up a game in the beautiful clean and tidy open space in the middle of the room and prefer to find some cozy nook (normally right in the doorway) to play. I think there must be something about the nest/cave that instinctively we find it nurturing.

We also have a couple of low tables for the kids to create on. There are generally some art supplies on them, and often some books or games.

[Ethereal]

They won't play in a neatly tidied and recently cleaned room.

Seriously? Can I have your kids then, please? Lol! The instant I tidy they will play in that spot because the 'clean space' feel leaves room to use their imagination (which is great, but man sooooo frustrating!). That must be inherited/learned behaviour. If the kitchen is a pigsty they are lucky to get a toasted sanger. If it is super clean and tidied I can make some amazing gastronomic delights.

I find that if the house is a mix of everything away in "it's spot" and there's lots of familiar things around that makes for the most productive & inspiring environment for all of us. Oh and making it 'our' space. Painting walls, mending things, picking out things. If it's done together (and it is something we tend to do well together) then we all get something from it.

[Rinelle]

LOL. Like that here to Aleza. DD will find the only clean spot in the room to make a mess in. She seems to have no problem with moving things around to create a nest for herself in the clean space (usually the lounge chair cushions!). I think having some cave like areas is good though, nice clean nooks with cushions etc in them are used frequently here. Lots of big cusions are a must in our house. In fact, I need quite a few more!

[Soulcarer]

That is in interesting point of view lucylu and one I tend to share...my partner likes the 'modern' look but I cant stand it...I would take wooden run down cottage over a brand new brink home in all different shades of grey! They also seem to have no soul to me.

I am getting rid of things that we just dont have use for...material things that we have hung on to for no reason...there is still ALOT of clutter :2lol

[Ethereal]

wooden run down cottage

Obviously you've seen our house ... lol!! I remember the look on the agent's face. We met her to look at another house but said "while we are here can we look at that one please" and it's tiny and old (original part at the front would be early 1900's) and no built in storage (biggest drawback imo) and bare basics and did I mention tiny?? :2lol and she knew we have 5 kids. Soooo funny. We both fell in love with it on the spot. Totally us. As we go we add our bit like I described above. I despise clutter but the clutter swamps my energy and I seem to be in an endless cycle of clutter/de-clutter.

Another thing I want to do is an updated wall art using my photography. On the list ;).
Along with more storage.

[Phoenix]

I am getting a lot from this thread, thanks for starting it! :)

[lucylu]

Aleza your house sounds gorgeous!

[Soulcarer]

Aleza your house sounds gorgeous!

agreed....

There is actually a house in country vic for sale at the moment for 39K with acerage...I am trying to stop myself from buying it LOL with what money I ask myself...it looks like cattle have been living it it but my dreams my dreams

[Eilleen]

My house has virtually no clutter but is by no means a modern or minimalist look. What I do have are intensely personal stuff. All the artwork on the walls were chosen for very personal reasons, rather than because I needed to "fill space" or "match the furniture". As a result, I walk into my house and I immediately feel like I've walked into my sanctuary.

As I don't have a lot of things and my kids don't have a lot of toys (they have 3 small milk crates and 1 small bookshelf each to fit all their toys in), I find it very easy to keep tidy. My children usually tidy after themselves too.

I think it also helps that we are very active as a family. We are often outdoors (even in winter!) so the house has continued to retain the primary place in our lives where we go to relax, play music, sing, dance and craft.

I also have a beautiful wooden door chime at the back of my door that makes me smile whenever I open the door.

I actually have a photo of my house (and also of my old one house) in my blog, so you get a feel for my house: http://consumption-rebellion.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-am-in-new-house-and-reflections-on.html I have moved furniture around (and taken down the Christmas tree obviously) since the photo was taken but the feel remains the same.

[Phoenix]

I love the feel of your house Eilleen, it is what 'home' means.

[jodiemiller]

I agree empty (or clinical) is not particularly inspiring. I think there has to be an appreciation of beauty in an uncluttered space. Like Eilleen says, intensely personal bits and pieces that trigger all those feel-good emotions when you come home. THAT is inspiring.

[lucylu]

Seriously? Can I have your kids then, please?
ha ha! yeah, seriously... but they do then slowly spread... a bit like a mould... outwards until their 'creations' encompass the newly tidied and cleaned parts :2lol
I guess they like the comfort of the cozy part and the inspiration of the blank canvas before them - like they sit in comfort and create in the emptiness... until there is no more emptiness... at which point their Mother normally starts jumping up and down and dancing round and round and singing a song about tidying up!
sorry... off topic :)

[Soulcarer]

Oh that sounds lovely Eilleen...cant see the pics as this computer blocks them for some reason :( will check them out later :)

I guess it is such a personal thing as I thought it would be but it is nice to hear what everyone's "sanctuaries" are? Lovely word Eilleen and exactly what I was looking for :)

[Savannah]

For us it is colour, art, musical instruments, pattern, texture and lots of light. This house has restricted us a bit but we don't plan on being here forever and our inspirational spaces here are out in the garden.

[Nyree]

Oh Eilleen, I want your craft room! Mine consists of a 1800x600 blowmold table in one corner with some shelves on the wall above in a little room that's also the play room & computer room. So squishy!!!

If we ever get around to extending onto this house, we'll have a dedicated play/school/craft room with a walk-in cupboard for storage of 'stuff', so most of the room can be clutter-free. I can't wait! This place is so totally not inspiring right now.

The new loungeroom will also be fairly neutral with dark brown leather lounges so I can put home-made cushions on them & some nice art or fabric panels on the wall. I just want it to be the kind of space you can walk into & feel really at home. We don't have that yet, but I think I'm getting closer to knowing what feels right :)

[Eilleen]

Oh I don't have the craft room anymore. That was in the old house. I now have about half of the stuff from my old house to new house. It's great. I think I'm like lucylu's kids. The less stuff I have the more I am able to create.

[milkymumma]

But yes, I agree that it is difficult to be zen in the midst of clutter.
But I thought that was the whole point?? :2lol

I don't think your house is cluttered, LL. I t was very warm and welcoming to me. I love that your DDs' creations are all treasured and displayed like any other artwork. :heart

[lucylu]

awwww, thanks MM :) The girls are really proud of their creations too.

Yeah, for me that is definitely the point (being able to be zen in the midst of clutter/chaos) I get there for very brief moments every now and then :2lol

[mummabare]

So what do you have in your home to inspire and grow your families spiriuality and imagination?

Not necessary to inspire, although they do, but most of the things we have in our home are a reflection of a cultural values and spirituality, if that makes sense. Apologies to the vegans first, but we have skins and bones in our home, kangaroo skins are used for warmth and to sit on, sometimes to carry things and bones of special animals we carry in pouches or place in special places. This is just an example, for us the things that inspire us come from country, from our environment around us, so nature comes into our home in a variety of ways. Not just in collections that we have, like leaves, sticks and shells but also in color, for example now our house has a lot of blue and dark brown going on, with some green...this is to reflect our current season djeran. We have books that are special to us, and we usually have one or two featured on our nature table also, that I read from in the afternoons. I was also selective about where our nature table is in our home, for us the best place was near the window at the front of the house, because we can see birds, plants etc from here and its helps with the connection. Alot of our inspiration comes from stories and spending time with elders, which is then reflected in DJ's artwork or ideas and that because special in our home too.



We used to do a seasonal table but have let it slide in favour of a general 'nature table'. Where we live in the sub-tropics, noting the seasons in the traditional European way doesn't hold much inspiration for our family. Like Jodie we find that the european seasons are out of whack for where we live, so I don't keep to strict solstice celebrations etc, although I join in with my friends when they invite us. Instead we use our local 6 seasons and our table is changed or evolves as the seasons evolve with us. I wrote about our table recently on my blog http://barenest.typepad.com/barenest/2011/04/nature-table.html we also keep a nature journal ( or two or three haha) and take them with us to write and draw in when we go walking.

I hope that is helpful in some way, there are so many things we do when you think about it that are tied directly to our seasons, whether we are mindful of it or not, everyone lives to the cycle of our mother land. Of course for me, being Aboriginal, spirituality is intrinsically tied to our land, our people and our seasons...for others the emphasis is elsewhere and I respect that too.

[lucylu]

Sounds absolutely beautiful MB. Yes, I wish we (south west society at large) used the Noongar calendar. It makes so much more sense!

Was thinking yesterday that the most inspiring part of our home are the windows, and the connection they allow with the garden.