Real Life in a Jewel Box® Home

I've decided it's time to let you in on real life in a smaller home. It's not always pretty or easy.

The biggest challenges are storage, privacy and bathrooms. These will always be drawbacks to small home living. Forget about stocking up at Costco and Sam's Club. And if you buy a new outfit, be prepared to donate last year's fashions to good will. Expect everyone who is home to hear any conversation or argument that takes place and say goodbye to bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and double sinks.

But would I trade my smaller house for a larger version? Absolutely not. The advantages of living smaller outweigh the negatives. Chief among these is the lower financial cost, especially in this struggling economy.

Still, making a small house into a Jewel Box® is as much about creating a beautiful space, as the life that goes on within its walls.

So going forward, I plan to pull back the curtain and show the realities of small home living - starting with the biggest reason for my lifelong struggle with big house envy. Also, my boys have agreed to talk candidly about sharing a room and we will hear more from Charlie. Of course, the decorating and entertaining tips will always be a part of Jewel Box®!

Sometime before Thanksgiving, there will be a new look for the Jewel Box® blog to go along with its evolving content. Until then, I'll be taking a break from blogging and doing my laundry. Which as you can see from the photos below, has piled up! (Over the last few weeks I made my new job a priority.) I'm debating whether to take it all to the dry cleaners and pay to have it done, or save money and do it myself. When Jewel Box® returns, I'll let you know what I did.

My mountain of laundry. I always find it interesting that piles of dirty laundry never seem to bother my sons. Is this just a boy thing?

I look forward to seeing you all in mid-November!

Warmly,

Genevieve

Sitting Pretty! Accent Chairs for Smaller Homes

Just look at that gorgeous wooden scrolled arm chair! I'm not crazy about the zebra rug and fringe on the couch, but the chair is 'to die for'! A well proportioned accent chair is a must for the smaller home. Both the living and family rooms should have at least one.

For smaller spaces, accent chairs should not be heavily skirted or overly wide. A width of no more than 33" is best and 30" to 28" is ideal. Here are some accent chairs well suited to any smaller room. The fabric on most of the upholstered examples can be ordered in a variety of colors and patterns or customized.

Ethan Allen British Classics Carved Dining Arm Chair.

Ethan Allen Maison Ladder back Chair.

Crate and Barrel Blake Leather Lounge Chair.

Crate and Barrel Azure Chair.

Ballard Design Colfax Arm Chair.

Ballard Designs Leland Armless Chair.

Ballard Designs 'Gramercy' Chair.

Ballard Designs Manchester chair.

Pottery Barn Belmont Arm Chair.

Pottery Barn Brooks Upholstered Chair. These slipper chairs are especially nice in smaller rooms and this one comes with its own back pillow. I love these for lumbar support.

Pottery Barn Marcel Armchair.

Pottery Barn Arlington Armchair.

Dining Room armchairs are good choices for accent chairs like these from Pottery Barn. I happen to own several dining chairs from the Napoleon collection.

Until next time!

Genevieve

NAP TIME!

There is nothing like a nap by the fire!

“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”

---Robert Fulghum author of 'All I Really Need to Know I Learned in KIndergarten'

Not that anyone is asking, but for those of you wondering where I have been since my last post, the answer is fitting in as many naps as possible!

In early September I was thrilled to receive a promotion at work! It's all very exciting. But for me, change is also exhausting, both mentally and physically.

One of my favorite ways to recharge is to nap. This drives my husband crazy, he is an 'up-and-out' kind of guy. But I just love to nap! My weekend is not complete without a long nap - preferably two-to-three hours - on Saturday or Sunday. I'm in heaven if I can fit in a nap both days.

What makes for a good nap retreat? Here are some great examples from the pages of House Beautiful . And all these decorating styles would work beautifully in a smaller space.

A comfortable place to stretch out, good lighting, a throw to ward off any chill - this is the perfect nap spot. (And take a peek at the lovely desk chair. I could see myself doing a little work and then curling up for a catnap on the couch.)
Again, all the basics for great napping can be found in this room. And it's perfect for nappers who prefer a more subdued color scheme.
This might be a bit bright for some nappers, but I just love to soak up the sun while dozing.

The coziness of this spot appeals to me. I also like the clean subtle lines of the space.

Until next time happy napping!

Genevieve

More From Charlie on Big House Addiction

Too big, too expensive, too isolating, too pretentious,
too much. Great tile from Italy
won’t fix that – neither will brushed nickel sconces.
- Charlie, Resident North Shore of Chicago

Charlie is back! Just yesterday he sent an update on his struggle with big house addiction.

But first, to hear my nervous radio debut, click on Inspirista - Girls Night Out. I talked too much, interrupted the radio hostess - who was delightful - and according to my husband, shared too much personal information. But I have always been open and trusting, and since I'm 50-years-old, those character flaws are here to stay.

And now for the main attraction, here is Charlie:

I’ve progressed on my journey – and recently completed a level-headed inventory of my addiction.

I only told half the story last time – the saucy part about addiction and excess. A fair inventory would include some items from the positive side of the ledger – so here’s an example of how the big house is a force for good….or is it?

August is the best month of the year. Camps are done, people get back from wherever they go in the summer, and everyone pushes to finish the summer with a bang.

Our phone rings off the hook, our driveway is full of bikes and kids run wild all over the place.

My wonderful wife treats our little guests with fruit, crackers and juice, and the big house is covered with empty bowls, cups, wrappers and leftover clothes from kids too excited to take them home. The big house is the late summer destination of choice for the elementary and middle school set.

Across our street is a pond often lined with fathers and children fishing. There are trails and woods too. We see lots of friends walking, fishing, on bikes and in cars – and we often stop to chat. Great community interaction happens on our front sidewalk.

At night, when we go to bed, we’ve got a routine where my wife and I visit each kiddo, tuck them in, and tell them how much we love them.

After that, as the day ends, it always hits me: the big house is excessive – it’s dark and empty – like addiction. It takes 33 steps from tucking my boy in to the threshold of my bathroom – too big. My wife goes to one room, I go to another – too big. Too big, too expensive, too isolating, too pretentious, too much. Great tile from Italy won’t fix that – neither will brushed nickel sconces.

This leaves questions about the source of happiness: Is it the big house, or is it our lives, friendships and involvement in community that really makes us happy?

The answer is clear.

The next step is to develop a treatment plan for the addiction. If you haven’t suffered addiction in your family you should know that the only thing an addict hates more than change is the way things are – so the next step will be interesting…

…and I’m working on that.

Thanks,

Charlie

Until next time!

Genevieve

Jewel Box® on Inspirista Talk Radio - Girls Night Out!!

Tomorrow night I will be visiting with Jennifer Tuma-Young, host of the popular Blog Talk Radio program Inspirista - Girls Night Out! a late night talk show designed for women to have a little "me" time with segments in true "inspirista-style" - simple, practical, and totally fun! Jennifer is not only a fabulous host, she is also an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, writer, licensed coach, wife, mother, and down-to-earth 'inspirer' who understands what it's like to try to find balance, and is on quest to help women everywhere feel good about themselves and the juggling act we all partake in! The ultimate girl's girl at heart, Jennifer reminds us that a fashionista is ok, but an inspirista has style from the inside-out!

To join Jennifer and me go to Inspirista - Girls Night Out! and click 'On Air'. (Program details follow.)

I would love to 'see' you tomorrow!

Genevieve

Girls Night Out with Design Inspirista, Founder of The Jewel Box Home!

Inspirista

Date / Time: 8/25/2009 9:30 PM

Category: Self Help

Call-in Number: (347) 843-4277

The recession and green living have driven traffic to Jewel Box® which now receives thousands of visitors each month and requests for consults! But, while creator Genevieve Ferraro has fallen in love with The Jewel Box® Home, that was not always the case. Not long ago Genevieve was consumed by big-house envy! Instead of choosing to drown in the sea of jealousy, Genevieve decided to embrace her home, and has since taught thousands of others to do the same! We are going to be chatting with this Design Inspirista about how she finds balance with kids, husband, start-up, and herself, as well as her tips to make your space is fabulous, regardless of size!! It's definitely going to be a FUN Girls Night Out!

Small Stylish Houses from Cote de Texas

Small house photo from Cote de Texas blog

I'm running out to dinner to celebrate my son's 20th birthday, but I just had to share a post from one of my favorite blogs by Joni at Cote de Texas. Joni is just wonderful and she knows design! Now, I am not personally acquainted with Joni, but I have been following her blog Cote de Texas for awhile, after it was recommended to me by a dear friend.

Unlike yours truly, Joni blogs several times a week and her posts are always worth reading. She is truly a design and decorating expert. This week her post is about small stylish houses and it is a must read for anyone living in a smaller house or anyone who loves beautiful design. To see Joni's fabulous post just click on Cote de Texas.

Enjoy!

Genevieve

P.S. I'm trying to get Charlie back.

Confessions of a Large House Addict

I'm Charlie, and I'm a large house addict.

Resident, North Shore of Chicago

Yesterday I received a Jewel Box® Home story submission from Charlie, a self confessed large house addict. I have decided not to reveal the Chicago North Shore suburb where he lives with his family, but I will disclose that it is listed by the Census Bureau as one of the wealthiest towns in the country.

Here is Charlie's story ---

I've known for some time that I'm powerless over my desire to
have a large home, and that my life has become unmanageable.

Here's my story:

My story of addiction starts like so many others - successful
and assertive parents, high expectations for achievement, some
degree of professional success and a genetic pre-disposition for
large house addiction (it runs in my mother's side of the
family).

For nearly 11 years, my wife, 2 children and I have shared a
4,000 sq ft home in a leafy suburb north of Chicago.

- The finished basement with bath and
2nd kitchen add another 1,100 sqft.

It's a big, gorgeous, comfortable place we bought when we were
in our 30s. Our large house makes a bold statement about our
success, self confidence, place in the community...and dark
addiction.

Over the years, we've spent a fortune to furnish, decorate,
landscape, improve and maintain it to perfection. The addict in
me believes it's one of the finer things in life we're entitled
to, but the good steward inside me aches for a change.

As you probably know, large home addiction is a family disease,
and in our case the consequences of addiction have included:

- Physical separation

- Watching television alone

- Large amounts of time spent in large
house related activates such as
decorating and accessory shopping

- Impaired judgement and control over
family finances.

Our large home is expensive to heat, cool, maintain and taxes
have become awkwardly high.

Of course, the downturn in the economy makes me more anxious
about my addiction.

I have fear. Fear of change, fear of moving down, fear of
simplifying, fear of losing personal space, fear of sharing a
bathroom, fear of sharing a closet, fear of losing my den. Fear
of upsetting my children.

Fear that my wife may be a co-dependent big house addict.

Yet there is so much to gain - intimacy with the family, lighter
financial burden, less environmental impact, more time for the
really important things in life - like our children, sports,
fitness, church activities and civic engagement.

There's a tired cliché that the first step on the road to
recovery is recognizing there's a problem.

I've taken the first step, and it's uncomfortable.

Stay tuned.

Charlie Anonymous

I have thanked Charlie for writing and am honored he has given me permission to share his story.

Until next time!

Genevieve