“Surround yourself with what you love, so that your house has soul. Collect, don’t decorate.” – Christy Ford
Houses are one of my love languages. And while I love a beautifully decorated house as well as the next person, my favorite houses are those with a lot of soul. Houses that give you a real sense of the people who live there. Houses that feel like they’ve evolved over time.
In my experience, houses with soul aren’t often trendy. They happily break decorating rules. They’re comfortable and imperfect.
What gives a house soul is hard to describe, but I know it when I see it. Usually, I find that a house with soul has most, if not all, of the following elements.
Art
Photos
Plants and Flowers
Books
The everyday on display
Here are some more spaces that feel soulful to me.
What about you? What gives a home soul to you?
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P.S. More soulful spaces and what I’m loving right now.
I loved this. Please do more. I wonder … can you find “real” houses, like your friend’s, family’s or acquaintances – you don’t have to identify them of course, and share rooms you feel are soulful? I see very few places that speak to me like this.
I’m so glad this resonated with you, Linda. I’ll do my best to keep finding houses with soul to share.
This house has so much warmth and “soul” to it, absolutely love it!!! As was stated perfectly imperfect..does not look like a model house but a real home❤️
I loved this post. I think you hit it right with all the elements. Art, books, greenery, photos, and the everyday. They all represent life, or some aspect of it. I think also that houses with soul are careful in how they reveal these characteristics, not willy-nilly, but in a thoughtful way so observers can enjoy them.
BTW, we have such similar IG feeds. Maura Endres, River Road Farm, Nell Hills (have you read Mary CArol’s books?).
Janet, I love your observations. And yes, those are all great IG feeds. I have several of Mary Carol’s books. Her homes are some of my favorites!
Hi Julie, I too loved this post. And I agree with all the elements you chose to represent soul in a house. I believe these are what make a house, a home. And I see them all in the pictures of your very, lovely home! Thanks for sharing.
You have summed it up nicely. In one glance you get an impression of who lives there. So glad I stumbled on your post on Pinterest.
“Collect don’t decorate”. Love that saying and love all these homes!
So refreshing to see homes that tell a story..the story of those whom call these house’s their homes.
I love your posts. The rooms draw me in to explore and savor not only the overall impression, but details . I’m renovating (no major reconstruction) my 1959 brick ranch house expressing my love of art, books, the outdoors, dogs and horses. Such a fun project.
What a great project, Nancy! Sounds like a very soulful house.
I totally loved your selections of soulful homes. They are so homey and well thought out…. yet not “staged.” Please share more liek this!
Thanks for your comment, Carol. I will definitely look for more soulful homes and spaces to share.
What a find your site is Julie…. People ask me to describe how my house is and I just say it’s very eclectic but your turn of phrase, in that a “house has a soul” is wonderful. People who visit, always ask how do you create your style? I feel embarrassed sometimes, as it certainly isn’t” on trend” as some prefer, so I usually say “I live on Planet Zog which helps and I love stuff.” You are right…you layer without knowing it and you need to enjoy the love you have for your “stuff”. Thank you….
Once when selling our house, after a showing, a realtor leave a note that said “So nice to see a home with a soul. And books.” It made my day. Obviously – still remember it 15 years later
Paige, I understand why you still remember it. What a lovely compliment!
I am a realtor and see hundreds of homes a year. It seems that almost everyone is decorating according to a schematic with trendy mass-produced signs and mass produced decorative items. Most home interiors look cookie cutter to me without personality or a “soul”. There is nothing quirky or personal that reveals who the person is that lives there. You summed it up perfectly when you say “collect rather than decorate”. Loved your post 🙂
Julie,
Thank you for defining my home’s style. A home with soul. I have gathered items that speak to me over the years rather than purchased them in retail stores. Old books, loved vintage pieces with a story to tell and soft lighting to reflect seasonal plants, artwork and smalls. Folks always have always felt comfortable and cozy.
I look forward to following.
Diane
Thank you for your insight. We just moved into our forever home and it’s been extremely hard for me to decorate. Prior to this home I followed trends. Coastal, farmhouse, and the minimalist Studio McGee type of look. This home I want to feel loved in, comfortable, and display my books, art, and add pops of color. With that said, I’m having a very hard time pulling it all together. I think I’ll take your advice and just continue to collect things that bring me joy and eventually it will all come together to create the look you described above. Thanks again!
Comfort and beauty. All interior views so pleasant to my eyes and soul. Thank you.