We recently remodeled our very unfinished 1000 sq foot basement, doubling the size of our home, and adding a 2nd bathroom and 2 bedrooms for the kids. I think a house is never fully done. It should be a place that grows and evolves with your taste, experiences, and family.
This is our home and a list of my most treasured possessions, as we are, in this moment.
Living Room favorite things:
-Jonathan’s wooden Chess Set, a gift from his Grandparents.
-Gold plate that hangs on the wall, a gift from my Step-Mother, because it reminder her of me.
-Metal vase on the mantel with a Persian flower pattern that represents “new beginnings”, a gift from my ex-husband after our separation.
Dinning Room favorite things:
-Goodyear Tire photographs, given to me after my Grandfather, who worked in the tire industry, passed away.
-Dinning room table that extends to fit 12 people. Owned by my Great-Grandparents, and handed down to me.
-Framed tears from a singed copy of Aaron’s favorite Graphic Novel, Blankets by Craig Thompson.
Kitchen favorite things:
-Two magnetic strips that hold artwork and photographs by the kids. My all time favorite note from Holly reads, “I love you Ashley. You are so speshl to me. I am glad you are in my family. Love is awesome!!!!”
Bedroom favorite things:
-Aaron’s guitar, and when he plays it softly when I can’t sleep.
-A framed photo of our trip to India together, and a turning point in our lives.
Guest Room favorite things:
-Antlers from a buck Aaron killed when he was 14 years old.
-Headboard we made out of $5 of reclaimed wood.
-Class photo of my Grandparents in middle school.
-A trunk full of memories I cannot throw away, and Aaron’s support to keep it until I’m ready.
Family Room favorite things:
-A piece of drift wood we found on our favorite neighborhood walk by the river.
-Our photos of the kids, particularly a framed series of 10 Instax Fuji prints from our New Year trip to Rockaway beach together.
Hallway favorite things:
-Our Instagram wall. Bonus: I Instagramed a photo of the finished wall and won the weekly competition hosted by the company that printed them for “Coolest Use of Prints”. The order was refunded as my prize!
-Aaron’s keyboard and how he plays music to the kids as they fall asleep.
Holly’s room favorite things:
-Vintage Kay Nielsen Fairy Tale Paintings above her bed.
-Her pink dream-catcher which my sister helped me make on a trip to Arizona.
-Pink desk which Aaron and I found on the side of the road during a trip to Seattle and fixed and refinished together.
Holly’s favorite thing: her wooden princesses, made for her by my sweet friend Jade from Junk in Da Trunk.
Jonathan’s Room favorite things:
-Aaron’s BB gun from when he was a kid (no BBs don’t freak out).
-A desk Aaron’s Grandfather made.
-Jonathan’s chess trophy.
-Light up globe lamp that I found on a thrifting trip with my sweet dear, Yasmin.
-Hanging on his magnetic board a letter from his sister that reads, “You are the best big brother a girl could ask for. I love you so much.”
Jonathan’s favorite thing: His basketball hoop.
