Homes sweet homes

There was a time in my youth when I loved paging through catalogs looking at toys and games—daydreaming that I was the owner of whatever the “it” item was. At some point though, I became less interested in wanting a trampoline and paging through the JC Penney Christmas catalog. Instead, I found myself browsing Sunday ads for home furnishings and looking forward to catalogs from West Elm. Now I shop primarily for towels, rugs, pillows and just about anything for my home—and I love it. But with a small condo and little room (and cash!) to spare, I've taken to dreaming instead of redecorating.

To support these daydreams of mine, I’ve become addicted to HGTV. I’m not much of a do-it-yourselfer like many of my crafty friends, but it certainly provides inspiration. I absolutely love looking at other people’s homes. Not in a creeper way, of course, just in a “someday I want to…” have those countertops, buy that bedroom set, paint a room blue, or whatever fill-in-the-blank applies kind of way.

I’m obviously not the only one because we have model homes galore in this city. I’m a sucker for the Parade of Homes every fall and spring. This month, I’m also hoping to hit the Luxury Home Tour.

If I sound too materialistic, let me assure you that I have no desire for even half of the amenities these million-dollar homes offer. I much prefer a small, cozy place to call home. Just give me a front porch and a few big windows overlooking an idyllic little neighborhood and my daydream is complete!

So what does your dream home look like? Or what HGTV-inspired project would you like to take on? I’m always looking for more ideas to add to my “someday” file.

Actually, as I sit here at my “dining room” table (it’s part of my living room), I feel a nice breeze through the window and am looking around at all the ways I’ve made this place home over the years. I’m pretty content. I like being home.