February 23rd, 2026

Making Your Own Imprint

“God is in the details.”

Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (German-American Architect; March 27th, 1886 ~ August 18th, 1969)

“You move into a completely empty house and start from scratch–money is not a consideration. Write down twenty specifics for your ideal home from architectural features to furnishings that are ‘must haves’ for you. …Are any of these items from your past? Where did you first encounter them? How long have you been dreaming about them? Are there any items from your childhood home?”

• “20 Architectural Features & Furnishing Must Haves
  1. Sun porch (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
  2. Soft chaise lounge in sun porch (In a furniture store; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  3. Overstuffed leather chair with brass button brad detail in a library (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  4. Library with leatherbound books and a fireplace (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  5. Walk in pantry (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
  6. Large hearth in living room with a large threshold and bench area to sit upon in front of the hearth. (Grandmother’s House & Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
  7. Fireplace in every room (saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  8. Claw-foot bath tub (Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
  9. Gas 6 burner with griddle area stove/oven (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  10. Deep farmer’s sink in kitchen (saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  11. Marble counters in kitchen (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  12. Outdoor fireplace/fire pit (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  13. Outdoor kitchen and BBQ (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  14. Outdoor cabana with outdoor TV (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  15. Pool with jacuzzi/spa (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  16. Office shared with my partner (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  17. 3-car garage (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  18. Fenced yard so Kiva can play and go indoors to outdoors at will (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  19. 2 Walk in closets with dressing areas (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  20. Craft/Sewing room (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
  21. Window seats in dining room or family room (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).” (Heater Houston 2-23-22)

“Next, imagine that your closet and drawers are empty. You need to fill them. What are the first ten things you would either hang up or put away? You may either keep favorites from your present wardrobe or buy entirely new items. Which comes first for you, comofrt or career?”

• “10 Wardrobe Item Must Haves (Comfort is primary over career)
  1. 20 pair of soft cotton thongs
  2. 20 pairs soft cotton ankle socks
  3. Flannel pajama pants with soft long sleeve t-shirt
  4. Soft night sleep shirts
  5. Sweat pants and sweat shirts
  6. Jeans
  7. T-shirts
  8. Sneakers
  9. Sweaters
  10. Sexy Tops” (Heather Houston 2-23-22)

“Your kitchen cabinets are bare. You need to buy new china, flatware, glasses, and linens for everyday use and for entertaining. Where do you begin? What pattern do you want to see every day? What shape glass do you enjoy drinking from?”

• “I would have a formal china pattern with a modern design and simple elegant flatware and a daily set that is less formal. However, I would use both interchangeably without concern for special occasions.
• The formal china would be hydrangea floral pattern or a modern graphic design.
• I prefer round edge glassware. Something with a heavier base feel. Stemware and martini glassware needs to be durable and yet as thin as possible.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“The soap in the bathroom, the flowers in the garden, the book on the bedside table are all strong symbols of life in progress. …You look at theses details and a world unfolds.”

Charlotte Moss (American Interior Designer and Author; Unknown ~)

“By paying attention to the details–your authentic gestures–you give expression to the most personal of all the arts: making your own imprint on life.”

My Bucket List

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“It is super fun to play a mental game of “what if”. I have eclectic taste which is combined with my love of texture and comfort. All pieces and rooms in my dream house would be useable versus art pieces. I love a house filled with love and lived in. A home needs to have character.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“I reread my 2022 entries above for if I was to fill a new home with those items important to me, what I would fill my wardrobe with and the glassware and eating ware that I prefer. Fascinating that I put so much energy into this back then. Likely, because I had never even considered any of it as finances have always been strained, so survival was my only concern. Now I realize I am much more practical with what I want vs. need. I feel great in my on skin, so I am not on a quest to find things to flourish myself as I am enough without special clothes or furnishings. Truly blessed to be at this point in my life living abundantly vs. scarcity.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 56-57 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.