share post

Get Inspired To Love The Home You Have

by | Feb 12, 2015 | Decorating Inspiration, My Books, My Life

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Get Inspired To Love The Home You Have

Close your eyes for a moment and picture your dream house. What do you see? Do you see piles of clutter, dirty dishes in the sink, or stuff piled on every surface in your dream house? I’m going to guess not. :) Somewhere deep inside, we know that how our home looks and feels is important to us. And while we know the people matter more than the house, we can’t help but feel a bit discouraged or flustered if our dreams and reality are too far apart.

We want our home to be a true sanctuary in every sense of the word. We want it to be comfortable. Nurturing. We want it to reflect who we are. A place to welcome our friends and family. The way we see and care for our home greatly impacts our feeling of contentment in life and even our ability to effectively impact the world around us.

Do you relate?

OUR HOMES MATTER! :)

There is an inner conflict many of us house-lovers face.

We live here–therefore our house is a mess.

We live here–therefore we don’t want our house to be a mess.

It’s a tug-of-war between what we dream our sanctuary should be and the reality of what we see around us. And we try to find that balance in unfulfilling ways.

We need to make changes in our approach to find lasting contentment and love for the home we have.

Get Inspired To Love The Home You Have

I understand the struggle to find contentment, because I’ve felt it too. The solution for me isn’t to just accept the house in its mess (or I feel defeated, discouraged, and uninspired), and it isn’t to chase perfection (because I’ll never find it or be satisfied).

After years of searching, trial and error, failure and success, I now know where contentment with a home isn’t found. And best of all, I know what it takes to find it.

I wrote this book to encourage dream-house seekers, apartment-dwellers, homeowners, renters, perfectionists, imperfectionists and everyone in between. (and update in 2024: I created a wonderful new community where I teach how to love the home you have and offer exclusive classes and resources all included at HomeBody Gathering Place!)

You’ll find inspiration and doable action steps in the book if you look around your home and …

…you feel at all discouraged by what you see.

…you love what you see, but you still wrestle with discontentment.

…you enjoy your home, but never feel you can keep up with your own expectations.

…your house feels out of control.

…you want your home to be your sanctuary.

…you wish your home was prettier or cleaner.

…you just moved in to your first home or you’ve been around the block a few times and want to remember what it’s like to dream.

…you don’t want to invite anyone over because you are ashamed of the mess.

…you wish you had a friend to come alongside you to cheer you on to get out of your slump so you can see your home in a new light.

… you need to find a balance between embracing the beauty and mess of everyday life.

…you can’t help but wonder if you are in the right (or wrong) house.

…you want to create a meaningful and intentional life within your own four walls.

…you want encouragement with how to love what you have and find contentment right where you are.

Get Inspired To Love The Home You Have

This is my first book (update: you can find all the home books that followed here!) and it’s the first step on the journey to love the home you have. It’s a cute little book full of encouragement, practical tips and inspiring advice. It’s not a decorating book. It’s not an interior design book. But I’ll help you get started with that, too (you can now join me in HomeBody Gathering Place to learn all the things I teach including Room Recipe Workshop!) It’s a book that will motivate you to take action with what you can do or change in your surroundings. Your new outlook on your home will change the way you view your life. All without spending a fortune or moving to a better house.

I’m so grateful to you all for your help in making this book what it is. Update: This book became a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Wow! Without you, without your encouragement, I would never have been brave enough to put these words and my stories on paper. Thank you for every comment, every high five, and every “me too” along the way.

You can order the book at AmazonBarnes and Noble, or iBooks .

Get Inspired To Love The Home You Have

PS. Our amazing designer at Harvest House, Nicole, did a beautiful job on the hand-drawn quotes in this post and created so many other sweet details inside Love the Home You Have. 

Thanks for joining me on this wild journey! XOXO

Order at: Amazon or Barnes and Noble!

Fun update in 2024: After years of encouragement, I’ve finally created a community where I teach and offer courses and printable resources to love the home you have! You’re invited to join this wonderful community of home-lovers with all the resources included at HomeBody Gathering Place.

57 Comments

  1. Nan, Odessa, DE

    are posters availale based on the cover of the book?
    I want one, please

    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Yes there will be cover art available soon! :) There’s even a special one for framing too and it’s adorable!! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Deanna

    I’m so excited for you Melissa!

    I’ve been reading and following your blog since 2007! I love the idea of your books because women do need to find contentment with what they have and find a way to make it HOME for themselves and their families.

    May God bless your book and may it go out and be a blessing to all!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you so much, Deanna! Words cannot express how grateful I am for you and your encouragement. So honored!!

      Reply
  3. Mary

    Melissa, I can only imagine how excited you are and how many times you must be blinking to double check this is reality! As someone who has enjoyed your blog for several years now, I can only say how happy I am for you–all this work, years of work, arriving in a neatly bound book. Have fun rolling it out and celebrating. I think you need a new puppy to celebrate :).

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Yes I can hardly believe it! Thank you so so much. And a new puppy sounds like a perfect way to celebrate Hahahaha! Thank you, Mary!

      Reply
  4. Tina

    Pre-ordered it a few weeks ago and anxiously awaiting March 31st! Congratulations.

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you, Tina! :) I appreciate it! I’m nervous but excited, too!! Thanks for being excited with me.

      Reply
  5. Barbara (WA)

    Congratulations, Melissa – it is exciting to see what God has brought your way from you bravely stepping out to share your passion!!

    “All people dream, but not equally.
    Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find it was vanity.
    But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people
    For they dream their dreams with open eyes
    And make them come true”
    ~D.H. Lawrence

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh I love that quote, Barbara!! It is a dangerous business being a dreamer because now I’m terrified of what I’ve done, haha, but good encouragers like you make me a little less nervous so thank you!! Your enthusiasm and kindness is always a blessing to me.

      Reply
  6. Peggy

    Awesome!

    Reply
  7. Justmez2

    Melissa I can so relate with the first time home buyer that’s me as of May last year.
    I have a beautiful 1946 cottage style with some modern updates most of the flooring is original. I like to do all different styles of crafts and also shop at Flea markets.
    Now I’m at point of sorting all that I have
    so I can live there too! Looking forward to reading your book!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Sounds like a fun season of life and a wonderful home! :-) Thank you so much for your comment and encouragement.

      Reply
  8. Robin Dance

    Melissa!!! I am SO proud of you, friend!! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on a copy. I love where your passion has led you, where your small obediences have blessed you.

    Congratulations on your new baby.

    xo

    Reply
  9. Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    I am so excited for you Melissa! Here you are… about to give birth to your baby. The investment of heart and soul are coming to fruition. Yikes!! I have every reason to believe that you and your new baby will be received with open arms and embraced with much love. I’m off to pin to do some pinning and sharing. Wish I could pre-order. Good old-fashioned “Seth-style,” “sneezing” will be my way today. Can’t wait to see you at the top of the NY Times Bestseller list!! [[hugs]]

    Reply
  10. SoiledRotten

    Congrats Melissa! This is amazing! You should be very proud! I have followed you since the beginning and this is well deserved.

    Reply
  11. Jill

    Melissa,

    I would love to give your book to every client I work with because I swear the moment I arrive for a decorating consult, the apologies begin….’sorry, my house is so messy’, ‘sorry, we have been meaning to replace those drapes’, ‘sorry, we have needed to repaint this room forever’, ‘sorry, our furniture is so ugly’….I hate that so many feel this way!!!! I always respond with something like, ‘well, that’s why I am here’. But I find it so sad how many just don’t love the house they have.

    I can’t wait to read your book!
    xo~Jill

    Reply
  12. Mary @ At Home on the Bay

    What an inspiring message, Mellisa. Congratulations and best wishes with your new book. I am off to share and order!

    Reply
  13. Suzie Reilly

    Melissa,

    Congratulations! I’m so excited to get your new book. I pre-ordered on B&N for my Nook. I’m also happy to hear there will be artwork of the cover suitable for framing! When may we expect that to be available?

    Suzie Reilly

    Reply
  14. Cristina Festa

    This really hits “Home” for me. My home has felt a little out of control lately. I feel overwhelmed by having to many things around the house. I have 3 small kids 2 and 4 years old, and my 6 year old Shih Tzu. Sadly the dog is the cleanest kid in the house. the toys have taken over lately especially after Christmas. I haven’t even had the kids open up all the toys they received this year. I have many still in the upstairs closet. Yesterday I went through the toy room and moved out 3 large bags of toys to the basement so we can rotate toys they dont’ use that much and keep the better learning toys and ones they play with alot. And it’s not just the toys, I mean I have kids and they need to have toys around I get it. I have a large 5 bedroom 3,000sf home. I just think it’s all our stuff that’s getting to me. I’m trying to declutter one area at a time. I did the mud room and toy room yesterday and plan on doing the dining room and bedrooms this weekend. I give away stuff we dont’ need or use to neighbors with kids and on Craigslist. And this spring I hope to do a garage sale.

    Reply
  15. Sue

    I just preordered the book and will anxious to get it. I’m a loyal follower of your blog. Best of luck with the book launch.
    Sue in Fl.

    Reply
  16. Bristol Sunset

    Hi Melissa.

    Not only did I pre-order “Love the Home You Have,” I have also since pre-ordered your second book (due in the fall, I think?).

    Congratulations — I’m very excited for you!

    Reply
  17. Louise

    Melissa: Whatever you need that I can do for you in New Hampshire, I will be charmed to do. I’m stickin’ with you, girl!
    Enjoy riding your moment, and long may it live!!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      That is so nice of you Louise! I appreciate it! :-) I’ll be posting ways to help soon, I’ll need all the help I can get!!!

      Reply
  18. Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint

    Screaming with excitement for you. If you are still looking for help with your launch let me know. I’m working on my first book and ready to pull my hair out so kudos to you, Melissa!!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you, I’ll be reaching out and posting ways to help soon. It is HARD writing and launching a book, I agree! Thanks for the offer and best to you on your own book! Exciting!

      Reply
  19. sandyc

    Pre-ordered it right away. Although I don’t want 2015 to go by any faster that it has so far (I’m still coming out of the “but it was the middle of October just a couple of weeks” fog), I’m so eager to read the book – it’s all in keeping with evaluation and reevaluation of what I’ve accomplished in the two years since I bought my house. I’m always inspired by something you say or something you picture in every post. BIG CONGRATS!!!

    Reply
  20. Carolyn

    I’ve pre-ordered one for me…and I suspect another one will be a gift for my daughter, too. Looking forward to its arrival, which will no doubt be here before I know it!

    Reply
  21. Sophie

    Hi Melissa,

    I follow your blog here in the UK. Will you book be available here in England?

    Many thanks,
    Sophie

    Reply
  22. Julie Neils

    I absolutely love your blog. Most importantly, I love the spirit with which you write. You honor our innate desire to create and balance it with the reality that none of us will be able to achieve or be fulfilled by the frenetic quest for perfectionism. Your book looks amazing. Thought I’d share a Valentine’s Day/DIY inspired story. http://ungrind.org/2015/plus-table-make-three-diy-love-story/
    Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

    Reply
  23. linda

    Congratulations on your new book! It is so easy to be discontent and look for it in al the wrong places. Hopefully, your words will help direct the search to the right places. I am just ready to move; itchy feet after being in one place 2 years long than any home in my adult life! Must be a lesson there somewhere! Linda

    Reply
  24. Pam

    I just preordered on Amazon as a birthday gift to myself. I can’t wait to read about how to gain control over my house again. Thanks Melissa.

    Reply
  25. Lauren Baxter

    Its been preordered! I preordered it a while ago (hehe) i cant wait to read it :D your writing is so beautiful and engaging i cant wait to see what the books like!

    Congratulations on everything!!! So much excitement and so happy for you!

    Lauren
    http://www.lbdesigns1.wordpress.com
    xx

    Reply
    • melissa @ the inspired room

      Thank you so much, Lauren! I’m excited but a little nervous so it helps to know I have friends out there :)!!! xo

      Reply
  26. Jann from Newton Custom Interiors

    Melissa, congratulations on the launch of your book! I can’t wait to read it. You’re right, a lot of people are unhappy with their home.

    Reply
  27. Christina Rodriguez

    This is so timely to what I have been ting about too, Melissa. I started a Design Planning series in January and the first part of it before you even get to designing your home, is to clear the clutter to make way for the new and the person you have always wanted to be. your home should support how you choose to live your life, and the closer you are to that goal, the happier person you will be. You will be able to give more of yourself to others as well because you can live more in the moment and not worry about finding what you need.

    Reply
  28. Carey

    The wait is killing me!!!!! The title of your book is the notion I’ve been waiting for all my adult “house life”. Thank you ahead of time!

    Reply
  29. Diane Cummings

    I have been wondering when your book was coming out! I have had it on pre-order since I first heard you were writing it :) I love, love your designing and all your ideas. We are soon to move into our newly built home and I have been busy making all kinds of special touches for the home. Thanks for all you do and all of your great ideas.
    Diane

    Reply
  30. Cherie

    Congratulations on your book! It’s a privilege and so encouraging to watch a dream coming true!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you so much Cherie! It is a humbling experience and I’m excited to share it with such nice and encouraging people!!

      Reply
  31. Kristen

    My copy is on order! March 31st seems so far from now – I want to read it now! I’m anxiously awaiting!!! So excited to read your book!

    Reply
  32. Fiona's Mosaic

    I am sooooo excited for you!! This is well deserved, and you have put in so much work to get there. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I don’t know what I can do to help with your launch. But I will sure try to do what I can. Love you friend! Going to go pre- order……..I’m having a birthday…….eventually. ;0) lol

    Reply
  33. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage

    So many are going to be encouraged and inspired by this. How wonderful that you took that leap and are shining your light!! I can’t wait to read and share. Wishing you all the best, Shannon

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Barbara (WA) Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Decor Finds:

browse categories:

browse archives:

let’s stay connected!

Follow for daily
Home Inspiration:

get my free decorating guide

home decor inspiration, free downloads,
and more, straight to your inbox

css.php