Fill it with memories and other things you love!! When you walk by something in a shop and it makes you smile, or reminds you of a time in your life you enjoyed buy it! Have friends over, play games, have drinks, your house will feel like a home when your heart is in it!!
Prin, Feb 16, 2009 @ 17:58

As soon as you know all the cockroaches by their first name... That did the trick for me. :)
Casuistik, Feb 16, 2009 @ 18:21

It all depends on how you define home Maria.

Do you feel like you are "home" when you are descending from the sky into the airport, driving into town from France or another part of Switzerland, maybe walking in your neighborhood or down your street, or most likely walking in the door to your actual abode? When I have flown out of town I feel good flying over my hometown, when I have driven out of town I feel good about fifteen miles from town, when I am returning home from work or some other activity I pretty much feel at home as I turn onto my street.

I appreciate the little landmarks that give my neighborhood, street, and building character and they make me smile and feel warm and fuzzy. Whether it is a bridge nearby, or maybe a funky restaurant that I frequent or even the house nearby I hope to own, just passing these "attractions" makes me feel good after having been away. They are familiar to the daily routine that pretty much make up my comfort zone.

Then for the actual inside of the abode. When I don't reall feel like I am home I like to make several phone calls to friends and neighbors until I get one or two of substance to ground me to my surroundings through a little chit chat and simple laughter to ease my way into the day. I like to keep a variety of comfort foods readily available so I can grab an easy bite of the foods I shouldn't be eating whenever I feel like it. I like to maintain the temperature so that it appeals to my taste whether it is cooling with air conditioner or toasty with heat. I think it is necessary to have a wide selection of blankets and pillows within arms reach for comfort in front of the tv when I feel like being really lazy.

I believe the home should be decorated for comfort, utility, and personal appeal. Hopefully your personal tastes will impress the guests you entertain. Some people like to designate rooms devoted to their personal and or professional accomplishments, but I don't really see the need to brag that I don't have any academy awards or superbowl trophies or nobel peace prizes so I like to maintain a room full of books with some office space. I do have some things that I could brag about, but I am cannot justify bragging to a girlfriend, wife or kids about something they are probably intimately involved in me accomplishing. On the other hand, if I had an academy award, super bowl trophy, or nobel peace prize I would at least place that on the mantel in the living room.

Then there is the all important dog. The friend who pretty much just wants you around without really wanting anything else. Sure the mutt might nudge too often begging for me to pet his head, but thats ok because it makes me feel really good to see him wag his tail and it makes me feel good to give spoil him with snacks.
worldtodd, Feb 16, 2009 @ 18:24

Thanks for your replies :) Anybody else? Im sure im not the only one who feels like this...



Yes in time i will feel it as a home i hope :P But i will also fill it up with loads of useless stuff that i like as well. And anyone knows were they have mini doberman puppies?



Or have a party :P



Maria



PS: And no i dont have cockroaches (yet:P)

Maria_, Feb 16, 2009 @ 19:11

Hi Maria,

I know the feeling, but usually it takes time to feel completely at home. I arrived in Geneva 5 monts ago with 2 big suitcases and bought really everything in my appartment new...not really the best recipe for creating a homey atmosphere to begin with. But I got nice picture frames to fill my place with good memories, and find very important also to play nice music that makes me feel comfortable. (also it can help to get a perfume for your place. Scent is very important)

Most important however is to see your house filled with friends who enjoy a dinner or drinks. I never felled better in my appartment then the evening I invited the people I got to know here these past months for a dinner. So yes, have the party soon!



Hope you will feel super happy with your home soon!
Marscha, Feb 16, 2009 @ 19:42

Hey Maria,

Your topic is so touching, I just had to write...

I've lived all over the place and I have to say one of the things that helped me create a house (or apartment) into a home was having lots of dinner parties with some fun friends. You can get as creative as you'd like -theme parties, pot luck dinners, book club get-togethers, Oscar/ Academy Award night, etc. You'll see how many fascinating experiences, conversations, and laughs you can get out of this. And soon, you'll warm up to your surroundings and make a nice home for yourself... and maybe others. ;) 

Good luck. 

Angie
ayl1968, Feb 16, 2009 @ 20:24

Maria_ (16/02/2009)

---

PS: And no i dont have cockroaches (yet:P)





I'm always happy to share.
Casuistik, Feb 16, 2009 @ 21:09

Casuistik.. you're back!!! where'dyou fly off to?  I was worried there for a sec that you went AWAL! :w00t:

and as usual you have a way with humor, as sic as they may be. just don't start posting photos of cucarachas!

it's definitely an interesting topic indeed. i too have moved around a fair bit and have always had the bare minimum furnishings at least in the beginning, and was rather good at keeping the house rather clean (cuz i didn't have many stuff), but soon i start relaxing and things aren't as tidy as things are in the beginning, and soon I end up having a lot of 'stuff' all around places. it's at that point when I start to feel like the home 'fits' like a glove. this is not to say that you should get sloppy, but sparseness definitely creates a colder feel. Try adding colors. my first splash of color was my orange place matts and matching apron, mittens to add color to my white kitchen, followed by a very bright n colorful painting in the living room.

and as angie says, and something i didn't realize, but having friends over definitely brings in good energy and memories.  i've enjoyed the many dinner parties, pasta making, pizza making, sushi, dumpling dinners.. and just a BYOsomething to share parties.

post and people will come :)  enjoy the process of creating that home!

and hey, i even had casuistik over even though i didn't really know him all that well, but with that dashing profile of his, who could resist :laugh:
YouMeCo, Feb 16, 2009 @ 23:58

Maria,

Good topic. I know the feeling well, and I bet many other glocals know it too.

For me, it took a few things before I felt at home in GVA, and in my GVA apt:

1. Time.
It's a new place, and a new city, and what ever you do - it won't feel 'home' before you yourself feel more at ease in the place...

2. Friends.
It's linked directly to time, but it's also different. Once you make friends in the new city, you start feeling more at home in it. And then, you can feel more at home in your house...

3. The 'hardware'.
By hardware I mean furniture, your own deco, etc. It's critical, but without the 1st 2 (time and friends), it won't be enough...

Interesting topic, I hope we'll get more replies...

NIr
Nir Ofek, Feb 17, 2009 @ 00:01

Thank you!! I knew i was not alone there :)



So colour colour colour!!! The huge orange couch i have in the living room is a good start i think. But you gave me loads of ideas. Now i have to go house stuff shopping again!!

Maria_, Feb 17, 2009 @ 12:38

So here is an update for whoever is interested. Maybe other people would benefit as well. Any more ideas are always welcome!!

What did it for me eventually was colourful magnets on the fridge door. I also hope to stick a huuuuuge picture of Humber bridge on the wall. It feels so much better now :)
Maria_, Mar 17, 2009 @ 12:50

"Home" is the first key you grab blindly on your keyring when you get "home".
rainer_d, Mar 18, 2009 @ 02:22

Please NEVER get an animal just to make yourself feel 'at home'.  Pets are not decorations and it's not the solution to your problem. Have you thought about what you are going to do with the cat when you leave? Go out and make friends, invite themnover for tea, dinner, movies, fill your place with photos of your family and friends, bake a cake, do some DIY... there are many other sensible and responsible ways to make your home more homey. BTW, you said 'I tried', does that mean you've still got your cat(s) or have got rid of them?
cindymiumiu, Mar 18, 2009 @ 22:08

Cindy dont worry about the cats they are very happy here. They have more stuff than me! And when the time comes to leave i will take them with me. I couldnt leave them behind. And they are good company. I said i tried meaning that the cats did not give the house that homely feel BUT that doesnt mean that i will get rid of them. Im not that kind of person. Im really glad i have them actually. And they are two so they keep each other company when im not here :)
Maria_, Mar 19, 2009 @ 18:30

Pictures of good memories back home and pictures of people that i love that are far from me surround every part of my house.

I also invite people at home so I can start creating new memories at the new place...

And what I noticed is, you will feel home at your home if you finally feel settled and happy in the new city you are in...
hedacanj, Mar 21, 2009 @ 15:09