WHAT MAKES A HOUSE A HOME

Last week,  A Perfect Gray suggested that we post ideas about what makes a house a home.

We've only been in our house for 8 months but friends and family are impressed at the amount of work we've put in to do just that.  I believe by simply adding  photos and personal art instantly transforms a house to a home.

My husband and I are both away from our families.  His siblings are in NY and my entire family and his parents are in the Philippines.  We have a wall of photos, old and new, in our family room to remind us of them.  Sort of a haphazard family tree if you will.

For our 5th wedding anniversary(traditional gift -wood), my thoughtful husband gave me this...

A lovely painting of  our wedding church(with our wedding car!) in Petaluma, CA

and I gave him these...

Stenciled portraits of our kids.  It was actually pretty easy once you find the right picture.  I followed this tutorial.

My sister in law gave us this when my daughter was born

It is a birth announcement painted in canvas.  I love it!  I think it is a great way of remembering the details of her birth.  I even made one for my son when he was born

I've given several as presents since then.

Lastly, my kids' art everywhere.

The kitchen...

 playroom...

the basement...

and papa's desk...

to name a few.

These are some things that make our house special.

What about you?  What makes your house a home?

Thanks Donna for letting me participate!