I sought out to create a space that made me feel comfortable yet inspired, where I would be invited continually to see the beauty in the ordinary and to be uplifted by its presence and power in my everyday life. When so much of motherhood is messy and mundane, creating a space that radiates peace and beauty is so valuable to me.

By Noelle Mering

Emily Hannon is a writer, wife, and mother of two living in Pittsburgh. She shares details of her favorite room here. You can find her on Instagram.

This is our main living room, the room you first see upon entering our house, and where we spend the majority of our time together as a family. It’s where our 1.5 year-old loves to play and run wild as his baby brother watches from his swing, and where my husband and I relax at the end of a long day with a good book or a movie and our favorite fuzzy throw. I love how much natural light our home lets in thanks to its many windows, and this area on our first floor is particularly amazing when it comes to openness and light (which is very important when you live in an often gray, cloudy climate!). One side of the house literally feels like a treehouse with how many windows line the far wall.

When we moved in a year and a half ago, we knew every room needed a new coat of paint to brighten it up and work with the light. I especially knew I wanted to paint this main living area a bright, almost whitish gray. Since I was a new stay-at-home mom who would be spending lots of time at home and am fairly affected by the space that surrounds me on a daily basis, it needed to be bright, welcoming, warm, and most importantly, peaceful. I sought out to create a space that made me feel comfortable yet inspired, where I would be invited continually to see the beauty in the ordinary and to be uplifted by its presence and power in my everyday life. When so much of motherhood is messy and mundane, creating a space that radiates peace and beauty is so valuable to me. I’ve found that not only does it positively affect my mood, but it also serves as a creative outlet that genuinely brings me joy.

The previous owners had refinished the hardwood floors, which add so much warmth and color to the whole first floor. The beautiful white crown molding also adds character and charm. With those classic elements as a springboard, I simply began to collect pieces I knew would hold up with babies and toddlers but would also add to the overall aesthetic. Much of the furniture was my husband’s before we got married, so thankfully we weren’t starting completely from scratch. I chose the rug, which is one of my favorite pieces—I love the touch of blue and how the pattern hides pretty much any stain. Another favorite element is the Joyful Mystery collection of prints from Rose Harrington. I love that they are genuinely beautiful works of art that also hold symbolic meaning in that each flower represents an aspect of the Blessed Mother. And lastly, the play area for the boys has become a wonderful way to keep the toys contained, and the baskets make cleaning up quick and simple at the end of the day

It is my hope and goal that I can continue to foster an atmosphere within my home that both comforts and inspires. I want it to be a place where my children learn about their faith in a real and natural way through physical elements and an overall sense of belonging, peace, and joy. I want their faith and love of life to grow naturally within the walls of my home, nurtured by the love that surrounds them every day, so that they may go out into the world secure in their identity as loved and cherished gifts to our family and children of God.