I don’t know when exactly I started reading Nester’s blog. I want to say that it was five or six years ago, and when I got to meet her in person at a conference a couple of years after that, I remember thinking, Well. She is just as warm and funny and endearing as I thought she would be.
I love it when that happens.
Myquillyn (that is her real name, though personally I default to “Nester” just about every single time) has such a knack for creating spaces that breathe, for decorating rooms in ways that don’t feel stuffy or overwrought or unusable. I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve gone to her blog in search of inspiration, and a few years ago, when Sister was decorating her newly re-built first floor (it was wiped out in the 2010 Nashville flood), we talked about Nester and her ideas like she was an old friend who would’ve totally gone to all the Nashville-area Home Goods with us if only she hadn’t lived a couple of states away. What I remember more than anything is that Nester’s laid-back, easy, no-fuss approach to decorating made Sister feel less overwhelmed about getting her house back in order, and that, as my mama would say, was such a blessing. No joke.
Well.
This past Friday I spent most of the day trying to finish some writing that I started over a month ago, and by the time I got home late Friday afternoon, I was ready to put on my pajamas and crawl under some covers and watch TV. But then I noticed a cardboard box on the kitchen counter, and when I opened it, I found this little gem.
I told myself that I’d look at it sometime Saturday – but curiosity got the better of me, and I started to read. An hour later I was still sitting at the kitchen table (I hadn’t even changed into my pajamas yet), and I had to force myself to put down the book. Early Saturday morning I picked it up again, and except for about five minutes when I set it down so that I could hang a print in my foyer (the book inspired me to not put it off for one more second), I kept on reading until I finished.
And here’s the thing (I said this on FB yesterday, so forgive me if you’ve read that already and I’m repeating myself). I typically don’t read a lot of home decor books, mainly because I get intimidated and overwhelmed and my perfectionistic side just can’t take it. But Nester’s book is inspiring and honest and gorgeous and real. I actually felt a little sad when the book was over – but then I looked up at my own house and saw all sorts of totally imperfect possibilities. That made me smile.
So. Just because I love this book to pieces and want to share it, I’m giving away three copies of The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Beautiful. Nobody asked me to do this; I just want to do it because Myquillyn has created something that’s unique and oh-so-special – and I really do think it’s going to be so meaningful to the people who read it. Since the book releases next Tuesday, I’m going to make this giveaway a pretty quick one so that you still have time to order for release day if you don’t win. If you’d like to enter, just leave a comment on this post and tell me your absolute favorite thing about the place where you live.
I’ll use random.org to draw for winners Wednesday night and notify them ASAP via email.
Y’all are going to love this book!
This giveaway is now closed. Winners will be notified via email.
My favorite thing about my house is its story. It was built in 1948 along with the house next door (which is identical) by a father for his two daughters. Bonus: it’s ADORABLE. A little yellow cottage with vintage charm (a wooden, rounded front door, a pop-out ironing board in the kitchen), but thankfully has the necessary updates. My roommate and I joke that we’ll never live somewhere so cute ever again!
Although it’s not perfect and needs many things, I love that my house feels ‘homey’ (is that just a southern term? :-). We have lived in our home for 17 years and it’s been the perfect place to raise our 2 girls.
My favorite part is that my people are there, but sometimes that is my least favorite part too. :) We have a great backyard and a great floorplan…my favorite favorite is probably my bedroom; although it tends to stay a mess, the decorating possibilities (here’s the part where I need the book) always make my imagination happy.
What a wonderful opportunity to win! I will order this book anyway, but if I win I will have one to lend. ;)
I love my deck and stone fire pit. and I love the weather is finally warmer to enjoy them :)
I love my home because it is a dream come true to have a family of my own.
:-)
I recently moved into my first apartment! I love making it MY OWN! I don’t have to follow anyone else’s decorating preferences because its MINE ALL MINE :)
I love the openness of our home with its many windows. I can look outside and God in nature!
Perhaps I need to read this book more than anyone. I’m gonna be honest here. I don’t love my house. I love the people in it, but not the house itself. We moved from the house I loved about 10 years ago and I just haven’t been able to embrace this one. I’m sure it has great potential, but I just can’t seem to move forward with it. I know. It’s sad.
There was a country song many years ago that had this line: “Love grows best in little houses with fewer walls to separate.” I love that. So when I build again — I’m building small, but living large!
Now, my town? I DEARLY LOVE MY TOWN. I’m a country girl and I need wide open spaces. I live in a subdivision, but I can be driving the hills of beautiful Williamson County in about 2 minutes flat! I love that we have parks and battlefields to walk. I love that the views and sunsets seem prettier with each season that passes.
Blessings,
Dori
I love all the projects my husband does around the house, because then each time I see something he built or painted or planted it reminds me of how special he is.
My favorite thing about our home is having quilts hanging almost every room. They make me smile.
Well since we have basically been remodeling our 90 year old farm house for about 15 years. ( we refer to it as being trapped in the 3rd level of remodeling hell. :o)) I could sure use some inspiration! We just need the time and $ to finish up the projects we started because well frankly we are out of steam… This looks awesome!
The thing I love most about my home are the people who live in it! :) And I like my new reading lamp.
Thanks for doing this giveaway! How fun! I’d love to win since we are currently at my parents’ but planning to move within the month! So, since I don’t have my own place right this minute I will say my favorite thing about where we are right now is being with my parents & my son getting lots of extra grandparent time. Also, they have a huge fenced-in backyard which is awesome to put the toddler in ;-)
My favorite thing? Guess it would have to be the old glass doorknobs that are original to the house.
I love our small town, but also we live close enough to a big city that it can be a day trip for major shopping and etc. It’s wonderful!
I’ll have to find a new favorite place! We were displaced for 3 1/2 months following a burst pipe that required the whole place to be taken down to the studs and rebuilt. I can identify with your sister as it is a LOT overwhelming for someone who doesn’t have the “gift” for doing these things!
My favorite part of my home is the people and dog who live in it. Home, sweet home.
my favorite thing about where i live is that it seems to be a gathering place for our friends…which means there are all sorts of kids often there…love listening to them laugh and play and pretend and fight (life lessons being taught every time…lol). i love where i live because it is ours, and i get to share it with my family who i love so much and often with our friends!
My favorite thing about the place I live is the people who live there too! :)
My favorite part about where I live is the people who live with me and also the creek that runs behind our house. Very peaceful.
I love my Fall inspired sitting room. It is my own little space.
I lived in the home of my dreams for 12 years but had to sell and downsize. I now live in a 760 square foot condo. However, I am finding that it doesn’t matter how large your home is. You can create a place of comfort and love after all. My little garden is taking shape in the front entryway. I think that is my favorite part of my home. I’ve read Nester’s blog for many years and never knew what her first name was. Thanks for sharing. I would love to read her book.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I love my porch! I just washed off all the pollen and vacuumed cushions this weekend and my husband started planting. Was such a relaxing weekend leading up to Easter Sunday. I just want to sit on the porch, but the rest of the house is screaming for Spring cleaning!
I love my family room. It is cozy and warm, but still has room to breath. It is my favorite room of the house … not to mention that it is where I can always find my family.
A big bay window and window seat that looks out over my backyard – all hand done landscaping:)
All of our grown children live far away from us. What I love is when all three of our children and their families which include 8 grandchildren can be at our house at the same time. It is a house full of laughter and noise.
my favorite part of our home is our dining room turned sitting room! we NEVER used our dining room so we repurposed it into a hangout/homework/sitting room & we use the mess out of it now! best decorating decision I’ve ever made! ;)
My favorite part of our home is the kitchen. I love the space, the storage, but probably most of all, I love sitting around the table with my family and friends. We have the best conversations there.
This is absolutely crazy and I don’t even live there yet. We purchased a farm house last winter, began remodeling it and it’s now 102 years old and all we see is it’s skeleton. It’s in the middle of the city with 3.5 acres and two barns and zoned for livestock. Yes cattle and horses in the middle of town. I can’t wait to move in not because it will be like a new house or each of the four kids will have their own room. No, I want to move in to decorate, to be home, to have a home that will be ours without the thought of moving. A home that will have big, tall windows and flowing curtains, open doors with kids running and screaming inside and out, and Momma’s coming and going, cooking together, praying together, studying together. This home is our missions house. A mini farm in the city, in a quiet little place in East Tennessee, not far from where we grew up, but were God is planting us, to cultivate for Him in the children and families that live close by and that I teach two blocks down.
I need this book! Moving into a new house this week. I lack inspiration and creativity!
My absolute favorite thing about my home (aside from the fact that I can hear the noise from Davis Wade stadium from my yard!) is our new outdoor fireplace. We just installed it a couple of years ago. (Had to get 3 daughters through college and pay for 3 weddings first!!!) We find that we are spending a LOT of time outdoors, almost year round. It’s one of those things that I wish we had done a long time ago! (But, see the reasons for NOT doing it above!) Anyway, I love it so much.
My favorite thing about where I live is that it is a rental! Just call the landlord when something breaks!
My favorite thing is my bedroom.
My favorite things in our home are the fireplace, the kitchen and being in the country.
My favorite thing about my house is the openness of the floor plan. Thank you for this opportunity to win the book!
i love our home’s floorplan. it makes it feel cozy.
I love our den with the stone fireplace and new hardwood floors. The wall of windows lets in lots of light. It’s the room we live in.
My favorite part is that I don’t have a favorite part yet. We will be moving soon and so my current living location (parent’s) is not mine, so I have the unknown favorite part to create:)
We moved to our current home last year, and I mostly feel overwhelmed still trying to get things organized and sorted. But I love our living room and dining room. They get great light in the winter, shade in the summer, and with a playroom now, a quick tidy-up makes the living room quite peaceful when kids are in bed. :)
I love that my husband built our home with lots of prayer and his two hands. We have come to the conclusion that we might not always be here, but for now it is home because we are here together.
Always so refreshing to complete a new home project. Our favorite place in the house is wherever the kids are! Thank you for sharing her book!
I love a lot about our home. It is our first, and is definitely a work in progress. However, right now, it’s my kitchen in all of it’s mid-century modern glory! :)
My favorite part of our house is that it’s home. And it’s lived in and there’s love there. Lots of it. It’s definitely my refuge.
I love our backyard! We moved from flat land and no trees, to a town with trees everywhere! I love having room for our girls to run and explore and get messy. Inside, we are still working on making this house our own. I am horrible at decorating, so this book would be a big help!
Our home is a small farmhouse built around 1950. We have remodeled some and still have more to do, but we love it. The colors, the coziness, the hodge podge decor. Most of all, we are together here- imperfect people in an imperfect house- but filling it with memories and daily seeing God’s blessings.
I have to check out her blog. Hope you had a nice blessed Easter with your family and friends.
So excited about this book! My favorite space in my home…or rather outside my home…is my deck. It overlooks our property and it is my place for relaxation and inspiration.
My favorite thing is this is the place we brought my son home to. A teeny tiny apartment now filled with giggles and so much love!
Our cozy lower level!
I love the covered planting station my husband built behind our shed. He supplied it with everything that I need and made the height just perfect…no more half bending!
Well, my favorite thing about where we currently live is it’s small and cozy and it’s our first place together. However, it is currently filled with boxes because we are closing on our first house tomorrow and will move on Sunday. I will definitely miss our first place together and if I think about it too much, I get a little teary. I think my favorite thing about our new house will be that it’s ours and the dogwoods in the front yard. There is nothing better than an old dogwood tree.
My favorite thing about my house is the people who live there with me: my husband, our pug Lulu, and our two cats Minnie and Wichi. My least favorite thing is our pink wall to wall carpet circa 1984 ;)
My favorite place in my home is my breakfast nook/kitchen; especially since we just remodeled! But even before, when it was green “marble-look” Formica counters, bright yellow walls & ceiling (a painting mistake about 5 years ago), & fluorescent light box, it was still my favorite place because it’s bright and open, and because I can remember all the 20 years of meals and homework and quiet times there.
I’d love a copy of the book!
I love that we the middle of the woods, and can watch deer and turkeys down our long driveway.
Sweet giveaway-love you;love Nester! My home is now way too big for just me and my husband. Thought of selling but what I love most are the MEMORIES! Not sure I’ll be able to do it.
my favorite thing about our home is the kitchen.
The woodstove is my favorite thing.
I love our living room and our yard. Both are great places for our family to relax and enjoy each other!
I Love my hydranga bushes. . .big and beautiful! and the fact that my little people call it home.
I love my kids rooms… Which are all works in progress (and may never be done), but all their rooms are just, them!
My floor-to-ceiling windows that run the entire length of the back of my house, and look over our land. Or my grandkid room. Or…
Sorry. I’ve got a few favorites. I love where I live.
I think my favorite thing is the French doors leading from the dining room into the backyard. There are window panels flanking the French doors so when the drapes are fully open it’s practically a wall of windows. Perfect for keeping an eye on the kids when they play outside.
We live on the eighth hole of golf course, and the view out our patio doors is of the course’s pond. It has two fountains, and in spring a family of ducks. From certain angles it looks like we live on the water front. :)
I love that when I lay down on my bed with a book in the afternoon, there is a lovely breeze and view of a beautifut tree out my window. Pure Bliss!
I want a copy!! I love everything about my new house, but mostly that it is a blank slate! The empty walls waiting for decoration!
My favorite thing about my house is my view out my back windows…..we moved in just 3 weeks ago, and I cannot get over the beautiful woods just outside my back door. Love it.
We live on a canal in a wooded area. I enjoy seeing deer and birds everyday. Take away the snakes and it’d be blissful! 😉
I LOVE our neighborhood…I have so many sweet friends and so does my son so we are lucky to be a part of a great place
I love our back yard. The time my husband and I spend together doing yard work, picking our fruit, sitting by the fire pit, or playing catch with our dogs…just keeps a smile on my face!
I love my kitchen – where I cook and bake for family and friends.
We redid the deck a couple of years ago and it is my most favorite space to hang out with the dogs and the hubster. Hubster’s favorite space has got to be the oversized living room with the oversized media center – and truth to tell, it’s one of my faves too.
My family is there and it’s a place of refuge and love for us together!
I love that it is so comfortable to my family to just all stuff in there together and laugh until we hurt!
My favorite thing about my place would be learning to make it unique to my family. Incorporating meaningful things that lift each one of up.
My small home has wonderful wood floors, which are so
easy to keep clean. This gives me more time to read, hint, hint=:)
My favorite thing about our house is that we built it. It has our blood, sweat and tears in it. It is very functional (its a farm house!) and there is no wasted space. I love it!
My favorite thing about my home…it is where our family gathers & memories are made!
My favorite thing about my home is my living room. I have the perfect robins egg blue on the walls that took me 17 test cans of paint to find! I get so happy every time I walk in to that room. We are living the remodel dream and often it is overwhelming; especially with 5 kids ! I def need some motivation to keep going. Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite thing – my Jacuzzi bath tub (especially when filled with lavender oil and warm water…sigh). After long days, there is nothing as relaxing for me than a warm bath to wash all the days cares away.
Fingers crossed!
When we bought our home (in Winter) I didn’t realize one of my favorite things would be the front porch. Love sitting out there in the late afternoon of Summer with a glass of ice tea.
I absolutely love our bed. Right now it’s two twin sized beds pushed together to make a king and no matter what we try the little “gap” between the 2 mattresses never goes away. There is always a foot or elbow stuck in there and it makes me and the hubs giggle so hard. Every. Single. Time. So we just have to cuddle a little closer to avoid the valley (I won’t complain!, lol)
My favorite thing about our place would probably be incororating things that are unique to each one of us. Art, words, and decor that defines each passion and interest to each uniquely.
I love that I live in a rental and I don’t have to fix anything major!!!
My favorite thing about our home is the patio. We have a very private lot and there was a pretty fountain next to the patio when we bought the house. When our children and grandchildren come over for dinner the patio is where we love to be. The sound of the water in the fountain and our yard make it such a peaceful place to gather.
Love this house because it’s me! Bought it almost two years ago, post divorce after 32 years of marriage. Lived in my former home 35 years and was so afraid to move from it. But finally did it with fear coming along for the ride. Well, happy to say, it was a great decision!
Linda
after 12 years of living with a completely dysfunctional kitchen, we were finally able to remodel, and the finished product is beyond what I ever thought I could create. It is my happy place, and makes me smile every single time I walk up the stairs.
Thanks for the chance to win this book. I love the Nester!
I love the place of country within the city that God has given
My favorite thing about my home is it’s location: New York City, right in the middle of Manhattan. I’ve been here for a year and I have fallen in love with this city, and with my colorful and comfortable apartment.
I love my kitchen on a sunny Saturday morning. It’s cheerful and a great place to do some baking.
My favorite thing is that it’s small so there isn’t as much to clean!
One thing I love about where I live is the windows. We live on the 14th floor and I love looking out and seeing everyone.
I love that I rent my home and don’t have to fix anything major!!!
I love my bed that my youngest son made for us for Christmas! I love the just right feeling when all my chicks come home!
What I enjoy about our house is the memories of 18 years here, raising three daughters and it feeling like the foundation / home base they can always return to for encouragement and love. That and the many many windows!
I love that my family is together under this one roof.
one favorite thing…i’d have to say being at the end of a lane that’s 3/10 of a mile long; i love my seclusion! =) thanks for sharing this great giveaway!
I love that my home has one main hang out area so we automatically all hang out together.
My favorite part about my home is the relaxed feeling you get when you walk in the door. It is truly a home. It is lived in and enjoyed. My husband and I are empty nesters starting this year. But when my children come home I try to make it so warm and inviting. Somewhere they can unwind from all they have going on. This book sound just up my ally to accomplish that feeling more. Thanks for giving us this chance.