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We moved into our new house on August 22. It is now October 8. These are ways I could mark the time:

- One season at Dallas Theater Center ended and a new one began.

- The dogs have had 2 monthly doses of heartworm/flea medication.

- I have made six visits to The Container Store, and four to Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Despite the amount of hours elapsed, of midnights come and gone, of cycles of the moon waxing and waning, the house has only recently started to feel like home. It helped when we discovered Dallas Design District Auction, and I could buy some midcentury case goods to house the sprawling collection that remained largely in big ugly boxes on the hearth until last weekend. For instance, this sideboard (a G Plan design from England) now houses my American Modern glassware, Casual Living serveware, assorted liquor, mugs, and vases.  (Oh, and my one new pottery acquisition over the past few months: a Mary & Russel Wright gravy boat for Sovereign Potteries. It's the blue thing with the arched handle on top.) This effectively reduced the number of boxes by about six. We can now see the fireplace. We'd almost forgotten we had one, let alone that it was one of the selling points of the house. A smaller bookcase houses some pouring vessels behind glass. Another box gone. I'm down to one lone box haunting the hearth, which I fully intend to do away with this weekend.

But as Dionne Warwick might tell you, a house is not a home when the dinnerware's not in use, and vases feel like an old recluse. (OK, she might not really, but work with me.) So last weekend Paul and I had some neighbors over for dinner. This was cause for celebration in the land of neglected ceramics. A Belle Kogan gladiolus vase emerged from bubble wrap to spruce up the dining room, and I brought out the long-dormant American Modern dinnerware to set a fall table and cook Russel Wright's Irish lamb stew. 

And let me tell you, cooking a meal and setting a table -- these are the tools by which to feel at home!

For me, these acts transformed the idea of home into the reality of home. And as fellow collectors might understand, sharing one's collection with new friends gives you a whole new excuse to blather on about the designs, their history, and their philosophical underpinnings while your partner more or less patiently pours a third glass of wine and mouths along.

And after all was said and done, even Murphy -- crazy, kinetic Murphy -- was able to settle down and feel comfortable lounging in the living room. Even if he did have to stare at the one remaining box.

Comments

[Amy]

Oh, Murphy. What a sweet boy.

[Dana@mid2mod]

I'm glad you're finally starting to feel at home in your new place and are beginning to see what was formerly only a tiny chink in a huge wall of boxes turn into a real view of your fireplace.