What Story Do You Want This Room to Tell?

Every room’s story needs a beginning. It can come from and experience, a feeling, a memory. Natalie Soriano’s room story begins on her aunt and uncle’s farm.

Growing up, I loved visiting my aunt and uncle’s farm.

It was about an hour outside the city, and to me, it represented a slice of Heaven. I knew when we took a left at the McDonald’s that we were leaving normal life behind, and ahead of us was a short drive through their small, quaint, downtown area. Just beyond that were gravel roads. The crunching of the rocks beneath the tires only added to my anticipation. I would look eagerly out my backseat window to see if I could spot their farm before we made a quick left. There weren’t any intersections. You had to just know where to turn. It was exciting.

What did I love most about being there? There’s so much to choose from. Was it the times my uncle let me help with the grass on his riding mower, or the inviting smell of homemade bread my aunt always seemed to be making in her kitchen?

Was it their wood-burning stove, or the dark green wallpaper that swirled together perfectly with gorgeous wooden stairs? Was it the fresh air, the peace of being out of the city, or the special touches in every room?

It was all of it. It was my favorite place to be, and is still very near and dear to my heart to this day.

I recently heard the question “What story do you want this room to tell?”

I was learning a little about interior design. I started thinking about the story my aunt may have had for her home. It was a story of love, kindness, warmth and joy. Her farmhouse welcomed us regardless of the season or our moods. Whatever magic she created in her house, that’s something I’ve been trying to capture and replicate all these years.