Thank you, Lyndsay and Rachel. So much goodness here. As someone who works with refugees on the other side of things, overseas, I really appreciate your work, Rachel (and think your thoughts on home are interesting to consider within the context of those who are displaced). Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely be checking out Hello Neighbor Network.
Thank you for reading Sarah, it's so interesting to hear your perspective from the other side of working with refugees, I'd love to know more about your work and yes do look into Rachel's work at Hello Neighbor Network!
I have often thought about the possibility for displaced people to bring even a glimmer of home with them and what that would look like...(I hope this doesn't sound flippant as I realise that there are many essential factors that would come first for people in such dangerous and challenging situations).
I felt truly immersed in Rachel's world through this interview, Lyndsay. Such rich questions and evocative responses.
Do I feel my home is rooted in its surroundings? Absolutely. We had two weeping ashes at the front of our house which had to be felled recently because they'd been destroyed by ash dieback. It was incredibly sad to see them go, and we sat with the stumps to painstakingly count the rings to see how long they'd stood sentinel on the front lawn. Over 160 years. I then took to my pile of documents to work out who lived here at the time of their planting and was able to tell a story around the family I knew lived here in the 1860s. It made me feel connected to them and this house in such a profound way.
The trees are still with us now, branches drying for firewood and trunks repurposed as benches to sit on. And we have plans to plant cherry trees in their place. The cycle of life!
Thank you for your comment Lindsay, I'm glad you enjoyed reading and felt immersed in Rachel's world.
Oh wow, thank you for sharing the story of your weeping ashes, that must have been heartbreaking. How incredible to think of them rooted there for so many years and the lifetimes they have seen. How wonderful that the ring counting process (what a special thing to do!) led you to your home's history and to find out who lived within the walls so many years ago.
I love that the branches are still with you and will stay with your family as benches. And cherry trees will be a very beautiful addition in their place.
There is nothing like the wisdom of old trees, I find being in their presence so comforting. One of the many things on my list of things to do is to research the history of our home, it was built in 1904 (not as old as yours!) but am not quite sure of where to start. Any tips please let me know...!
The house history journey is fascinating! We started with the census information and then the Scotland's People website (maybe there's an English equivalent?) and the tax valuation records as well. It was a real jigsaw puzzle and there are stubborn pieces we'll never find. Good luck!
Ok brilliant, these are great starting points, thank you. Yes I am sure there are many twists and turns and also making peace with the inevitable dead ends(where hopefully imagination can take over!). Thank you, I will keep you posted x
This was such a beautiful read, so informative as well, and lots of food for thought! I adore all that Rachel shared about the different spaces in her home, it’s made me feel really reflective over my own space. Thank you xxxx
Ah thank you so much for reading Lauren. So glad to hear that the insights into Rachel's home led you to reflect on your own space, would love to discuss at some point if you are open to xx
Thank you Jenna, I am so glad to hear you enjoyed reading about the depth of Rachel's relationship with her home — I loved so many of Rachel's personal insights and the way that she and her home are evolving together.
Thank you Luisa, yes I feel very lucky to have Rachel's insights to living so totally in sync with a home and a place, and how they are evolving together.
Oooo I would love to hear more about your home and the stories held in its walls. I find this stuff fascinating, I suppose it is a real marrying of interests as a History grad who fell into the interiors world!
I am going to be exploring more on creative spaces soon and would also like to hear more about your yoga cabin, which sounds like a total dream scene...! Waving back xx
Thank you, Lyndsay and Rachel. So much goodness here. As someone who works with refugees on the other side of things, overseas, I really appreciate your work, Rachel (and think your thoughts on home are interesting to consider within the context of those who are displaced). Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely be checking out Hello Neighbor Network.
It’s such a big international ecosystem! Thanks for all you do and your kind words 💕
Thank you for reading Sarah, it's so interesting to hear your perspective from the other side of working with refugees, I'd love to know more about your work and yes do look into Rachel's work at Hello Neighbor Network!
I have often thought about the possibility for displaced people to bring even a glimmer of home with them and what that would look like...(I hope this doesn't sound flippant as I realise that there are many essential factors that would come first for people in such dangerous and challenging situations).
I felt truly immersed in Rachel's world through this interview, Lyndsay. Such rich questions and evocative responses.
Do I feel my home is rooted in its surroundings? Absolutely. We had two weeping ashes at the front of our house which had to be felled recently because they'd been destroyed by ash dieback. It was incredibly sad to see them go, and we sat with the stumps to painstakingly count the rings to see how long they'd stood sentinel on the front lawn. Over 160 years. I then took to my pile of documents to work out who lived here at the time of their planting and was able to tell a story around the family I knew lived here in the 1860s. It made me feel connected to them and this house in such a profound way.
The trees are still with us now, branches drying for firewood and trunks repurposed as benches to sit on. And we have plans to plant cherry trees in their place. The cycle of life!
Thank you for your comment Lindsay, I'm glad you enjoyed reading and felt immersed in Rachel's world.
Oh wow, thank you for sharing the story of your weeping ashes, that must have been heartbreaking. How incredible to think of them rooted there for so many years and the lifetimes they have seen. How wonderful that the ring counting process (what a special thing to do!) led you to your home's history and to find out who lived within the walls so many years ago.
I love that the branches are still with you and will stay with your family as benches. And cherry trees will be a very beautiful addition in their place.
There is nothing like the wisdom of old trees, I find being in their presence so comforting. One of the many things on my list of things to do is to research the history of our home, it was built in 1904 (not as old as yours!) but am not quite sure of where to start. Any tips please let me know...!
The house history journey is fascinating! We started with the census information and then the Scotland's People website (maybe there's an English equivalent?) and the tax valuation records as well. It was a real jigsaw puzzle and there are stubborn pieces we'll never find. Good luck!
Ok brilliant, these are great starting points, thank you. Yes I am sure there are many twists and turns and also making peace with the inevitable dead ends(where hopefully imagination can take over!). Thank you, I will keep you posted x
Oh my goodness, that's so beautiful, Lindsay!
Thank you, Jenna! That's lovely of you to say!
This was such a beautiful read, so informative as well, and lots of food for thought! I adore all that Rachel shared about the different spaces in her home, it’s made me feel really reflective over my own space. Thank you xxxx
Ah thank you so much for reading Lauren. So glad to hear that the insights into Rachel's home led you to reflect on your own space, would love to discuss at some point if you are open to xx
I love the sound of the yoga room/library - the colour of the room and the table with the quote on it, relaxing and inspiring all at once!
Exactly! It’s such a peaceful place. 💕
Yes! It's not easy to strike the balance of both an invigorating and soothing space but Rachel has done it beautifully!
I love this deep look at being in such intentional relationship with HOME! Thank you for this!
Thank you Jenna, I am so glad to hear you enjoyed reading about the depth of Rachel's relationship with her home — I loved so many of Rachel's personal insights and the way that she and her home are evolving together.
Yes to yoga and yes yes yes to deep in the bottom of a garden 🌱
Thank you Luisa, yes I feel very lucky to have Rachel's insights to living so totally in sync with a home and a place, and how they are evolving together.
Oooo I would love to hear more about your home and the stories held in its walls. I find this stuff fascinating, I suppose it is a real marrying of interests as a History grad who fell into the interiors world!
I am going to be exploring more on creative spaces soon and would also like to hear more about your yoga cabin, which sounds like a total dream scene...! Waving back xx