Home is Where the Heart Is~A Love Story about Place and Space

Since February is the month of love and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, here’s a different sort of love story. First of all, I am so grateful to have a place to call home. Whether you own or rent your home, you can have your very own love story. Home is where the heart is and whatever that is for you, I hope you cherish and love your place and space. Here is our love story about Bella Terra.

The Story Begins…

In 1999, with two young children and a growing need for space, my husband and I set out to find a larger home with some land. One day, while pushing a stroller, I walk past a nearly hidden, overgrown property. This house had peaked my interest in the past. I am now hearing rumors it is for sale~despite no For Sale sign.

A few phone calls later, I get an appointment to view the home. Scott was out of town on business and wasn’t able to attend. Behind the tangled greenery stood a grand but neglected 1910 home on two acres, brimming with potential and in desperate need of restoration. It was love at first sight, not for what it was, but for what it could be. Seriously, I could not stop thinking about this house.

Finally, Scott tours the house, all the while maintaining his lawyer face. I cannot tell at this point if he loves it or if he thinks I’ve lost my mind. Long story short, we make an offer and it’s accepted. Our friends think we are crazy. Are we crazy?

The Courtship

And then the courtship begins. We hire a fabulous architect, Cathy Hayes. Our first choice in contractors is not available so the second contractor promises the restoration will take a year…..hahahaha. This should have been our first red flag.

Wanting to be close to the renovation action, we move a new double wide trailer and place it at the back of the property…and then I get pregnant.

Needless to say, everything that could go wrong with a restoration, did go wrong. We were living in our own movie very similar to the 1986 movie, The Money Pit. My job as a Vice President of a major corporation was downsized and I find myself unemployed, pregnant and living in a double wide with 2 toddlers, a large puppy and chickens. Fortunately, Scott remains solidly employed. But finally, after 3 years of dedication and hard work (and a new baby), the house is finally ready enough to move in.

But like any love story, there are bits and pieces that make this relationship unique. Why do I love this particular house and property vs. another? For me, it’s the details that count.

Historic Home Love

Being born and raised in Connecticut, I love older homes. In high school, I lived with my parents and siblings in a 1771 Colonial that my parents restored.

Older homes are in my blood. While I appreciate the conveniences of a newly built house, I’m irresistibly drawn to the character and soul of an older home. Maybe it’s the echoes of memories woven into the walls and floors or the lingering sense of love and laughter that once filled the space. Perhaps it’s the craftsmanship—the intricate details in the doors, windows and trim—that make these homes feel truly special. Whatever the reason, old homes speak to me in a way no modern build ever could.

It’s All in the Details

I love the details of our 1910 Mission Revival home. One of its unique elements, is the many architectural arches that are repeated throughout the property.

You can find a grouping of arches along the front porch and porte Cochère, the back terrace and even in the eyebrows over the 2nd story Palladian windows.

Here is a photo of the terrace outside the master bedroom. The arches are present in this space too. I find the repetitive nature of the arches offering a different perspective as you look through one arch down to the other.

During the restoration, we applied this same design element to the newly made wrought iron railings, fencing and gates.

We built these large gates to the entry of the orchard. High enough off the ground to accept flood irrigation, they are a pretty testament to incorporating the historical arch details in new construction.

After researching several gates and fence styles, I help to create this design, incorporating the arch in all our wrought iron fencing. Made by Grizzly Iron, Inc. in Phoenix, it still remains beautiful and sturdy.

Within the wall between the front and back yard, the green man gate with a different arch pattern opens into the side rose garden.

Even the beautiful green Ludiwici roof tiles, share in the same curves.

Interior Elements

Many of the interior details that I love are part of the house’s history. We are blessed with 5 interior fireplaces and 2 exterior ones, all with unique mantels and trim.

Fireplaces may not be the most efficient source of heat but back in 1910, they were the only way to warm up a room. Today, the warmth they provide goes far beyond temperature. There’s nothing quite like the cozy glow of a crackling fire on a cold evening—the flickering light, the gentle warmth, and the sense of comfort it brings are simply priceless.

One of the charming details of our historic home is the abundance of French interior doors. Before central heating and air conditioning, efficiently maintaining a room’s temperature was essential.

Our living room, family room, and library each have beautiful French doors that allow us to close off the space when needed, while the dining room features elegant pocket doors for added privacy. A hidden treasure, these doors were buried in the walls and only discovered during the renovation.

These thoughtful architectural elements not only serve a practical purpose but also add timeless character to our home.

Finding Harmony

Some people can pull off mixing very new and contemporary with antiques. I am not one of those people. For example, since all the light fixtures were removed by the previous owner, I attempt to curate replacement ones with character and charm.

In areas where damaged tile needed replacement, we took care in seeking the right style and color to complement the house’s aesthetics, while respecting the early 1900s architecture.

For me, it’s the little details that come together like puzzle pieces to create the bigger picture. The seamless way one room flows into the next, the warmth of an intimate dining room where guests gather beneath a sparkling chandelier, the smooth bannister worn by generations who ran up and down the stairs before us—these are just a few of the things I love about our home.

The Heart of Home

The heart of the story would be the life lived within its walls—the glow of a fire on winter evenings, the scent of fresh-baked bread drifting from the kitchen, laughter echoing down the hallways, and the quiet moments of reflection by a sunlit window. It would be about the people who have passed through our doors, the traditions created, and the memories built—holiday gatherings, bedtime stories, and the countless little moments that make a house a home.

And like any great love story, it will be ever-evolving. For 24 years and counting, we’ve filled these rooms with love, laughter, and the memories of our lives. As we get older, we are hoping this home will grow and change alongside us, always providing comfort, shelter, and a place to return to. Because in the end, a home isn’t just about walls and floors—it’s about the love that fills the space, making it a part of who we are.

What is your home’s love story ?

Happy Valentine’s Day, my sweet friends. May your hearts be filled with love for yourself, others and of course, love for your home.

A few years ago, I wrote a series of blogs called the Restoration Chronicles. If you love a good Before and After story, I think you will enjoy each one. You can find links to these posts below.