Five Things I'm Bringing Into My New Space to Make It Home
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I've been settling into my new home with my partner, and one of the things I've been figuring out is how to make a new space feel like my own.
I wasn't sure how much to bring from my house, so I've been slowly adding bits and pieces over the past several weeks. I didn't want to strip my house down completely, especially with family staying there over the winter, so I ended up purchasing a few things, too. But I've tried to use as much of what I already own as possible to make this new space feel like home.
Here are five things that have made the biggest difference.
1. Photographs
Family photos have helped me feel less homesick. There's something comforting about seeing familiar faces throughout the day, especially when you're adjusting to a new space and a different daily routine. They remind me of the people and places that are still part of my life, even when I'm not there.
2. Artwork
I had to temper my desire to bring all my favorite paintings and prints with me. This is a much smaller space, and I didn't want to strip my house bare, either.
Instead, I chose a few paintings I'd done over the summer, picked up some new pieces while thrifting, and framed a few photos of my partner and our life together.
Taken together, the artwork tells a little story about the beginning of our relationship. I love that these pieces are not just things I enjoy looking at, but little reminders of this particular chapter of my life.
3. Blue Willow China
I use vintage china for all sorts of things, from jewelry holders and soap dishes to storage and, of course, dining and serving. There's something about blue-and-white dishes that has always appealed to me. Maybe it's the timelessness of the pattern, or perhaps it's simply the comfort of something familiar.
Having little pieces of my collection sprinkled throughout my new space makes it feel more like home. They don't have to be used for their intended purpose to be useful, and I love finding new ways to incorporate things I already own into everyday life.
I love to mix and match blue and white china patterns.
4. Books
Much like the artwork, I had to curate the books I wanted to bring. Once again, I was working with a smaller space, so I had to be a little selective.
I brought some of my favorite cookbooks, reference books, and holiday books. I've also started buying books again, realizing how much more relaxing it is to sit down and thumb through a real book rather than scroll through Pinterest or TikTok.
I love having books within reach, whether I'm looking for inspiration, researching something that interests me, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon. They make a space feel lived in, and I can't imagine a home without them.
5. Plants
Historically, I've struggled to keep plants happy through the winter. My house is cold and drafty, which doesn't make for the happiest indoor garden.
But now that I'm in a much smaller, cozier space, my plants are thriving. I have them in most of the rooms, and it's been such a pleasure to watch them flourish.
There's something lovely about bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside, especially as the days grow shorter and we spend more time indoors. My plants make the space feel alive, and caring for them gives me another small reason to slow down and pay attention to my surroundings.
I turned this old telephone shelf into a planter. My pothos are loving their new space.
A Few Other Things That Make a House Feel Like Home
Beyond these five things, I've invested in some new cotton bedding, a diffuser and essential oils, and a few practical pieces of furniture, including bookshelves and thrifted side tables and dressers.
I'm learning that making a home isn't necessarily about filling it with new things or getting everything in place at once. Sometimes it's about bringing along the familiar, finding a place for the things you love, and slowly creating a space that reflects the life you're living now.
I'm still settling in, and I'm sure there will be more changes as the seasons pass. For now, I'm enjoying the process of making this space my own.
What are the things that make your home feel like home?
From the Blog
In the Pines
Who Is Hecate? Keeper of the Crossroads
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Hecate is one of the oldest figures in Greek mythology.
Unlike many of the Olympian gods, she was born to the Titans Perses and Asteria, placing her among the older generation of deities who existed before Zeus and the Olympians.
One of the earliest descriptions of Hecate appears in Hesiod's Theogony. Rather than portraying her as dark or frightening, Hesiod describes her as a powerful goddess honored by Zeus with influence over the earth, the sea, and the sky. She was associated with blessings, prosperity, wisdom, and protection.
Over time, Hecate became connected with places that exist "between" worlds.
She is commonly associated with:
Crossroads
Boundaries and thresholds
Liminal spaces
Magic and witchcraft
The moon
Dreams and the night
Transformation and the Underworld
Perhaps more than anything, Hecate reminds us that life's most meaningful moments often happen in the spaces between one chapter and the next.
Hecate: Keeper of the Crossroads
One of Hecate's best-known roles is as the Keeper of the Crossroads.
In ancient Greece, crossroads were more than intersections in the road. They represented places of decision, uncertainty, and transition.
As Hecate's worship evolved, she was often depicted as three women standing back-to-back, each facing a different direction. This triple form symbolized her ability to watch over every path and every possibility.
She is frequently shown carrying:
Torches, representing guidance through darkness.
Keys, symbolizing access to hidden knowledge and new beginnings.
A dagger, representing discernment and the ability to cut away what no longer serves us.
Throughout ancient Greece, shrines dedicated to Hecate were often placed near gates, city walls, crossroads, and the entrances to homes. People left offerings of food at these sacred places, asking for protection and safe passage through life's transitions.
The yew tree, long associated with death, rebirth, and longevity, also became one of the plants connected with Hecate.
Hecate and Persephone
One of my favorite stories involving Hecate comes from the myth of Persephone.
When Persephone was abducted by Hades and taken to the Underworld, Hecate was one of the few who heard her cries. She later helped Demeter search for her daughter and eventually became Persephone's companion, escorting her between the Underworld and the world above.
I think that is what drew me to Hecate. She doesn't rescue Persephone or make her journey easier. Instead, she walks beside Persephone, lighting the path along the way.
There are seasons in every life when we're moving from one version of ourselves to another. During those times, we don't necessarily need someone to solve our problems—we simply need enough light to take the next step.
More Than a Goddess of Witchcraft
Today, Hecate is probably best known as the Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic.
That association grew stronger in later Greek and Roman literature, particularly in stories involving Medea and Jason and the Argonauts.
Interest in Hecate experienced a significant revival during the late twentieth century through the work of scholars and modern neo-pagan authors. Today she is honored by many Wiccans, witches, and those seeking a more nature-based spiritual path.
Recommended Reading & Listening
If you'd like to learn more about Hecate, these are the books that have influenced both historical scholarship and modern interest in her:
Once in a Blue Moon
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May is the month of the Flower Moon. This year (2026), the full moon coincided with Beltane on the very first day of May. And now, we are gifted with a second full moon this month — a Blue Moon — arriving on May 31.
The full moon represents abundance, illumination, and the moment when we begin to see the results of intentions planted during the new moon. Its energy is often considered strongest at this time, making it a meaningful opportunity to focus on goals, spell work, manifestation, or reflection. It is also a time to seek clarity about the path ahead.
If there is an area of your life that feels uncertain or troubling, sitting beneath the full moon in meditation can help bring insight and perspective.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, May’s Blue Moon is also a micromoon, meaning it will be at one of its farthest points from Earth — the opposite of a supermoon. Even from afar, its energy remains a reminder to reflect on what you wish to invite into your life, and what you may be ready to release.
Free Blue Moon Printable
More About Moon Magic
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