A few of my favorite things: Melissa Loves

Hi there! My name is Melissa and my blog is Melissa Loves… I am thrilled and honored to be a part of lovely Holly’s guest series (how fun!). Here’s hoping you all enjoy a few of “my favorite things.” (cue music) :)

1. My desk. I love the calm colors at my desk and the artwork in and around it. I look at them everyday and they make me happy. I haven’t been able to paint the rooms in my house yet, we have only been here for a few months but I hope to do that sometime in the near future because that always has a huge effect on my feelings in a room.

2. Porch. I have longed for a front porch my whole life and now I sit out there every chance I get! We eat out there, I swing on the swing and just think things over — I love it so very much and am so grateful for it.

3. Playroom. This room is so cheerful and bright and it makes me happy to think my girls can go in here and have fun and play. The room before the door is my littlest one’s room but they share the playroom.

4. Mantle. I love fireplaces and this one is no different…the bird candelabra is one of my favorite things and I like it up there.

5. Photo/art wall. This is a work in progress and is probably not for everyone but I love that I can put up my daughter’s artwork, some of the work by the artists I love and photos of my family all in one spot and that it has room to grow over the years. I would love to paint this room a pale pink! :)

I feel inspired by so many things….beautiful artists, music, books, movies or people that make your heart sing, puts your mind at ease or makes you want to jump around!

People: my husband and best friend Joel. I joke and say he is my anchor and my touchstone…but, it isn’t really a joke. I think he is one of the wisest people I have ever met and he inspires me every day. My two little girls. they see everything in such a different way…fresh and with new eyes and because my goal is for our home to make them feel loved, comfortable and safe, it inspires me to try to create something lovely and happy for them. My closest girlfriends. Annie, Enid, Andrea, Allie and Ez — thank goodness for them when I need a good laugh or to sort out a problem. And my blogging friends and artists. I can’t list them all for fear I would leave someone out…but I don’t know what I would do without their daily inspiration and love.

Music: David Gray (for his beautiful voice and hopeful sentiment), Feist (her gorgeous voice and unusual way of storytelling, Sia (her amazing voice) and Shawn Colvin (wonderful voice and she is also an amazing storyteller).

Books: Memoirs of a Geisha (for the romantic and intriguing story and for a story you can get lost in), To Kill a mockingbird (my little one’s middle name is Atticus after Atticus Finch), The Joy Luck Club.

Movies: Raise the Red Lantern (for the gorgeous scenery), Shawshank Redemption (for the beautiful and hopeful ending), To live (for the struggle & courage).

I am inspired by a cool breeze on a warm day, a wonderful day at the beach, ordinary people’s smiles (and how it completely changes their faces) or small acts of kindness, courage, honesty, the romantic ideals I hold in my heart, animals (particularly dogs, whales and elephants), gorgeous smells (the beach, lavender, gardenia, honeysuckle, fresh cut grass and my little one’s skin). Could someone bottle all that for me, please? :)

My favorite advice: “Just love them” and “just be yourself”. Harder to do than say but when I succeed in doing both I am so happy and content.

Thank you so much for having me Holly, this was so much fun to do! I hope your journey to your new home and a new country goes beautifully! — xo, Melis

(images: melissa loves)

Tags: favorite things

32 Responses to “Melissa Loves: Favorite Things”

1 Shanon commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am

You are such a sweetheart Melissa! I’m jealous that you have a porch and I love that you have a blue room just like me. =)
.-= Shanon´s last blog ..*A Holga Thank you! =-.
2 Kim commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am

Your house is wonderful! I am quite envious of that front porch! And that panda head cracks me up! =D Its so cute!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Sunshine Daisies Butter Mellow =-.
3 kellyhicks commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am

I loove your house Melissa! It’s so personal and pretty, I seems like you put thought into the placement of each piece but it doesn’t look forced. I want to live there!
.-= kellyhicks´s last blog ..DENIM | cuffs =-.
4 Kat commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am

Hi Melis
that was a totally amazin post thankyou for sharin that insight into your home heart and soul it’s so uplifting. I love the porch and would love to sit n chat with you and the blog girls there-perfect! And the playroom is fab the bunny outside the door to it caught my eye! Cute.
You reminded me about feist I must get that cd out soon I have it someplace. I’m glad you are enjoyin your new place and making it such a safe comforting home love kat x(secrets of a butterfly)
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Songs that touch my heart =-.
5 City Chic - Jamie commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:47 am

Your rooms are gorgeous! There are so many cute things to look at in each one :) Thanks for sharing them with us :)
.-= City Chic – Jamie´s last blog ..Day Trip to Chicago =-.
6 katie runnels commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am

oh, Melissa! Your home is so tranquil and sweet! I’d love to sit on your swing and chat away with you! thank you for sharing! xoxo
.-= katie runnels´s last blog ..Second Surf is hosting a Giveaway! =-.
7 Julie commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:53 am

It’s so great to be able to see Melissa’s space and find out more about what inspires that creative brain of hers. I adore Melis.
8 julieann commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:53 am

Oh Melissa! Your home is just lovely! I can relate to your love of porches and would be out on your swing from sunrise to sunset, such a relaxing corner. Thanks for sharing
.-= julieann´s last blog ..Quick Share – The Old Skool =-.
9 mer commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:59 am

what a fun and happy space Melissa! Seems like you have a magical home.
.-= mer´s last blog ..[Vintage Americana part II] =-.
10 simply hue commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

I love your front porch, Melissa! We live in an older home, too, and have a front porch facing the Cascade Mountains. I sit there just about every day with my cup of coffee/tea. It’s very therapeutic! Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us. :)
.-= simply hue´s last blog ..Spotlight on Photographers, Day 4, and a New Giveaway!!! =-.
11 Frugal Bon Vivant commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Love the porch swing!
.-= Frugal Bon Vivant´s last blog ..In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto – Book Review =-.
12 Laura Gaskill commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Beautiful! I wish I could come over and swing with you and your girls on your front porch!
.-= Laura Gaskill´s last blog ..Thinking Pink, Part 3: Palettes =-.
13 Giovanna commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

I love this post! I’m a fan of your beautiful ideas! I love every minute of your blog :)
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and inspiring decor
Love
Giovanna
http://www.bohomarket.blogspot.com
.-= Giovanna´s last blog ..Romantic Getaway… =-.
14 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Oh! Thank you, all of you lovely ladies! I really appreciate
all of your kind words and it makes my day! You all are
welcome on my porch anyday! And, thank you Holly for inviting me!
xo
melis
15 Kelly Grace commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

What a wonderful and inspiring post Melissa! Parts of it brought a tear to my eye. Your blog is a daily read of mine as is Decor 8, so happy to see the two together!
16 yansy commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

You have a lovely home. I’m dying to have a front porch one day. I have to move out of Miami first.
.-= yansy´s last blog ..Nursery Love! =-.
17 colleen commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

LOOOOOOOOOOVE the panda head! and your porch chairs are similar to these that i’m going to snatch up today from pier one!
http://nanabanana.typepad.com/nana_banana/2009/08/anthropologie-on-an-ikea-budget.html
.-= colleen´s last blog ..Anthropologie on an Ikea budget =-.
18 Natalie commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

Melissa! I adore your home – it looks so cozy and wonderful. From the porch, it looks like a historic home. When was it built? xo! ~Natalie
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Back on? =-.
19 Brenda commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Lovely lovely home and lovely sentiments as well! May I have your desk please? :)
20 novelista barista commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

love this!! it looks so nice :)
.-= novelista barista´s last blog ..In Search of a Coffee Cup.. =-.
21 leslie commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Such a lovely home Melissa! Your children’s spaces look so fun for them…I enjoyed reading your favorites too -I agree Raise the Red Lantern is so gorgeous!
.-= leslie´s last blog ..Color Me Pretty Column =-.
22 Marichelle commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 5:42 am

Just lovely and even lovelier in person!!!
.-= Marichelle´s last blog ..Fabiia: Luxurious Linens =-.
23 Elizabeth commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 8:46 am

Really love your home! It seems so peaceful and tranquil – especially the porch swing and your desk (where did you get the bureau?! It’s really lovely).
24 Clementine Cassie commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 9:52 am

Oh, Melis, your new home is such a sweet and beautiful reflection of you!! I loved this view inside, thank you :) That porch is to die for. And the plush bear head wearing the crown above your desk???? a.frickin.dorable.
25 Libby commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am

This home is SO beautiful…and soothing.
.-= Libby´s last blog ..Finally…. =-.
26 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

Thank you lovely ladies! You all made my day! Natalie, to answer your question…our house was built in 1898! :)
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..The Bright Side Project =-.
27 Susan commented:
August 8th, 2009 at 12:59 am

Where did you get the panda wearing the crown? He is so cute!!
28 karey m. commented:
August 8th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

doesn’t matter what this little thing writes or shows us…everything she sends out is like a sweet love letter.

she’s just a treasure, i think. so psyched you featured her here on everyone’s favorite sight-to-see {not to mention the coolest design resource!}…the more people melissa touches, the better. xoxo.
.-= karey m.´s last blog ..my monkey in the middle… =-.
29 melissa de la fuente commented:
August 8th, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Hi Susan! I got it from a wonderful soft sculpture artist named Tamar Mogendorff. Here is her website, http://www.tmogy.com/ I love her work so much and mention it to anyone who will listen! :)
Oh! And Elizabeth…My desk was handed down to me from my mom. Then I had it painted by this terrific decorative painter in my town(to look like a french antique I had admired) :)
xo
Melis
.-= melissa de la fuente´s last blog ..The Bright Side Project =-.
30 heather smith jones commented:
August 10th, 2009 at 8:42 am

Melissa it is so wonderful to see you here this morning! Your home is absolutely beautiful and is just how I imagined it would be. Full of light, joy, and soft colors. Thank you for sharing your home with us!
.-= heather smith jones´s last blog ..bits and pieces =-.
31 mrs. french commented:
August 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am

how long have you lived there? it’s perfect…I have been in my little house for almost 5 years and yours looks more complete than mine…hehe…I need to get to work…

I feel as if this post has given us a chance to know you a bit more and of course like you that much more…xo t
.-= mrs. french´s last blog ..my happy place: marie claire maison kitchens =-.
32 Amy@Pikaland commented:
September 5th, 2009 at 9:35 am

Melissa, I love your home — it’s so gorgeous and effortlessly chic! I also love the white and the pops of colors springing up in between. And the porch? Just wow.
.-= Amy@Pikaland´s last blog ..Anatomy of a mook [3] =-.

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