This cute little Mid-Century Modern home can be found in the Hollin Hills section of Alexandria, VA.
I was told about 4 years ago when I first moved to the East Coast from Cali by Dude (my hubby) that I am good at so many things, but that I have a passion for nothing. Huh?
My response: Is passion a requirement?
Dude: Absolutely!!! You do so many things well, but you’re not an expert at anything. What do you love?
Me: I love you and the kids and our life.
Dude: But what do you love to do? What is your passion?
Me: …Blank stare…
He was right you know. Life is nothing without passion. So for the last four years I have been searching my life. Praying to the Almighty God. Hoping, wishing, believing that I would find something in life that I could be passionate about and use it to fuel the this next phase of my life and my purpose. I just wanted something that I could put my energy into, and reap rewards from just because I loved it. Something that I would never tire of doing, looking at, learning about, being around. Something that I could be an expert on and that I could grow from.
And then one day I found it…
I found it on one of our endless house hunts (which still haven’t ended by the way).
One day when we were looking at houses in a lovely wooded area near our current residence, we happened upon a most wonderful mid century modern piece of cuteness that although was in some disrepair and in much need of updating felt like home. It was just a little brick bungalow that looked as though it were growing out the side of a hill. It had the exposed wood beams, those wonderful angles, the luscious brick fireplace in the great room, and that wall of windows that you just want to live in, being neither here nor there, neither inside nor outside. I was home.
This is not my first experience with Mid Century Modern architecture. I am very familiar with the aesthetic having grown up in Los Angeles where these homes can be found in the hills and commercial buildings abound. In addition, I have also had the distinct pleasure of spending much quality time with my Dad and Step-mother who lived in an amazing MCM in the hills of Northern California.
But until I walked into that hillside home in of all places, Northern Virginia, I had not been struck by the simplicity, the oneness with nature, the cozy elegance that could actually be not just a home, but a way of life. I have been bitten by the MCM bug and now there is no turning back. Before if you would have asked me what my design style was, I would have immediately said, “Eclectic!” Meaning: I don’t have a design style. But standing in that cute little bungalow on a mild winter day, I could see my whole design life pass before my eyes and all of a sudden, my furniture choices, choices of accessories and even clothing style just made sense. As Oprah would say, I had that ever elusive, “Aha Moment!”
Mid-Centruy Modern is so much more for me than just a style of home. It’s art, fashion, entertaining. It’s a lifestyle. And if you know me, you know that I am all about lifestyle. I know that I am late, some of you are probably saying, “Gosh, Girl, where have you been?” All I can say is, “life happens when the time is right!” And for me, now is the time.
So now I am learning all I can about MCM architecture, style, design and the whole way of life and of course I will put my own unique Onibella twist on it, because that is what I do. I hope you will join me on my journey.
There is something to this whole passion thing. For the first time in a long time, I feel truly alive.
Have a great week,
Until
Bella
Hollin Hills: A Mid-Century Modern Community
Hope for the Future: Lessons From Mid-Century Modern Design Great article on lessons that can be learned from the Mid Century Modern era.
