19.1.11

A home tour. (Merin and Mike Melnyk.)

This is the home of Merin and Mike. They worked so hard on their first house. Merin and her two girlfriends scraped the ceilings. Family got together to help with the painting and refinishing of the floors. Mom and Merin especially had so much fun planning every little detail of the decor. Even though we have had to finish the kitchen without her (it was completely gutted since last spring) it has been finished just as Merin had envisioned. I love this home. Its full of spirit, and warmth. I so hope we can find a lovely little family to fill it. Enjoy the tour!
























(here is just one image from the "before", just to give you an idea of its transformation.)

36 comments:

H and E said...

Oh my goodness it is beautiful!!! I want to buy it for me, but I don't think Hank would go for that. I know they put so much work into this house and your pictures capture not only the beauty but the spirit and warmth of the home.
My favorite pic is of Ysa on the couch! So cute!

shanan said...

What a lovely house. I love how they decorated it. So unique and so classy. Just lovely.

Jane M said...

What an incredible home Eden. Your family is bursting at the seams with talent. I too hope that you find a very special family to fill it with love!

day said...

Eden - Love this post

Jannemccue said...

Lovely in so many ways. And such a treasure for Ysa. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Eden!

The kitchen looks amazing!!! You guys did a perfect job of it, a lot like yours ;) Of course Mer would have loved that! Everything like her big sis.

I especially love the picture of Ysa on the couch, just like when she was first born.

xo
Love Natasha
Ps I'll see you Sunday (after church?)

Jonathon said...

This little house it so cool and Merin and Mom had so much fun with it (to say nothing of the hundreds of hours work mom and dad put into over the last few months!) I'm glad that you posted it. It really IS the house that love built! Thanks for this fun post.

Anonymous said...

Oh Eden!

What beautiful pictures, what beautiful memories. I especially love the one of the young mom holding her babe.

I pray you find the right family to love this little castle.

Thelma

Anonymous said...

Eden,

Wow! Thanks for sharing. I also love the picture of Ysa sitting on the couch. - and love the house, a labour of love.

Love, Roz

Anonymous said...

It is wistful thinking to wish the house could be kept in trust for Ysa. The walls resound with the warmth of Mike and Merin's generous souls and love of their family. I like to think their spirits were there with you as you did this photo shoot, drifting a gentle hand over their lovely daughter's head and smiling proudly at a special sister who's love shines through camera lens.

shelly said...

Beautiful. Heartwarming. Thanks for posting.

ESTHER BEAZER said...

inspiring, as always! i love what i see of her kitchen, i want to see more! I want to see more of the whole house! so well put together! you Litchfeilds have such an amazing way with design! Love it! AND Little Ysa is getting so big! i love her little smile and that little bit of fuzzy hair on her head.

Lahni said...

What a beautiful home! I, too, love the picture of Ysa on the couch.

Jamie said...

Oh Eden, that's beautiful!!! You guys are all so talented. I love the house and the photos. Love your blog - you are such a good writer and it's so real and honest. Lots of love...

nita said...

so beautiful! i love little Ysa's room. well, really, i love them all! must feel good to have the kitchen done, thanks for sharing the photos. i'm too am blown away by how talented you all are! sorry we missed you guys at christmas, maybe next time :)

Elizabeth Cranmer said...

Wow! Your family is so perfectly graphic and sentimental, modern and warm. You all did a beautiful job! What a perfect home.

Little Ysa looks too perfect on that couch!

Cassia said...

So beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love the light, I love the fireplace and I love the pictures of Ysa on the couch.

Its the kinds of pictures Merin and Mike would have taken themselves. It almost extends their time with her.

A.

Cheri said...

Beautiful post Eden. I love it. Thanks for documenting this little home that was so filled with love and dreams. I like to think that in the future Ysa will enjoy seeing this and knowing it.

ec said...

beautiful home.

i love that there are pictures of mike & merin in their home with their little darling ysa throughout the post. so sweet.

Anonymous said...

You don't know me, but I was in Merin and Mike's singles ward. Their tragic story affected me deeply, even though I didn't know them super well. So I've loved looking at your blog. It's helped me appreciate my sisters more, and the wonderful blessing of eternal families.

I loved this post so much because it was both heart-breaking and heart-warming.

Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

Spencer and Laura said...

So totally lovely. The picture of Ysa on the sofa is so sweet. How she has grown since the picture you took of her in the same spot when she was first home from the hospital.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful home. The wall of windows in the living room is AMAZING. You and your family do seem to just ooze with style! What is even more beautiful though is the feeling you've captured of the warmth and love of the little family that occupied this home. How blessed Ysa is to have all these photo memories.

Anonymous said...

Eden:

I can't stop moving between the two pictures of the fireplace. What a difference!!!!

Thelma

Lindsay said...

Wow, you all have such a way of creating these warm happy living spaces. Im trying to create part of that in my home.

paula said...

what a beautiful home! I am sure they would have loved what all you have done. I wish I could be that happy little family.

Anna said...

It looks amazing! Great job everyone! My favorite pictures are the ones with Mike, Merin & Ysa - how precious & priceless! Love it - thanks for sharing!

janet l moran said...

Ysa on the couch is so touching. How special these images will be for her one day. She will be able to see the home her parents had planned for her.
It's just beautiful and inspiring.

JORDAN said...

Everything is stunning. I'm certain all the women in your family have the best taste ever. It looks like a lot of hard work has paid off. I love all the photos you have posted. I especially love seeing how Ysa has grown she is so beautiful and looks like she is doing so well. Puts a smile on my face. Have you found a buyer yet...just curious?

simplygrove said...

What a lovely home!!

simplygrove said...

Ok, now that I have "stalked" your blog and read almost every post, I now understand the importance of this beautiful home. I am so sorry for your loss!! I can't even imagine. Ysa is extremely blessed to have you in her life!

Jenn said...

Drywalling is like the teenager years of a project - you are in the home stretch, you can see how it's going to turn out, you're excited and loving it, but OH! THE MESS!

Much patience and elbow grease - it will be rewarded.

Unknown said...

Eden, so beautiful and yet so sad.
I have no words to express how deeply sorry i feel for all of you and, of course, for little Ysa...
You are a remarkable person, Eden.
Not only talented in many ways but also someone with a warm heart.
I wish you and your family all the best.
Ysa found the best place to grow up now her parents are gone.
Eden...take care! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Awesome house!

Anonymous said...

May they rest in piece!

Anonymous said...

I meant peace!