Making A Family Home by Shannon Honeybloom

Making a Family Home is a book of real beauty, one both personal and universal.  In describing her home and family life, Shannon Honeybloom shows how she made- and how we can make- a house into a real home as she shares her own efforts, hopes, and lessons in making a safe and healthy home that provides warmth and intimacy for the whole family.


Illustrated in color with lively, evocative photographs, Shannon invites the reader into her home and offers warm encouragement and practical suggestions for virtually every aspect of bringing love, comfort, and beauty to the family home.  The chapters in Making a Family Home range from 'At Home with children' to 'The Front Porch' and 'The Playroom' to 'The Backyard and the Garden.'


Shannon Honeybloom is a friend and confidant who offers gentle suggestions and wise insights for parents who wish to surround their family with the best possible home environment. (Taken from the back of the book)

I feel rather apathetic about this book.  I suppose it's because it just wasn't quite what I was expecting or looking for.  I had expected to find a book full of decorating ideas or different techniques that might make a house seem more homey.  If you know ahead of time what you're getting with this book, it can be a valuable tool towards making your house more of a home for your family.  Don't expect too many designing tips though.  There are a few scattered throughout the book, but not enough to purchase the book solely for that reason.

This book is beautifully photographed.  It's worth getting it simply to look at the pictures.  There are pictures of Shannon's family as well as her home.  Shannon starts out the book explaining about her own upbringing and how she found herself wanting to make a good home for her children.  She then goes throughout each room of the house, including outdoors sections, and explains their importance in a home environment.  Then she gives her own specific beliefs on raising a family and how she's incorporated those into her home.

Though this book isn't what I was looking for, I can definitely see it's potential.  It would be a wonderful gift for a new bride or mother.