To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends. — Samuel Johnson, the Rambler, No, 68.
That’s the very first quote in Gretchen Rubin’s brand new book, Happier at Home (affiliate link) which — like its predecessor The Happiness Project — is sure to be a blockbuster. The Samuel Johnson quote immediately hit home for me, because 
golly, isn’t this blog about finding happiness in our sweet little midcentury homes… about loving the house you’re in, instead of pining after what it may lack… and about giving our houses our tender loving care — so that they can give theirs back?
Crikes, sorry to get all mushy there. But in case you haven’t guessed, I am hugely enormously, gigantically, sentimental about happiness in house and home. It is kind of… all that I think about. I also just read Gretchen Rubin’s first book The Happiness Project (affiliate link) in July. I thought that the book was hugely enormously gigantically brilliant. It was a #1 New York Times best-seller for good reason. The book is NOT self-help FLUFF. This woman is a take-no-prisoners serious, avid researcher. She wrote lauded history books about Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy before she turned to the more prosaic, yet elusive, topic of Happiness. In a nut, with The Happiness Project, she synthesized amazing amounts of research on the topic… and then… and this was the especially brilliant part: She put her findings to work in her own life, small-step-by-small-step, over a 12-month period, and chronicled her experience. The book is super easy to read, super encouraging — but at the same time, it’s deeeeeep. How often can you say that.
Now, Gretchen (I don’t think she will mind my familiarity) has followed up her first best-selling happiness book with a second one that focuses even more specifically on cultivating happiness within your home and with the creatures who may live there with you. UPDATE: Happier at Home has just hit #2 on the New York Times best-seller list, in just its FIRST week on sale. THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE!
One more happy thing: Gretchen once gave a shout out to Retro Renovation on her blog — and send several hundred new visitors our way. She like the retro. Can ya believe it. I can: Retro is Happy!
Julie says
am working on being happier at home, and one of the ways I’m doing this is to make sure to park the car, and then pick up my children from school instead of zipping through the car pool line. Leaving the car behind, and greeting them personally allows for more hugs and kisses as we begin the transition back to home. This was an idea from another blog (can’t remember whose), and would love to have more happiness projects.
Amy Dietz says
We try to limit our commitments, focus on a few outdoor hobbies, and keep our possessions down to what we really use and love.
Janice MacDowell says
I am always happier at home when I get to retreat to my loft where I have created my “sanctuary”, my art/painting room. I can spend all day absorbed in my watercolors and once I’m finished I often find myself saying “wow…I did that!!?? I am an artist!”
Lisa Mitchell says
I put happy little trinkets, mementos and photos on my kitchen windowsill to trigger memories and smiles. I change them often. Mostly they are only for me, but whenever I or my family sees them, they smile and that makes me happy.
MargieAnn says
I have kept a gratitude journal, and now my family and I keep one by sharing our gratitudes – our joys aloud each day. Our motto is – try to find joy in each day and help someone who needs it. Be grateful. Be kind. Be strong. Repeat.
Nancy Crones says
Count me in!
Sandra Stock says
My pets make me happy
susan greene says
I am happier when I am fully present with my kids. I am trying to give then my full attention when they come home from school.
Jackie Robledo says
I’m happier at home when I have a series of activities that allow me to pursue all my interests and have a balanced life. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
Stacey says
I love sitting in my living room with the lights off, watching the sun set. It’s especially pretty when the dusks are long, as this time of the year gives.
Retro = Vintage = Happiness.
Decorate happy.