Making Room for Peace | Rebeca Howe

Rebeca Howe is one of those people who when you first meet, you immediately feel at home with.  Her warm, bubbly personality lights up every room that she walks into; and her words of affirmation leave you feeling loved and valued.  When I first met Rebeca at bible study last fall I knew that we were going to be good friends!  Not only are we fellow Northern Virginia natives but we both have a passion for styling and for shopping vintage/second-hand.  If we're not out getting coffee together, we're usually in each other's closets or out sourcing unique finds.  As you'll read, Rebeca is all about finding interesting pieces and seeing the potential in them.  Not only does she do this with vintage clothing and decor but with people as well - always lifting them up with a kind word.  We both believe that there is power in the words that we think and say to ourselves and to others.  This is one of the reasons why I admire this woman.  Wife, mama of two, home school teacher, and owner of the Yellow Arrow Rebeca is one busy woman and yet she puts an importance on making #roomforpeace.

NAME: 

Rebeca Howe

NICK NAME:

I have a couple of nicknames but the main one is Beca.

PROFESSION:

I am a homeschooling mama of two and on the side I love to help style either their wardrobe and/or home.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I grew up in Alexandria and Lorton Virginia.  I am a city girl!

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

I currently live in Hampton Va and it’s been almost 17 years that I’ve lived here.

YOUR HOME LITERALLY LOOKS LIKE ITS STRAIGHT OUT OF AN ISSUE OF DOMINO.  WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION COME FROM?

You are so sweet Anna, thank you!  Well to be honest I take inspiration from everywhere.  I love the 1950s mid century vibe and the 1970s bohemian chic decor and I love mixing those two together.  I also love adding vintage pieces that look like they have traveled many miles.  It’s a worn curated look.

I LOVE THAT YOUR HOME IS A COLLECTION OF HIGH AND LOW ITEMS.  FOR EVERYONE THAT DOESN’T KNOW, REBECA IS THE QUEEN OF SECOND-HAND SHOPPING!  NOT ONLY WITH HOME DÉCOR BUT WITH CLOTHES – SHE’S ALWAYS FINDING THE COOLEST PIECES AT AMAZING PRICES!  WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP?

Some of my favorite places to shop at is our local antique shops and thrift shops.  I also love Ross or TJ Max for great accent pieces like pillows and throws.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER SHOPPED SECOND-HAND BEFORE?
Some of my tips to those who have never shopped at a antique or second hand shop is to first, be open.. meaning have an open mind.  I know many people who won’t step foot in a secondhand shop but I say try something you would never do!  You might be surprised of what you find.  The second thing I would say is to see the potential in a piece.  Maybe it’s a old hutch or an antique vanity or maybe it’s a not so pretty painting but has a beautiful gold frame.  I’d say look at the shape of the item and look beyond the scratches or  imperfections.  Those can be fixed with paint or even sanding it down to make the surface smooth.  Or if you are like me you don’t mind seeing the imperfections and you embrace them.  Bottom line is... see the potential in the item!

WHAT ARE THREE OF YOU FAVORITE PIECES IN YOUR HOME RIGHT NOW?

My three favorite pieces in my home are my Persian rug that I purchased for $40.  Say what?  Yes I felt like I hit the jacket pot!  Crazy thing is that I’ve been holding off years on buying a rug.  It definitely pays off being patient.  Then I would have to say my tufted yellow club chair. It just screams vintage.  Last but not least are my dining cesca chairs.  They add the 1970s flare to my space.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?

I would describe my style a bit eclectic maybe a bit Californian/mid century/vintage 70s flare.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE WHO ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE THEIR STYLE?
My tips are: Find what you love and go with that don’t be afraid to try something new.

YOU’VE SHARED WITH ME BEFORE THAT IN THE PAST YOU WEREN’T HAPPY WITH YOUR HOME.  IT FELT SMALL, CLUTTERED, AND NEED A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.  WHAT FINALLY CLICKED IN YOUR MIND THAT LED TO THE POSITIVE MINDSET THAT YOU NOW HAVE OF YOUR HOME?
Well first off my family and I are so blessed to live in our 850 square-foot condo.  Although, living with three others it can get pretty crammed!  Since the market had dipped we knew we would lose money if we tried to sell it.  So for many years I viewed my home as an obstacle.  In my mind my home was more like a hotel, a passing through (a place where you stay for a short amount of time rather than where you live).  I just wasn’t a happy lady in our home.  One day as I was flipping through the channels I stumbled upon the Tiny House show on HGTV and something clicked.  I thought to myself, wow here are families living in a 250 square-foot spaces and making it work. It truly inspired me! The answer wasn’t buying a bigger home or renting a storage unit.  The answer was living with less and making the things I have count.  The thing that I had been seeing as an obstacle I started to see as an opportunity.  It was a game changer for me.

So I started to make it my challenge to try to live with less.  Granted I haven't always got it right but I definitely try to be more conscience in what I bring into our home.  One thing I did realize was that, lots of my items weren’t serving a purpose and I held on to them for rainy days.  Well let’s be honest... rainy days became more like years. I never got around to them and needless to say they were accumulating dust, taking up space not only real estate wise but mentally.  Clutter can take its toll!
PS. Since watching Tiny House I think I’ve convinced my hubby to buy a tiny when we grow a bit older... let see.  Things may change!

THERE IS SO MUCH POWER IN THE WORDS THAT WE SPEAK AND THINK..  TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE OF READING ALOUD YOUR AFFIRMATIONS WITH YOUR BOYS DAILY.  HOW HAS THIS IMPACTED THE THREE OF Y’ALL?

Yes you are so right.  There’s so much power in our words.  So recently I took a trip to California for a ministry trip as well to visit some friends.  One day my sweet friend was sharing some tips on what she does with her kids and homeschooling (I am always open for tips!).  One of the things that caught my attention was the very first thing her kids do before school in the morning is to recite a list of affirmations of their identities in Christ.  I immediately came home and wanted to give it a try with my kids.  So every morning the kids and I recite things like: I am a child of God, I am loved by God, I am wonderfully and fearfully made in his image, I am a warrior for God, I am protected by God and I am a minister of reconciliation. This is just a few of them... but I think it’s so important to reaffirm ourselves in Gods identity rather than what’s out there.  Boy I feel like never before we can get lost in the images of Instagram and Facebook and try to get validation of who we are rather than what God says we are.  So yes it’s absolutely a game changer for us!

LIVING IN A TINY HOUSE, YOU MUST HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF WHAT COMES IN THROUGH THE DOOR.  DO YOU HAVE ANY RULES ABOUT THAT?

So to be honest I don’t have any rules per se.  Maybe I should.  But I typically go through my entire house (which again - it’s a small house!) and go through my closet or maybe papers that have no purpose and dispose of them or donate things that I haven’t used.  I try to take advantage of our Monday trash pick up day and that really motivates me to get stuff out of my house and not have lots of stuff accumulated.  I think my husband has asked me many of times why I choose to go through Sunday night and try to declutter and trash stuff... but in my mind it makes sense.... just trying to take advantage of our trash pick up day!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE LIVING TINY?

My advice for any of those who are living small or tiny and that have kids is to make the best of it.  I read somewhere that back in the 1950s families usually lived in small homes and had very large families.  That made me think that this is more of an opportunity to get to know your kids better and your husband as well.  Tight isn’t always bad.  If anything I believe it creates such a closeness and awareness as how we function as a family.  So I would say embrace it tiny/small living, it’s a gift!

WHAT BIBLE VERSE, MANTRA, OR WORD ARE YOU CURRENTLY MEDITATING ON IN THIS SEASON?

Boy I have lots of verses in my head that I mediate on.  But I guess the overall mantra is: keep the main thing the main thing.  Focus on your husband focus on your kids, on your relationships and Jesus!  It’s more about quality than quantity.  Life is too short to waste on the things that don’t matter!