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Restoration House: Creating a Space That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter

Kennesha Buycks (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · Rating details · 114 ratings · 29 reviews

Rediscover the heart of your home and your story.

Home is meant to be a place to belong. A place to gather and connect. A place of beauty. A place to restore your soul. Creating a restored home—the kind that you and your loved ones want to return to again and again—is as much about making everyone who enters feel cared for and comfortable as it is about creating a beaut

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Kindle Edition, 235 pages

Published April 30th 2019 by Zondervan

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· 114 ratings · 29 reviews

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Dec 05, 2019 Maria rated it liked it

Shelves: house-fluff

This is the second time I have been surprised to open up an interior design book and discover it is full of Christianity. But I think the religious angle works in this one, for two reasons: (1) Buycks' vision of God is primarily one of community, love, and welcome, you don't need to be religious to want that feeling in your house; (2) she's telling her own story about her relationship to the concept of a home, and that authenticity comes through. At least when she's not trying to evangelize to h ...more

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Jun 03, 2019 Create With Joy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-review, book-reviews

If you’re looking for an author who understands the spiritual connection between ourselves and our homes and can help us to create a personal sanctuary where we can reconnect with ourselves, God, and others, than Restoration House is for you!

This amazing book not only offers you the gorgeous photographs, design tips, and entertaining tidbits you’ve come to expect in a decorating book, but it also offers prayers, Scriptures, questions to reflect on and wide margins where you can record your thoug ...more

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Jun 18, 2019 Marianna rated it liked it

The second book in two weeks that I thought was a decorating book but turned out to be a religion book. Not a fan.

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Jan 04, 2020 Carrie rated it liked it

Shelves: homemaking, jesus-is-still-alright

I want to go to this nice lady’s house and talk about Jesus while we eat cheese.

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Jan 10, 2021 Abigail Mae rated it it was amazing

Interior design books are probably my favorite genre to read. I love reading people’s stories and how they got to the home they have now. I have never read a design book that was so gospel minded. I couldn’t put the book down and was constantly talking and processing what I was reading. Kennesha breaks the book down into three parts starting on the inside and working her way out. Restoring our souls and then our spaces and then inviting people into them. Her constant weaving of the gospel into h ...more

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Nov 30, 2020 Torrie rated it liked it · review of another edition

I think I would have enjoyed this more had I known what to expect from the get-go. I first heard about this book from a round-up of most-loved house design titles, so I was looking for a book that would be about interior design, specifically about how to make your home inviting and welcoming through specific elements of interior design. While there were some tips scattered throughout that generally covered a few design things, the majority of this book was much more a reflective exercise on incl ...more

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Oct 17, 2019 Laura Haske rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-living, design

This book surprised me. It was refreshing to my soul. I picked it up because I love interior design and I was familiar with Kennesha from Instagram, so I knew I liked her aesthetic. But, wow! This was really deep and spiritual. I found it encouraging, heartful, and authentic. It does have some design ideas and principles, but it has more to do with what we believe about our homes and how we should live in them. Each chapter was connected to a Bible verse about home and community. She wove her ow ...more

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Jun 28, 2019 Amy rated it it was amazing

From an author who loves her coffee with steamed heavy cream, Tarte matte lipstick, and the T.V. show, This is Us comes the beautifully crafted book, Restoration House. A book encouraging everyone who sits down and cracks open the cover to, discover who they truly are by restoring their home and in-turn, restoring their soul.

Kennesha Buyck’s down to earth style and eye for detail, makes her lifestyle and home restoration guide easy to follow, while her simple, inspiring advice easily connects h From an author who loves her coffee with steamed heavy cream, Tarte matte lipstick, and the T.V. show, This is Us comes the beautifully crafted book, Restoration House. A book encouraging everyone who sits down and cracks open the cover to, discover who they truly are by restoring their home and in-turn, restoring their soul.

Kennesha Buyck’s down to earth style and eye for detail, makes her lifestyle and home restoration guide easy to follow, while her simple, inspiring advice easily connects her with readers.

What does your home say about you? What message does it give? Is it a space you want to return too and others want to visit? Kennesha Buycks will take readers by the hand with inspirational quotes, full-color pictures, advice, guides, and spiritual living. Transforming rooms and restoring furniture, Restoration House teaches readers the steps to restoration success from; finding, researching, cleaning, preparing, applying and buffing, all the way to hosting the perfect party.

A military wife, who has learned how to adapt and change from home to home, while searching for her own identity and unique style, Kennesha takes readers through her own personal experiences and restoration journey. Showing readers that by peeling back layers of paint, also helped her peel back her own layers, opening up her creativity, her relationship with God, and discovering a new freedom of self.

“For the woman who dreams of creating a place that gives life to those who enter: This is for you.”

Each chapter opens a new door with a section to reflect and go deeper, while also prompting readers to write in their thoughts and dreams. With chapters on: “Finding your space, Let Your Senses Guide You, The Power of The Imperfect and Entertaining with Style + Grace,” everyone can let go of perfection, explore their creative side, and be themselves while sharing their space with those that love them.

Break free from self-doubt, comparisons and show who you are with your own story. Display your own journey by repurposing items of sentiment, old childhood furniture or even pieces from a rebuild or remodeled home. Decorating is about how everything together makes you feel, not the price or the popularity of an item. Fill your home with personal touches and memory prompters. By making small changes such as adding rugs, curtains, or plants you can transform a space and make a significant impact without impacting your budget. Be inspired to make your own charcuterie wooden board for your next gathering, with salvaged wood, or new wood from the lumber store, with the included shopping guides and lists to help with the perfect array. No matter the season, or your style there is a section for everyone.

Passion, love and faith enrich the pages, while Kennesha Buycks’ love for design and enthusiasm for her readers pours over the pages; instantly lifting and inspiring. While she encourages readers to embrace their own dreams for their homes and make a purposeful plan, she promises that readers will be amazed to see what comes from it.

You can find more of my newspaper column's reviews and giveaways on Instagram @amy_fortheloveofbooks (less) ...more

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Jan 27, 2020 Jackie Ball rated it it was amazing

I loved this book! It is beautiful, an easy read, and has very tangible hosting tips. It was a very refreshing look at the purpose of my home and something I need to be reminded of often.

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Jul 08, 2019 Bridgette Guerzon Mills rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: home

I thought this book was going to be about decorating your house mindfully but it’s really about connecting yourself to your home in a spiritual manner and through God. The photos are beautiful, I enjoyed reading it and will now follow Kennedy’s Buycks on Instagram. This is not a book for everyone, but it was a timely book for me. I’d probably give it a 3 normally because I thought it was an interior decorating book and it’s not really. But I’m giving it a 4 star because I still enjoyed reading t ...more

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May 08, 2019 Conny Reviews rated it it was amazing

“Our Father is intensely present in all aspects of our lives, large and small. As you place Him at the center of your restored home, you’ll find yourself, and all those who enter, restored–heart and soul,” Kennesha Buycks writes in the ending of her book, Restoration House: Creating a Home that Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter.

~ What ~
This two-hundred-and-forty-page oversized hardbound targets those who want to restore their house into a comfortable, God-honored, and beloved home. Cont “Our Father is intensely present in all aspects of our lives, large and small. As you place Him at the center of your restored home, you’ll find yourself, and all those who enter, restored–heart and soul,” Kennesha Buycks writes in the ending of her book, Restoration House: Creating a Home that Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter.

~ What ~
This two-hundred-and-forty-page oversized hardbound targets those who want to restore their house into a comfortable, God-honored, and beloved home. Containing full-page, full-color photographs, there are grayed highlighted boxes, sidebars, and a few paragraphed lists. Using mainly the New International Version of the Holy Bible, the English Standard and The Message versions are also included.

After an ownership page and introduction, this book is divided into three sections that contain four chapters each: Restored Home, Restored Soul, A Restored Space for You, and Sharing Your Restored Home. The ending has plans plus dreams, acknowledgments, sources plus credits, and the author’s biography.

In this compilation, the author examines how she never felt at home, having moved often during her early married years. She explains how to design a place to restore your identity, a free zone area that promotes the power to dream again both creatively and spiritually. By making a new name for yourself and finding your place where your senses help guide you, it is vital to make space for God in your life. Dealing with imperfection and comparison, one can entertain in style and grace while inviting others into your restored home and soul.

~ Why ~
This book is geared for those who want to consider how God has created them to be restored in His love and grace, even at and in the home. While I appreciate the tips to restore, redo, and refinish furniture, use the right items in small spaces that make a big impact, repurpose useful products, design multifunctional areas, grow low-maintenance plant options, display with scents and charcuterie boards, have a let-go list, and decorate seasonally, I found the input on letting God intercept our lives through prayer, worship, and reading His Word was most important for restoring the soul and spirit.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may avoid this read. Others may not like books that focus on how God is the One who helps us feel at home within ourselves and our homes, not things, objects, or our accomplishments. Some may prefer books that have less of the author’s experiences and memories, but this one is not over-bearing.

~ Wish ~
It would be helpful if the book included a topical index, but that may be hard to do. I wish more Bible verses were added.

~ Want ~
If you want to have peace and less stress decorating your private abode, this book that includes the Almighty is a wonderful reminder that He should be the focal point in our rooms and heart. This would make the perfect housewarming gift for a woman who is setting up her first home or needs to renovate her life’s purpose involving God.

Thanks to the Book Look Bloggers for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review. ...more

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May 07, 2019 Monica rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2019

Does your house feel like YOUR home? Does it feel comfy and give life to all who visit? If the answer is no, you should read Restoration House by Kennesha Buycks.

Restoration House is divided in to three parts. Part one is Restored Home, Restored Soul where Buycks shares how she learned to make her house her home in spite of living in many different houses while her husband was in the military. Part 2 is A Restored Space For You where you learn about how you can make your space more enjoyable for ...more

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May 08, 2019 C.E. Hart rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction

Inspiring. Creative. Motivating. Spiritual.

As a military brat (both growing up, and when married) I could relate to the author. I’ve moved so many times in my life that I’ve lost count. Some of those places felt like “home” and others felt little more than a stepping stone.

I love the idea of creating a place that gives life and connection. Isn’t that what “home” is all about? And if our homes reflect ourselves, then we need to restore ourselves (our faith, connections, etc.) as well as our dwel ...more

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Aug 06, 2019 Jennifer Strong rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019, home

When I saw this book at the library I thought it would be fun to flip through the pretty pictures, but as I began reading the actual text I was surprised to find that the book is really about creating a home that feels good rather than a home that looks good. "What we all desperately need is a place to reflect, restore, and re-engage with the community God has given to each of us." I really needed to hear the words and the scriptures and prayers Kennesha shares. "We need Him to remind us of who ...more

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Sep 18, 2020 Trish rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2020, design, perspective

5 stars; Home Decor, Christian viewpoint

Not only is this a beautiful book of imagery but the way the author shares her heart through words is amazing as well. I borrowed a copy from the library and less than half way through I already knew I was buying myself one. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what we designers feel a home should look like rather than putting the importance on what it should feel like to those who enter.

I think the author does a great job of reminding us to extend the ...more

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Jul 21, 2020 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Fantastic book to help ground your homemaking in the purpose, heart, and soul of what makes a home "home" and makes other feel welcomed and loved in your space. This was EXACTLY what I needed upon moving into our new home and thinking through all of the changes we might make & decor choices. Its about SO much more than how it "looks". It's about how it communicates love, peace, respite, hospitality, grace, safety, and restoration. I ate up every bit of it and it helped center me in my own sense ...more

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May 14, 2019 Lovely Loveday rated it it was amazing

Restoration House is a gorgeous hardback book full of helpful tips, tricks, and useful home decor advice and is divided into three parts. Part one is Restored Home which shows you how to make your house into your home. Part 2 is A Restored Space For You shows you how to make your home more enjoyable for you and your family. Part 3 is Sharing Your Restored Home shares advice on entertaining. A lovely book about decorating and home entertaining that would look good on the coffee table but also ful ...more

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May 12, 2019 Yvie rated it really liked it

What makes a home isn’t the Pinterest-perfect pictures that you’re able to create--it’s the love that’s felt within the walls. This book is about that love and how to create a space that reflects it. The author speaks from her heart, blending personal stories with tricks and tips from the interior design world. She doesn’t expect readers to go buy a $1000 piece of furniture, but shows you how to make a tiny change that will have a big impact. If you’re wanting a peaceful space that is inviting t ...more

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Feb 18, 2021 Holly Cunningham rated it really liked it

I didn't love this book at first but by the end of chapter 3 I started enjoying it. Her prompts are really helpful. My favorite was when she asks us to reflect on places of personal significance or those places that have left an impression. Writing down details about those special places and what made them feel special was fun and inspiring and helped pinpoint ways to try to bring some of that into my own space. She reminds us that we don't have to make our homes trendy or spend a lot to feel in ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Tammy C rated it really liked it

Like other reviewers, I thought this book would simply be a decorating book. When I started reading it, I realized it was more than that. It is a book about prayerfully setting up and decorating your home so as to express your true self in your surroundings and create a warm and welcoming place for those who enter your home. I had never thought about homemaking this way and it was enjoyable to read about the author's approach to decorating. ...more

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May 09, 2019 Jody Joy rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone who loves to restore their home, apartment, etc.

Shelves: own-it

I was absolutely blown away by Restoration House by Kennesha Buycks. This book is packed full of inspiration and so much more. Making your house a home, warm and inviting to all who enter it is very important to all of us I believe. I love all of her restoration ideas, and tips. She has the talent and a good eye for decor, she explains how to restore your home, furniture, and your life. It is not only chocked full of beautiful photos, tips, and tricks but her words are truly inspiring. I receive ...more

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Jan 28, 2021 Lane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a great read. This was the first home decor book that I actually read and not skim through and put on display. I was so surprised by it being a faith based book. I’m sure that’s what grabbed my attention and kept me. I really like this author and a lot of her stories and suggestions resonated with me.

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Dec 21, 2019 Donna Mckeller rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed this so much. The insights Kennesha shared really spoke to me. We have just moved - AGAIN and this was very helpful in reminding me WHO to turn to for Restoration. I have always wanted my home to be a place of rest, peace, acceptance, welcome. And after reading her journey to her restoration home, I can see some light at the end of my overwhelming tunnel.

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Jan 09, 2020 Rachel Nelson rated it really liked it

I really love this book! I'd give it 4.5 starts with the only downside for me being I thought some of the party and hosting tips were too detailed and we're a bit long. That being said, I just slipped a couple paragraphs and it was magical again! A perfect balance of spiritual and home decor, giving deep meaning to the homes we build! ...more

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Feb 21, 2020 Larisha rated it it was amazing

Kennesha Buycks does a Beautiful job layering God’s truth with creating a home with a Greater purpose....creating a “place to reflect, restore, and teenage with the community God has given to each of us!”

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Jun 14, 2019 Tina Wilson rated it really liked it

I love a good interior design book but particularly enjoyed the mix in this one: part interior design tips, part memoir/learning to trust God with where he has us, lots of spiritual encouragement and seeing our house as a way to connect with/welcome others.

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Jan 26, 2021 Jenel rated it liked it

I’d love to share a cup of coffee with this author and tour her home.

The book felt a bit surface level for me, but I look forward to following her on Instagram and reading her blog.

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Jun 18, 2019 Jen Mayes rated it it was amazing

Loved this beautiful book!

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Oct 05, 2020 Aubree rated it it was amazing

This was a beautiful book and was such a gift for me to find at this time. I love the perspective of looking at our homes through the lens of being restored to God. While you will find decorating, seasonal, and hosting tips throughout the book, its strength lies in making you think about how your house makes you feel, how it serves you, how you use it to serve others, and how God works through it. I was given a lot of new things to think about pertaining to the nature of God. I loved the reflect ...more

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