The Hidden Art of Homemaking

by Edith Schaeffer

The author reveals the many opportunities for artistic expression that can be found in ordinary, everyday life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Family, Christian Living, Parenting, Theology

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

EDITH SCHAEFFER is the widow of Francis Schaeffer, and with him co-founder of L'Abri Fellowship. Her many books include A Celebration of Children and The Life of Prayer. She passed away in 2013.

Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Francis A. Schaeffer authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into a score of languages and sold millions worldwide. He and his wife, Edith, founded L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Schaeffer passed away in 1984, but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.

children: Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Reviews

[Inder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I can admit when I'm wrong. Not only shouldn't you judge a book by its cover (or the info on the back), but you shouldn't judge a book by its first chapter, even when it's basically one long sermon. This book on "homemaking" is definitely not what I expected. For one thing, it's not really sexist. The author believes that both men and women can benefit from "keeping" a beautiful home, surrounding themselves with beauty, and encouraging creativity in themselves and others. Creating a home wherever you are, whatever is happening in your life, is a major theme, as is using artistic expression to stay engaged in life even when you're stuck in a job you don't enjoy or at home with squalling babies. She does advise discontented housewives to treat keeping house as though it were a "career," express their creativity in their work as much as possible, and get everything they can out of it (expressing yourself is, obviously, always good advice); but she also specifically addresses the way single working men and women can create rich home and community experiences, and there is no tone of judgment in her lovely prose.

Really, this is a book about getting the most out of life, no matter what happens. Bored with your job? Get working on that macrame! I kid, but I can't help but agree that creativity and craft are great ways to fight our culture's obsession with plastic newness, and our alienation from the fruits of our labor.

Seriously, although I do not believe that women's ONLY place is in the home, I do believe that "keeping a home" is a hugely important to the sanity and happiness of human beings. In the end, I agreed with this book FAR more than I disagreed with it. Sure, it's a Christian manifesto about the sanctity of family and home, but it's far from the damning diatribe you'd expect. It's a really sweet book in a lot of ways, and I found it oddly inspiring and resonant.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

G.K. Chesterton once offered this strange celebration of homemaking: it allows a person to pursue all their second-bests. That is, rather than pursue a career in ONE thing, focusing all energy on being the best at that ONE thing, a homemaker has the privilege of getting to develop lots of skills and be mediocre at them all. I really didn't know how to love being a homemaker until Chesterton offered me that gift of insight.

Schaeffer offers the same gift: you can use the very ordinary routines of your life to live creatively, as God intended you to live. That hefty word "homemaking" weighs down this title, but the emphasis ought to be on "hidden art." Because really, that is what Schaeffer advocates most of all: finding opportunities to bring art to life only for oneself or the small audience of people that you share a home with. In each chapter, she offers suggestions (examples from both hypotheticals and personal practice) for adding a touch of beauty, creativity, whimsy, delight, spontaneity to some arena of daily life.

I've often wondered if we all don't feel an inclination towards one or more forms of art. Do even the most practical among us carry secret ambitions or talents for creative work? Schaeffer believes we do, and she calls out all the various ways our inclinations can be used right here, right now. Perhaps it is the internet era that has tempted us all to thing that we choose careers we are passionate about or pursue our passions until they become careers. Perhaps the ease of publicizing our work makes it feel small to produce art only for the joy of creating it and sharing it with a few loved ones. To each of us, Schaeffer says:

"People so often look with longing into a daydream future, while ignoring the importance of the present. We are all in danger of thinking, 'Some day I shall be fulfilled. Some day I shall have the courage to start another life which will develop my talent', without ever considering the very practical use of that talent today in a way which will enrich other people's lives, develop the talent, and express the fact of being a creative creature."

If you're an aspiring anything, Schaeffer offers the invitation you may have been waiting for: Well, okay! I can start today! I can find opportunities to communicate through the forms of art that stir my own soul.

I've been noticing a trend in publishing lately: if your life is lacking, try liturgy! But I like Schaeffer's prescription even better. Make art! Cultivate talents or interests into something that can be shared! I'm using a lot of exclamation points because Schaeffer's tone is rather direct. Brace yourself. She can be a little preachy or idealistic. But she's right, I think. I took her words very much to heart, especially these: "If you feel you have an unrecognized talent for writing or if you simply love to write and want to do it, my advice is to write. But write without ambitious pride, which makes you feel it is a 'waste' to write what will never be published. Write to communicate with someone, even if it is literally only one person."

[Bambi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets five big, fat, GOLD stars. I have no idea why I let it sit on my shelf unread for so many years. Perhaps because you must get past the first chapter to get to the meat of this book (although the first chapter is essential for the framework of the rest of the book.) You don't have to mine The Hidden Art for nuggets, it's spilling over with pure gold. Like others, I do make mention that the title can be misleading if one views the word "Homemaker" as synonymous with "stay-at-home-mom." This book is for both genders, single or married, full-time "housewife" or not. Warning: May induce desires to hug your family tighter, ask God for help in the details of life in order to display his glory more fully, iron your tablecloth, create a written masterpiece that's useful to others, and finally, throw your smartphone off a bridge. The last chapter ended too abruptly for my taste, I feel she needed to let us down a little more gently.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Heartily enjoyed being inspired by this book and most definitely recommend it!

[Bre Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only about homemaking, it’s about appreciating simple beauty and incorporating art into the ordinariness of life. It is not only for homemakers, it is for anyone who lives in any kind of home and uses their gifts to make their environment unique to its inhabitants. Mrs. Schaeffer makes the case for the importance of Christians creating a beauty-filled life as a reflection of our God who created a beauty-filled world. She states that it is our duty and our witness, and I am bought in. This will be a new favorite for me to revisit in the future.

[Elizabeth Mundie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read this many years ago, I have continued to re-read portions of it time and again. I love the basic premise that we all have some type of creative talent, since the ultimate Writer/Musician/Painter/Sculptor, etc. made us in his image. Schaeffer urges us to discover and t nurture these gifts and to weave them into our everyday lives as ways to create home and family. She urges us those of us who have not achieved widespread recognition of our art not to be intimidated, but to use our skills in whatever spheres that we can. I love the way she helps us see God's art in our surroundings and supports our own journeys to express the art that he has placed in us.

This book was written many years ago, before the computer and the Internet opened up even more venues for artistic expression in daily life. Her book can be a springboard to even greater thinking in this area.

I also like that she reminds us that we have a mission that is greater even than expressing our talents. She does put all of this in its proper perspective.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s not really about homemaking so much. Men could glean a lot from this, too, and in fact she sometimes writes addressing the businessman. Her point is to live creatively because we are made in the image of a Creator, and then she thinks first philosophically or theologically and then practically through several areas in which a person can be creative and gives ideas. Most of the time she uses a spare economy of words so that it’s easy to fly through this book and yet be inspired! I recommend it for everyone! I might even read it aloud at my family dinner table, I found it so practical.

2025: Callie and I loved reading this together. I got her the book, and then got four other pastors' wives the book as a gift as well!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this in my teens and loving it because, unlike most books on homemaking, I didn't need to have a home of my own to practice what was in this book. I love this book even more now because it calls all Christians (not even just women) to make their homes artful places that showcase the beauty of Jesus. Perhaps the wording of this book isn't trending now, but it is still just as relevant today.
If you are single, you will appreciate that this book has a lot for you. This isn't a wife and mommy book about homemaking. This is a Christian person book, applicable to wherever you find yourself.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an invigorating read for the season of life I’m in…. I think I expected an antiquated perspective, some irrelevancy, but what I found was a refreshing viewpoint of beauty, the gospel and the need to cultivate creativity in my life as a reflection of the original Creator. No more bruised pride in not being able to do something PERFECTLY, just try, and that trying may be the spark someone else needs to do something great :)

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a slow and enriching read for me! The perspective on everyday/hidden art was eye-opening, and each chapter brought on another layer of depth to my understanding of what Homemaking is really meant to be.

[Makenna Karnosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed slowly plodding through this one. Each chapter explores how one particular area of creativity can be employed to create an atmosphere of beauty in the home. Edith does such a wonderful job of convincing the reader that creativity in homemaking is for everyone— not just the trendy homeschooling moms on Instagram. ;) This book has also reminded me of the goodness of pursuing creative gifts that may never be recognized on a wide scale for the lives of those in your inner circle. After reading this, I’m going to dust off my piano, water colors, and writing utensils, and get to creating a lovely atmosphere in my home!

[Mariah Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having learned this “hidden art” from my grandparents, I already *knew* this book. Whether we were setting the table for tea, planting geraniums, or painting a fence, I learned how to care for home, be creative, and love others. If this isn’t your natural bent, I would recommend reading The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

This book isn’t going to give you a schedule for ironing shirts or dusting, it looks at homemaking in the broader, yet perhaps narrower, Kingdom way. I think of that quote from John Ruskin’s essay, “…but home is yet wherever she is; and for a noblewoman it stretches far round her, better than ceiled with cedar, or painted with vermillion, shedding its quiet light far, for those who else were homeless.” Homemaking is an important work, and more so the more counter-cultural it becomes.

This book is scheduled as a Life Skills option for Year 10 of Ambleside Online.

A quote from the book::

“The plea for women to have ‘time to be themselves’ or ‘time for fulfilling careers’ is overworked. All that happens is that the psychiatrists get more patients than ever before. If people were less anxious to join a drama club or some other kind of ‘fulfill yourself’ activity and used their talents right in their homes, they would not only be more fulfilled when the children were two years old and they were capturing their attention with vivid and original ideas, but when the same children were eighteen years old they would not be wringing their hands so tragically at the complete lack of communication with them.”

[Sarah Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every woman no matter what stage of life she is in.

[Megan Oldland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the inspiration that is offered in this book. It is a great reference to just pick up and read whatever subject you are looking to start or enhance.

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite possibly my favorite book. It encourages me to use my creativity in all aspects of life and to take pleasure in simple acts of beauty. Being a homebody type person, I resonate with the art of homemaking and how it is a vital part of making a place HOME - warm, beautiful, hospitable, and marked by the things we love. In our frantic time, it is indeed a losing art to take time for the thoughtful preparation of things like meals. Also - for those of you interested in Everyday Theology, ordinary things have great importance. As Mother Teresa said, "little things with great love." I highly highly recommend this book.

[Kay Pelham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "homemaking" of the title (which, apparently, was not included in the original title) means much more than what goes on inside your house. Edith Schaeffer addresses being creative in just about every way, doing what you can, and sometimes what you didn't know you could do, or were insecure about doing, to bring beauty and order to the world around you, and to feel a connection to the One who "in the beginning" Created, as well as all He created - animal, vegetable, and mineral.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 review: (Three stars) I remember loving this when I was a mother of young children. Now I am in a different season and didn't find it as meaningful. Still, I'd rather read Edith Schaeffer than most modern Christian authors.

1993 review: (Five stars) Another gem from the pen of Edith Schaeffer. Especially helpful for me many years ago when I was a clueless new wife and mom.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read along with Morning Time for Moms with Cindy Rollins AND Simply Convivial Community. I needed twice as much accountability to persevere on this book. It had wonderful ideas, but I struggle to read any non-fiction and this one in particular is slightly dated with the particular applications of her wonderful ideas.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years, I've heard my mother quote from this book, and tell us, her daughters, how much she was influenced by reading Edith Schaeffer and hearing about L'Abri. Sometimes she would write little notes to herself on her "to do" lists about L'Abri, the Christian outreach founded by Francis and Edith Schaeffer nestled in the picturesque Swiss Alps. I've wanted to read the book myself for some time now, and finally did this past week. I love seeing where my mother developed her philosophy of the home, especially in relation to aesthetics, and thinking about how she was exactly the same age when she read it as I am now.

Edith Schaeffer's conversational and informal style feels just like conversing with an older woman of the faith as you work together, listening as she shares her wisdom and personal anecdotes from her life, both past and present. Sharing the refreshing originality and thoughtfulness she pours into the everyday lives of her family, she inspires homemakers in what I believe to be a lost idea in our humanistic, post-industrial, utilitarian age: a return to viewing even the seemingly unimportant and mundane tasks of homemaking as an expression of living all of life in light of Christianity.

Because we have grown accustomed to labeling things as either "spiritual" or "non-spiritual" we have stripped the meaning and spiritual significance from material things and everyday tasks. As she applies this to homemakers specifically, she shows how God is a Creator, and humans, made in his image, should be as well. As Christians, she exhorts, we ought to be "the most creative people" out there. We are free to take captive every sphere as a part of our Lord's creation. She encourages even those who are single or still living at home to put care into the little things of life, because these things are not meaningless.

Behind the written words in Edith's inspiring book is a deeper and more important understanding: that as Christians operating within a Biblical worldview and living in the world that God created, we ought to view even the most menial and mundane parts of life as a part of "total truth", God's truth. The little things do matter, and homemaking is a place where we can showcase the permeation of a biblical worldview in our homes- from the cut flowers to the live music; from the creative use of up-cycling old furniture to nutritious home cooking. It all embodies an unspoken truth: that God is the creator of beauty and order. As his ambassadors, we can showcase the all-encompassing beauty of the Christian reality to a lost and lonely world. This is honing our talents for the glory of God. This is ministry to our families. This is evangelism. This is Total Truth.

I have come away from Edith's book with a fresh perspective on homemaking, and a renewed vision for the real significance it has. Edith's infectious enthusiasm about the tiniest details, and making things special even for the smallest children (yet with little or no cost and very little time or preparation needed) is exciting.

So often, it's easy to get lost in the idea that "the work is never ending", and I am tempted to think it doesn't matter whether such-and-such gets done today, or whether I created that centerpiece and lighted that candle. But it DOES matter. It matters to the aesthetic atmosphere of the home, and it matters to our Lord who sees our every effort to showcase His created beauty and order, even in the little things.


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Here are a few of my favorite excerpts from the book to whet your appetite...

"It seems to me that whether it is recognized or not, there is a terrific frustration which increases in intensity and harmfulness as time goes on, when people are always daydreaming of the kind of place in which they would like to live, yet never making the place where they do live into anything artistically satisfying to them. Always to dream of a cottage by a brook while never doing anything to the stuffy house in the city is to waste creativity in this very basic area, and to hinder future creativity by not allowing it to grow and develop through use." pg 66

"Interior decoration is not just one's artistic efforts, but it is that which your home (even if it is just a room) is. If you are 'decorating' with clothes draped on every chair, with scratched and broken furniture- it is still your interior decoration! Your home expresses *you* to other people, and they cannot see or feel your daydreams of what you expect to make in that misty future, when all the circumstances are what you think they must be before you will find it worthwhile to start. You *have* started, whether you recognize that fact or not! We foolish mortals sometimes live through years not realizing how short life is, and that TODAY is your life." pg 76

"I often advise young brides who are traveling during their first weeks or months of marriage to start "homemaking" in a hotel, even if they are there for only a night, rather than groaning about having to "wait so long to have a home". How? ...Your own cloth, your own candlestick, just one rose or daffodil is enough to make a difference... You will be surprised how much difference it makes to have done something to make a room your home, even for one night." pg 78

"If you *stop* putting off homemaking until your hope of marriage develops into a reality, and *start* to develop an interesting home right now, it seems to me two things will happen: first, you will develop into the person you could be as you surround yourself with things that express your own tastes and ideas; and second, as you relax and become interested in areas of creativity, you will develop into a more interesting person to be with." pg 82

[Emilie Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my mom’s shelf for as long as I can remember, but I’m only now reading it for the first time—and it is absolutely wonderful! Whether you’re married or single, Edith Schaeffer beautifully captures the art of bringing beauty & creativity into our everyday spaces.

I love how she blends practical, achievable ideas with biblical encouragement, reminding us that homemaking is more than just chores—it’s a reflection of the creativity God has given us. If you’re feeling in need of a refresh or some inspiration in your homemaking, this book is like a gentle nudge and encouragement towards those things.

[Renita Kauffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading, as this is not just a book about homemaking or just for women. The author encourages all of us to be creators, in whatever form we are drawn to, in whatever situation we find ourselves in, even if no one else is there to see it. I was inspired by the content, although the writing style wasn't my favorite.

[Rebecca Esmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and Edith Schaeffer is so endearing. I feel like the "homemaking" part of the title is a bit misleading - it could be entitled some thing like The Hidden Art of Being More Fully and Joyfully Human! It was a very inspiring read.

[Shannon Hrinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main premise is that, because we are image-bearers, we are to be creative, reflecting the Creator. And this should be reflected in our homemaking.

My original reaction to the first few chapters was that this book isn’t about the bulk of homemaking at all, it’s really about all the “extra stuff”, if you have time after getting the “house work” done. However, as I read, my type A and pragmatic way of thinking was transformed. I came to agree with the author that it is the work of a homemaker to provide culture and beauty and fun and music into the home — these are not areas to be viewed as “bonus” or “extras” but rather an essential duty.

This might not be as impactful for some as it was for me, but I do feel that this will be a book I return to for inspiration and motivation in homemaking.

[Alexis Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because man was created in the image of a creator. Man was created that he might create. It is not a waste of mans time to be creative. It is not a waste to pursue artistic or scientific pursuits in creativity, because this is what man was made to be able to do. He was made in he image of a creator, and given the capacity to create.
Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

[Jen Bart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might seem irrelevant if you are not a homemaker, but this book is more about placemaking than being a housewife. Edith Schaeffer encourages us to live lives that reflect the beauty of our Creator in whatever tasks we face in the home. Here's a great quote about art: "Man has a capacity both for responding and producing, for communicating as well as being inspired. It is important to respond to the art of others , as well as to produce art oneself. It is important to inspire others to be creative as well as communicate by one's own creative acts."

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second reading of this incredibly practical and inspiring book (first time was in 2020). Edith and her husband Francis created a Christian community in the Swiss Alps several decades ago, L'Abri, and helped many answer questions about God and Christianity. In this practical book, she points out a plethora of creative ways to brighten ordinary days with beauty, adventure, and ultimately, pointing our creativity back to the Creator God. The chapters are organized by different areas of art, including music, painting/sketching/sculpturing, interior design, gardening, flower arranging, food, writing (prose and poetry), drama, creative recreation, clothing, and environment. Most of her ideas are incredibly simple, either free or very inexpensive, and easy to try whether you're single, married, a mother, or an empty-nester. Published in 1971, it reads timelessly; I had to keep reminding myself it is nearly fifty years old because it seemed so applicable and easy-to-follow. I definitely want to read more by Edith in the very near future! Reading it for the second time, I can see how so much of my own homemaking (and trying to add beauty and creativity in the "mundane") has been inspired by this book.

Rated: G

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Lots of practical and inspiring encouragement and ideas for making your home/life a place of beauty and creativity, and the reasoning that as Christians, we should be some of the most creative people, since our Father is the Creator of everything.
The last chapter talks about environment - the environment we create in how we live and what we do. What do we show and model to those around us? On not stifling creativity, but doing what we can, even in small ways, wherever we are.

I really enjoyed reading it, and I think I'll want to read it again sometime. Good, practical, creative, thoughts... and ties in hospitality a well as doing things with purpose, love and joy - not being stuck and robotic in just doing the necessary.

The style of writing can be a little "older" and some of the ideas may seem a little dated at times, but would recommend. Pretty sweet and easy read.

[Silvia Cachia]

Brilliant principle at hand, not particularly impressive expansion of the principle, with somehow unique to her practices that expressed the premise of the book. It was less impacting that I had anticipated. I sold my copy. Not one of those books that marks you beyond the title. I wish another person would write a different book with the same title, THE HIDDEN ART OF HOMEMAKING! It can be a solid book in the hands of someone more capable.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it really boring. Oftentimes the writer would go on describing things (flowers, clothing, food) for paragraphs upon paragraphs on end when a few sentences would have done the job nicely. The book really suffered from that.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant when I first opened the book, thinking it would be too dated in it's content and too burdensome in feeling the need to "do it all". But I was so pleasantly surprised! The author's writing style was encouraging and her ideas were small and practical. I have already enjoyed finding new ways to add beauty and creativity into our home and everyday life with the inspiration of this book!

Favorite Quotes:
"This book is about ‘Hidden Art’, and the need of people who are in communication with the Creator to recognize their creative abilities and fulfill some of their talents in day-by-day life...What I am talking about means taking our responsibilities and our capabilities seriously. It means feeling that our ability to do things should be used in some way to make family life fun, and to enhance the relationships of people living together. To do this means working at it. A good marriage does not just fall out of a tree, by itself. A good family life and understanding, warm, rich, happy relationships within a family do not just spring up without someone working at it, someone who is not putting himself or herself first."

"A child in a Christian home should connect being in communication with the Creator God with having been made creative, in His image. Rather than creativity being squashed out, it should be enhanced and developed because of being brought up in a Christian home not in spite of it!"

"Surely each person who lives in an ‘interior’ of any sort should realize that ‘Interior Decoration’ is the first opportunity to bring forth ‘Hidden Art’, in some small measure. And for the Christian who is consciously in communication with the Creator, surely his home should reflect something of the artistry, the beauty and order of the One whom he is representing, and in whose image he has been made!"

"Indeed, the memory of even short-lived beauty makes it worthwhile to take time and energy to provide a background of beauty for the human relationships developing in your home."

"That added touch of beauty, extra bit of work, the imaginative creative cooking, if done by the Christian with a conscious love for the Lord, is not only helpful to the individuals for whom we are cooking, but is accepted by the Lord as having been done for Him. How can it be anything but important, and utterly worthwhile?"