Without doubt, a good home is of great importance to the happiness of our families. Rapid and profound cultural changes over the past century have left us without a reliable template for creating such a good home, leaving us at the mercy of a consumer culture which values efficiency, productivity, and comfort above the true human good. Consequently, many who do the work of making the home find themselves frustrated, anxious, and lacking in confidence.

In these pages, author Dia Boyle accompanies her readers in an engaging inquiry into the nature and purpose of the home, offering criteria for determining—for their unique circumstances—what contents, designs, routines, and practices will help them to accomplish this essential project. She shines a bright light on the beauty and necessity of the intentional process of personalizing one’s home and creating a masterpiece of peace, welcome, participation, encouragement, respect, and unassuming warmth. Dia shows her readers that creating such an abode is propelled by a vision to foster an environment in which one’s loved ones can flourish and thrive.

Anyone involved in the work of making a home, regardless of age and ability, family circumstances, homemaking styles, and professional commitments, will find The Thoughtful Home useful and illuminating.