This is my 'why'.
PHILOSOPHY
I grew up in a mid sized town in Minnesota. So you must be thinking how in the world did this girl land in Iowa?! Serendipity.
When I was 15, my grandfather was a photographer. He had been his whole life that I knew of. His photography was beautiful, calm and perfect. It was a discovery of the world he found around him. This would become a huge inspiration for finding my purpose in life. The thing we both shared was photography. We had planned to visit the Bridges of Madison County that year. Really, I had no idea where they were, but a trip I was very much looking forward to never the less. It was quickly becoming winter and undoubtedly we would wait till at least spring. That Thanksgiving we unexpectedly lost my grandfather to a sudden heart attack. We never did take that trip.
Fast forward a decade.
I was still living in Minnesota. In a moment of time I was given and accepted an opportunity to start up a business in Iowa. Where? Iowa? I never had been and was planning to move to Des Moines within weeks! I didn’t know a sole. Navigating this new terrain by myself was both magical and terrifying. In the first weeks of living in Des Moines, I ventured west to Winterset, IA. Madison County. I had business there that day, but wanted to explore. While driving I stumbled upon a sign that said Holliwell Covered Bridge. A red covered bridge? In Madison County? Could this be? The Madison County that I was meant to find a decade ago with my grandfather? Tears of joy came to my eyes. It was a feeling that I will never forget. It was the feeling that this was meant to be. A feeling of home.
I fell in love with the people and the culture almost immediately. In the next few years I made Iowa my home. I met and married the love of my life. I continued to do what I always had done, refurbishing old finds, creating new ones and finding history in found objects. And then emerged Finding Iowa.
Finding Iowa is inspired by my journey in finding my new home in Iowa and doing what I love most. Making the world around me beautiful. Past inspiration. Modern decor. Antiques, home decor & inspiration for the way Iowans live in today’s modern world. To me Iowa means home and happiness. It's not just a place. It's a concept.
How will you find your Iowa?
