Family Life & Home — New Urban Habitat

Family life at New Urban Habitat is about finding joy in the everyday — cooking from scratch, composting kitchen scraps, embracing renewable energy, and tuning into the rhythm of the seasons. These essays explore what it means to build a home that nurtures both people and the planet.

From backyard chickens to celebrating the first day of spring, the focus is always on simple, meaningful habits that bring families closer together.

Overhead view of fresh pasta noodles, flour, a rolling pin, and an egg yolk on a dark and white dusted surface; warm yellow tones

7 Reasons to Join the Urban Homesteading Revolution

November 4, 2014

Urban homesteading looks different for every family. For Abby Quillen's household, it means living in a regular ranch-style house in the city with a small flock of three chickens in the backyard. Homegrown food is safer, more nutritious, and tastes better — and urban homesteading encourages healthy movement. This piece, originally published on the CustomMade blog, explores why more families are turning their lawns into productive homesteads.

Seasonal Highlights

Overhead close-up of a pastry brush resting on a bowl of egg wash next to an unbaked pie crust in a dish, on colorful cloth

Celebrate the First Day of Spring

Ideas for welcoming the new season as a family — from planting seeds to spring cleaning rituals that refresh the home.

March 2015

A rustic kitchen counter with fresh vegetables and herbs in warm earthy tones

5 Ways to Make February Fabulous

Practical strategies for beating the winter slump with cozy meals, indoor projects, and family connection.

February 2015

Sunlight streaming through a window onto a wooden table with a simple vase of wildflowers

Hello Sunshine!

A reflection on how longer days and warmer light shift the mood of a household and invite more time outdoors.

Spring 2015

Hopeful Weekend Links

A recurring series of curated links to inspire simpler, more connected family living.

Parking Lots Demolished as Driving Wanes Bloomberg Businessweek, April 2014
Bring Your Own Cookies Karen Maezen Miller
20 Things Every Parent Should Hear Beth Woolsey, May 2013
The Best Time of Day to Get Ideas, According to Science Lifehacker, 2014

How to Surround Yourself with Brilliance

Another essay in the Family Life category explores the importance of curating your environment — the people, books, and spaces that shape daily life at home. It's a reminder that a happy family life is built intentionally, one thoughtful choice at a time.