The Spirit of Loveliness: Bringing Beauty, Creativity, and Order to Your Life

by Emilie Barnes

With its fresh new cover, "The Spirit of Loveliness" sets aside any notion that lovely living takes too much time, too much energy, or too much money.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Emilie Barnes was the bestselling author of more than 80 books, including 101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter, Five Minutes in the Bible for Women, and 15 Minutes Alone with God. Sales of her books have surpassed 6 million copies worldwide. She and her husband, Bob, founded the More Hours in My Day time-management seminars.

Emilie’s heart was always to help others in practical ways as they managed their busy homes and lives, but even more, her beautiful spirit made a connection with readers that was both lovely and timeless. Her words remain as inspiring today as when they were first published.

Reviews

[Gretchen]

Oh how I love this book. I truly love Emilie Barnes' work! She is so encouraging and brings so much love and dignity to homemaking and womanhood. I have read this book twice before this and loved it every time. Her work motivates me so much to press on with my work around the house and reminds me that even when it seems like no one notices all of the work that goes into making a home beautiful and welcoming, it DOES have eternal and temporal significance and it IS worth it! She also reminds me how wonderful it is simply to be a woman and to have the desire to make things around me beautiful and what God's heart for me is like BECAUSE I'm a woman. This book is the catalyst that led me to look for more of her work and which led me to build a library of homemaking books to encourage and motivate me.

[Jenny Rose]

Learn how to bring beauty, creativity, and order to your home / life.
I recommend this book because the author does not try and fit the reader into a cookie-cutter Martha Stewart type hostess. She instead tells you to find you and reflect who God has made you into your home / life. The cover is deceiving - looks like a quilt-making Grandma read. It is a perfect example of don't judge a book by its cover.

The perfect drink with this read would be a glass of sparkling wine served in your favorite stemware.

[Elisabeth Ensor]

What a truly lovely book! Emilie goes through all the areas of a womens life that can be more lovely 😊 she shares stories and scripture encouraging the reader to take care of one self and one’s home!

[Karen]

I read this book many years ago and it greatly influenced the way I have chosen to offer myself and my home to others. I love her heart for God, for family, and for others!

[Rebekah Payne]

This book is just lovely. It presents a simple, practical, caring, and cheerful way of making everyday life, even more beautiful through the little things.

[Liz Mcv]

As a young wife and mom this book was a great influence in my life.

[Rebecca Ernst]

Loved this book. So many beautiful takeaways.

[Lexi Zuo]

Fairly dated examples, but overall a sweet and encouraging home making book.

[Elaine]

One of my beloved books I read, time and time again, I have had it for many years. It's a wonderful book on mentoring that assisted in developing sensitivities I was not mentored in as a young child. I love the spirit of graciousness and hospitality of the heart, Ms. Barnes shares with. There is an enduring sense of a meekness and thoughtful spirit with which this book creates a soothing and tender presence as you read it. Great with a cup of tea, surrounded by a lovely environment, with soft music!!! A must read over and over again!!!

I just reread this book. It's wonderful 😍
Dec 10, 2025

[Shannon]

One of the first books to shape my view of hospitality. It's very simple - almost like you're having a chat with Emilie and she's giving you her homemaking nuggets. Some practical tips in each chapter but mostly about cultivating vision and heart for the art of homemaking. Highly recommend - whether you are starting your home or just need reminded that the simple things you do day-in-and-day-out are worthy.

[Partridge Public]

Barnes, Emilie 248.8

[Linda]

An encouraging and inspiring book. I'm going to read more Emilie Barnes!

[Kim]

I love Emilie Barnes! She gives practical tips to help with life and the home. I love how she applies biblical principles as well.

[Cws]

248.843

[Virginia Knowles]

I bought this book about 20 years ago -- very inspiring, a classic on homemaking and living.

[Amy]

lovely book. good ideas for traditions, but a little dated.