HOME Presentation

Hello, I'm Karianne,

My passion for home decore developed from an early age.
When I was 2 months old my parents moved to the middle of nowhere at a church that couldnt pay them in a house that the last pastor, who has been supported as a missionary, wouldn't live in many years before. It had sat empty and falling apart. My dad patched it together after they moved in. Even their car was held together with duct tape. The community had one blinking red light and an Indian reservation. We were 40 minutes from a town. And the place we lived wasn't accustom to new people. Nor were they very welcoming. My mom struggled with baby blues after her 3rd child and loneliness.

A pastor's wife from the next town over came alongside and befriended my mom. She said, "Lets make your house beautiful!" and created a project for my mom. She was an interior designer and in the 80s the country style was full of layers of crafts and fabric and wood creations. My mom taught herself how to create the things from the magazines that her friend lent her. My dad built the wood shelves with the cut out heart and pegs. My mom wove baskets and painted and sewed and created a beautiful home. The neighboring pastors wife moved back to the city and left my mom a different woman. During the process of creating a home my mom grew. She could sell crafts at shows at the one local cafe. She started building relationships in town because having a pretty home made her feel more confident in her hospitality as well as giving her a tool to invest into others. She could offer help in teaching women to craft, or to arrange their shelf decorations, or to go to events with. It expanded her connections and her confidence.

She didn't have money to buy things. And yet she learned to use what was available and create beauty. And that translated into other areas of life too. She blossomed as someone who could give and live with open hands and embrace and trust God and have the most hospitable home I've ever seen. She's had 17 exchange students, and people over to her house at least twice a week. It might be a mess, but she knows her goals and what she wants her home to be, and it is. Mess or not, it's an open door and a place of heart.

Her journey inspired me to see and cultivate beauty in whatever is in front of me as well. And to be intentional about my home.  Over the years I was drawn to another way of living - the simplicity of minimalism. My mom had layers of clutter and decoration and the pretty was often stacked high with papers and randomness and a basket of half folded laundry. I wanted a home was a beautiful place of peace and simple sweetness. It's been a hard lesson for me, and I still have to be proactive and intentional to fight against stuff creeping into my life. I prefer soothing freedom over a home full of things. Stuff = maintenance time. Simplicity = margin.

This nicely designed vignette is full. This country style is becoming a little dated as people are hungry for simplicity and embracing a less layered look.
The Scandinavian style below shows a more minimalist style.


(House on the way)




(trendenser.se)

You can see that this livingroom has some plants and books and the decore would be just useful everyday objects like the teapot and magazine and blanket or pillow. The functional things are pretty, but not items added that serve no purpose.

There is a balance between personality and simplicity.

I want both. I was to have a house that expresses our family and our goals and is lovely to be in. But I also want it to have the simple clean emptiness that gives such rest and calm (and not take too much time to maintain!)

GOAL #1 = balance

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We don't always know what to do - or how we will get from point b to point c to point d,
but we know what kind of a woman we want to BE
Pause here and write out some words of the woman you want to be - a few of your values

There isn't a list of duties a woman must check off to be living abundantly
you don't have to own a pinterest perfect home to achieve virtuous woman status

There is just a list of the fruits of the spirit that are to empower us along our own journey
What we want is for a home that is filled with the fruits of the spirit. So what kinds of things help us have love and joy and peace, patience, goodness, and self control in our home?



http://www.stonegableblog.com/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-printable-chalkboard-art/



Today I'm not here to tell you how to copy what someone else did into your home or what to buy to look like the other person's pretty.
I'm here to ask you about your home - about if it fits what you want your home to BE
If it is the tool that reflects what you want in the place that you and your family gather

This is what we will cover in this workshop:

1. define what direction you want to go
2. identify some of the obstetrical that you'll face
3. get inspired to find creative solutions for your own goals

Two things to keep in mind:

even if you rent, or are in a temporary home, that doesn't mean that this phase in life doesn't count. Your home is the space that you gather with those you love - and whether this is the longterm spot or not is irrelevant. creating a home is important even if it's at a campground! We want to live fully in today. I had a dear friend who announced they were moving and immediately I wanted to stop hanging out with her because I felt like it would hurt to pour more into someone who would be soon gone. God reminded me that this is a scarcity mentality and not an abundance mentality and I kept the friendship intentional, and she ended up not even moving. But being a part of her journey to stay in Peoria was worthwhile. So invest into home right where you are today, even if home is living in a temporary place. Plus, if you do plan on moving, the home created feeling will make it easier to sell and easier to move into the next place!

Second thing: i'm not going to encourage you to buy anything. you may need to make some purchases but probably that is way down the road. and often you can get creative with something that's already there. the effort it takes me to haul 4 boys with me to a store often makes me think harder about a solution that's on hand. It's been a blessing!

GOAL #2 = Live Abundantly

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List 3 things you want your home to BE
List 3 things you do NOT want your home to BE

Here is a sample of my words:

RESTFUL (peace) - how do I allow and plan for my home to be a place of rest PEACEFUL - candles? Music? lack of clutter? lack of noise?
INSPIRING  (joy)- do I know what inspires me? and do know what inspires my children? Do I know the differences between holding on to tokens that I think should inspire me or used to?
CELEBRATE (love) - how do I make our home a place of everyday joys and victories? MEMORIES - do I have boxes of decore for christmas? it is more meaningful to have hand gathered outdoor items from a family walk? Is the simplicity of seasonal decore sweeter because it's not store bought and the process is the magic? Am I trying to buy a feeling that only comes with creating and embracing imperfection?
ENGAGING (kindness, patience, self control) - toy area, tv area, reading area, drawing area, playdough, recycling, clean up routine (The mess box - mom sorts it out later - but kid has put it all away) husband and wife place (coffee)


Avoid words:

BUSY: Life is busy enough. I don't want the house to be. I love dramatic wallpaper, but it doesn't belong in our family room.

CUTE: I have a lot of males in the house. A cutesy room doesn't fit our family.

FORMAL: I want to live life freely and make people feel comfortable

EXPENSIVE: This is a tricky thing because I really really want QUALITY but I really do not want something that I will hold too dearly

What does this look like in real life? Well, it means that if I pick up a darling little item at Target I can stare at it an say "this is small. it's going to need to be completed with multiple things. it's going to get busy. it's so super cute - but cute doesn't fit my goals."

GOAL #3: Evaluate what works and doesn't work
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So now we have an idea of the FEEL we want.
Lets talk about some of the roadblocks


http://noahsdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/living-room-full-of-toys-duplo-blocks-down-syndrome.jpg


OBSTICALS:
1. feeling like i don't have enough house or budget to work with
2. perfectionism (perfectionism comes from a need of acceptance where as excellence comes from a desire to benefit everyone)
3. time (plan a rhythm and know where this fits in)
4. clutter
5. children's stuff (baby gear, toys)
6. paper mess
7. This isn't my forever home

one of satan's best lies is "right now doesn't count - the future is important but not today. you're not to the good chapter yet"

I have a single friend who is waiting for her life to start. And I fall into that trap too. "Once the kids go to school..." or "When the baby is old enough to leave for a weekend..."

I have many days where I think "once I have 10 minutes to myself then I will..." and dream of the next chapter instead of embracing this one.

Your next home isn't the one to look forward to. Right where you live, right where you have dinner with your kids, THAT is what matters. This is the moment to which we are called to make a home.

FIND YOUR RHYTHM.
I have a secret.
You need a new rhythm. About every six months.
Find it and re-evaluate and find it again!



(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1c/49/82/1c4982293be2597a3dee5896e36b39b9.jpg)


WHAT WORKS FOR OUR FAMILY RIGHT NOW - and how does our home accommodate this? How does my home help me cultivate the things I'm trying to do?

'''

The chalkboard was is a place for me to write out how we spend our evenings, and a time out chair for the kids to reflect on one of the fruits of the spirit.

My home tour shows what is working for me at this phase.
Here are some other of my current gems:

1. I have a calendar with pockets. Birthday invites go in there. I throw away the papers that I don't need.

2. I have a walmart/amazon list and a grocery list. I do some online shopping and grocery shopping.

3. I have a chalkboard wall with our weekly rhythm on it. So mom and dad and kids know what to expect. On game night mom and dad have to plug in for an hour and then we check out and everyone is happy.

4. I have a basket where christmas cards, birthday cards, valentines etc go. We pray for the person and throw away the card.

5. Coupons go in the van door.

6. I do not save receipts or or instructions or things that can be found online

7. I remember these mottos:

“Everyone gets to decide how happy they want to be, because everyone gets to decide how grateful they are willing to be. — ANN VOSKAMP”

“I always apologized for my home to protect myself so people wouldn't think I was a slob, or at least so they would know that I acknowledge I can be a slob and that I'm not okay with it and that really I have much higher standards. . . . When I apologize for my home, I'm declaring to all within earshot that I'm not content. That I'm silently keeping score.”
― Myquillyn Smith

“In her book The Reluctant Entertainer, Sandy Coughlin writes, “Excellence is working toward an attainable goal that benefits everyone, while perfection comes from a place of great need — usually the need to avoid criticism and gain praise and approval from others.”

Hello. Nice to meet you!
What do I do? Oh, I’m a Stuff Manager.
No, I don’t really like it but, isn’t that what everyone does?
My daily routine involves looking through my stuff, putting stuff away, organizing stuff, feeling guilty because I haven’t organized other stuff, fussing at my kids because their stuff isn’t put away, wading through misplaced stuff in our garage, piling up stuff I’m tired of so we can sell it, packing away stuff I’m really tired of to give it away, asking my husband where he put his stuff, sorting, washing, and drying our stuff —
And then dreaming about more stuff that I want and the bigger house I “need” because my precious stuff won’t fit in our current house–I guess it’s too small.
I never planned on being a stuff manager, it just kind of happened and now that’s my job.
Oh, no, I don’t get paid for it. I just do it because I think I have no other choice.
I have a whole other job that I get paid for and I use most of that money to buy more stuff. I’m training my kids to be stuff managers too.
What? Why are you looking at me like that?


My kids have their own space for saving things. When their space is full they have to sort it out. They don't want to ever throw things away so we watched a hoarders episode on youtube. Now they want to donate vbs crafts and special drawings to goodwill. Poor goodwill.

GOAL # 4: Find your rhythm

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If you remember anything today remember to consider the SCALE
that and get rid of stuff. Less stuff and proper scale = a pretty home.




Trends change.



http://www.potterybarn.com/products/antique-wood-media-console/


The gallery wall was a great trend. But because one wall was busy the other walls needed to be simple. And now the trend of simple oversize art has been born out of a need for that balance


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/fb/01/77/fb0177cc88cbd97245ebbddd3bb91052.jpg




Distressed furniture used to be in style

http://vintageheadboards.storenvy.com/products/750197-distressed-80-130-yr-old-door-headboards


Now a cleaner look is in fashion



http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/welcoming-retreat-for-winter-guests-pictures?nl=HGI_110614_bottom4img_&c32=c19d1b171ef45e2af31eec1db63843080a9536b0


Beige walls are out,




Gray walls are in,




https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/82/c4/67/82c4676bec165a7cb0e7fc8e7225c34b.jpg



but you'll see the new trends are for white walls or dark bold colors or wallpaper




https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/3e/9d/59/3e9d59f7b4a1dac7660c7b542d82ffc6.jpg




http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/kates-creative-space-full-home-tour.html



http://blog.styleestate.com/style-estate-blog/pinspiration-100-gorgeous-master-bedrooms.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+styleestate+(Style+Estate+RSS+Feed)#at_pco=tcb-1.0&at_tot=20&at_ab=per-1&at_pos=19





Color themes like yellow and gray used to be trendy.



http://den-designstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-gray-area.html


Now bright and bold mixes are current.




http://eclecticallyvintage.com/2015/02/eclectic-home-tour-hi-sugarplum-blog/







Layered decorating used to be in style, Now minimal is the fresh feel



http://www.onsuttonplace.com/2015/05/the-beginners-guide-to-farmhouse-style-decor/



http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/09/the-paint-on-my-walls/



Don't get too wrapped up in trends - they keep moving - but find things that speak to you, and things that can adjust easily to embrace a fresh look.


Quality furniture doesn't go out of style - but you can change up the function!


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqulSbHaKOhXmYwQb5wrtFqg_H87aMJYI6DpMquXii0T-A7Fpn-KnxADnP9cwCKXXWOIeQSryna3kLvbhvKipkSFA_gxuk-h2ivNaxhclcwfGuCh4-T12iAzBBxky_L-zVNkVFHMFgAqA/s1600/armoire+bar.jpg


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d9/6d/15/d96d15412e2433d7f31386cf1c0afce6.jpg

I love the drama of this hutch used as a library


Let's talk styles. There is Glamour


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e8/a3/ca/e8a3ca1e99327a89895cb9f20a5798f6.jpg




http://www.brit.co/2015-interior-trends/

And Rustic


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f7/d5/c7/f7d5c70393554c8920a57e3f30a0e871.jpg


And Rustic-Glam



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/16/7f/e3/167fe3a9ae59672f6224d15fa08f3813.jpg


There is industrial


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/a3/98/7a/a3987ab7bcf65239a9c3ff107c945163.jpg



scandinavian


http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-ideas-to-steal-from-scandinavian-style-master-bedrooms-224831?crlt.pid=camp.4HOfbg4dbzl8


and bohemian


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/08/c8/d6/08c8d6be0e8420b5fbc2ad8e87e3a730.jpg



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c1/9f/57/c19f57c1c50c47aab39874dc992b594e.jpg


There are so many more styles like vintage, eclectic, industrial, coastal, etc.

Let's talk about some tricks:
blend two of your favorite styles into one room
forget about style as you start with what you have to look for function and size


This bedroom below isn't so much about color or pattern as it is about scale and balance


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e0/2a/4b/e02a4b8587ea4464b3829a2947749556.jpg




Kitchens are leaving the white painted cupboards with stainless steel and pendent lights


http://unskinnyboppy.com/2011/06/to-paint-or-not-to-paint-that-is/


And moving to be a totally unmatching personalized style



http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/g3055/2016-interior-design-trends/?slide=10

Open shelves, gold hardward, and all shades of gray cupboards are also in


http://www.heidipiron.com/Kitchens/Traditional/34


Does it really matter?
I still have the yellow-beige dated wall paint in my house because I don't have a good enough reason to change it.

Trends can be fun and beautiful and inspiring, but in the end - it's all stuff. And we know that material things, stuff, doesn't matter.

SO - where is this balance between fashion and focus?

Let's run over a few things:

Remember what you want in your house. Do you want your bedroom to be a place to refresh and renew? What prevents that? Do you want it to feel more like a spa? Get the office feel and computer out, downsize the amount of clothing in the closets and keep it more empty? Beautiful bedding or soothing wall tones - if they're a tool to fulfill a purpose - are a great investment.

What do you want in your dining room? To have friends and family gather at a table for pie and games and homework and baby showers? Does the room feel too crowded? Too dull? Too dark? Too formal? If you change it up, will it help fulfill the purpose and inspire you to live your goals?

If your goal is to keep up with the Jones - you'll never have a home you love.
If your goal is to resell one day - make choices that makes your house live and be filled with love. That's the kind of house people want to buy.
If your goal is to have a house that helps your family dream and grow - find out ways to embrace sweet and fun changes.

HOW DO PEOPLE FEEL WHEN THEY CHANGE THEIR HOME FOR THE RIGHT GOALS?

- a healthy pride in their home
- more confident about opening their home
- more peaceful about being in their home
- more content in quality time together here instead of going out as a family or a couple
- ready to make more steps in life goals
- less fragmented and less frustrated
- renewed by the creative process


IF YOUR HUSBAND IS INVOLVED

Myquillyn Smith shares this wisdom. "Honey, I'd be really happy if you help me move the bed to the other wall."

and then, wait for it...... She then SHOWS happiness.

If you want your husband involved or to approve of the home changes, make sure it's a positive experience. This help your kids love the process too!

And, do stuff on your own ladies. Youtube it and get going.


WHAT IS REALLY OUT?

chevron. i wouldn't do anything major with that anymore.

all matching. a bed in a bag. matching bedroom furniture set. or matching livingroom set. don't spend a lot money on something that is all in one package.

big clocks as a statement piece. if you've got it - keep it. if you haven't, its not the latest or greatest anymore.

WHAT IS AND IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY?

Not worth it: trendy rugs. rugs change all the time. i wouldn't put a lot of money into a rug unless its safe or neutral.

Worth it: throw pillows - use them - they're not too expensive and totally add style

Worth it: lighting IS a great statement. if you find a good deal, use this to alter your room. Expensive but amazing.

Not worth it: bedding. it can be pricey and if it's the only thing you like in your room, chances are you'll want to change it up down the road. If you like your room in general a neutral bedding is fine. Use a throw or pillows to add bling.

Worth it: paint. clean and fresh and changes everything. when needed of course.

Not worth it: painting hardware or tile. chips off and never looks quality.

Not worth it: baskets and containers. Ways to hold stuff.

Worth it: Getting rid of stuff and having more space.

Not worth it: seasonal decorations that choke you and your storage

Worth it: a few large items and making/displaying current memories

 Not worth it: stacks of books and magazines

Worth it: a bin or basket designated for the library

Worth it: nice livingroom or entryway wall art. This isn't the place for family photos but if you don't have a family room or staircase or hallway and you're going to do family pictures here, do an expensive artistic big print that you love (except it's outdated in a year) SO matching frames and big white mats and changing the individual photos is best. The white mats give it a much more professional and expensive feel in the repetition.


To sum it up:

I believe that everyone has a unique way of expressing themselves and a unique purpose as a family and has their own special callings.

Your clothing style, your communication style, your house style, and your ministry style - they're all reflections of your values and the person God made you. And they're all things that are worth an occasional evaluation. Have fun as you assess your home!

Goal #5 Scale
Goal #6 Style
Goal #7 Simplify

The most sacred things I've learned through last year

2015 started with tragedy. We were all at my parents house for Christmas, my oldest brother still recovering from nearly being killed by a drunk driver. My younger brother and my exchange student host brother were in a car crash right after Christmas, and the exchange student died instantly.
Shortly after that my sister gave birth to her son and he lived a few hours before dying.
And I was pregnant with my fourth child - longing for a daughter - and wrapping my head around another son. I wrestled the question of "Why am I having a fourth son when you KNOW God, how very much I want a daughter and how much my husband does too and how happy it would make us..." because that question was easier to figure out but I knew whatever the answer was, it would still apply to the harder bigger ones like, "Why did you let those two precious sons just die God?"

My whole life I've grown up knowing that God loves us and knows everything about us and wants to be in communion with us and for some reason He delights in us. But it didn't make sense, that God, letting a car crash take away the only son of these parents or that my sister needed to go through a whole pregnancy just to deliver a child who would soon die.

In Joshua there is a story that changed my perspective. 5:13-16 goes something like this:
Joshua looked up and saw a man (a Christophany, it was God appearing)
and he askes the Lord, "Are you for me or for my enemies?"”14

“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.”
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”
15The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Those verses meant so much to me because God is not FOR us. He invites us to be for Him. He invites us to a place of holiness that goes beyond circumstances.

In otherwords, He doesn't really care if I have a birthed daughter.
He gave me four beautiful children and invites me to parent them on a holy journey. He invites me to use my desire to have a daughter to host exchange students, get involved with bus ministry kids, or maybe foster/adopt one day.

Sometimes I only saw God as a God of love - which He is - but missed out on the part that He came to transform hearts, not circumstances. One day He will transform circumstances as well, but in the meantime He is working with hearts. When Jesus died it was for salvation, so that we could have the fruit of the Spirit - but not so that we could get our wish list checked off.

It was freeing and beautiful to know that God doesn't care about the roadmap I have drawn, but He is doing something huge and invites me to be a part. To take off the running shoes I wanted to plow through life with and instead dig my toes into the sand and experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self control. Even when I don't get what I want.

My sister, the one with the baby who died, said  (during her pregnancy) "This year wont be wasted unless I waste it"
How true. The death of her child wasn't a waste. Because her heart received and dealt in grace.

NEXT

God's will. This had been a tricky one for me in years past because I do think that God has a will and that we are to seek it and live earnestly in it. Most of the "rules" of the Bible are for our own good. God says to forgive our enemies not because it helps Him but because it allows us to be free. And reflects the gospel. But anyway, I was fed up with some people waiting on Gods will and never stepping forward and others who seemed to think that they could do whatever they wanted because if God willed differently then He'd change things.

In 1 Kings chapter 22 there is a story that made me think of God's will on a different note. God has a mission, something needs to be done about Ahab, but instead of telling an angel what to do He simply presents His mission and lets the angels have a conference about it!

20“The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 21“Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’22“The LORD said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’

So, looking at those verses made me think.

God: there is a problem with starving children
One says this another says that
Person: I will do something, I am willing
God: Glad that youre willing but how. Have you thought this out?
Person: Yes, here are my plans God
God: I will bless that. Go for it.

NEXT

Jeremiah tells everyone they must be in exile for 70 years, that if they try to rebel against Babylon they will be crushed. There are some false prophets who say, "Its actually just 2 years not 70. We can fight back and win within 2 years"

But God said no - submit to Nebuchadnezzar. God has plans. Because Israel left God He let them go into captivity. Because they were not fulfilling their calling to take the truth to all the parts of the world. Israel wasn't God's pet for the fun of it. They were supposed to be the chosen ones - chosen to tell the whole world of God and His love. Jonah is a good example of how much Israel hated to go share the gospel with the rest of the world, he didn't want to go to that non-jewish city nor was he happy when they repented. And anyway in this time of 70 years of captivity we had Daniel and Shadrack Meshek and Abendigo all proclaiming the gospel in powerful ways to the city that ruled that whole world. So God was helping accomplish His bigger picture even in the story of captivity.
My pastor spoke on these things and got choked up and cried in the middle of the sermon thinking of his grandson who had just been born with spina bifita. Why would God give a child who will never have a normal life, and what was the point of it all? And God what do you want us to do when we are in a difficult thing that doesn't go away - like cancer or a divorce or death of a dream. And this is what God says - Find beauty anyways. Plant a garden. Thrive. If you're feeling trapped and stuck, know this:

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare0“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare^b and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Overall this past year I gained three deep truths

1. God isn't on my side. But He invites me to be on His. And thats a far better adventure.
2. God's Will isnt something written in stone. It is His blessing as people do what they're called to do. If I'm a mom, His will is for me to be a good mom. If I'm a neighbor, His will is for me to be a good neighbor. If I'm a friend, His will is for me to be a good friend. If I have a burden for a problem, His will is for me to come up with a way to fight it - to fight it while resting in Him.
3. When I'm stuck in a long thing - something that isn't going away for 3 years or 10 years or 70 years - God wants me to thrive anyway. To live large anyway. To be free in Him anyway.
And those were my 3 big points of last year.

HOUSE DREAMS #2

 

 

Hello Dewdrops,

 

Here are thoughts on the house.

 

Livingroom decisions:

 

 

Your big choice is WHERE you want your gallery wall.

It can be over the console area (I love this)

or it can be around the TV (I love this too)

 

Over console area is lovely (see one of my fav pics below) But around TV will make the TV less obnoxiously contrasted (see pictures below)

 

Here is a cool dresser idea, and then another picture that has two ottomans under, which is a nice classy touch and gives extra seating.

 

 

You could also make this your dark wall if you wanted that separation and drama

 

having matching frames makes a repeated pattern for a more expensive look - and I do love busts because they're fun right now in a trendy style

 

 

 

The rug above shows how traditional old rugs can look edgy again. And by the way if you like this rug below the lady said she'd drop price to $50 for you. But anyway this below is a more sophisticated gallery wall over console. Large prints and a centered mirror.

 

 

 

 

I love this gallery wall below and I love the box of birch wood - especially if you have a fireplace it'll give it a lovely feel - so happy to copy this picture

 

 

But below appeals to me just as much. You could also save your gallery for around the TV (isn't this photo lovely? A darker gray wall with pops of white mats)

 

 

 

Also something to consider is putting your big bulletin board over the console table. If you did a gallery around TV and wanted One Large item over console (which is perfect to have some blank walls, one busy wall, and one with just a large item. With that big big wall with the console table you'll need a Large item for nice scale)

 

The bulletin board there couldn't be crazy cluttered. It would have to be styled and intentional. But part of me likes that idea because the board is unique and beautiful and large scale and it would make the home about personal functional beauty instead of "just pretty" - especially with a phone charging station here it would make this wall useful and lovely and personalized.

 

This huge one below shows a smaller table in front, which works, but ideally you'd have a larger table in front of it instead of smaller.

 

Another reason I like the bulletin board is so that you could make that your one customized piece. At Christmas you could put a tree in your basement. But overall, decorating is a lot of work, to put out and put back. My mantle is the one thing I try to seasonally change, so that it's ONE AREA but makes a statement as if I put effort into stuff. If you have a lot of little detail, it's a lot of work. But if you have one big thing - it just says the message with less umph. Here is an example of a Christmas tree - but you could also have a big Morton pumkin festival poster that you pin up in the fall and a happy birthday banner that you pin up for those days. You could have big 2016 numbers on there for a new years party, etc, but it would be minimal work - just one moodboard. (you'd have to use mini ornaments or do a fun paper one or make Kayla do it)

 

 

 

This one is great for an entry with something to hold mail, which could be added to the board, and keys too. You'd want to balance it with some real art (framed and matted) so that it doesn't look like a drop zone but a stylish and functional mood board. Of course you can do this in kitchen hall too - as long as you're not feeling too crowded there. It's a great place to put up kids achievements to celebrate them as well.

 

You could also just have one huge art printed on it and use it like a huge frame - I think it would be beautiful to have a very large square picture attached to the center in a sort of large frame art - in basement this would make cool art too. Here is an example of a photo that could be printed in a large size. It could also be a photo you switch out seasonally if you cared.

 

 

 

Next - TV wall

 

I think the room will be beautiful all in white with navy curtains. That might be my top choice. But let me tell you the reasons to consider one dark wall.

 

1. It makes the TV blend in more instead of such stark contrast. Look at this dark wall with TV and a white wall with TV

 

 

 

Here is another dark wall TV - this on dark gray which I also like, and another white example

 

 

 

 

so, the reason to CONSIDER a dark wall is because it blends in TV and adds drama and is a new trend. Here are more examples of dark accent walls

 

 

 

The other thing is making a gallery wall around your TV. This also helps the TV blend in. And its beautiful. I just did one of these at someones house (gallery wall around TV) and it was so happy. We had an end table with lamp on each side - which you could do instead of two chairs - and that was a really nice balance look with the mix of the wall in sizes/colors/shapes/material. I think that having two matching lamps or two matching chairs will help it look intentional. And I don't know what I think about a navy wall either - but I have a black wall and I love it.

 

ON TO BEDROOMS

 

I think I can get free nice lace panels which could be nice hanging. But this room is more boho not hippy. So she can decide if she wants something like this lighter feeling or something heavier.

 

 

You can see how this bed is slide over to the farthest wall. Centering a bed in the middle of a room might be nice. But for me, in a small room, I really want to maximize floor space. In a big bedroom I love it centered. In a small one I want to feel like there is room and have some floor that doesn't feel like a narrow walkway around the bed. I also love to see the bed when I come in, so that the room has a statement to it - and the bed should be the statement. Those are just my personal opinions - er, and those of many designers as well ;) but it wont offend me if the beds are in other areas. Just things to consider. Maybe shove the mattresses around a few times to get a feel. I would Strongly recommend to not cover the vents. The issue with covering vents is that the heat is blocked from the room and forced up, so your upstairs will be hotter and the rooms downstairs colder. This will use more heat and be much less efficient. I don't know if it's a fire hazard, but it is like turning off the heat to that room.

 

I went to a house with the eaves like yours and the boys shared a small bedroom that was very charming and nice with no toys anywhere. And in both sides he had created playrooms in the cubby doors. One was a lego world and the other was for the rest of the toys - GI Joes and such. It was amazing. The kids loved setting up their stuff in a room void of anything else then their own dreams. I loved it. I imagine a 15 year old's area will look very different but I think it's fine - especially for her to create it herself. If she has a heavy duty stapler and a bunch of fabric she can cover the walls and section off an area that is clean and pretty. I don't know if she'll actually use it a lot - probably she'll hang out in the basement if not in her bedroom - but even if all she is doing is creating, that has meaning in itself. I'd encourage her to go for it!

 

The chalkboard wall is fun. I don't think it matters if it's on a wall with a window but she might like having the blank wall the best. Her room is a little bigger and with a low bed it will feel bigger too. I would probably do it on the wall with the single window just to maximize space and make her chalk headboard a statement piece - but whatever is nice.

 

This would be a bit how the bed would feel off to the corner - though makes it more challenging to draw a cool headboard so she has to decide if she wants the feeling of space or the feeling of a centered headboard.

 

 

 

This is bedding I imagine moreso for Kayla - and also with the white lace again.

 

 

For Kayla I think we need a tall dresser and it might be fun if she painted it herself

 

 

 

It could be fun to do a gallery wall in Kenna's room too - let her express herself over her dresser for some extra bling. This also shows some gold and black color mixes - so if I give you that big black bed canopy you'll have to figure out a bit of black touches to the room. Like that glam dresser I painted - black and gold - and I could do that again. Home decorator has great gold knobs. At least they did :)

 

It doesn't have to be black and gold though. I don't actually care much about color - more about shape and size because scale is what will have something look good or bad - just like clothes. No matter how pretty they are, it's more important that they fit right.

 

I probably would take the door off the closet and just not have any. I'd center that beautiful day bed that I love in front of the window. I'd hang the black canopy over it. And Voila - total girly glam. Huge statement and lovely. Then her colors and choices and layers don't actually matter. If she wants blue or fluffy pale pink or bright purple - it doesn't matter. Blow is a room with a lot of pattern and color. She can pick things she loves and it's easy to make it magical. Especially if she gets to pick things for a gallery wall over her dresser. Then its things of meaning - photos yes - but also some chunky thing from her past that can just be mounted on the wall.

 

 

 

In your room Ann, I think that the comforter and headboard you have just speak of luxury and glam and elegance. And having matching bedstands with matching lamps will add to this feeling. Even if it's tight it'll be the most dramatic effect to have this classy romantic feeling.

 

When you get a chance, measure it for me, and I will see if this nice set of end tables that I bought for you will fit. The two matching lamps that are there - in gold - can be spray painted. And I bought two matching drum shades (in white) that can go over them an make the rest of your room complete. Only you may need an art piece (or mirror) above your bed. And a rug. But maybe a rug isn't so needed if your bed takes up most of the room. You maybe could paint the floor but I'm guessing to paint and seal the floor would cost as much as a rug and be a lot more work. You could test is out in the upstairs bathroom and see how it works before hiding it all with new linoleum.  Below you can see a snug little bedroom but sweet and good scale.

 

 

 

NEXT LETS DREAM ABOUT THE BASEMENT

 

I do like the idea of stenciling the floor. But not a perfect stencil. Something that fades and changes and isn't too defined. Not too busy. Like its aged and matches the age of the floor. If I had a stenciled floor I would make a clean painted wall of a solid color. Maybe Revere Pewter would be perfect because it's not too gray and anything with too much gray would look like cement block. I think the gray I gave you is also taupe enough but just a little more gray to it. But an aged floor with a clean wall - or an aged wall with a glossy floor. Because I like what Beka said about a high gloss - to just give some clean feel to the floor. Anyway here is the stencil example:

 

 

So there is a rug I have on hold for you to decide about. It's pink. Solid pale pink. 11x13 so very very big. You cant find that big of rug very cheaply. This one was originally $2500 and I talked her into $75. It is made partly from silk so you wont want to spill wine on it, but I think it would be a big and happy solution. I like the shades of grays and pinks together but it doesn't have to be too crazy girly. See some pink rugs below (though it's not a hot pink like first pic):

 

You could even do a grunge wall, white washing over the existing paint, and have it be a little urban mixed with a pink rug - and the aqua color on the wall and a subtle pink rug with the gray hues could be a fast and happy way to get the basement moving along.

 

 

It would be fun if you could move the barn door from the garage and put it for the laundry room as sort of "art" for that wall. I think you actually need a very big dresser for your TV... Or the one that Jennifer got on some X legs. That would help it have substance. I think you also may want to divide the room into two sections so have two rugs, one for the table area with a big self. If you had a hutch I'd paint it a cool color and have it down here. There is one I really love for $75 - which is a nice price for such a big quality piece. But a nicely painted hutch on the farthest wall would give you "large art" for the big blankness. Rooms are SO MUCH ABOUT SCALE and you'll have to think big for the basement. Big art on the wall above the couch. I don't care if the girls have favorite posters that they want to tape with cool tape on the wall behind the couch. I care more about size.

 

THE KITCHEN

 

I'm going to give you tons of over the sink examples - some are dated or stuffy kitchen styles but just ignore that. You're only looking at function. I'm very happy with you just taking off the cupboards on the one side and just putting shelves there - and who cares if there are some small drips on the countertop. It wont be a puddle. So maybe the best is to just have it all over to that side -I'll show you pictures of those racks too. But if you need more space you CAN go all the way across the window and it's not an issue. I also like black trim but maybe you want to do it in the same gray as the cupboards are painted.

 

 

They put just clear glasses in front o f the window for this - but I don't think it would matter. Hard to see them though.

 

 

If you are nervous about it, I'd still recommend something like a mounted dish drying rack off to the side so that the act of washing dishes in the sink is very convenient - to grab and put back the same things over and over will be easy. All the same color is pretty but everyone having their own color would make it very noticeable who is responsible and who left a plate in their bedroom. And if you're pretty bland everywhere else but have four colors of dishes and paint your four chairs/stools the same colors, it might be a fun way to have some nice personality to the room. It could be bold or it could be all soft shades - or gold black silver and white. It wouldn't matter. Maybe something like clear glass, turquoise glass, navy glass and white. Just a thought. It will like clean and contemporary and nice to have all the same though.

 

There are a couple photos that wont load. Bummer. But maybe you have enough. One showed a kichen your size with eat in table and, though crowded, it was okay. It was on purpose.

 

 

Last of all - I'm only taking up my precious sleep time to write you all of this because it shows my enthusiasm for you. I want to celebrate with you. I want to underline the joy of God's blessing. If you don't use any of my effort, it's completely fine! I want to connect to the hope of this transition so giving you things to consider is a nice way to do that. Although you could very nicely have a very happy house that is wonderfully classic, I want you to think about what you really like - and what it would look like if you were trying to express yourself. Maybe it doesn't work, but to make this home feel like it's YOURS you get to be creative. I'm going to show you rooms/outfit styles that show similar feeling. And maybe you'd enjoy thinking of your house like this - like "how would I wear this room" - if it helps you to capture your own personality more.

 

May you treasure and enjoy the beauty in the middle of all the work ahead of you!!!