Paris, Antiques, My Daughter, My Friends

Yesterday on a radio interview, via phone, for a station in Connecticut, the host asked me, "Do you really think God cares about Interior Design?"  Yes and no. Does he care about impressive interiors? No. Does he care about each and every person in the design industry, each home, each person that lives in those homes? Yes. I believe God cares about everything, however it may be different than how we perceive how he cares. It all goes back to relationships, talents and  how we use them. 

For me:  I watched my husband Scott use his gifts/skills as a dentist in Romania for Heart of Hope Ministries Intl. (Where the money from our book Inspired Design goes) every year  (20yrs) fixing the teeth of children without parents/children in poverty. As I was in Romania trying to help (crying myself to sleep at night because of the tremendous sadness of those children) I decided then and there that I would figure out a way, when my children were older, to help. How? I had no ideas as design is not exactly a skill that can easily be applied to orphans. But I knew God had a great plan....I needed only to wait on Him. Years later...the book...the proceeds to Heart of Hope.

It is not stopping there: Inspired31.org, Iron27, and more.

While preparing for a "Day of Home and Hospitality" that my girlfriend Lorianne and I will be speaking at on February 4th, we have been talking so much about just that: celebrating each other's gifts. The world's way of doing things is all about perfection and competition. The opposite way is: God's beautiful way to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. (Combination of many scripture references). One of the things I most love to do is design!

 So I thought I'd share with you the trip to Paris with my daughter, her best friend, Imogen, and her mom, Francesca! This was five years ago and we are all still dear friends. Blessing! It took alot of creativity to combine the use of design to benefit God's kingdom, but God was patient with me, until I could see it could be done. Hope you enjoy this tour through Paris. You'll a photograph showing each of our great Paris love's! Imogen: Books, Hannah: Food, Francesca: Shakespeare, Roxanne: Antiques!

Zephaniah 3:17

He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, He will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs

White Design

I loooove designing with all white, so I thought I'd share with you a  home-makeover of a  typical 70's  home that we really transformed.  With fresh neutral greige (grey & beige)  paint, and white upholstery pieces, we freshened it up. 

Although I am not doing much "professional design" this year, as I am devoting all my non-family time to Inspired31.org and the book, I still looooove designing. I love it because it is so much fun to help women create a home that really looks like what they love!

 If you want to get ideas, join me on Pinterest, which is like a virtual bulletin board. If these pictures are really big when you read it on email, click the grey "Inspired Design Blog" words at the top and it will take you to the original page, where the pictures will appear the proper size!

Happy Weekend!

More Valentines Ideas

More Valentines Day Ideas

So glad you liked the last batch of pics! I will leave you simply with more photographs & an inspiring encouragement I was thankful to find on facebook: Roxanne, I am being seriously convicted and encouraged (simultaneously!) by your book. In my quiet time, going through Acts, I was reminded that it was the hospitality of one woman - Lydia- to some itinerant preaches (Paul & the gang) that led to Christianity spreading to Europe. So much for my "Oh, I'm- not- gifted- in -that -area excuse!" I have set two new resolutions for the year, towards making myself hospitable. :) First, the work...then the parties! Thank you! Cara S

Beautiful Valentines Day Ideas

Creative Active Ways to Encourage Others on Valentines Day: Actions Speak Louder than Words...

KIND WORDS

A handwritten note in the mail with quotes, scriptures and words of encouragement is a wonderful thing.

A sticky note on your child/husband’s pillow. A note on the bathroom mirror or car window in red lipstick saying “I love you”.

An email to say “Thank you, you bless me” or a poem, scripture or photograph to remind them they are remembered.

If someone has lost a loved one, some kind words of ways that loved one inspired you to do something better, that their legacy is living on.

AN INVITATION, TIME

Take time out of your days to meet someone for coffee, lunch, long walk, or a phone message with a sweet sentiment. If you have more time take a picnic basket to their home. Set up a lunch, tea or coffee, with all your tea cups or such and candle. It is a lovely surprise. Just rinse when finish and pack back up so they don’t even have to do dishes. They have a lovely memory of a special time.

THOUGHTFUL GESTURE

Flowers hanging on the front door handle, pretty tiny package in the mailbox with a beautiful red bow, cookies delivered to the front door. Perhaps a special plate for your children that says you are special for breakfast with something that you have noticed your child doing especially well on lately. Especially significant if your child has struggled with something, comment on their effort if you can’t think of anything else. (Friends as well)

A BEAUTIFUL DINNER 

Of course this takes more time, but try for a beautiful table setting complete with candles, fresh greens or flowers and a lovely menu either handwritten or printed out on your computer. (Go onto my pinterest account, via my blog, and you can print out some darling printouts, including gift tags, and much more) Don’t concentrate on the gourmet or complicated quality of the meal: remember it is about relationship and encouragement!

VALENTINES DINNER

A beautiful table for Valentines simply consists of reds, pinks and perhaps some purple. (Although it could be beautiful in all white) Of course, it has to have some hearts and some colorful candles. Nothing encourages more than a meal together. It begins with the invitation, continues through the effort and thought of the beauty of the table and really is significant because of the bonding and conversation. Bless you as you bless others.

All silver in today's blog is from my grandpda & great-grandpa (Allan Adler & Porter Blanchard)