Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Designers Vision for an Old House et al...

So, I promised you a surprise a while back... Everybody just loves before and after stories, whether it be an extreme home makeover, facial/make-up or clothing makeover...and I am no exception.
I'm excited to do a series on an old house renovation, in a tiny town. I will be following the renovation and decoration of this charming old Victorian home. 

As I designer, when I come on to a project my clients start to excitedly talk about all their plans, ideas, visions, favorite elements, elements they hate, favorite colors, furniture tastes and more. Now, the husband and wife seldom agree on everything from start to finish. Most often everything, including budget, is fluid and there is an enormous amount of give and take in a successful project. Compromise on some items for each person is tolerable on some items, non-negotiable on others. I usually learn a great deal about the people, the couple, how they work together and what their values are both in life and in the home project. I absolutely love the whole process.

I wanted to share with you a wonderful project of a Victorian looking home. The facade is clearly Victorian although the inside, as you will soon see is nothing Vicorian: now or when it will be completed. 

Charming is how I would describe this little gem. It is not tiny, like a cottage but it is not grand like a mansion. It is cozy. It will envelope its visitors with gracious welcome and hospitality. I know exactly what it will look like when it is finished. That is what a designer does, envision what it will look like without all the blemishes, dry rot, ugly paint colors, weird placement of furniture or drapes, mentally cleaning a slate and readying it's framework and foundation for beautiful additions. Whether on a big budget or a tiny one, a designer sees the potential.

A designer sees through the flaws to what could be.
A designer, in the midst of some truly rotten parts, sees the stunning finished home.

It made me ponder how our DESIGNER sees us. It isn't that he doesn't see the termite infested dry-rot, but that he sees past it. He looks right at the black mold and sees clearly the freshly painted new molding.
 As I  stood at the rickity fence, paint peeling, wood cracking~missing picket fence and see it clearly with big blooming white roses or swagged with pine and big red bows and wreaths at Christmas time, so does our GOD look right through our flaws into our potential and sees it CLEARLY. It may take a hammer, a lot of sandpaper and a pair of willing hands but that beauty is waiting to be made manifest: home or person. Walk with me and discover how...

 There are so many parallels that follow in INSPIRED DESIGN...I can't wait to walk through this project. It will be so much fun to show you the before and after's.

 A very exciting element of this is that it will be used for spiritual retreats, cooking and designing seminars (and more!), and available for cozy little family weekends...
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11a















// a very magnificent designer.
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Sunday, September 23, 2012

October 7 ..Day in Somis Garden with Jennifer Strickland


Please join me and Inspired31.org 
For
A Day in the Garden (See Below!)
Speaker and Boutique
Sunday, October 7   From 1-5
$12. prepaid* Free WHOA Magazine with Registration by September 27
 $15. at the Door
Speaker: Jennifer Strickland, Author Girl Perfect
Former Georgio Armani Runway Model
Host: Laura & Estelle 
Proceeds to benefit Inspired31.org
Mexican Finger Food, Sweet Treats & Iced Tea


Our Speaker: Jennifer Strickland, Former Georgio Armani Model & Author/Girl Perfect
Best known for her passionate delivery and authentic storytelling, Jennifer Strickland captivates audiences with her life story as a former international model for Giorgio Armani, Vogue, Glamour,and more. A published author, gifted teacher, wife and mother of three, Jennifer loves sharing the powerful stories of her experiences behind-the-scenes of the modeling industry, pointing her audience to a more positive view of women's real beauty and value.
Our host is Laura & her lovely daughter Estelle, Gravely injured in a tragic helicopter crash on California's Catalina Island that killed three other passengers in 2008, Laura Sharpe suffered critical, near-fatal injuries that would change the course of her life forever.
Sharpe fought her way through four weeks in a coma, endured 43 broken bones, burns on more than 40 percent of her body, multiple skin grafts, the near-loss of an eye, and the partial amputation of her foot.
Focusing on the future, and feeling grateful for all the love and support she was blessed to receive, Laura Sharpe embarked on a journey of re-discovery through engagement with the arts.
Sunday, October 7, 2012

Light Snacks & Iced Tea will be provided
Somis Ranch Address will be provided, in an email only to registrants!


LauraSharpeBed

Gravely injured in a tragic helicopter crash on California's Catalina Island that killed three other passengers in 2008, Laura Sharpe suffered critical, near-fatal injuries that would change the course of her life forever.
Sharpe fought her way through four weeks in a coma, endured 43 broken bones, burns on more than 40 percent of her body, multiple skin grafts, the near-loss of an eye, and the partial amputation of her foot.
LauraSharpeNow
 Focusing on the future, and feeling grateful for all the love and support she was blessed to receive, Laura Sharpe embarked on a journey of re-discovery through engagement with the arts.




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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Beautiful and Inspired Day in a Somis Garden October 7 1-5

Please join me & Inspired31.org 
For
A Day in the Garden (See Below!)
Speaker & Boutique
Sunday, October 7   From 1-5
$12. prepaid* Free WHOA Magazine with Registration by September 27
 $15. at the Door
Speaker: Jennifer Strickland, Author Girl Perfect
Former Georgio Armani Runway Model
Host: Laura & Estelle 
Proceeds to benefit Inspired31.org
Mexican Finger Food, Sweet Treats & Iced Tea





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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Inspired Kickoff Tomorrow at Three O'Clock

All things Inspired...
That is Inspired31.org in a nutshell
It begins with Laura Sharp, survivor of a fatal helicopter accident (to 3) while she, her daughter and another survived...to create Artists for Trauma...
moves through mothers, teenage daughters and other mentors,
through speakers (tomorrow is on Sex Trafficking),
time together to bond, chat, laugh, cry, learn and serve together!
Here is a bunch of the varied faces of Inspired Design Publications, Inc., which Includes Inspired31.org our mother-teenage daughter part!
I love it all.
These women inspire ME to be better.
To be more ME.
To love OTHERS more.
To serve others more...
Hope you can join us...
For more info: WWW.Inspired31.org







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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

50th Anniversary Party

Beautiful 50 Wedding Anniversary for my Parents

We celebrated the most lovely of events, a week or so ago, my parents 50th Anniversary! Wow! 
It is not common I realize, but they are still as in love (more) than all those years ago. I thought I would just share some thoughts for my tribute/toast before they surprise!!! renewed their vows! 
I love the cardboard cutout they had here of their original wedding party. 
It was a brilliant celebration, made perfect by the friends of a lifetime that celebrated with us. 
Tribute at the bottom of the pictures.







Legacy: Long marriage is Inspiring (These are my notes, please forgive format)
Jump right in with my best description of how I see my parents: Loyal, honest, intense, intense, (yes, intense) loving, devoted and deeply kind.
Of all those adjectives deeply kind is how I see them both due to the depth in which they feel things. Not only with myself and my kids, but when a friend or loved one of theirs is suffering they often lay awake all night trying to figure out how to help, or just praying, thinking God's blessing and healing over them.
We were raised in a "Christian" household, but no church or formal stuff. However I think the reason I have such a deep faith is I watched them walk out true faith, in action not words. In our culture, in some ways I have painfully witnessed, "Christian" talk with no substance... but I was blessed to grow up watching a man deeply love and honor his wife. I watched my mom be a "MOM" devotedly, and proudly, however always being a devoted, fun, sports-fan wife of which always made my dad so proud. She took good care of herself, and always BETTER care of my dad, because she loves him so much. I see it every day of my life. It is why we love to spend time with them. (more on this~want some surprises dad) My dad never cussed my entire childhood (ok, within ear shot of me), came to every track meet, wrote me notes of encouragement and told me that I could do everything I set my mind to. Since my dad was always right, I believed him. My mom loved hosting people and practicing hospitality (Romans 13:14) showing God's love through opening her doors. She took/takes it seriously because it is her love language NOT because she is trying to impress others.
Always struck by how humble and private my parents are. When I was first married I thought they didn't like lots of people together, but I was wrong in my assessment. I have learned while raising my own family it is because they cherish their lifelong friends, and not that they don't want new ones, but that they love so deeply they want ample time with their dear friends. Meeting them briefly one would get a very different impression but knowing them deeply like we all do in this room you know that they are intensely loyal, deep friends, who wouldn't say a bad thing to anyone about those they love. 
Life isn't always smooth sailing (to take a metaphor out of my mom's childhood spent on the Shawnee, my Grandfathers beloved ketch) and during those times my mom has been a devoted caregiver, or cheerleader, and confidant when needed. The saying behind every successful man is a supportive woman is a dramatic understatement in this case. When my mom has suffered deep heartache my dad was the patient listening ear, supportive shoulder and pourer of great wine!!! My favorite verse Phil 4:8 (and 9 in this case) says it all...
Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

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