Tuesday's Tea Party

Welcome to our first Tuesday's Tea Party! Grab a cup of tea (or your favorite cup of coffee if your me), pull up a comfy chair and join me at the table!!

I wasn't quite sure what to venture on today, since there are always so many different things running around in my head, that seem like hampsters on a wheel lately, but I wanted to share with you an EXCELLENT book I've jumped into recently.

Daughter's of Destiny.  I came across this book in a thrift store the other day and I thought "oh how nice, a book of noble and christian strong women". But once I actually started reading this book, it is some of the best writing I have ever read! The stories, the scripture and most of all...the lessons on womanhood. Not your basic Titus 2 reference, but a THOROUGH and TRUTHFUL reference on being a young lady, a wife, a mother and serving the Lord above all. Since I can't even begin to describe this wonderful book, I'll share some of my favorite excerpts so far to date (and I'm barely into this book)...

"Who can find a viruous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not harm all of the days of her life". Proverbs 31:10-12

"...Thank God, O Woman, for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen in it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it.  Better be there than wear Victoria's crown. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may adorn that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled."...

"...Six things are requisite to create a happy home: Integrity must be the architect, the tidiness the upholsterer. It must be warmed by affection, and lightened up with cheerfulness, and industry must be the ventilator, renewing the atmosphere and bringing in fresh salubrity day by day; while over all, as a protecting canopy and glory, nothing will suffice except the blessings of God"... Rev Dr. Hamilton

"What we do live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other." George Elliot

I hope you enjoyed some of this as much as I am enjoying reading it! I highly recommend this book for ALL women, daughters, mothers and grandmothers!!  Happy Tuesday!!

Images via Kira Brandt and Amazon.com

Linked up to: A Wist Woman Builds Her Home

The Wheels Are Turning

With all of the preperation for the nursery on my mind, I've been busy trying to get ready with only 12 weeks left.

But when I seen this picture from Serena & Lily, it got my wheels turning on something I could replicate in our family room...can you spot it? A little hint...it's in the top left pic...

Stylish Blog Award

Thank you so much to Mandi, of Interior Design Musings, for passing on and awarding me the Stylish Blog Award! The rules are to state 7 random things about yourself that people may not know, and then to pass it on to 7 others. So here goes...

1. My now husband of 7 years was a birthday present to me from my sister, which we have the same birthday, but are eight years apart, so we always celebrate together.  He came with a big red bow on his head and we've been inseperable from then on.

2. I have multiple college degrees. I never could seem to make up my mind on what I really wanted to be when I "grew up", so I have an Associates in Animal Science, my EMT Basic with IV, Certificate in Bookkeeping and I just graduated from Interior Design School.

3. My all time favorite childhood character was Strawberry Shortcake. I still love her, since I was born a red head, that I even had a Strawberry Shortcake pillow in the hospital with me when I delivered my daughter.

4. I was born and raised in the midwest and the rocky mountains and was raised a farm girl. Yep, horses, cattle, chickens, rodeo, horse shows, 4-H...it was all part of my life. I went on to marry a ranch hand, so I don't think the lifestyle will ever leave my blood. I prefer it simple in the country...with a few amenities from the city ;)

5. I have a scar on my left elbow, where I flew over the handlebars of my Stawberry Sizzler when I was little. This is also the same bike that I was on when I ran into a loader bucket on the tractor trying to show off for my dad.

6. I also ride dirt bikes...

7. I was baptized when I was born, but was later re-baptized a few years ago with my husband.

So I'm passing this award on to some bloggers that I adore...

1. 6th Street Design School
2. Isabella & Max Rooms
3. Home & Harmony
4. Haven & Home, Marianne Strong Interiors
5. Three Men & A Lady

6. Jones Design Company

7. Faded Prairie

A Sneek Peek

Here's a little sneek peek...this charcoal Chipper fabric from Premiere Prints is going to be used in an upcoming project. The design board will be completed soon...can't wait to share it with you!

Have a great weekend...and stay warm!

A Few Blog Changes

You may have noticed that I'm slowly working into updating the blog...the header came first. So next up is all the sidebar details and such, all while incorporating Tuesday's Tea Party.

Hang in there with me while I incorporate some changes...I think you'll really like the new, easier layout that will be easier to find some old projects, all well as the new.  Thank you again to all of my blog readers...I couldn't of done this without all of you!

Thanks for the Mention

I just wanted to thank the judges and all who commented on Teagan's Bedroom Reveal. We made the top 10 again and I feel honored that you all loved it so much! Stop by and check out the CSI Project. The last entry was for all things white and it was so beautiful to go through and see all of the amazing projects so many others have done.

Confessions of a Designer - I'm a Neutral Nelly

A very talented and lovely girl, Bryn, from Bryn Alexandra Interiors commented yesterday that she was a "Neutral Nelly".  My first thought was..."I bet she's going to say, you need to add color"...nope, she was just relishing in her love of neutrals.

I was so relieved to hear another designer admit that they are a "Neutral Nelly". As much as I love the brightly colored rooms and pops of orange or pink in design photos, they simply are not me. I love to put them in others' homes, but when it comes to mine, I always end up not liking it and sit there staring at it until it drives me batty and I end up putting it back to a neutral color. I love color in accessories or artwork more, and I use that as my inspiration, but keep my basics as neutral as possible.

For instance, my recent family room redesign was a great example. I of course had the neutral background, furniture and woodwork, but was in love with the painting my husband painted. So, I worked off of that, working in the greens and blues from the painting. Subtle, but a little brighter than I usually do in my home. The result? I liked it, loved the way it all pulled together and received so many compliments on it. BUT...I didn't LOVE it.  I was raised on a farm and my husband and I are used to ranch living, so this was just a little too modern for me. I decided that it was ok for me to go back to my love of leather, with a classical library feel, with a touch of fun added in to reflect our age and our children.  The result?...We just got in our new leather furniture and I'm estatic to work with it.

It feels like home...it feels like I might just love it...and it's neutral...that's why this "Neutral Nelly" is loving it!

Images via EsteeStanley



Up and Coming

It's a NEW YEAR and in my life it involves a lot of new and exciting changes!

First, Dwelling Room Interiors is now in place and up and running...including some new clients. So a new blog design, website with design services, etc. will be incorporated. You'll be seeing more tutorials, DIY projects and some client work. This is such an exciting time for me, as we are in the process of preparing for the arival of baby #2, and at the end of 2011...this corporate worker will be moving on to staying and working at home so that my dear hubby and children get my attention FIRST. Interior design has always been a passion, and since graduation is now completed for me, I'm moving on to the next chapter in my life.

Second, in the near future, I have desingated Tuesdays as "Tuesday's Tea Party". This will mean whatever you want it to.  I want you to tell me what you want to hear more of, want you want to see, what you want to discuss and what you're interested in this year! This can be ANYTHING...from interior design, to raising children, being the wife and mother the Lord wants us to be...anything! So let me know what your desires are, and we will bring it to the table on Tuesdays.

I hope that you will join me this year for some new, exciting things that are up and coming. I truly enjoy all of my readers and am so thankful for your comments, prayers and just getting to know all of my new friends!

If you are in the need for design, redesign or just some tips for decorating your home, please contact me!

Favorite Projects of 2010

As we come to an end in 2010, I thought I'd look back at a few of my favorite projects that we completed in 2010 here at Tea Party.

Our biggest, but probablly the most rewarding...our kitchen remodel, which only cost around $700, but was completed with some sweat and tears.

An ottoman that we built from scratch, inspired by a Restoration Hardware find.

And lastly, a long work in progress, Teagan's big girl room.

 Wishing you all a blessed and happy New Year! I am so thankful to all of my readers and I can't wait to see what 2011 brings!!

New Love List

Have you seen some of the new items that Ballard Designs is carrying? I can think of so many places to use any of these...

Looks like their jumping on the chesterfield sofa bandwagon...georgous as always.

Loving this new fabric, which they used for a duvet set here, french grain sack seems to be becoming a classic...and with such neutral colors, this could go with so many color variations...

This new fabric...the classic blue and paisley, but with so many colors, you could accent so much from this. Creamy white, yellows, greens and rich browns...yummy!

A burlap covered bulletin board with nail head trim. I just finished a project similar to this for my new office space, so I'll be sharing that with a tutorial shortly.

What are you loving from the new Ballard Designs collection as they bring in the new year?

Classic and Refined

That's what the furniture company calls this collection..."Classy, refined and comfortable. That's the style. Offers detailed stitching and extra deep seating. Whether you've had a hard day on the range or in the office..." I'm not usually such a cleche person with these sort of things, but because it seems to fit the bill of our home and family so much, I would have to agree.
Remember the creamy white sectional we ordered last year? The one I just got designing around in our family room? Well, it's heading down the road. Not that I don't love the look of the creamy white and the sectional with the large ottoman gave us such ample lounging space, but I am going to go against the grain and state that "I do not love slipcovers"...They are such a chore to keep clean. Oh yes, I hear the "their so simple, you just remove and launder"...but I am tired of laundering them so often and if you don't, they just start to look dingy and dirty. Especially when you have 2 dogs and a toddler that will have some remaining chocolate cookie on her hand and voila!...it's dirty again. First I'd have to admit that removing and putting slips on and off is not a 5 minute thing. Either is the laundering, because you never want to fully dry them or they may shrink or change shape.  I'm too neurotic or just plain lazy, but this sofa has been the worst upkeep I've ever had on any of our furniture. But most of all, I'd like to point out that since I got the slipcovered sofa, when people enter my home and sit down, they all have this "am I going to ruin it" look on their face...not the atmosphere I want my home to have.  I am NOT against white however, I still love our creamy kitchen cabinets and snuggle in oh so lovely in our white duvet and bedding. But, onto leather it is...

I searched high and low for the sofa I wanted (since Restoration Hardware's $4,000 pricetag for my ultimate dream chesterfield was out of the question) and finally concluded with this one. I love the brown leather tone, the stitching and it's oh so comfortable. Yes, it is real leather, but it has a coating on it you can't see or feel, that protects the leather from stains and your body oils that may discolor. We in fact know someone who has had this exact sofa for going on 6 years now, and it has held up beautifully.  I wanted something classic, that would go with us through the years...and my different design tastes.  And no we didn't get the complete set (a designer's nightmare if you want character), just the sofa and recliner for dear hubby and to make a great reading nook. The remainder of the seating will be brought in using different pieces and fabrics.


I can't wait to redesign the family room...ONCE AGAIN...this time with more of a classic, library feel...ultimately fit for this family. 

Office Organizing

That's what I've been busy doing on my vacation time. I started to convert a one bedroom office to consist only in the corner nook off the dining room. Baby #2 has called for its own room and space. The desk has been refinished (pictures soon I promise) and most of it has been completed. The chair has yet to be reupholstered, but that wasn't top of the priority list. But I am really pleased with how its coming along. Although I wish for a space like pictured here, it just isn't feasible anymore with that bedroom needing a different use.  But I can use what I have to work with...

May Your Holidays Be Bright

May your home be filled with the love and laughter of loved ones... and may your home be filled with the love of Christ during this holiday time of year.

I'm checking out for a few days to celebrate Christmas with my loved ones, some far and some near. 

May you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas!

Images via Southern Living

Dining Table & Pics

Today my new dining table is *supposed* to be delivered today, but because we are having mountain snow storm warnings again, we'll see if this really comes in. I am so excited to work some new chairs into this table...the ones pictures were a little much for me, not to mention I'm not a fan of matchy matchy.

Counting down to Christmas!...

Dining Room Update

So the new dining table has been ordered, but as usual, has been pushed back in shipping. That's ok though, since I still haven't decided what dining chairs to pair with it. I am so torn, because I would really love some comfortable, plush seating, but with a toddler and a (ahem) husband, this just is not very realistic if I want low maintenance and for it to stay nice for a while. My dear hubby would really like leather, but they are such an added cost, I keep steering away from them for the momemt.

So how about you, what dining chairs do you have at your table?

In the meantime, I'm loving some inspiration...

Images via John Saladino, Southern Living, Zolden Interiors

Lonny Inspiration

I'm sure most of you have had a chance to see the new Lonny December Edition that came out last week. If not, be sure to check it out, it has some great inspiration and this month I was especially inspired by the JCrew store feature. Although my husband is far from JCrew, I was in love with their philosophy of natural, refined rustic masculinity that they use to design their store fronts for the men's line. This is the direction I have been wanting to go with for the nursery of our up and coming #2. The colors, the texture...it's speaking to me.

A mix of wood, greyish background, simple frames with unually framed items, masculine light fixtures...

Grey scale of colors, mixed with natural wood tones, leather and texture, texture, texture!

 You really can find inspiration anywhere, whether it be from a magazine article, fashion or right our your front door. Look around and see what and where you are drawn to...this may surprise you...but it will give you some inspiration to bring into your home and because it was your natural instinct to be drawn to it...you will love being surrounded by it in your home.



Its A ....!

Since Miss T was born 8 weeks early, they've put me on high risk pregnancy this time around. Another words, their just making me go through the hoops to see if there is any reason I went early last time and to see if there is any way they may be able to prevent it this next time around.

So because of this, a 4D ultrasound was taken vs. the average 2D.  Here's an AMAZING picture of our little one at 20 weeks, weighing 12 oz.!

You can see its facial features starting to form and its arms are up along side of the head on both sides.

And it was more than willing to show us...

It's A Boy!!

Now off to start designing the nursery around a boy!!



Desk Project

Since we'll need what is the now office for the nursery for the new baby, my office will be moved to the corner nook in the dining room. While I was trying to find a desk small enough to fit into this space (and am extrememly sad I can't use my current West Elm parsons desk) I really was trying to be cost effective about this as possible. Since my parents just relocated to South Padre Island, my mom no longer had use for her sewing machine desk. So, I decided to paint it the same color as the above shelving and kitchen cabinets, to create a more custom built in design. Here's a sneek of what the desk looked like before, with the after coming soon...

Adding Trim to Curtain Panels

Remember when I was all excited about getting my new ironing board cover and mentioned that I was adding some trim to my curtain panels? I did finish them, and here is the finished product...

I know that last picture is terrible lighting, but I couldn't get it to be any better, even with camera adjustments while it was facing the direct light from the window. I originally made these panels from painter's drop cloth. They are such a perfect weight, color and they insulate well, but I thought they needed a little more. I purchased some grosgrain ribbon from Joann's and for a couple of dollars, I succeeded in updating the existing panels. I used the iron on hemming tape so it was EASY to attach!