Meet Delores

 Meet Delores! She's brand new to our formal living room. 

Note: I intentionally set out to NOT do any home design projects this Summer until after school started ... I did 3 rooms that were not even on my list. I am my mother and am constantly redecorating rooms, often spontaneously! 

Our den (reveal coming soon) went through a total transformation which then resulted in some changes to the formal room with the additional of these etageres, removal of the tv and Delores.

With the etageres now flanking the mirrored console, art was needed on the wall. Because this room is traditional, I wanted art that's modern and interesting but complemented the current color palette.

In scrolling online I found this portrait. I named her Delores. I find her elegant and also mysterious. She an unexpected piece bringing interest to the room. 

When I added the grasscloth wallpaper to this room several months ago I realized the windows needed formal dressing. I decided on long drapes in a rich golden yellow color.  To me, they were the perfect finishing touch. 

Adding a jewel tone to the soft muted colors really added depth to the room!

BEFORE

AFTER

'Delores' Art Print - Etageres - Drapes - Drapery Rods & Finials 

I encourage you to be creative in your living spaces and add fun art!

Dress Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Art in Home Design

Art in your home can really add style and showcase your personality. While I primarily decorate our walls with photographs of our memories and loved ones I do enjoy incorporating art that means something to us and displays things that we love/represent us.

Note: Ryan doesn't give a rip about art - he decorates his office will all sorts of tacky man stuff and I get the rest of our home. I find this arrangement fair as I assume most wives do haha

Over the Summer I contemplate home design projects that I want to tackle once school starts and this one wall in our sunroom was one.  I debated several bold, bright colors to paint it but nothing 'spoke' to me and was solidified. Well, I was in Homegoods one morning looking for something far from art and came across this gigantic fabric print and I just stood there staring. I know I looked like a nut. I decided to take a lap around the store and give it more thought and I didn't make it half way across and found myself nearly running to get back to it before someone else snatched it up!

I have a feeling Trixie will be in a majority of photos taken in our home

And here she is, Frannie the Flamingo in our sunroom! I love it so so much that I am determined to hang her proudly forever. I love birds for a multitude of reasons and pink is my most favorite color. 

It fills the wall perfectly and adds the bold color I was looking for in this sunroom.

Here are things I consider when adding art to my home ...

Spark Joy

Art should speak to you and be significant. It should bring a smile and be a joy to look at.

I love seeing this big, bright flamingo when I'm at our breakfast table, in our sunroom and when I first return and walk into our home. It's just hard not to smile!

Size Matters

This is a small round print my Mamma found at an antique shop that I have in our guest bathroom.

The two little bunnies remind me of Ethel and Vivian's love of bunnies.

Consider extra large pieces as well as tiny.  They add interest in their own way. Large pieces can fill big open spaces while small ones add just the right touch on a table display or balance a gallery wall.

Sentimental

This is a watercolor of our home, painted by a young man at our church.

Art doesn't have to be on a wall, I often layer on shelves.

Art doesn't have to be created by someone renowned. Pieces from friends, family or the best, children, make the most beautiful works to display. I have framed several of Vivian's masterpieces in our home and as gifts.

I encourage you to incorporate art into your home decor!

Dress Your Home Beautifully in Art

XOXO Sarah Louise

God Made Girl

Happy Monday! I've lost track of how long we've been quarantined but it's been long enough for the shock to have worn off and acceptance to kick in.  That doesn't mean we have to like it but it does mean we have to use it for good.  Our lives are full of seasons all of them giving us the opportunity to make great impacts and to grow.

Gracious I want to reach out and hug the necks of my family and friends!

You gals remember those W. W. J. D. bracelets that were ALL the rage decades ago (gracious I'm getting old).  That's a trend that needs to come back! We need to always be doing what Jesus would do.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we are lost as to how we are to manage because it was either outside of our plan or we are just flat out unhappy with it.

I remember 4 years ago praying so hard about my career and feeling so frustrated that I wasn't in a position that I believed I deserved. A gal at church knew my struggle and I'll never ever forget the encouragement she shared with me. She said, 'Sarah Louise you need to change your prayer to asking God to open your eyes to where He wants you to serve'

All I could focus on was the job title, the compensation, the portfolio size, the location ... the list goes on and on.  I had a very specific plan for where I needed to be.
Rather than demanding a specific type of provision or blessing from God, I needed to trust the plan and provision God was going to give me.

These times are challenging and God knows that.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

Rather than turn to the content that's out there and gracious it's out there in abundance telling us how to persevere in a way that suits your personal happiness, let's turn to the Word.

Society is NOT our standard! #amen

It is not simply that we believe in God, but that we believe God.
Though we are prone to wonder, His promises never break.

YOU are a God made girl!

Let's go create a colorful world that glorifies Him!

Dress Beautifully Doing What Jesus Would Do

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: The Art of Love

To my dear Mamma gal pals,

I shared with you on Friday that I have wept over the loss of a dear friend.  She was a sister in Christ. She loved the Lord and I was able to share in worship with her as we are members of the same church.  She also has a son 6 weeks younger than baby Vivian Louise so we spent all of last year caring for our babies in the 'Mother Room' during the church service together.

I am sharing this heart break with you because I want to encourage you to love one another. It is important that though our days are full of to-do's and responsibilities (I refuse to use the word 'busy' because I despise it - like who isn't 'busy'??!!! everyone's time is valuable regardless of what may appear) that we take care of one another. Check on each other and offer uplifting words.  You could even take a moment to gift someone a meal, a cup of coffee, flowers, a sweet candle or tea. If you're really feeling generous and going for the 'friend of the year' award you could offer to watch someone's kids for a bit.

My friend and I used to enjoy going to estate sales together and vintage shopping.  We both loved fashion but her creativity lived in actually designing and sewing her clothes. We also both shared in our love of eggs and breakfast.  In my home are scattered memories of her in my closet from the pieces I bought with her, in the vintage birdcage on the shelf in our bedroom and in the grand gold mirror hanging in our entryway both of which I found with her.  I'm so happy I see these things everyday and can remember her beauty!

We are to "with all humility and gentleness with patience bearing with one another in love" Ephesians 4:2

We can not be the fix for others hardships, but God can. God can use you to help heal, love and bless others.

Maybe you're the friend that needs the support - lean on your sisters!

We are all broken living in a broken world so lets link up arm in arm because together we are stronger and no match for the negative.

I miss my friend and I hurt for her family.

A student in my Sunday school class had seen me cry and hurt over this loss and painted this watercolor of her and I.  I wept again when he gave it to me. The sorrow was a little less though as it brought joy to my heart.  He helped me heal and smile. I will frame and display this in my home and she will forever fill my world with beauty.

I hope and pray this little blog of mine finds and blesses someone!

Dress Your Heart Beautifully in the Love for Others

XOXO Sarah Louise