Great Flick

Recently I saw a movie and it make me think of one of the Hollywood greats ~ Michael Landon. For those of you too young to remember him he played Little Joe, the youngest son in the Cartwright Family on TV's Bonanza.

Bonanza Crew

He is most well-known for playing, Charles Ingalls, on Little House on the Prairie. He starred in and produced Little House. I loved the character he played as Laura's dad. I can remember when I was younger just loving the wholesomeness of the show and the goodness in those people. The values that were taught and reinforced were just so uplifting. When Michael Landon died young of pancreatic cancer, the world lost a great man, intent on bringing good, elevating, family entertainment into our homes.

Michael Landon , Sr.

Happily, his son, Michael Landon, Jr, has carried on in his footsteps and produces wonderful family films today. If you haven't seen all six of the Love Comes Softly series, I highly recommend it.

The movie I rented from Netflix recently that I wanted to recommend is also produced by him and is called, "Saving Sarah Cain." This movie is very moving and appropriate for all ages. I think kids 8 and up would especially enjoy it.

It seems that people really do want good, wholesome movies...I wish there were a lot more of them being produced. I am happy that the Michael Landon tradition continues on for the sake of our grandchildren, our children and us and ...of course all of you...that goes without saying!

Try Something New!

Too Invested in your Decor? Try Something New!

This is my first publication on the Blissful Home Channel of Blissfully Domestic
If you want to see how it looks on the site just click the large print title!

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

I saw these flowers on Simply Stated
and thought they looked so pretty. I wouldn’t have thought to put them
in black and white vases and that made me ponder “thinking outside the
box” when creating new possibilities for our homes.

Sometimes in
decorating our spaces we become so emotionally invested in the comfort
of things as they’ve always been, that we don’t try anything new. That
is one reason why another pair of eyes is often helpful.

One
thing that I have learned as a professional home stager and redesigner
is that change is difficult for all of us. That is why when our
Interiors by Design team goes into a home to stage or redesign it, we
need the home owner to be gone for the day. It is hard for them to
envision the change while it is in process. Clients are strongly
influenced by the emotional aspects of the changes and the preconceived
notions they have carried with them for so long. It is best to go with
the “big reveal” when the project is complete.

How are you when
it comes to changing things? Are you open to the suggestions of others?
Have you been pleasantly surprised trying different options? Poke a
hole in that box you are in and peek outside. It is fun and besides,
what’s the worst thing that could happen? It is better to look for the
possible benefits. Without trying…how will you ever know?

Flickr

Try These Things To Help Get The Process Going

• Look at your room with a critical eye. What works and what doesn’t?
• Get rid of the space fillers you don’t love.
• Get some furniture slides and start trying different furniture arrangements.
• Make a wish list of things you’d like to add to the room as your budget allows. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
• Allow yourself a few days to get use to the new arrangement. Adapting to change takes time.
• Enjoy! Make your home a place you and your family love to be.
• If you need assistance call a qualified professional for help.

Bonnie Mattson writes about change and decor at her blog, http://interiorsbydesigndefined.blogspot.com/

Bryce & Haley Tie The Knot

"The perfect man=one who loves me
more than he loves himself
and loves us more than he loves me."
Author Unknown

The Newlyweds

Their Invitation

The fruits of our labors!
The Lowders are married
and we have a spiffed up backyard!

Torrey and Connie, Bryce's parents do the last
minute things before the guests arrive.

The "beehive" in the kitchen starring Monica, Barbara
and Norma Jean (the real Dancing Queen!)

Lanette and Linda, Haley's mom set up
the drinks and favors before the reception!

Lanette helped from day one pulling weeds,
to serving the dinner.

Linda brought all the decorations in their
mobile home from Utah.
Many hands helping made it go smoothly!

Once the reception began we didn't get any pictures on our camera. Just too busy running around but I know someone will post some of the actual celebration. We have loved the Lowder family forever and it was such a pleasure to be able to do this for them. Just a little Pay It Forward for all the service they have given us and everyone else. The only thing missing was Elder Kevin Lowder currently serving his mission in Brazil & the Simpsons of course!

May The Love Birds Be Forever As Happy
As They Were Today!
Wishing You Every Good Thing,
Haley and Bryce!

Outside The Box

I saw these flowers on Simply Stated and thought they looked so pretty. I wouldn't have thought to put them in black and white vases and that made me ponder "thinking outside the box" when creating new possibilities for our homes.

Sometimes in decorating our spaces we become so emotionally invested in the comfort of things as they've always been, that we don't try anything new. That is one reason why another pair of eyes is often helpful.

One thing that I have learned as a professional home stager and redesigner is that change is difficult for all of us. That is why when our Interiors by Design team goes into a home to stage or redesign it, we need the home owner to be gone for the day. It is hard for them to envision the change while it is in process. Clients are strongly influenced by the emotional aspects of the changes and the preconceived notions they have carried with them for so long. It is best to go with the "big reveal" when the project is complete.

How are you when it comes to changing things? Are you open to the suggestions of others? Have you been pleasantly surprised trying different options? Poke a hole in that box you are in and peek outside. It is fun and besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? It is better to look for the possible benefits. Without trying...how will you ever know?

Flickr

Try These Things To Help Get The Process Going

• Look at your room with a critical eye. What works and what doesn't?
• Get rid of the space fillers you don't love.
• Get some furniture slides and start trying different furniture arrangements.
• Make a wish list of things you'd like to add to the room as your budget allows. Rome wasn't built in a day!
  
• Allow yourself a few days to get use to the new arrangement. Adapting to change takes time.
  
• Enjoy! Make your home a place you and your family love to be.
• If you need assistance call a qualified professional for help.
  

Happy Birthday Beautiful Chocolate Eyes!

Our sweet Julia is going to 8 when she wakes up in the morning!
I am sure you can see how I came up with one of her many nicknames.

Julia is so excited to be turning 8. She sent out "Save The Date" reminders a year ago for her birthday party and baptismal date. Wouldn't you know they had to change the date from September 6th to the 27th due to the number of children being baptized they are having two dates in September. Even when you plan a year ahead it happens sometimes, Jewels. Well, we look forward to being with you soon for your special day.

Just a minute ago they looked like this!

Juliapoozela

She likes this one because I call Piper~Piperpoozela
"8 is GREAT!" Says Piper!

In case you think I forgot her real name!
Happy Birthday, Julia Mae!

There are enough for everybody!

"Happy Bert Day Ju-Ya," says Chloe!
"Ah Huh," says Hazel!
It is always a Princess Party at your house!

Happy Birthday From Gramma and Grampa!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO and one to grow on XO
Our Precious Jewel!

May All Your Wishes Come True!

Candyland

Can I just say, I loved yesterday? We worked on the beautiful home that I told you about a few day ago and did some redesigning. This is the best redesign project we have ever had as everything was already so lovely and the furnishings were absolutely gorgeous. I just wanted to share some of the photos.

People often ask me how I can work with the various types of furnishing if they are not "my style." Well, my style came about of necessity, aka lack of money, when first it all began. Also the cottage style of our home is a big consideration. I like all different kinds of interior designs not just the one I live with each day.

The home featured here is very formal, very fancy, opulent, luxurious, and basically like visiting a spa labeled "eye candy." It is rejuvenating just being in the home. It could be a little bungalow at Hearst Castle, a part of The Dunmuir House, a fabulous movie set, or a Victorian vacation spot. Although I don't live in a house like this~I wouldn't mind the opportunity to 'give it a go' as they say in the UK!

One thing about the house...it is definitely not a manly type house and I cannot envision a bunch of kids living here either. This is a lady's paradise, however. So enjoy the view. Daydream of a couple of days here and the rejuvenating experience you would have. You can bring three friends if you all want your own room. Wanna play this game with me?

If you enjoy this house it is worth the time to double click
on the photos for an enlarged view of the details.

The Entryway
Come On In!


The Parlor is just off the entry. It has another
little red settee as well just opposite this one.
It has a beautiful grandfather clock, a glass display cabinet,
bronze statuary and stylish lamps. It also has multi-paned
glass doors that are really fun and the artwork is amazing.

Living Room ~ before photo


This is the living room now. We brought in the
red to tie it with the parlor and entry and to give it
the color the homeowner was seeking.


Check out some of the eye candy.

The linens and tassels are over the moon!
Maybe I should have named this post
"Tassel Castle"


Gorgeous Accessories

One of the Guest Rooms
Check the loft on all the comforters in this house.
It's hard to grasp in 2-d when it is so 3-dimensional.

The 2 pictures above are before pictures.
See how the lamps are way too
small or out of scale? They also don't match.

Now there are these two beautiful identical lamps in here.
This is my single most favorite thing we changed
that had the biggest impact. In this setting the
lamps couldn't be more prefect.

I have never been a big fan of heavy draperies or
'puddling' but in this house..oh my gosh, it looks amazing!
Double click on this to see the fabric~gorgeous and so feminine.
I can't really envision men's boots here.
Sorry, no boys allowed!

The Blue Room


Another Guest Room
Any Takers?


A Small Corner of The Family Room
And Media Center

I hope you have enjoyed your get-away. We did.
The Interiors by Design Team had a hard time returning to reality
so we stopped on the way home for an ice cream cone to soften the blow.

Blissfully Exciting

Don't Anyone Burst These Bubbles!
We Are The Dancing Queens!
Mamma Mia!

I have some exciting news! The site Blissfully Domestic was looking for some contributors to write some articles in their fields of expertise, so I submitted some things I have done. And they selected me to be one of their writers! I really love the posts on this site and I am so excited about this.

I will be writing about decorating, home staging, marketing for real estate sales, etc. This is the perfect blend of what I love doing...design work, writing, photography and media communications. Wow, who knew something could be so totally suited to my needs and such a perfect fit? I feel very blessed! I will keep you posted on it all. They are launching a big new site redesign on the Tuesday after Labor Day. I need to have my first entry in by then. In the mean time, check out the link to the site if you haven't already. It's a fun one!

Eeeeek! I am so nervous and excited!
They sent me the lovely official badges you see on the sidebar.

Best of the Best Mothers-in Law

Three Lovely Ladies

I really miss the mothers-in-law of all our children. They are all such great ladies and I love it whenever we can get together and just talk and share stories about our grandkids and how totally awesome it is to be their grandmothers.

You know how it is, you wants to brag about your kids and grandkids but you really have to exercise a certain amount of decorum in that area. Like maybe your friends truly do not want to hear it again.

But the other mom...oh yeah...it is great. You can talk and talk and talk about it and they are a captive audience and you are one for them too. It is the best. I wish I lived closer to Mary Jane, Barbara, and Janet. I love them all and how they have raised such great kids that impact our kids in such wonderful ways. I love how they treat our grandkids with love and caring and fun times together. I love how we all share a common foundation in the Gospel and I think of us all as one big family. Of course the grandpas are great too, but just this minute I was thinking about the moms! I just really love them all.

Mary Jane & Read

Mary Jane, (Lowell's mom) is a concert pianist, vocalist and even sang with the Mo-Tabs as we call them, quilter, served three full time missions, works weekly in the temple, has five children and grandkids numbering in the 20's and has been married over 50 years! They also have at least 4 great-grandchildren. They are the most gracious hosts and we have had several amazing times in their home in Nevada. We always do a lot of laughing when we are with them. Good therapy! She and Read travel between all their kids just seeing how they can help out. I want to do that when we retire.

Here's Barbara with one of our favorite topics~Owen!

Barbara (Melissa's mom) has five really nice children, takes care of her mom full-time, is a retired kindergarten teacher, beautiful seamstress and business owner, amazing genealogist, has many beautiful grandchildren and has lived in several places including Saudi. She recently came and spent over two weeks with Chris and Missy's kids working day and night (I witnessed it myself) and always with a smile on her face and in complete control. It was her way of making sure Missy got to accompany Chris to Europe with his BYU student group. I was in awe of her service and her energy!

Janet (Robert's mom) is the mother of 12 children. She is amazingly organized and her home is immaculate. She cooks and bakes non-stop (or did when they were all home) and was always a few days ahead on her cooking. They had two big refrigerators and a basement set up like a store. She has 6 daughters and 5 living sons and all of them are delightfully gracious, spiritual and wonderful. I am not even sure how many grandchildren the have have now. One summer I think five grandsons were born to them. She has lived all over the world with Bryant's work taking them to Japan several times for years at a time, Belgium, Canada and here in the US. I cannot even comprehend her contribution to society~especially within the walls of all her own homes. It is amazing!

I said love at least seven time in this post...I really do love each of them!