A little French Country Revamp!

Jen & I are loving working with the Maison Blanche Chalk Paint. We've acquired this lovely French Country Breakfast/Dining set that was refinished in a lovely 80's golden toned stain. Pretty. In great shape.

But....

Not quite the look we want to see! Soon this little curvy legged beauty with her lovely can backed chairs will be Revamped!

So with our ice tea in one hand and our paint brush in the other we will brave this Texas heat & get this beauty all dressed up!

Check in soon to see her new look.

Making lemonade...

We've all heard that expression when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! Sometimes the lemons aren't exactly our own.

Life is funny. You live one way for most of it and then age, circumstance or whatever sends you a giant curve ball and things change. That's when it's time to reassess and make lemonade!

My daddy would do anything for almost anyone but not always will he do for himself. What I mean about that is if you knocked on the door and said you were freezing he'd give you his coat, invite you to warm up by his fire and probably feed you. Make sure you were doing well and then send you on your way. He wouldn't give it a second thought. The next morning after realizing he gave away his only coat he would pull out his sweater and go about his day. COLD but again not give it a second thought. I do love this about him.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

BUT for every golden trait we have there seems to be a flaw. My daddy's flaw is he's a wheeler and a dealer. He can't pass up a good deal. That may not sound like a flaw to you, and maybe it's not in general. But, with all these good deals he brings home tons of stuff that we may need someday. My mom loved to have a clean house and she likes pretty things. So, when they were younger my daddy drug it in the front door and my momma quietly drug it out the back door. Making lemonade! It was harmony.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

Then you have to remember where I started this post. How sometimes the lemons aren't your own. Life, time and circumstance change. My mom is very sweet and has worked hard all her life. She worked in the business world, juggled 3 kids, and took care of her husband and her home. That all changed for her and us in 2001. Something went wrong and she got sick. It's never been the same since. We all still love her and do what we can for her but she can do very little for herself these days. Let alone all the things she used to do like drag that stuff my daddy drags in out the back door! So the lemons began to pile up. I knew they were but I was away and it's easy to think of it as not that bad. Then one day my daddy did something he rarely does. He asked for help. So I loaded up the cleaners and my crew (that would be my child labor and hubs!) and drove out to the farm to see what we would see. All I can say is it took a heap of sugar to turn it to lemonade!

The Farm BEFORE PIC ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

When we got there we were greeted by STUFF! Lot's of stuff. Memories, old and new. Good deals. Duplicates because the original good deal couldn't be found, etc. So, we embraced those lemons and made them our own. Why? Because I love my parents. Because my children love their grandparents and because sometimes life changes and having sweet lemonade is so much better than just dwelling over a large stack of lemons.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

With a little TLC, a few tears, lot's of laughs, and more than a little hard work we mixed it up until it was just right. Until my mom who rarely says anything took a walk around and noticed her pretty things and touched them, admired them and then said "No, Teresa, I don't want you to move that dresser. I like it where I put it!"

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I laughed and smiled. I cried a little for the mom that she used to be and rejoiced that part of that mom is still there. 

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I can't change my daddy and his good deals and bargains found on the side of the road. Chances are if you need something he's got it!

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I do fret that I am so far away and not close enough to help more. But, I am thankful for the time spent. I am thankful that I can give back a little of my time, because, they have all ways made time for me.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

It took a few days to get the task done. The lemonade was sweet and we all got to enjoy the perks of being at a farm. We saw new life. Baby chicks were born while we were there!

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

So enjoy your summer and the chances to make lemonade. ~Teresa

Teresa Stephens Harvey is thinking of trends...

Do you love to update a room or two every year? Look at the magazines and online blogs to find a few of your favorite trends to give your space a fresh face.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Choose a dark and sexy color for your bedroom! Bring back a little sex and appeal to your most private space. Touch it off with light bedding, a little sparkle, and expensive and soft linens.

Chevron's are everywhere! Walls, pillows, furniture, etc...Add a few key pieces to add color and fun to your rooms.

Turquoise. Love this color. It's cheerful, bright, yet classic. A touch of sophistication.

Burlap! Fun, thrifty and comfortable. Add a small touch in pillows or window treatments to update a room and add a neutral base and instant comfort to your room.

Teresa Stephens Harvey loves Bluebonnets!

Bluebonnets are upon us! Love this time of year in Texas.  Everything is blooming and looks so inviting and the dog days of summer are still in the distance. 

Brings reminders of how fortunate my life is.  Always makes me thankful that I'm blessed with a terrific husband and beautiful children.  I know, I know I'm the wife and mom, but, I've earned bragging rights. ☺

Our family is preparing for the next exciting phase in our lives. College, new houses, new states, city's, schools, etc... CHANGE is a good thing and we have a lot of it going on. Thank you to those who have been praying for us. We covet your prayers and continued support.

We LOVE Texas and leave behind amazing friends and family that will always make this part of the world home. We will be back often. Now we look forward to all the new friendships and experiences we will find.

"There's always room for improvement, it's the biggest room in the house."

Louise Heath Leber

Hope this Spring is a great one for all of you!

Teresa Stephens Harvey is helping you get your space ORGANIZED!

Today many people are downsizing or combining households.  To make a successful transition or to help any home run a smoother organization is essential.  But, where to start?  Here are a few basic guidelines...

1. Take one room at a time.  Starting with the idea of orgazing a whole house can be overwhelming.
     I like to start with the Kitchen, then move to other common used areas.  Study, family room bathroom, etc...moving on to private spaces.

2. Seperate items - Gather the items of the room and then sort them into like piles.  Once you have the items sorted go through and remove duplicates for donation or a garage sale.  Assess each item to make sure it is not broken or damaged.  Throw away any items that are broken or not in good use.

3. Store items according to size - Look at your cabinets, open shelves and containers.  Use your storage where the items can be neatly placed or stacked but not overly crowded.  Label shelves that are commonly used by mulitple people so that everyone remembers where to return the items.  Consider keeping kid items in easy wide open containers that are easy to reach in and easy to return items to.

4. Function is great but don't skip on STYLE! - When you are storing your items look at what you have to store.  Toys can be put in a toy chest but they also can be stored in an antique steamer trunk that can double as a coffee table and still look great in a living room.  Markers, pens, and stickers for projects can be stored in small pails that are hung with cup hooks on a wall, that provide easy access and provide a fun look to the room.  Baskets can help corral items on a shelf without leaving them open to give the eye a rest from too much of a good thing.

5. Pass things along - When organizing and helping others organize their space one of the biggest obstacles is not wanting to let go of something due to sentimental value.  I often have paper and small trinket items photographed and then they can be stored easier or put into a nice album kept handy to review.  Larger items that are just collecting dust or pushed back in storage for years I ask them to consider selling the item  and using the money for something that is needed now or passing the item along to another family member or friend who could use the item and has room for it.  Keeping an item just to keep it does not honor the item or give more credit to the memory.

Another hard and fast rule to keep in mind is for every new item you bring into the home at least one item must leave.  Don't forget to take advantage of regular decluttering by donating to the many agencies that will pick up directly from your door.