Here it is!

My new favorite reading material. I want to blog the entire book, which doesn't seem legal, but it's so well written I long to share it with everyone - as I'm reading I feel like Scout and Jem are going to come bounding around the corner and start telling me about Atticus' way of making their little house feel like home (To Kill A Mockingbird).
Anyway: "We can all have happy, comfortable, pleasant homes if we care enough. It is necessary to care. You can transform unprepossessing materials into a happy home if you care, think and plan... Interior decoration begins with a study of the people who are going to live with it. This is not only necessary for the best results but often turns out to be loads of fun. It also costs nothing, which lends enchantment. Know thyself!" Are you inspired? Oh I hope so.
This has been my bedtime reading, which doesn't seem like a good idea. It's like consuming an energy drink before hopping on an airplane - not smart! Andrew is so patient with me as we sit there with our books. He'll be quietly reading some melancholy mystery, and I'll interrupt him with interjections like, "Get this-!" and, "Oh my! That's exactly right!" My poor darling. He is also an artist, though, so my excitement is sometimes met with mutuality when it comes to new ideas.
This morning while doing my BSF I was enlightened further as they directed me to Deuteronomy 6 & 7, where it talks about loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. God tells the people to talk about this and the rest of the Ten Commandments all the time, "Impress them on your children... Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates." How awesome to be deliberate about making Christ the center of your home. Pahlmann doesn't mention God in his design theories - I'm not sure where he stood with Him. I know I'm passionate about the Lord and I'm passionate about design, so naturally enthusiasm is mine as I consider the two together.
Oh, I've forgotten to cite that Oliver is often subjected to my design woes as well. He's my little sidekick as we meet with our clients (my mom and my sister's mother-in-law so far). He's going to really love it when we get into some projects that require demolition...