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“Be strong and very courageous.”

Joshua 1:7

Courage…this is definitely something I’m still working on every single day, so I will not try and say that I have this completely down. However, I have learned a thing or two about courage over the last 5 years of my design career. 

Life WILL take courage, and at times it feels like at every single corner. One of the things I’ve learned and seen in the eyes of some of my client’s is this:

telling me what they like can take courage. We always try to have a judgment free zone, but I am certain that sometimes there can be a struggle to tell me what they like/don’t like up front. I honor that and try to ENCOURAGE that whatever they love is what we should move towards.

God specifically tells us to be courageous, but I believe that just like design, being courageous takes practice. This year in the business, I have had to listen carefully to God’s whispering voice to take courage…when I heard him say “help this first Commercial client” or “show love through helping with this complete home makeover.”

I say this because we all have the need to be seen and heard. I want to say that I see those of you that might need a boost of confidence to move forward in what you love. Don’t be afraid to “go with your gut.” It takes courage to go with your gut, but I have learned that it is the best way to move forward into accomplishing the design you truly want. We all have roadblocks, but another thing I have learned is every roadblock is one step closer to finding the right answer and your design coming together.   

“You can tell the quality of someone’s inner life by the amount of 

opposition it takes to discourage them.” By Graham Cooke

Let that sink in for a second. I want to be the kind of person that doesn’t get discouraged easily.

So let us take the POWER that God is giving us to be strong and VERY Courageous and let us practice applying this to every area of our lives, including design :)  

Blessings,

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"I will strengthen you and help you; 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

 slow to anger and

rich in love."

Psalm 145:8 

I am counting on the fact that you all know the show! Yes, the famous and funny TV show that was on years ago that everyone could laugh at!

But I wanted to use that as a play on words to talk about the crucial impact of WILL & GRACE in design and in our daily walk. One of my absolute favorite Interior Designers that I follow, Brian Patrick Flynn, has a really cool approach to his interior design...he sets about 70% of the design in stone and then gives himself and the design 30% room for GRACE and creativity to come about as the project evolves. I love this idea and think it's amazing because design comes together a lot better with some flexibility and room to change/pivot when needed.  

As in our daily lives, when God gives us GRACE (something we don't deserve), it offers the opportunity to be more thankful. 

Even in navigating my way through this business, God has shown me so much grace. He shows up where I can't. I don't deserve it... but He loves me (and you) and does it anyway! My main thing is to make sure I stop and thank Him!

And the neat thing about this verse is compassion comes along with God's grace. I don't know about you, but I am really humbled by that.

Now,  moving on to WILL. 

This 4 letter little word is so incredibly POWERFUL!! 

About 10 years ago, I started circling the word WILL every single time I saw it in my Bible. (And I totally challenge you to do the same). 

It made me realize how much of a promise that is from God. 

He says "HE WILL",

NOT

He might, or He might not, or He'll think about, or maybe later... 

Don't we all go around meeting new people, forming relationships, and then making commitments that we truly think we will uphold. People say things all the time, but do they do it? Do you stick to your word? I work really hard to say I'm going to do something and then make it happen. If I don't think I can do it, I try and not commit to it. Even with clients, I ask they have some "will" and some skin in the game to help elevate things forward in the project. 

But let's talk about that amazing Bible verse saying that God will strengthen you...He will Uphold you! Let that sink in for a minute...

this is one verse I come back to all the time! It reminds me that I am not alone.

So let's all go out and have some WILL & GRACE!  

Blessings,

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:7 

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” 

Psalm 126:3 

As I have worked through my design and visual merchandising career, I have a nickname for the small details, the little things, that need and deserve to get planted in the right spot in someone’s home…I call them “The CUTIES!”- if I don’t have some CUTIES to complete a project, I might walk away feeling a little empty!

 Is anyone with me?! Can I get an AMEN?! (Even my former co-workers now know what I mean when I say the phrase!) The cuties could be anything from a little set of vases or a candle, or even a little book that is appropriate for the space. 

I hold tight to this analogy that not only design is about the little things, but real fulfilled life is about the little things too! God cares about our little details in our life down to the fact that Scripture states that HE even knows how many hairs are on my head! WOW! Does that not make you feel special, or what? The more we truly look for the little blessings in our daily life, the more we will find them! True story…just the other day I had been looking forward to making some of those delicious Krusteaz muffins and I needed 2 eggs. I looked in my fridge and only had 1 egg. I was so frustrated but about 30 minutes later, my sweet neighbor shows up with 1 dozen eggs from his chickens! THAT is GOD! 

God is in the little things and the big things! But do you know what the KEY is? It’s that we HAVE TO LOOK! 

100% Guaranteed that if you don’t look, you certainly won’t find them. The world will tell us to be too busy for the little things, but I stand up and say that is not for me. I CHOOSE to See the great things God has done and my joy is greater because of it.

Have you ever noticed how important the little things in life are? Do you stop and pay attention to the small but great blessings in your life? 

I pray you do and a promise is your life will be more fulfilled!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

     Acts 2:42

“Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ “

    John 6:35

The kitchen is referred to as the “heart of the home” for a reason! I don’t know about you, but it is where some of my favorite memories of great “talks” with my friends and family have occurred. (And trust me, it’s not because I love to cook and I’m not great at it!) It’s because I get to serve others who are in my home with hospitality and love. I get to stand on one side of my island and listen to whoever is on the other side because they are important to me!  

The value, to me, in the area is two-fold- it is not only one of the top spaces that adds dollar value to our homes, but it’s where the value of gathering together and winding down for the day can occur. 

Jesus built and created us to eat bread together! Is that not cool or what? We are actually meant to be together, eat together, and pray together! Jesus set an example for us and ate and spent time with His disciples around the dining table. AND He is the bread of life!! We need Jesus above all else! I know I am “old school” in a lot of ways, but I hold high value in this time in the kitchen. Even though Martha in the Bible was always going and cooking, I believe that was her love language.

Do you value the potential that your “homey” kitchen has to invite others in? If not, is there something you can change design wise to make it more inviting? I pray you see the value in your space so that the meaning goes deeper than just a beautiful kitchen!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31 

Sweet friends, this week is going to be a little different. I want to share the TRUTH  to you and so the correlation between God and design will take different stances  but they are both beautiful, filled with love and grace. “Perfect” is a word that I have felt conflicted and torn with for a long time. 

In life,  I think there are a lot of times we can feel we should be perfect or pressured to  do so. In our line of work with Design and Home Staging, a lot of times our clients  are looking for the perfect answer. And I am here to tell you that from my point of  view, sometimes there can be more than one right answer. For example, my  Design Assistant and I can find 3 different pieces of artwork for one specific spot  that are all beautiful, they all work! That is when our client gets to choose! What  fits their personality, grabs their attention, etc. is the key to what we seek to help  with in our business.

  The INCREDIBLE thing about this whole word “Perfect” is that the main thing we  need to know and hold deep in our hearts is that “God’s way is perfect!” He has THE plan for our lives and it’s wrapped up like a swaddled baby in His grace and  mercy and love. So each day, if we just seek His plan by praying, reading the Bible,  serving others, then we can trust He will be our shield.  

And as I always say, “Does this take practice?” 100%! Knowing that God’s ways  are perfect takes the pressure off of us because we get to listen. Yes, listening is  so important and I definitely think it’s underrated. And going back to design,  listening is how we get to find direction for each individual project. God has an individual plan for you so go out today and know it’s the Perfect one.

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

Acts 2:46-47

"In the morning , O Lord, you will hear my voice; In the morning, I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch."

Psalm 5:3

There is so much just in these few verses that we should sit back and truly absorb what God is telling us in His word about our homes! The first thing that jumps out at me is that we are built to be together as a community! And with that, comes inviting others into our home and incorporating the healthy habit of hospitality.

So with that being said, is your home a welcoming place for you and others? Does it offer comfort to others? Or, is it cold and standoffish where no one would think to walk up to your front door and knock? It doesn't require a lot of money or the right décor, but it does require a "glad and sincere heart."

The second thing that really catches my attention is that's a vital part to our daily healthy habits is "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." Y'all, I love singing!!! Praising God incorporates singing and thanking Him for His love and His favor! Now, do I have a good voice? Absolutely not, but that is not what God is after, He is after our hearts!

So how do we do this? How do we set up a healthy welcoming home?

 One way to start is to dwell...PAUSE long enough to receive the blessings God has already put in front of us! Our family has a healthy habit of resting on Sunday afternoons. So even my sweet daughter now knows that on Sundays, we are likely to be "chilling" as a family. Because the Lord knows that if I don't, I will be Mrs. Grumpy Bear the rest of that week. Is that something that might be judged by the world? ...maybe. But who cares, because if it's what God has put in action (His Sabbath), then it doesn't matter what the world thinks!

So go into today "eagerly watching" what God will do, paying close attention  to the details because He loves you THAT MUCH! 

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2

When we head into help clients design a specific room, we strive to have a gorgeous focal point! Sometimes the focal point is already provided and obvious such as gorgeous rolling hills of a green pasture, a beach view, or a beautifully landscaped backyard. But other times, we want to create a certain focal point like artwork, a rug, a beautiful coffee table, to name a few.

Just as in design, in life we can get very easily distracted without a focal point. In design, if there is no focal point in a room, your eye tends to not be able to focus on any one thing, which leads to distraction typically. (I mean, y'all, I can get SOOO easily distracted, especially when I am out shopping! Even my daughter has to remind me to "FOCUS Mommy!"...and I can even get distracted with laundry! And it is one of my least favorite things to do). If you have a focal point in a room, it sets the tone for building the colors you pull in with other design elements like pillows, blankets, bookcase décor, flowers, etc.

And in life, we must set our eyes on Jesus! This world loves to pull us into distraction, like somehow it has a gravity pull on us. It's kind of like a magnet. If we don't hold on to Jesus, we will get pulled into all the worldly things that don't matter! When I get around others that focus on what Jesus is doing in their lives, it is a breath of fresh air!!  I need fresh air more as each day passes!! 

With Easter this week, just like in design, our focal point in life is a choice. God gives us a choice to follow Him or to not. I choose to make Jesus and serving Him my focal point. He chose to die for our sins because he loves us so much!

Do you need fresh air? Do you feel you are doing what Jesus wants you to do in your daily life or ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE everyone else? Oh boy, that hits a nerve for me...one I've struggled with my WHOLE life. BUT,

As my sweet precious cousin reminded me the other day: 

"We have an Audience of ONE, Mary Win!" 

Choices can be a beautiful thing!

Go out and enjoy the choices you make today!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' 

and 'No,' 'No'..."

Matthew 5:37

Can I just tell you that I love this verse?! How simple and straight forward can you get? Once again, I love simple aspects of life. 

Y'all, I don't know about you but when I turn on the radio, it is either going to be on Christian or Country music! One of me and my daughter's favorite songs to rock out to is "CHAMPION" by Carrie Underwood! I love this song because it describes the characteristics of a champion:

C- Courage

H-Hurt

A-Attitude

M-Motivation

P-Persevere

I-Integrity

O-Optimism

N-Necessary (Because I'm Never Giving Up)

 Have you thought about your integrity lately? One of the ways integrity is described as is wholeness; and in order to be "whole and undivided", you have to do what you say you are going to do. For example, when Jesus called His disciples, they got up and said "Yes."

Saying "Yes" and following through in design and in new opportunities can lead you where you want to go and can open a whole new world. Design can feel scary for many people...too many choices, too many options. But when you can say 'yes' to one thing than that can then lead you to another great 'yes.'

When I dream of continuing my design journey and other dreams such as traveling and riding horses out west, I don't want to just say I will dream of doing it, I WANT TO DO IT! Our actions need to follow our words! I don't know about you, but I want to hang with people that are going to do what they say they are going to do, and in my book that makes them Champions. 

In this photo of the garland pictured above (taken by Melissa Gomez-thank you!), it came out of our determination of our 'yes being yes.' Our client was in need of beautiful Spring garland for her foyer and we could not find anything that would suit well and give off the graceful effect the space deserved. SOOO, we were determined to find realistic faux greenery and made the garland ourselves. We had a blast doing it and a little perseverance allowed us to learn a new skill!

And if we must say no, that is ok too. At least we can say that with integrity. I pray this verse gives you the confidence it gives me to face each day and feel good we are following God's word.

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, 

showing yourselves to be my disciples...

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to 

go and bear fruit- fruit that will last."

John 15: 8, 16 

These verses have been on my heart for at least over a year. Do you appreciate fruit that lasts? ...I sure do. I may not always choose the "healthy" option in that moment, so I sure look at the fruit on the counter and hope it lasts for another day!

In home staging, one of the simplest and best ways to spruce up a kitchen for the potential buyer to walk through and it feel fresh, is to put out a cute bowl of real fruit. But not just any fruit-fruit that will LAST (such as lemons or limes).

Being in my very spry 30's, (39 to be exact) I have truly looked for and prayed for friendships and relationships that "bear fruit that will last." Because I know that if Jesus is saying this in the Bible, that I need to pay attention to it and take it to heart. I want to and yearn for my efforts with clients, family, friends, etc, to be fruit that lasts, for our interactions to be meaningful, for our roots to grow deep. I don't want to miss an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone's life. 

Jesus came so that we may live life abundantly and that means to bear much fruit!

So just as a bowl of fruit on the counter can really make a positive, fresh impact, that is my goal each day. I don't want fruit that rots easily. What kind of fruit do you yearn to bear? Is Jesus your vine? 

Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. 

Sometimes we don't see the fruit coming in right away, but we have have to keep taking the 

"next right step." 

In my experience, it can be the SIMPLE actions of love that can bear much fruit.   

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth."

John 9:1

"Run in such a way as to get the prize...

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; 

I do not fight like a man beating the air." 

1 Corinthians 9:24, 26

This past week, God has brought the words "Open your Eyes" to me in a lot of different areas of reading and teaching so He must want to bring it to our attention. 

In staging and also in design, our big goal is to SEE how to help others. In the Bible in John Chapter 9, Jesus SAW this blind man who was asking for his help. But, how many times have we been in such a hurry or so caught up in ourselves, that we don't OPEN our eyes to clearly see the people that truly could use our help. 

In life and in our business, we want to "go the extra mile" to offer ways to help! For example, if it's putting out pine straw to stage a home, then we are happy to do it! It's not what we would usually do, but if that's what's needed, then we say, "Great! Let's DO IT."

Also, in our business our clients can't always see the different possibilities of furniture placement, décor, etc. especially when things have "always been that way." So that is why it is fun for us to give fresh and new possibilities when we walk into a home...having a fresh set of eyes can make a big difference. We do not want our clients to "run aimlessly" trying to figure their decorating or design out without having clarity in what their end result will be. In shopping and in life, if we go about it aimlessly, we typically don't accomplish much.

This leads me to some very powerful points from one of my favorite authors T.D. Jakes, in his book called "Reposition Yourself": 

"You cannot change what you are not aware of."

Also, 

"If you are aware of what confines you, then you can overcome it."

AND

"You cannot transform what you are being influenced by unless you face it squarely."

Wow! I don't know about you, but simple and to the point statements like that make me want to OPEN MY EYES to the truth of new possibilities and that I will not stay in my box! (see Week 2) Can it be hard?? 100% it can! When "things have always been that way" OR "those thoughts are all I know", it can be freaking hard to try and change that path. 

But PRAY and TRY!

A lot of times the best way to Open Our Eyes clearly is to clear away all the other excuses or people influencing us and look squarely into our own eyes and see what we want to move toward. Our decorating style can even change over the years and we have to take a step back to ask ourselves "Where are we headed in our new look?" 

And in life, why can't I think I want to learn piano or grow our business to decorate for weddings when those are passions we have?

My prayer is that  you will take time to love on others but also love on yourself and not walk aimlessly and live in black and white, 

but with purpose and in color! 

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Planted in the house of the Lord, 

they will thrive in the courts of our God."

Psalm 92:13

Plants liven up and give nourishment to all areas of our life. 

When a home feels a little "flat" or "cold", I suggest to my clients that plants can make all the difference! Whether it is a small succulent or a large fig tree, plants make us smile and feel warm and cozy! There is definitely something special that is rooted in us that greenery can be filling and help a room thrive again. 

This particular Bible verse is what God sent me to be my verse for this year, 2022. Just like us, plants can either THRIVE when seeking the sun or they can just struggle to survive with not so great nourishment. I am absolutely at a point where THRIVING is my goal, whether its enjoying sitting in the sun soaking up rays enjoying God's provision or laughing more at myself, struggling to survive is not the choice of thought I will have any longer. 

Like real plants need to be transplanted into a bigger pot to thrive, sometimes God has to transplant us to a different pot (or circumstance) to thrive. It might feel lonely in that new, larger unfamiliar territory for a while, but if we allow ourselves to stretch and embrace it, we are likely to thrive!!

Now, to be real with you (and just like real plants, authenticity is always better!) I do NOT have a green thumb! My grandfather and mom got the ability to truly know how to keep plants alive long-term! But let's be real, we all deep down yearn to thrive in life. I know that in order for me to thrive, I must be planted in God's house.

And today marks the first day of Spring in my book every year! March 1 is the day that I wait in expectation that Spring is on its way! So what has God planted in your heart? Are you ready to blossom towards it?

Our church wrote a beautiful song called "Harvest" and my favorite line is:

"God of every harvest, Lord finish what you've started." 

That is my hope for you, that through planting, it will lead you to completeness in design and life.

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21

"...great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of the mankind..."

Jeremiah 32:19

Sometimes PURPOSE is obvious. For example, a great room is usually set up to relax and hang out together with family and friends...but sometimes PURPOSE of a space has to be thought through and sought out (including a lot of trial and error). 

I love how this relates to people and our individual purpose: At times our purpose can be clear and straight forward and other times it can feel uncertain or blurry or even stuck. For example, my husband has always known what he has wanted to do in his life and always known the next action to take to get there(with a lot of prayer as well). Me on the other hand, I have always had so many different interests and passions in life and I have tried a lot of them! It has taken me a lot of sought out time, courage, perseverance, and real trial and error to get where I am today. However, I know I am where God wants me to be and HIS purpose will prevail!

What I want to encourage you on today is don't give up seeking out purpose for spaces that work in your home or purpose for your life!  Even though it may take a while, it's OK! 

Currently, a room downstairs in my home is used as a playroom for my daughter, which seems like the obvious choice. But in the future, when she outgrows a playroom, I am going to seek out it becoming a larger space for my growing samples of flooring, tile, etc. 

Don't you want to live fully and wholeheartedly WITH PURPOSE?!

 One of my favorite people that I look up to is Dolly Parton who's 76 years young and has singers and artists coming to her asking her to sing with them! I don't care if you are 50 or 60 and think you can't live out a dream you have...WHY NOT? Why can't you? The true answer is you CAN! You just have to take one baby step at a time toward that purpose and let God guide you. Remember, your thoughts determine your destiny. 

Decorating requires lots of steps, but in the end is it worth it?  I sure think so because your home gives you a big hug afterward. Go out and live with purpose today! Not tomorrow or the day after, but TODAY!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light..."

John 3:21

"...it's truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him  to make him stumble."

1 John 2:8 & 10

I have been so excited to write this one! When we go into a seller's home to help them stage it and get it ready for some amazing listing photos, one of the very first things we do is open and raise the blinds or curtains in each room. We do that so we can welcome in and see the "true light that is already shining" to brighten up the space and show it's true potential.

If there is a dark room, there is more possibility of stumbling over something you cannot see. 

The amazing thing is our natural, true light is where we can see everything so much clearer!- including when we need to see paint color swatches, fabric hues, flooring choices, etc. And the incredible link here for me is that God's truth says it will set us free AND it's already shining for us!

One of my favorite visuals about God's love is thinking about the "Care Bear's"! Yes, I know it's crazy but "bear" with me, HAHA! I promise it will make sense. You know when the sunshine shines from one Care Bear's heart to another? That is how I picture God's love shining on us through the Holy Spirit and how we can spread that love to others. 

So my prayer and challenge for you is that you will 

raise your blinds in your home and let 

God's true and natural love shine on you and live in the light!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"She is worth far more than rubies..."

Proverbs 31:10

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your Heavenly Father keeps feeding them. 

Are you not worth much more than they?"

Matthew 6:26

  Have you ever heard the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?" When I walk into a client's home, it is easy to tell which pieces of décor or furniture are of great worth to them. I love hearing the stories as to why certain things matter so much to each person and have sentimental value. And when someone walks into my home, they can see the value I have in the furniture my husband has built for our family; for example, our farmhouse dining room table, our round breakfast nook table, bedframes, and the list goes on!

The incredible thing about the value and WORTH of our lives is that our Beholder is Jesus...YOU are loved and WORTHY of Jesus' love, I am WORTHY of Jesus' love. And trust me, it took a LONG time (about 30 years) to TRULY know and feel the authentic value of how deep Jesus' love for me goes. And today, I want you to know that he loves you just as much! He actually really cares about the details of my dreams, hopes, desires down to the smallest moments of each day.

Now, here is where I got hung up for so long...He doesn't just care about me as a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend. BUT as Mary Win!!!-who I am as His Daughter!

Just because we are adults, doesn't mean I stop needing Him as my Savior. You and I are dearly loved until the end of the age.

Do you see your individual worth as something to be valued? And when I ask that, I don't mean in a financial or earthly way, I mean thinking and evaluating in a humble sincere way.

Do you love who you are? Do you love your home and does it reflect who you are on the inside? I have a piano downstairs that has lots of worth because my mom played it growing up and it has years of stories worth from the inside out. So I leave you with something my mom has said that has stuck with me: 

"Be yourself because everyone else is taken!"

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

Luke 6: 47-48

I like simple things in life. I get excited about some of the smallest details like even down to a new ice cream flavor or getting the smallest décor details and nailing it (and usually those small things are followed by fast clapping that those around me know I call "THE CLAP")! 

So, I love when the Bible talks about having a good house built on a firm foundation. A firm foundation helps us persevere in times of uncertainty. I also love how it says the house that "dug down deep"-have you ever had to dig down and I mean way down deep to get where you are now? I sure have! And it is a process!!

Building a home in the NC mountains currently and having built our home in Ball Ground 5 years ago reminds me that just like building, life is a process. I have learned if we give ourselves grace as we go through the process of life and design, it can go much smoother. 

I want to be "well built" in my home and in my life. So when I think of design, it helps to have some "core" pieces to build on that you love as a "foundation" (such as a couch, rug, or artwork). If you don't have them, then you can start with a piece you love! 

We live and we learn and I tell my daughter each day that everything takes practice. For example, when we practice gratitude, we have a more grateful heart. In our daily lives, it is a game changer to have a few "core" Bible verses that are not only in our minds, but that truly take root and be a foundation in our hearts to persevere through anything and be well built. 

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life."

Proverbs 4:23

At first glance this Bible verse seems really simple. So when it comes to our homes and you think of DESIGN, do you think of a bunch of "rules in a box" that you should follow or do you think of DESIGN as being fun? 

So many people I have discussed design with usually mention that decorating should be one way or the other...I have learned that in order to THRIVE in my creativity, I can't put myself inside a box! I want that for you too! For example, do you find the rug first or the artwork first? Well, my answer usually is go with what you LOVE and whichever one you find first is what you start with! 

I feel like life is that way too, where we can feel like we are in a box. (Do we have morals and faith, yes!) Growing up in a super small town in South Carolina, I felt by the time I was in high school that those around me (not my parents) had "put me in a Box"-

Mary Win is this or Mary Win isn't that...

it took me a long time to realize that I have a choice to stay in that box of thinking or expand and grow past it in MY OWN thoughts, goals, life!

One of my goals is for each of my clients to have fun with the design process! I would love for others to feel the freedom of letting creativity flow as they work on their homes. I hope this encourages you as you go through your day...where positive thoughts outweigh negative ones. Does that take practice? Just like everything, of course it does!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com

"By wisdom a house is built; through understanding it is established; and through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

Proverbs 24:3-4

Friends, my heart is in this Bible verse-this is the mission of my business-to encourage others to let their personalities shine in their own homes. These rare and beautiful treasures are unique to who you are! Be proud of that!

Have you ever thought about one word that you want to be known for? I sure have! And I think it is super important to think about in order to fully live out each day in our homes and daily lives. My word I hope people remember me by is "Encouragement". 

My goal with Simplicity Home Staging & Design is to encourage my community! I want my family to be encouraged by my words and actions. I want strangers to be encouraged by my words and actions. 

I want to encourage you through this blog (which is something I really never knew I might do) to allow yourselves the permission to let your home reflect who you are on the inside in a positive way (not what a magazine says it should be).

If you think of a word you want to be known for and want to share it with me, I would love to hear more!

Blessings, 

Mary Win King

Owner

simplicityhomeinteriors@gmail.com