Designed for Life: Sipping Tea in the Living Room

By T.T. Carole

Someone said and it is often repeated that one is never as satisfied as when we are doing what we are created to do. It is then, like no other, that you feel your unique relationship with the Creator, and when you are most aware of the small still voice of your Comforter and Counselor. The author has managed to get to that place in this book as it marries her two great passions: interior design and divine inspiration. This motivational experience is overflowing with her love for the word of God and expertise and passion for design. Sipping Tea in the Living Room is filled with instruction, wise words, beautiful illustrations and delightful images. It is a lovely page-turner and is sure to enrich, inspire, teach, motivate and encourage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524525187

T.T. Carole

The author has a rich and multifaceted background, including as a professional in corporate America; as a business owner and operator in the world of interior design; and as a student, coach, teacher, and motivational speaker in ministry and religious studies. She’s devoted most of her adult life to studying and pursuing various interests and has gained academic qualifications from various colleges, universities, and professional certification programs along the way from the likes of Columbia College, Missouri Baptist University, the Evangelical Training Association, Light University, St. Louis Community Colleges, and others. Her love for educating herself in order to not only enrich her life but to also in some way enrich and nourish the lives of all whom she feels destined to touch, her passion for sharing lessons she’s learned in order to help to teach and inspire others, and her desire to do the work she believes that God has designed for her life have culminated into the writing of this book, which she plans is the first of a five-part series.

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COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY T. T. CAROLE.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

KJV

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

NIV

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

MSG

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Website.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/19/2016

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 – The Living Room

Chapter 2 – Your Personal Style: A Quick Quiz

To Thine Own Self be True

What a Wacky Nest

The Quiz: Take it, sure; but not too seriously

Chapter 3 – Know What You’re Working With

Chapter 4 – The Principles of Design

Creating and Appreciating Unity & Harmony in the Living Room

A Snapshot of the Principles in Action

Order

Similarity and Contrast

Balance

Scale/Proportion

Perspective

Focal Point

DIY Tips & Trick of the Trade

Chapter 5 – The Elements of Design

Trompe L’Oeil: Trick the Eye

Tricks of the Traitor

DIY Tips & Tricks of the Trade – Cozy Color, Comfy Space

Chapter 6 – Furnishing The Room

When Size Really Doesn’t Matter

… and When it Does

Sage Advice: Momma Was Right

Tips and Trick of the Trade – The Art of Placement Dos and Don’ts

Chapter 7 – Soft Furnishing: Windows and Rugs

Dressing the Windows

The Obstructed View

Rugs as Furnishings

Not Made to be an Island

DIY: Tips & Tricks of the Trade – Window Coverings

Chapter 8 – Accessorizing for a Beautiful Finish

Mirror as Accessory and Tool

As Divine Inspiration

Tip and Trick of the Trade – The Power of Vignettes

Chapter 9 – Unnecessary Clutter

They! Baggage; Not Mine

Chapter 10 – Voile! It Is Finished

Hope

Introduction

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Gentle readers please allow me to introduce myself. I am a frustrated interior designer—divinely gifted, greatly impassioned, well educated, and purposefully trained in the fantastic field of interior design. Frustrated because after venturing out and building a thriving part-time business and working out my passion in the wonderful, fun and sometimes wacky world of design I allowed self-doubt to enter my head then heart, only to scramble back into hiding in a comfortable, quasi-secure position in the complicated, yet rewarding, world of corporate America. This is where I sit proudly with no regrets.

No regrets? You ask. But wait a minute; didn’t I just read a few sentences above that you said that you are frustrated? Yes, dear reader, you read it correctly. The ‘F’ word was used but only in the sense that, that part of my life has not been totally fulfilled; yet, I have much for which to be extremely grateful and therefore, so much more to share.

This then effects the motivation for writing such a book as this in this fingertip world. Fingertip because it seems that all that there is for the eyes to see the brain to imagine, and the ears to hear is accessible through a diverse web of high-speed technology and a 24/7 news cycle—or is it?

What about human experiences? What about the human energy and spirit? What about the promises of God? What about, simply, the art of living and being conscientious about all of what is working together to bring us to where we are today?

We each occupy our own living room in this life and in this sense; it is more than a physical space or our physical body. Our living room encompasses our thoughts, desires, emotions, beliefs, talents, skills, abilities, weaknesses, and a myriad of our other shared human characteristics, traits, and persona. It is where we communicate and demonstrate to the world not only who we are but also who we believe we are created to be.

By exposition, we are created in the image of God—fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Therefore, just as we take the time and make the investment to beautify our physical space for our own pleasure, shouldn’t we invest that, and even more in this once in a lifetime experience?

By Divine providence, we have landed in this place called life. We have landed in our living room—a space that is exclusively designated for and is on loan to each of us individually. It is mortgage and rent-free (Jesus paid the price once and for all). All we have to do is make improvements where needed and fill it with the things that glorify the Father. So where do we start?

It is often said that those who can; do and those who can’t; teach. My dear