Expressions Explained, Part 3

In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The head of the household always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man."

Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."

Blue Monday - Dining Room

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Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. You know that I will visit each one of you, so please don't forget to leave me a comment.
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Last week I showed you my newly decorated Living Room, and today I'm showing you the Dining Room. Actually, when you enter my home, you walk into a Foyer that opens into this combination Living Room/Dining Room, but I can't figure out how to correctly photograph it, so I've divided it into two rooms.

This shows the front door/Foyer area. See how much blue you can spot. Don't forget to count the fabric on the window and pillow. Did you spot the inside of window arch?



The high ceiling is coffered, and I've chosen a dark paint to pull the eye upward. The ceiling and wall are the same color, just two shades paler. The arch is filled with the soft blue/gray color, taken from the drapes. The chairs are upholstered in the same soft tones.



You'll remember my Norman Rockwell collection and vintage plates from my former home. Notice the theme color is easily found.



I'm sure that many of you will remember the items in my china cabinet. My talented daughter-in-law arranged them into this display. (Remember, I told you I had tons of help.)



Here's a peek at next Monday's post, which will show the Family Room. Look out, BJ!



I love surprises. Did I manage to surprise you? Did you find some Blue?

Happy Blue Monday!

Blue Monday Participants

1. ellen b - 2. Sherry @ Country Wings In Phoenix 3. m - tales from an oc cottage 4. KayC 5. LaVoice 6. Pie 7. Baba's Special babies 8. Carly's Photography 9. Fifi Flowers (Art Reveals) 10. Christine 11. Self Sagacity 12. Candy @ The Little Round Table 13. Mary@OnePerfectBite 14. Gena @ Thinking Aloud 15. Regina On Daily Living 16. Iris 17. Grey Like Snuffie 18. Ivory Spring 19. Judith 20. carolynUSA 21. Irene Photography, Norway 22. Coffeedoff UK 23. Shannara, sweden 24. LUNA 25. Classic Country @ Lakewood

26. hip chick 27. DeniseMarie 28. katherine 29. Joan @ Applejack Lane 30. Judi @ CranberryBlossom 31. Linderhof 32. Myrna @ My Enchanted Home 33. The Tablescaper 34. My Random World 35. Hannah - Zukan 36. Gardening in a Sandbox 37. Black eyed Susan's kitchen 38. cindy 39. Coralie @ A Vintage Cottage Home 40. mizhelle 41. Cindy @Fairy Tale Cottage 42. storyteller at Sacred Ruminations 43. ...Molly's Country Memories 44. DeBbiedoos 45. monkeymommy08 46. Terie-Blue Beach 47. Paula Grace Designs ~ The Art of Display 48. Rose 49. Snapperoni 50. Yoli ~ Apron Senorita

51. annies home - 52. Carol 53. Jeanne,backyard neighbor 54. Boogieboard Cottage 55. Jo - Spring Set 56. beansieleigh 57. gengen 58. Lorie Shewbridge 59. Ann @ Tin and Sparkle 60. Crystal-hummingbird cottage 61. Loui 62. Mozi Esme 63. John 64. Rinkly Rimes 65. DB 66. Ladyinblue 67. Kvasthilda, Sweden 68. Pietrek67 69. Teresa C. 70. Margene 71. Jill, Northern CA, USA 72. peggy gatto 73. Emily 74. Cacai M.

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Ready, Set... Go!

Remember the Bible sword drills? Middle school age children would stand at attention. A verse would be called out by the teacher, and they'd flip through their Bibles to find and read the verse. Some of those students were quite adept at knowing how to use their Bibles. It took practice, and we all know that practice still makes perfect.

Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Expressions Explained, Part 2

As incredible as it sounds, in the late 1700s, men and women took baths only twice a year--May and October! Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig."

Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be powerful and wealthy.

Blue Monday - Living Room

It's Blue Monday! To participate: just click here for BLUE MONDAY INSTRUCTIONS or check out the instructions in my sidebar.

Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. You know that I will visit each one of you, so please don't forget to leave me a comment.
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I've had so many inquiring minds want to know how I decorated our new living room, so today, I'm going to show you. It might be fun to count how many Blue touches you see.

Before moving into the home, we had a crew of six painters come in and paint everything nine different colors. Four colors are used in this room. With such tall ceilings--they're 13'4"--I had to do something to use up the wall space above the sofa. I had an expert carpenter come in and place the trim molding according to sketch that I drew on a napkin. Didn't he do an excellent job?


This is called a cove ceiling. Everyone thought I was out of my mind using this dark trim. I stuck to my instincts, though, and kept the ceiling and walls a pale tan. However, afterward, people seem to agreed the dark color "made" that ceiling. I've shared the names of the carpenter and the painter with several local people who asked.

This is a shot head on. The 40" x 50" painting in the center pulls all the colors together. We found it at Kirland's. It was on sale. Cost: $99.

The coffee table is one I designed over thirty-five years ago. The top is Travertine marble and the trapezoid bottom is all mirrored.

Are you surprised? Did you expect more or less Blue?

Happy Blue Monday!

Blue Monday Participants

1. ellen b - 2. LaVoice 3. Charlotte 4. Sherry @ Country Wings In Phoenix 5. Karen @Elsie Eleanor Designs 6. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove 7. m - tales from an oc cottage 8. Susan @ monkeymommy08 9. Kathy b 10. Paula Grace Designs ~ Monday's Method VIP 11. Sherri@Lavenderfields 12. Marty 13. Vintage Rose Studio 14. Jensmere 15. Inspired Living Spaces 16. Candy @ The Little Round Table 17. De Cherie 18. Gena @ Thinking Aloud 19. Debbie @ Delightfully Wed 20. Mary@OnePerfectBite 21. barbara jean 22. Yoli ~ Apron Senorita 23. D@sunnyside 24. Judith UK 25. Linda@lindanjake 26. Shannara 27. Clara 28. Tj

29. LUNA 30. Fickleinpink, the dark side 31. hip chick 32. Hagemor-Norway 33. Barbara Purple Goat Lady 34. Candy 35. katherine 36. Manang Kim, MI, USA 37. Kvasthilda, Sweden 38. Irene Photography, Norway 39. Vivian 40. DEbBieDoos 41. Self Sagacity 42. Shelia @ NoteSongs 43. Carly's Photography 44. Katt... 45. Carol@My Painting Room 46. cindy 47. mizhelle 48. Christine 49. My Random World 50. Rose, WV 51. Coffeedoff UK 52. hapzydeco 53. After the Style Test a Blue Space plan 54. Jo 55. ThriftyAnnabella 56. Helen

57. Baba 58. DeniseMarie 59. storyteller at Small Reflections 60. April@The 21st Century Housewife 61. Grace-Life is Beautiful, USA 62. Ann Creek 63. gengen 64. Terie aka Yira 65. Mary 66. Italian Vases @ No Minimalist Here 67. Boogieboard Cottage 68. KayC. 69. Aussie Nikki NC USA 70. carolynUSA 71. Joy- Books and Life 72. John 73. annies home 74. ...Molly 75. Fifi Flowers 76. Maria's Space 77. Hannah - Zukan 78. Tiffany Randall 79. DB 80. peggy gatto 81. Jill, Northern CA, USA 82. Gunsside - Norway 83. Lorie Shewbridge 84. Teresa C.

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