His Mercy Finds Me

The kids and I ventured to a local bookstore recently, the kind that buys back used books and such.  We had just finished selling what felt like our entire lives away at our yard sale.  Fourteen bins of boy and girl clothes, pint-sized crocs and loafers, and the last crib mattress we owned.  It was a liberating experience, but one filled with trepidation as I knew I could not bottle up that former season of life and live it again. 

A Mama's Journey To Trust

Life is a journey to trust.  Have you experienced this? I think if we peer into our hearts long enough, we will find some “trust issues” there.  God uses circumstances as varied as His creation to bring us to the end of ourselves so that our story of trusting Him can begin.  Parenthood is one of them.  

Finding God When Disappointment Knocks

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!

I don’t know what it is. There are 365 days in a year and somehow we are professionals at getting sick over the holidays.  I have to think back before children and marriage to remember a time when I didn’t get sick during the winter months.  Disappointment threatens all attempts at joy, peace, and love.  The world, it seems, is having a party and we are stuck at home.  Again.

Losing It: When Life Goes Off Script

My last blog post before finding out I was pregnant with my fifth child was entitled, Why Losing It Could Be The Best Thing That Ever Happened To You.  Be careful what you write in your blog posts.

One week later, after a glorious vacation and a feeling that life was finally becoming manageable, I had that feeling. Sure enough, we were pregnant. 

Why "Losing It" Could Be The Best Thing That Ever Happened To You

Raising kids is unnerving, isn’t it?  Even after a bagillion books read and seminars attended my kids still have a way of bringing me to the end of myself. 

Tutorial: How To Make A Name Banner For Your Child (Anyone Can Do This!)

A few years ago I made a name banner for my daughter's third birthday party. Just around that time, she was inheriting my old daybed for her very own "big girl" bed.  I decided to use her birthday banner to create wall art above her bed.   

To The Mom Who Is Fresh Out Of Happy This Holiday Season

Last summer I bought two pictures on sale at a local home store to spruce up the basement. One says, I choose to be happy.  The other says a host of beautiful things written in clever font that fills the canvas perfectly. Use kind words. Be nice. Be grateful. Relax. Eat healthy. Share. Love freely. Be happy. Both pictures are bright and cheery and brighten up our otherwise dark basement in a very inexpensive way. They inspire all that is good. I love looking at them....except when I don't.

Tips for Organizing Your Home: And What To Do When It All Goes To Pot

I was recently asked for tips about how to organize a woman's home.  My first reaction was to get to work thinking of clever tips and tricks to miraculously solve her organizational problems.  And I suppose I have a few, but it just didn't seem right to start there, spewing off my alleged expertise about home organization.

After all, we all know clever tricks and amazing tips are only amazing for a little while.  Just as soon as we get a room organized, styled, and clean something or someone inevitably happens to undo all of our hard work. Murphy's law as they call it.

Messy Living: I See Much More Than A Mess

A home is just such personal territory.  It is a personal and vulnerable thing to let another person traipse though your home full of opinions and suggestions.  It must be said that it is an honor and privilege to be given such an opportunity.

Inspiration Nooks: Decor That Inspires

I love looking for little nooks and crannies in my home that can be turned into sources of inspiration.  One such place is above my kitchen sink. The kitchen is the place in my home where I am most easily discouraged.  It is the place where I am often in need of truth.  In need of reminders that God will provide and that God is in control.

Fresh Perspective For When You're Fresh Out Of Happy

Last summer I bought two pictures on sale at a local home store to spruce up the basement. One says, I choose to be happy.  The other says a whole host of beautiful things written in impeccably clever font that fills the canvas perfectly. Use kind words. Be nice. Be grateful. Relax. Eat healthy. Share. Love freely. Be happy. Both pictures are bright and cheery and brighten up our otherwise dark basement in a very inexpensive way. They inspire all that is good. I love looking at them....except when I don't.

First Things First: My Story

Hi. I’m Melissa Gilmour, the founder of Dwell Inspired.  I’m the one who wants you to love your home, improve your life, and dwell inspired.  But before I dive into all things home I want to put first things first and tell you about the most important thing in my life.  The thing that matters more than stylish houses and functional spaces. More than a clever pop of color or perfectly placed accessories.  Because even if I lived in the world’s most beautiful home I wouldn’t be living there forever.