Today, super-inspiring blogger and mom of four, Stephanie Nielson of NieNie Dialogues, takes us on our next Show & Tell Home Tour.
Let's head to Provo, Utah, to check out her family's home.
Come on inside …
Framed family silhouettes*Stephanie, tell us a little about your family and your home.*
We live in Provo, Utah. Our home was built in 1963. We are the second owners of this home. We live in the "tree streets" — streets named for the trees that grow in abundance in this area. I grew up on Fir. My Grandma on Cherry. Sister Cjane is on Birch. And now we live on Briar. My husband and I were married in 2001. We have four kids, Claire (8, almost 9), Jane (7), Oliver (5), and Nicholas (3, almost 4).
The Nielson family
For those who don't know your story, please share briefly with us about the plane accident you and your husband Christian survived and about your life now, which continues to include rehabilitation and recovery.
On August 16, 2008, my husband and I were in a serious private plane crash. We were both were burned — I suffered burns over 83% of my body and my husband, over 34% of his body. The pilot died. I was in a coma for about 4 months.
Life now has been therapy and learning to live with a new body and attitude. I am now doing most everything I enjoyed doing before the accident. Life is much harder but definitely more worthwhile. I am happier now than I have ever been. I still have a lot of surgeries ahead of me, but we have such a positive outlook on everything.
Your life has changed a lot over the past few years. Has that changed how you approach decorating in your home? What's the most important thing these days?
I think my style is pretty much the same as it was before, except now I'm a little more sentimental. I find joy in the things around my house that mean something or have stories behind them. I like to show off family heirlooms or treasures that make me happy looking at them. Like my Nana's yellow urns or my mother's rocking chair my dad gave her with her first baby. Family is most important to me, and I know that even more now.
Book collection and Stephanie's Nana's yellow urns
Entry way with artwork by AshleyGYou have a four young children. How does their STUFF influence the look and feel of your home?
I really enjoy children's toys. I love to shop for them and have an "Indian in the cupboard" with hundreds of Schleich toys inside. I use their toys as decorations sometimes. It's fun and the children think it's really special. I don't want my house to be untouchable. So I use toys as decorations.
In which room in your home does your family congregate most often?
We are always in the kitchen/dining area. Eating, drawing, cooking, and doing homework on the table. We sometimes move to the family room just off the kitchen.
Great design can be expensive. How do you get the most bang for your buck?
I love to shop flea markets. My favorite decorations are from antique stores, and like I have mentioned, most of our decorations are from family. Or, I save up for the things I really really want. 😉
Tell us about the best deal you have gotten lately for your home.
I just got some frosted juice glasses from an antique store. They are so vintage with beautiful colors. I love color and decorate with as much of it as I can.
Piano with mismatched glass collection*You maintain a wonderfully inspiring blog after all these years. Do you have a room or space of your own in which to write?*
I have a office downstairs with a darling little fireplace in it. It's a romantic space where I can look out the window and reflect on everything. I have a beautiful view of the mountains below my home.
What is your most important everyday ritual at home?
Our family always has a breakfast of oatmeal together and reads the scriptures before school. The children love to pick their own latte bowl from my collection for their warm oatmeal. The bowls come from Anthropologie. Christian and I pick new latte bowls for each anniversary. We have been collecting them since we were married in 2001. I love those colorful bowls and have over 50 of them.
In your home, what is one indulgence you give into?
I love dishes. I love napkins and tableware. I can't pass up plates or goblets — even if they don't match. I have quite a collection and think it looks cool to have mismatched tableware.
Kitchen bar and dish collection; barstools via Williams-SonomaWhat are your favorite stores to shop for home?
There are a few antique stores in Utah I go to. I love Anthropologie … probably my very favorite home deco store. I can always find something there I am in love with.
Oh, thanks so much, Stephanie. It was so fun peeking into your home. See and read more about Stephanie on her blog NieNie Dialogues.
Recent Show & Tell Home Tours:
Veronika Pollard of a few things from my life: Show & Tell Home Tour
Ashley Campbell of Under the Sycamore: Show & Tell Home Tour
Leya Williams-Albert of Curious Bird: Show & Tell Home Tour
The Remodelista 4: Show & Tell Home Tour
Jennifer Johner of the little things: Show & Tell Home Tour
Famapa of my funny eye: Show & Tell Home Tour
