By Denise Simons,
Emmy-nominated design show host

Years ago, I read in Ephesians 2:10 that I am God’s workmanship called according to His purpose. In my morning prayers, my driving chats and, well… just about every moment in conversation with God, I learn what work He has for me next.

I’ve known since I was very young that I would do 3 things:  sing, decorate and be in show business. At the age of 3, I tore the very ugly wallpaper off the wall by my baby bed — I can still remember the stains and the awful pattern! (My grandma confirmed this did happen). At 5 years old, I sang “Christian Cowgirl” standing on an old-fashioned assembly of God altar.  At the age of 12, I got a recorder for Christmas and performed untold stories where I hosted and interviewed family, desperately pleading with my older brothers to “say something good” so I would have a good show!  I also always loved to dance, and still do, to this day.

It never dawned on me growing up in little “redneck” Rose City, Arkansas with hardworking, blue collar parents that I would have any problems whatsoever achieving my dreams.  I saw no limitations in our modest track home with 3 tiny bedrooms and 1 bath, because me n’ Jesus had a relationship from early on, and I got to dream things up with no limits in my mind. I have such gratitude reflecting on how I grew up…dreaming things up and “playing host” of my own show, singing in church, and redecorating my room every week. They were all practices that were growing that ‘muscle’ in my brain — the one of imagining things that are not as though they are. (Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1).

It was not until later in life that someone questioned, “How are you going to do that? Since you have no resources, education or funds?”  For me, it wasn’t about what I didn’t have. It was about the steps that would carry me to the big dreams I’d already seen and believed  would materialize. I had learned that the steps of a good woman are ordered by the Lord and she delights in the way (Psalm 37:23).

I came across a poem that spoke to both my love of dancing and  God ordering my steps that I’ve carried in my dayplanner for decades.  Its message: The meaning of GUIDANCE is “God, U-and-I-DANCE.”  It’s all about the steps!

The Lord has, indeed, ordered my steps…and what a dance it has been.  My wonderful husband, Jackie and I have been entrepreneurs for 32 years, including a singing stint together in Branson, Missouri. I’ve been grandfathered into the American Society of Interior Designers.  I hosted my own TV show, “LifeStyle with Denise Simons” for 5 years, nominated for a Regional Emmy Award.  And the “biggest dream of all” was still to come… in a “tiny” idea!  

In the spring of 2015, I had eye surgery called Byph on both eyes.  My husband brought me home and set me up in front of the TV and brought me soup. Since I had patches on my eyes, I could only hear and not see. I asked him to put on HGTV so I could listen to the makeovers. There happened to be a show on called “Tiny House Nation” with back-to-back episodes. I listened to the square footage, the storage solutions, the people and why they wanted such a small footprint home. My mind drifted to thinking about tiny homes as I dozed on and off. 

I began thinking about the little carriage house on our property that was full of junk, since it was useless as a real garage. It was built in 1926 and had enough room for 2 model T Fords -- very small for today’s car width norms. I began to reimagine this small, outdated garage as a tiny house paradise and, after recovering from my eye surgery, was soon taking the beginning steps to bring this vision to life. I started with the interior layout of what each space or zone would be -bath, kitchen, and sitting/sleeping area - and I had them drawn up in CAD. I spent an entire afternoon imagining how many people I wanted to seat on the patio when hosting groups, concluding 10 chairs was a good number. I drew pictures, pulled swatches and samples of interior finishes: paint, fabric, wood, pillows and tile colors. Next, I knew I needed something tangible for my vision, so enlisted my friend Kelly Hoppen to watercolor my ideas. It’s amazing to look at her watercolor drawings now, considering she was creating the renderings solely from my vision!  

watercolor renderings of tiny house vision before it was brought to life

In February of 2016, I heard God’s voice in the shower say 4 simple words to me:  “Your idea is Brilliant.” I knew instantly which idea He meant, and it spoke volumes that He would call my idea that was so small, “Brilliant.”  Little did I know, 8 months later I would win a contest I never even entered…and guess what the award was named? The Brilliance Award ! But I’ve jumped ahead in the story of the dance. First, I had to walk out the vision in faith.

It’s so much fun to have a vision, get a website, print business cards, and create a plan… but in the walking it out part, the steps can get hard. Sometimes the steps seem uncertain (“God, if this is so brilliant then why is it so hard?”). It all looks easy when typed out on paper, but being God’s Workmanship takes a lot of faith and listening, time and patience, and trust.  Many times I wanted something to go faster and hurt less.  Sometimes confusion would set in, and I would bring it before the Lord and hear His guidance say, “Go back to the last thing I told you.” (The last thing He told me was, Your idea is Brilliant.  So I had to keep believing it was worth pursuing.)

As I sought His confirmation, more ideas would come.  What if I televised the building of our tiny home?  And how about having sponsors join in so they would get televised credit for their work? And how about a time frame of 4 months and let’s include a pool? Let me tell you, I was biting off more than I could chew!  But life experience had already shown me that in imagination and faith, and with Christ all things are possible. So I contacted about 100 plus potential vendors and sponsors and got 10% on board. Cabinets, Nanawall, Murphy bed, AV, Tile, Paint, Concrete countertops and stone. In exchange, they would be featured on my TV show and get advertising and airtime on a 3 major networks. 

And so the work began, with myself as the General Contractor.  I can do this, right? I have 25+ years of experience as a designer.  Then came one of the rainiest seasons ever on record in Nashville.  With all the lines already dug for the gas, water, and electrical lines, we had 25-inch trenches covering 1/4 of an acre, which became a moat that resembled Venice for a while! There were nights when I slept like a baby, knowing God was in control (He said it was Brilliant!)…and there were nights I questioned everything (What have I done? I’ve overstepped it this time. I’ve gone and dreamed too much!  I’m in contract to finish this Tiny House…and it’s being filmed and.....what if…what if…what if…?!).  

The second-guessing and what ifs would grip my heart. In those times, I held onto this scripture:

“Now finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it according to your means.”  - 2 Corinthians 8:11

According to your means.  At the end of each week, the money would run out… but by the next week there would be enough for that week. Like manna from heaven, enough for each week. We put a shovel in the ground on April 11, and filmed on Sept 6, 2016. The series aired in November, and two of the vendors won national awards for their work. 

We named our Tiny Home “Ruejuvenation” — a combination of the French word “rue” (meaning pathway, street, or avenue) and “rejuvenate” (meaning recreate, renew, revive, resuscitate, refresh, restore). We have used our Tiny House to host a bible study, for continuing education classes for ASID, and as an Air B&B for couples ministry and music concerts.  I’ve also started a business to build others their own dream tiny home.

I hope my story encourages you to dream big, to walk out your vision in faith, and to believe that you are God’s Workmanship, too.  Most of all, I hope you dance!  Remember, He will lead you through the steps with G-U-I-dance!

About Denise Simons

Denise Simons is an interior designer and speaker with years of television experience. Her Emmy nominated show LifeStyle with Denise Simons launched one of her areas of specialty in ‘tiny house’ design and building.  Some of her other TV work includes 18 years featured as Design Expert on CBS Talk of the Town, Shop at Home Network, Accents for the Home, and The Shopping Channel (Ontario, Canada).  Her design work has also been published in magazines including Romantic Homes, Nashville Home and Garden, and At Home.  She loves the Lord, loves dancing, and loves to bring humor to her clients’ experiences. Click here to see an episode of her show.

reSOURCEs:

The “G-U-Idance Poem: http://www.originalpoetry.com/guidance-god-you-and-i-dance

For courage to step out and begin a business: Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire by Mireille Guiliano (This author brought French Champagne company Veuve Cliquot to the top of the luxury market, making the most of work without skimping on the good things in life). https://mireilleguiliano.com/

A step-by-step book on how to start and grow your business: Business Boutique by Christy Wright

How to detox your brain (learn to stop negative thoughts about yourself): Dr. Caroline Leaf YouTube videos

Design:

Denise Simons newsletter for free tips and inspiration (also contact for design coaching services).

Tiny Homes:

40K-on wheels-http://boadcabins.com/The-Huntsman.html

150K luxury smart-denise@lifestylewithdenisesimons.com