The Dallas Traditional Home Showhouse is over! We are all feeling sad about it. It was super hard to take everything out of the home and see it become empty again. However, the home sold has and now a happy family is living in it!
Read moreHigh Point Market Design Bloggers Spring Tour 2017
I just returned home from sunny Los Angeles! I attended the Design Bloggers Conference! It is my favorite conference because I get to spend time with my designer friends and get to meet new designers and bloggers as well.
When you own your own business, it is really hard to make time to get away for conferences like this. What I have learned is that it is crucial that you take time away from your every day work life so you can be inspired, encouraged, and filled up. This conference is that for me.
Dwell by Cheryl and Artful Interiors are two of those great friends that I have made through this conference.
I also got to spend an evening with a few Dallas Designers, which was a treat.
Brooke Giannetti with Velvet and Linen was one of the speakers, and she was so fantastic. Brooke was one of the first blogs that I started following when blogs were just beginning. I latched on to every word she said when I first started blogging and learned so much from her.
She was a true example of a great designer with a casual spirit that connected with her audience. If you haven't had a chance to read her story, do it! Her husband is an architect and they are so lovely together and so incredibly gifted. They are extra special because they too have chickens, just like us!
Another of my favorite speakers was Lord Spencer, Lady Diana's brother. He spoke about his 13 Acre estate in England and it was fascinating to hear his stories!
I got to eat on the patio at the Beverly Hills Hotel and we got a glimpse of Kim Kardashian. Of course, we only got a quick glimpse of her but it was still a fun movie star sighting. Can you believe these gorgeous flowers in their lobby?
One of the awesome things that was announced while I was at the conference was that I was selected to be on the High Point Market Design Bloggers Spring Tour along with these wonderful designers!
Visit High Point Market Design Bloggers Spring Tour 2017 to see each participant.
I am so excited about this because it is yet another opportunity for me to connect with new designers. I also look forward to being introduced to new vendors and contacts during market.
These are the wonderful bloggers I will be on the tour with:
Courtney Allison, www.frenchcountrycottage.net
Margot Austin, www.thedesigneditblog.com
Elle Cole, www.ellecoleblog.com
Nina Magon, www.livestylishdaily.com
Lisa Mende, www.lisamendedesign.blogspot.com
Michiel Perry, www.blacksouthernbelle.com
Me, Jana Platina Phipps, www.trimqueen.com
Ruthie Staalsen, www.ruthiestaalsen.com
Laura Umansky, www.laurauinteriordesign.com
Rhoda Vickers, www.southernhospitalityblog.com
Our sponsors for the tour?
Meet the sponsoring companies and showrooms we will be touring. Thank you sponsors for this opportunity! See you there!
Gorgeous Castle Lakes Resort - Colorado
We just returned from Colorado after being there 10 days with family and friends.
We traveled with 6 other families (26 of us in all). We all have RV's and it was such fun to be on the road together.
Even our doggie Ava loved the ride.
We stayed at Castle Lakes RV & Campground in Lake City, Colorado. What a gorgeous place.
I thought I'd share some of my favorite captures my eyes took in.
This was the view from our RV site. It was breathtaking. It was a great place for coffee in the morning. Nice and cold too.
The water was like glass most days and we had spectacular weather all week long.
I just loved how the mountain reflected in the water.
Can you believe how gorgeous this is?
We took walks around the lake and admired the wildflowers and beauty.
Hanging baskets were overflowing with color at the lodge.
I was tempted to bring this fabulous piece of driftwood home!
I'm sure the beavers would have been sad to see it go.
This bridge was perfect for fishing.
All 6 families rented jeeps from the lodge one day. We drove in convoy right up into the mountains. It was an amazing day of adventure and fun!
I just couldn't believe this view. The color of the water in this valley took my breath away.
See what I mean?
Waterfalls everywhere.
Sheep grazing.
but lots of dust flying everywhere too.
Loads of belly laughter around the fire each evening. Loads of memories were made! Some of these friends have been in our lives since high school so the stories that were told were absolute hoots.
Lots of hiking and fishing too!
The jeeping was my favorite, maybe because I had such a handsome driver.
Always so good to be in nature exploring God's incredible beauty.
Hard to be back in the 100 degree heat here in Texas now. I'm going to miss my coffee spot.
but.... ready to start all my new projects!
I have 2 photo shoots this week. A kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel completion. Pictures coming soon!
Tips to Personalize your Decorating
I've always loved this picture of my brother and I riding camels on the beach in Kenya.
Once you have lived or been to Africa, it always stays with you! I have wonderful memories of doing fun, crazy things that I look back at now and think "Wow" that was awesome and I had no idea how blessed I was to get to experience such a cool childhood.
I truly realize now and can't wait to travel more with my kids.
Anyway, I found this cool camel's saddle at an estate sale and it sits beautifully in my living room. It has significance to me because of my memories riding camels on our holiday in Mombasa, Kenya. It's worn and tired but it has incredible character and makes for a great conversation.
When looking for items for your home, find things that have meaning to you. We personalize so many things these days, our Facebook page, our Google profile, our cell phone ring tone, our Instagram photo's, our laptop screen saver. I've been thinking a lot about it and started to wonder if people really put that much energy into their personal spaces where they spend most of their time.
Do you personalize your home?
I try to collect pieces of driftwood. I've collected them from all over and have scattered them throughout my home.
I love their texture and they makes me think of the simplicity of life. Nature does that to me. Brings me back to the basics of life. Having a bit of nature in my home constantly reminds me to keep things simple and reminds me to enjoy all things beautiful.
Seashells and corral also makes me think of my visits to different beaches. The beach is what makes me relax and there is something about the smell of the air that makes me feel peaceful. I instantly feel "chilled out" when sitting on the beach and feeling the breeze.
Here are a few tips for you to help you personalize your home.
Surround yourself with things you LOVE or items that trigger memories of your travels.
Re purpose old antiques or heirlooms. Add your special touch and style by displaying them in unique ways.
Find one of a kind artwork, rugs or accessories that says something about who are or what you have done.
Use your own signature scent for your home.
Throw splashes of your favorite color around. Layer those colors with different sizes, styles and shapes.
Incorporate your heritage and place vintage and family photos on your bookshelves along with your favorite collections.
Incorporate architectural elements. They add so much interest to any corner or wall.
Add a few interesting imported pieces of furniture. This is also a great way to add color!
Scatter your child's artwork in different places. They love seeing their creations on display! Date the bottom of them so you know what year they did them. They will want them for their home one day.
Baskets add loads of personality and interest! Hang them on your walls for all to enjoy. I full wall of woven beauties has just as much impact as a full wall of mirrors because it makes a statement!
Make the first thing your guests see when they ring the doorbell have a splash of YOU.
If you haven't personalized your home, I challenge you to do so. If you have kids, it means a lot to them too. My girls love to see their history and memories all over our home.
Tell your story by personalizing your home today!
P.S. - I am not a good writer and my punctuation may not always be perfect. I just love what I do and like to express it on this blog. I'm apologizing now for anything that you see in my grammar, etc. that isn't right :) I try, but I'm far from perfect.
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio. I can help you personalize your home and make you "house proud" as Nate would say :)
Rancho Del Ingles - Alhaurín de la Torre
La Case Grande - Built in 1985
Rancho Del Ingles is a place that will forever be etched in my memory. This is the venue we stayed at during our retreat a couple weeks ago. This ranch is nestled peacefully in the foothills between the mountains and the sea, just outside Alhaurín de la Torre.
It is an estate filled with character, charm, grandeur, history and most of all has a story to tell.
David and Miyuki are the owners of this incredible Ranch and really know how to entertain their guests. They became our friends and filled our hearts with their kind gifts of hospitality.
David is a collector of "treasures" and has slowly incorporated architectural items, windows, beams, doors, shutters, vintage light fixtures, antiques, statues, etc. into this Ranch, their dream home.
(windows in the living room)
He sat and chatted to me about where and how he found all these incredible items that he built the Ranch around. He is a reclaimed treasure enthusiast that's for sure. Some treasures were found in garbage bins, others were thrown out treasures that he found of the side of the road, others were pieces from demolished and abandoned buildings. Of course, lots of the items were purchased but they even have great tales to tell.
He told us that he purchased a large storage container many years ago and just started putting things he found in it.
He knew that one day he would have the opportunity to build his dream home and that "one day" is now here. When they bought the ranch, there was an original farm house on the property that was built in 1859. David is slowing adding buildings using what he has collected over the years.
Everywhere you look on the Ranch, they have incorporated treasures that David has found. This makes the architecture incredibly interesting and full of character. They now rent out the Ranch for weddings, receptions, parties, celebrations, yoga retreats, etc. for others to enjoy.
Entry to courtyard.
You see loads of character and beauty as soon as you pull up to the entry of the Ranch. These large wooden doors welcome you as you enter the courtyard to the main house.
They were purchased in Malaga, Spain.
Beautiful wrought iron work is everywhere.
The courtyard is where we ate all our meals. It's a bright, sunny, inviting place to be.
Miyuki has made every inch of this property feel like home. She has the gift of hospitality and she and David make a great team.
The back of the main house.
The view from the main house to the Studio.
Doesn't it look like a painting? I thought my camera captured it well.
The pool area is a wonderful place to relax and read.
Lots of patio seating and creative landscaping throughout the property.
Love this.
This gazebo reminded me of the one my husband just built for us.
.
Each little house/villa on the property is tucked away somewhere incredible and has loads of interest.
These shower doors are actually train cabin doors. Brilliant way to use them.
The bathroom vanity above was one of my favorites. David found this carpenters bench and added two sinks to it so it could be used as a vanity. It is perfect because it has all kinds of nooks and crannies for guests personal items.
Old vintage light fixtures are all over the property.
A newly painted spiral staircase leads up to incredible views.
I can't imagine all the hard work that has gone into this garden.
Terra cotta pots are placed randomly everywhere.
The property is so inviting at night. The candelabra was my favorite in the main house and I loved adding fresh flowers each day.
This outside sitting area was used a lot during our stay at the Ranch. This Indian window is spectacular and is absolutely perfect grouped with these Moroccan lamps. The concrete table took my breath away too.
Can you believe how beautiful this outside room is at night?
This is another outside patio area.
The main dining/living area had a large farm table for everyone to enjoy.
The front door is from Arabia.
Arab door up close and personal.
All the interior doors of the house were found by David and were either being thrown out or not wanted. He saved their lives! Who wouldn't want these doors and where was I?
Notice these wonderful arched windows. There were about 8 of them that were going to be thrown out. David rescued them paying about 4 pounds each (I couldn't believe that) and he didn't do a thing to them.
The rustic patina on them hasn't been touched, it's just real age!
This Moroccan bed is in one of the main bedrooms and is so cool.
Stain glass windows are incorporated throughout the house.
Loved this ledge that was built in one of the rooms. So rustic and charming.
All the rooms are cozy, clean and so eclectic.
The property goes on and on.
Statues are tucked in the garden her, there and everywhere. According to the season you can pick your own avocados, oranges, lemons, walnuts, almonds, figs, asparagus, pomegranates and olives.
Old rustic tools and vintage garden equipment is placed in fun places throughout the property.
There are reading places everywhere for peaceful contemplation.
El Estudio
This is a large meeting room where the big events take place. The row of columns on the outside of this building are from a church that was being demolished in London.
David rescued them before they got destroyed. How could anyone destroy these beauties?
They make an incredible statement on the outside of the building and he didn't have to do a thing to them.
The greatest patina ever! David placed some of the columns on the inside of the building too.
This little sitting area is on the porch and was used the entire week by woman taking naps!
This massive farm table was put to good use too.
What a view to wake up to. To top it off, the weather was PERFECT!
Just look at the detail of this patio floor around the columns.
On the last night, I got to stay in the room above with the balcony. The balcony on the left is the "outside" bathroom.
There is great freedom showering on a rooftop, I must say!
It was spectacular!
This is what I looked at while brushing my teeth!
If you would like to go visit David and Miyuki's website. Here's the link.
Thanks David and Miyuki for all you have put into this Ranch for others to enjoy! Blessings to you from Texas! If you ever come to Texas, come stay in our home at Casa de la Roca.
I have a feeling I'm going to be reading about you someday in Architectural Digest Magazine.
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfollio.