What paint and some styling can do to improve your home!

I love it when a client calls and says "we need some updating to our home and we need your help guiding us through the decision making process so we don't make mistakes"

Yes, that's me!  They hired me to assist with remodeling their home within the budget they had set aside.  I helped them prioritize what was important to do right now and what could wait.

I thought I'd show you how it all turned out. Let's start with the stairs.

BEFORE

AFTER

To update the stairscase, on a budget, we decided to paint the spindals white and we stained the banister a rich espresso.  It transformed it instantly and made their entry so stylish and inviting.

We added a beautiful patterned carpet and that made the staircase the star of the show when you walk in the front door.

Next up is the kitchen which needed a facelift for sure.

BEFORE

We didn't have the budget to do the floors and we figured they can do that at a different time.

AFTER

The client really wanted new countertops so that was our priority.  We selected a neutral countertop and extended the countertop on the island to give her more prepping room.

 We added a gray subway tile backsplash and removed the overhead lighting and added recessed lighting.  I just love the mercury glass pendants we chose for above the island, it coordinates beautifully with the new flush mount fixture above the sink.

We painted behind some of the open shelving and staged it with some of the items she already had.

Next was the family room.

BEFORE

AFTER

We painted this entire room to lighten it up and added new carpet. We took down the drapes (they were too short), hung new artwork and added lamps for a touch of color. The client wanted a fresh, clean look so that's what we did for her.

The couch had too many "matchy" pillows.

Ruthie Tip: When you purchase a couch that comes with all the matching pillows, that really cheapens the look.  By taking some of the matching pillows out and adding a few throw pillows to break it up, it gives it an instant makeover and looks more collected, rather than cookie cutter matching set.

Next up was the fireplace.

BEFORE

This fireplace brick was really pink and wasn't modern enough for the client.  We decided to paint it a gorgeous gray to give it a makeover. It worked and turned out beautiful.

AFTER

We took out the ugly fan and added a stunning chandelier that makes this fireplace come alive.  Paint covers a multitide of sins!  The mantel itself was a little small so we added corbels underneath the mantel and that made it look more to scale.

I absolutely love this kind of transformation.  The client wanted their home updated so they could enjoy it more.  It doesn't always mean you have to gut the entire place. What I love about my job is that I get to give home owners ideas that can update their homes without breaking the bank.

Of course, I have clients that want to gut the entire house and transform it all because they do have the budget to do so and that is awesome!  However, I also love to see families update their homes conservatively too.  Some people choose to do nothing because they can't afford it. Don't do nothing, any home can be turned into something wonderful with some good ideas and creativity.

I'm off to Highpoint tomorrow to be a part of the Design Bloggers Tour.  Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to see behind the scenes.  So looking forward to getting to know these fabulous bloggers and seeing all the new trends in design for 2017/2018.

I'm also taking over Interior Design Society's National Instagram account on Friday while I'm at Highpoint. Follow along too for new trends and behind the scenes showroom tours.

Creating homes as unique as you are!

 True fulfullment is being able to enrich a families life by creating a home that suits their lifestyle. My goal at DecRenew Interiors is to create a space that is as unique as the client.

 Our tag line is: "Creating homes as unique as you are."

 I  met with this client after they had been living in their newly built home for a year.  This is the second home that I have had the opportunity to decorate for them.  It is always such a pleasure to work with the same client over and over again.

 The drapery fabric (mainly the colors)  was my inspiration for pulling the entire room together.  I adore all the  vibrancy and so does  my client.  As you scroll through the after pictures below, you will see how I made sure these colors were all married together somehow.  Different textures, patterns, shapes, etc. together created a mixed up, eclectic style with a transitional flair.

They had some things that I knew we could repurpose.   These two club chairs were reupholstered because the client loved them and they were super comfy.

 They just needed a makeover after being used in their gameroom surrounded by kids and all that goes with that!

My goal is to use as much of what the client "already have" in order to save them as much money as possible.  Of course, only if the item was  still stylish :)  Often times, my clients will say "really, keep these old things" and I say "yes, they/it has HUGE potential."

Ruthie Decorating tip:  Use unique items for your flowers. This candle holder was perfect for the fresh flowers on the coffee table.  Make sure that the item is not pourous if you place the flowers directly in the vase.  If it is, I put a small drinking glass inside the vase and use that for the flowers.  

 We were going to redo these two ottomans.  As the room started to come together, I thought they could stay "as is" since they go beautifully with the animal print rug.  I'm crazy about the round side table.  Such great detail!

Gus loves his new home too!

 The coffee table is so unique and the texture and color make the reupholstered chairs united.  See how the detail of the book on the coffee table pulls together the ottoman color?

Those are the details that I think about for days and days before the installation.  I often wake up in the middle of the night and get up and write things down.

What color florals to use is also a huge decision.  

Notice how these flowers make the entire room pop.

The new gray sectional is perfect for their family life.  This family room is where everything happens in their house.

The stripes and houndtooth patterned pillows add a masculine touch against the more feminine draperies.

Adding unique wooden side tables makes the room feel warm and cozy.  With the high ceilings in this room, we needed that.  Also adds that shape that we needed to soften the edges.

Unique lamps and a fun shade add personality, fun and a more relaxed feel.  The painting on the mantel is huge and is all the mantel needs to make a statement.  Less fussy!

The chair pillows add a punch of turquoise without going over the top with this bold color.

  I found a cake platter in one of the kitchen cabinets and created this vignette.

Ruthie Decorating Tip: Accessories placed in different heights make more of  statement and draws your eye into each item.  Look for bowls, books, boxes, etc. to raise things up.  It's more appealing to your eye. 

This telephone was in their junk pile.  I rescued it because I think it adds some history to the room.

I have a love for lamps and this one is to die for!

The family also enjoys playing batgammon.  I placed it out as decor since it is used often.  The kids loved seeing their treasures out and displayed.  I also placed some of their other items like family pictures, grandma's clock, etc.

Paired with this cute piece of pottery that their son made a few weeks ago, it makes for a nice combination.

So you probably want to see a totaly before and after right?

It's a hard room to get a good picture of the entire space because of the light that pours in (a good problem to have).  These are the best we could do but it gives you an idea of the dramatic transformation.

BEFORE

AFTER

I loved what my client said when she walked in her new family room.

 "Is this really my house?  I don't feel worthy of this gorgeous space!"  

Yes, you are worthy!!!!  I so appreciate the opportunity to work with such a wonderful, worthy family!  Thanks for trusting me and for allowing me to be part of this project.

Thanks for joining me for this recap! I'll be posting before and after pictures of their dining room next.

See above!