Ice Blue, Ruthie's favorite color for 2010

OUR POOL!!

It's crazy but this is our pool this week in TEXAS.  Our breaker tripped overnight and then we had freezing weather and the pool pump couldn't be turned back. We hope we aren't going to be stuck with a big pool bill??

My husband thought I was out of my mind taking pictures but I saw absolute beauty in the ice.  The color sent me off into creation land.  The first picture above that  I took is truly the color it was when the sunshine came out.

It is starting to melt now and it's even more gorgeous!!!  "ICE BLUE"

Again, stunning color!

Of course we've been seeing this "ice blue" around for a while now but I had to see what I could find that I could add to my personal style and or my home or future client's homes.

Love this "ice blue" pillow from Etsy.  The added black pattern is very striking and then the antique broach softens it, giving it a vintage look.

This "ice blue" sparkle cardigan is gorgeous with it's dazzling sequence.  Go here to get more information about it.

Wouldn't this beautiful embroidered purse be lovely with a black velvet outfit?  Go to Etsy to see more pictures.

I might have to order this for my early birthday present.

Victoria Beckham looks stunning with her " ice blue" eyes.  I'm going to try this out on my next date.

The above "ice blue" pillow can be found at your local Target.  It's simple but could change up a room dramatically.

Let's say you had a pair of these leather chairs.  Adding an "ice blue" pillow like either one above would soften the look of the masculine feel the leather portrays.

The following pictures were taken at Palacek yesterday while I was at Dallas Market Home and Gift Show.

I bought this platter!  I have a vase on my dining room table that it will go perfectly with!

Now these I thought were amazing.  Funny how I saw them the day I took pictures of my pool! 

See I'm not going out of my mind. 

Great coral lamp.  So natural and notice how the lampshade is simple and elegant so it doesn't take away from the coral's beauty.

Loved these starfish!  Don't they look like my pool ice?

Fun mirror!

Add this serene display of swarming "ice blue" fish to your room and you would have a wonderfully put together collection.  These hand embroidered pieces of artwork can be found at Posh Living.  Hand embroidered!!!  The frames are made out of vintage mirrors. 
 

They would coordinate with the "ice blue" starfish and fishes I saw at Palacek wouldn't they?

 
 

This caught my eye immediately!!  Looks like ice.

Lots of seashell motif this year too.  Not everywhere, just touches here and there.   Nothing is matchy matchy.  Mixing up styles is definitely the trend and has been for a while now.

Having a designer help you put all the styles together is the key.  You can definitely start to look hodge podge if you don't know what you are doing.

So you see "ice blue" is going to be a new color I use in 2010.  Not in every room or for every client but I will find a way to add it into my design selections somehow.

What's your favorite color this year?  What color inspires you?

Ruthie

A great marriage

I found this fantastic pair of lamps today while I was out and about.  They came with real basic white shades that had no character. The shades were pretty hideous so I told the store owner they could have the shades and resell those with some other lamps.   I loved the black distressed finish on the bases and knew they would make a great marriage once I found them some great shades.  Nice heavy bases too!

I thought the acorn finial was a nice added touch.

These are the new lampshades that I purchased for the lamps.  Don't you think they are going to look wonderful!

Thought this urn had a a beautiful rustic patina.  Grabbed it before anyone else saw it.

I bought this candlestick for its shape and will paint it to look something like the following candlesticks.  Can't you just see it?  Which one is your favorite?

A

B

C

I think I prefer C (The above pictures are from Pottery Barn)

The sad part of the day was I broke an urn while faux painting it!!  There are sometimes losses with great finds.  Oh well, at least it doesn't happen every time.  I will mourn the loss of this beauty!

Ruthie

What do your lampshades look like?

DecRenew Interiors Office

I met with a client in my office yesterday and she commented on how much she liked my lampshade on my consultation table.  It made me start thinking about how much a lampshade can change up a room and add so much personality and style.  It makes a space inviting and classy. 

When shopping for lampshades, I always look for great shapes, textures, color and pattern.  I walked around my house and took a few snapshots of all the lampshades I have.  As you can see, my lampshades all have a personality of their own.

Entry

Office

Kitchen

Family Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Guest Room

Family room

Kids play area

Master Bedroom sitting area

Above fridge in kitchen

Master Bedroom

I found this lamp last week and thought it was darling.  I haven't found a place for it yet - thinking about my guest bathroom.  The crystals make it gorgeous when its on!

Your lampshades are a great way to change up your space and make it feel new without spending too much money.  One thing to think about though is how that lamp is used in that room.  Are you needing it for "task" lighting or is it just for "accent" lighting.  If you need task lighting in a room, you don't want a dark lampshade or one that has too much pattern because then it will defeat the purpose of what that lamps is suppose to help you with.  REMEMBER too that the scale of the lampshade has to work with the lamp base.  You can totally mess it up if this is wrong.

What do your lampshades look like? 

Could you change out a few to make a dramatic change to your room?

Finishing Touches

This homeowner wanted me to add accessories.  She's having a dinner party this month and wanted all the details!  We did all the rooms downstairs, here are a few of them.  Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!!!

DINING ROOM BEFORE

DINING ROOM AFTER

We changed out the chandelier hats to add some color and mood for evening dinner parties.  The room does come alive at night and the ambiance is amazing.  Added an arrangement and some tortoise vases with black stands.  The floral arrangement I purchased and enhanced with my touches. It has South African Protea's that add the beautiful red to the room. The vase it's in creates height. Because the chandelier is so large, the arrangement HAS to be to scale or it make everything off balance.  Most common mistake I see in homes during my consultations.

Again, these candlesticks are beautiful at night with a tea light in them.  They glow and the tortoise pattern is stunning.  Creating the mood in a room (especially when it's right off the entry) is what makes your home inviting when you guests step in.

We hung beautiful round metal and wood wall art on the wall.  One on each side of the french door in the room.  They added shape and grandeur to the room.

ENTRY BEFORE

ENTRY AFTER

I created this layered look in the entry.  I always add old things with new.  I transplanted the palm into an existing pot the client already had.   The palm was in a basket that looked really sad.  I added green moss to this wonderful old metal urn and of course a pop of color is added by including this ginger flower. I layered the two mirrors and instantly knew they belonged together.  Love at first sight.  The reflection in the mirror is what I was crazy about too!

Thank you to my 2 nephews  that worked incredibly hard loading, unloading, unwrapping, etc. etc. etc.  Especially since it was 17 degrees here in Texas yesterday.   Also to my amazing installers Tommy and Josh!  No job is too hard for them.  Thanks for never saying "that can't be done Ruthie."  Not words I like to hear.  With Tommy, there is always a way and I like that!

Also, thank you to an awesome client for making my job so much fun.  What a beautiful, LOVING family you have.  You make my job incredibly rewarding.

Ruthie

I'm participating in Metamorphosis Monday go here to link to "Between Naps on the Porch."

How to find treasures in a thrift store

I decided since everyone is cleaning out their homes at the beginning of this new year, it would be a good day to go thrift shopping for treasures.  I set out with my comfy shoes and lots of hand sanitizer and was on my way.

I always look for things that are unique and different.    When "thrifting" you have to look for things that you are immediately drawn to.  Look HIGH up on shelves and DOWN low....you have to be willing to dig for things.  Lift items up and look underneath everything.

Questions to ask yourself:

Do I LOVE it?

 Is it good quality?

Is it broken, can it be fixed?

Can it be painted?

Is it worth the price?

Is it too trendy?

Will it go out of style quickly?

My philosophy is:  It doesn't necessarily have to have a place.  You'll find one once you purchase it, especially if you LOVE it.  If it is a classic, timeless piece that's what you want.

I found these 4 place mats and I'm going to hang them on the wall (I'll make some nice rope hangers) or use them above kitchen cabinets leaning against the wall.  A set of four is a beautiful collection.  The way the light shines through them is to be admired.  The bamboo frame is what makes them so unique too.  I had several people ask me if they could have these.  I guarded my cart with my life.  Another tip:  Guard your cart, people will take things out of them.

I would love to use these concrete plaques in a basket on a kitchen counter along with some other treasures.  They would be fun on top of a stack of cook books.  You could hang them on the wall too. 

.

Great lamp for a desk.

 

Isn't it fun that I found a lamp base and lamp shade to match at the same place?

I enjoy collecting boxes as long as they are clean and pretty.  I use them for gift cards, hostess gifts, birthday gifts, etc.  My philosophy is that the packaging is part of the gift!

Wouldn't this box be great filled with this tissue paper and tied with this ribbon.

I've purchased some really great boxes from thrift stores.  Hat boxes, international chocolate boxes, etc.

These candles will make any candlestick have some character.  Brand new

Crystal glasses to add to my set!  .50 cents each.

Beautiful silver goblets.  I'll use these on a glass tray or maybe a granite tray.  Perfect for decoration on a bookshelf or in a kitchen bar area.

Love the wood tray I picked up too!

These chandelier lampshades I found don't all match but are the same size.  I'm going to faux paint the lighter ones to match the darker ones.  Perfect to update any chandelier that needs hats.

This topiary needs some TLC but I'll take it out of this container and add it to my bigger one below.  It will make a bigger statement don't you think?  It also makes it grander because of the height the urn ads.

Perfect bag to put magazines in or this could be used above  kitchen or office cabinet to add texture.

Found the urn below.  I took all the hideous flowers that were in it out.  Always look for floral arrangements that are in great urns, pots, etc.  I usually take the flowers out at the thrift store and tell them they can resell them and take the container home. This one below was $1.00.

I would put something like the arrangement below in it. 

Found this wonderful china cup!!! Check end caps, these are often overlooked.   Remember one of my posts about my love for  china mugs. 

I found a new one for my collection for $1.00.  Go here to read the post.

This is what my car looks like after a day of looking for treasures.  Another few tips:

Go thrifting on Tuesday's, that's when they usually put out their new items they have received over the weekend. 

Walk through the thrift store several times.  You miss things the first "walk thru".  Most of the items above were found after walking through the second time.

Lots to unload but lots of fun!!

Hope these tips help you find your treasures.