Before and After's Pictures - The good and the bad

Well, I'm having a party on Friday night and I'm busy getting ready for everyone.  I enjoy home time just preparing for guests.  It sounds crazy but it's one of my favorite things. The kids were suppose to be home today for President's Day but because of the snow here in Texas, they had a day off on Friday last week instead.  Now, I've got a day off that I didn't expect.  Fun, fun!!   During this whole cleaning process today, I've decided to move furniture around and rearrange some items from room to room.  I've got the music turned up and I'm having a blast! 
 Here are a few of the things I've done so far. 
MY DINING ROOM BEFORE
8 chairs around the table looks great but I felt like mixing it up a little.
AFTER
I brought my antique animal print bench from my office to the dining table and I LOVE IT.
AFTER
I added this architectural piece to the table for some interest.  I originally bought it for a client but they decided they wanted to go a different route so now I'm trying it out.  If you haven't gone to Golightly Antiques, you need to visit this Store filled with treasures and a great tea room.
I think I LOVE THIS BENCH IN THIS ROOM!  Also notice that I used large kitchen drawer pulls for my drapery rods here.  It worked perfectly.
There's your tip of the day.

AFTER

A quick change is always refreshing!
Brought these pillows in from my master bedroom chairs.  They go beautifully with my antique tapestry we bought for our 5th anniversary in Fredricksburg, TX.

 
AFTER LIVING ROOM COUCH

I found this brand new rug about a year ago at a garage sale.  I paid $10 for it and was extremely happy!! .   I haven't had the perfect place for it so it's been in storage.  I decided to dig it out and use it as a "throw" on the end of my couch.  What do you think?  I think I LOVE IT.

He actually had 2 for sale and I had an ottoman made out of the other one.  See below.

On another note but it is still a before and after.......I'm really sad because our outdoor canopy collapsed this weekend.  Urggggg.

BEFORE

I loved my canopy and we had just replaced it because the wind blew it to shreds last summer.
Extension to our home - especially in spring and summer.  The Jasmine I planted always smells so delightful while sipping an ice cold glass of peach ice tea!
 
Especially loved the birdcage chandelier that my husband and girls made for me for my birthday last year.  Created such a wonderful ambiance and nice soft mood lighting.
Well....here's the AFTER...
So sad but the snow was too heavy.  Crazy thing was that my husband had just said about 15 minutes prior to it collapsing "I better go get the snow off the canopy."  We heard a loud crash and it is destroyed.  At least our pool didn't freeze - see my "ice blue" post on that here.
This makes my heart sad because it was given to me with such love.
Such a sad looking bird cage chandelier now!
Oh well...lots of people around our area have had no electricity and so much more damage than we did.  I'm counting my blessings while I mourn about my gazebo and birdcage.  They can be replaced, it's just a shame!
After I'd put this post together, I realized that Lauren from Pure Style Home was challenging her reader's too make a quick change and post a link on her blog with our changes.  I've done that so thanks Lauren for this fun post.  Go to Pure Style Home and you'll see what a fabulous blog Lauren has!
It's also Metamorphis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.  Go here to read the posts.  It's always so inspirational to see before and after pictures each Monday.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Easy updates to your kitchen.

In this economy, I'm noticing more and more that my client's are wanting to update their kitchens but don't have the budget they would like to be able to spend on remodeling.  In speaking to other designer's around the country, they are all saying the same thing.  Some of you are planning a large-scale makeover but some of you are simply wanting to freshen up a room.  My goal as a decorator, has always been to bring ideas to you so you don't feel stuck and can have a beautiful home whatever your budget. 

Here are some quick changes you can make to your kitchens that say "WOW" without having to break the bank.

Traditional Home Magazine
Notice how the above kitchen has several paint colors used for their cabinets.  Their island is a light oak, their main cabinets are creamy white and they created a focal point by painting the shelf and the surrounding wood work black.  This immediately creates a focal point in this kitchen.  They finished it off by adding black chairs to the space creating a very inviting space that has character and charm.
This is something that you could do to your kitchen.  Maybe it's painting your island black or maybe you could paint the cabinets above your stove?  Sometimes painting the pantry cabinets is the solution.  Look around in your kitchen and see what you can do to update with paint.  It could be that all you do is add a large shelf to one of your walls creating a focal point and a place for your to display some of your favorite things.
House Beautiful Magazine
In the above picture all they did was put in a screen door for their pantry and paint it black.  Perfect solution for adding charm to your kitchen. If you are willing to keep your pantry neat, go for it!  I also love how they used subway tile and brought it all they way up to the ceiling.  The rustic farm table adds amazing charm to this country kitchen.  The light fixture is quirky and whimsical too.
Traditional Home Magazine
In the above kitchen, they chose to paint their built in storage cabinet black. It's beautiful and I love the openness of it.  Allows you to display some of your beautiful things.  Another great idea is to add wainscoting to your island.  Here they have painted it a creamy white and then glazed it with a tea stain.    It looks so beautiful with their stone floor.
Adding glass to some of your cabinets can also update your kitchen without having to replace cabinets.  The low modern stools (without backs) simplify the strong "black" color in this kitchen.  If they had used chairs with backs, the black would have overpowered this kitchen and made it feel too busy.
House Beautiful Magazine
If you really want to make a bold statement, the above red is simply gorgeous and adds a strong presence to this space!  These islands stand alone in the above kitchen and are not built in.  They have two separate pieces of furniture that can be taken out if they needed to.  I love the "vintage" feel that the red island and the painted tile adds to this kitchen.  The blackboard paint and cork board added to the refrigerator doors is a wonderful solution for family life.  We always have "to do lists, schedules to follow and pictures to hang. 
Our kitchens are where our families live!  They should be a place that have character and make entertaining your family and friends fun!   We all know that our kitchens are our second living room.   Even if your kitchen is tiny, think of something to add to it to give it a boost, update or splash of color.
Try one of these ideas and let me know if you make some changes to your kitchen. You might have your own "quick update" too.   It could be something as little as changing the fabric on your kitchen chairs, adding a new light fixture or lamp, adding a rug, new artwork, new colorful kitchen towels, adding a bulletin board or blackboard, repainting, adding stools, adding a new accessory to your island, removing all the dusty greenery from above your cabinets and adding some "new" accessories, etc. etc. 
Send your pictures to Ruth@decrenew.com and I'll have a blog entry soon displaying all the pictures.
Happy Decorating!
Ruthie

Love and snow are in the air.

My favorite quote!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart - Helen Keller.

It has been fun to take a few snow days and hang out with the kids.  They have built snowmen, igloo's and thrown many a snow ball!  They even made this valentine heart.  Can you believe we have had 12" in Texas just in time for Valentines Day!  We had it for Christmas too!  We are starting to set a record here in Texas.
Our backyard this morning!
We hardly ever get snow in Texas so we are all in LOVE with it!
It is so magical and very romantic.  Funny how it has changed the feel inside the house too.  All the white outside makes all the paint colors indoors look different.  It's been fun to see how it has changed it up a little!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY WEEKEND!

All Natural Coffee Table - My love of the week

Elegant Homes Magazine
 When you are constantly around beautiful things it is so much fun and I count it as a blessing that I enjoy my job so much.  However, what happens is that you get use to being surrounded by gorgeous furniture, accessories, rugs, lighting, etc. that sometimes it becomes hard to find things that just make you stop and say ahhhhhhh, how unique!   
This week, with all the snow we've had here in Texas, I've had some time to curl up with a magazine by the fire and catch up on my reading.  The above coffee table in a magazine caught my eye immediately. I love it when things get me excited like that!  So natural, unique and simple.  Adds so much character to this modern living room. 
Strive for harmony and balance with pairs of things - chairs, vases, sconces - then throw in something offbeat to keep the ambience from getting stiff.

This coffee table is definitely off beat and creates amazing ambience!
Hope you get some down time this week to enjoy some beautiful things!
Ruthie

Architectural Elements & Urns

Two of my favorite elements to decorate with are architectural pieces and urns.  I think they make the grandest statement to any room.  They both add extreme character and interest to any space. 
I think what I love about them is their scale.  Usually large and take up lots of wall space, allowing you to be free from lots of nick nacks and clutter.  Simplicity is beautiful.
Here are a few Architectural Elements that inspired me!
Jann Jaffe - Designer
Traditional Home Magazine - 2004
This headboard has always been my absolute favorite architectural piece.  Originally installed in the Vanderbilt estate in Newport, Rhode Island, the carved arch makes a dramatic headboard.
Jann Jaffe - Designer
Traditional Home Magazine - 2004
Don't these columns add so much interest to this doorway?  Columns found at a flea market make the house look older than it really is and adds amazing character, dressing up this doorway with such style and sophistication.
These columns are definitely a statement in this entryway.
The fact that they are painted an "old world" distressed color that is different  than the walls makes them feel like artwork in the room.  Of course this mirror is incredible with the lamps accompanying it.  Notice how it goes right to the ceiling! 
Adding these old shutters to the window is a great idea.  The best part is that they can slide shut for privacy.

Traditional Home Magazine
A wooden piece on the mantel is a nice fit for outside.  The rounded shape adds incredible interest to this outside patio.
Makes me ready for summer.
Traditional Home Magazine
Statues are a great piece of architectural art too! 
Love these old plaster urns with the tropical greenery.  Can't you just hear the sound of water flowing in this room?  There is probably some kind of water fountain or pool.
Garden statues used indoors is an amazing way to decorate a space.
Traditional Home Magazine
Candlesticks make a great architectural piece.  Who says they HAVE to have a candle in them.
Elegant Homes Magazine
An old mirror on a mantel that looks like it use to belong in an old church.  The candlesticks look like they were made from staircase banister pieces. 
Elegant Homes Magazine
This master bedroom's headboard, an Italian altarpiece found in a Houston antique shop, blends with the rustic architecture.  I'm crazy about this piece!
DecRenew Interiors - Ruthie Staalsen

This was an old mirror that I found.  The mirror was broken so I took it out and made it into a headboard for my client that lives on a ranch.

URNS that inspired me!

Traditional Home Magazine

These black urns on each side of the fireplace speak volumes flanked on each side of this fireplace.  The black makes a bold statement.


Traditional Home Magazine

Welcome - that's what these urns say!  The floral arrangement is simply stunning.  Large scale items make the best statement!!!!

Elegant Homes Magazine
Old urns on pedastools is a great way to make an entry feel even grander than it is.
Elegant Homes Magazine
This live greenery speaks volumes to this room in this old antique urn.  It says "this room is alive and well."
Traditional Homes Magazine
The above room has 3 urns behind the couch.  The best part of this design is that the urns are black.  This traditional room has a very monochromatic color scheme.  Adding the black urns really adds a punch to the room and has created an amazing focal point in front of the decorative antique mirror.  The one in the middle rests your eye and the fact that it's a different size and shape is perfect.
The simplicity of adding fruit to a small urn is wonderful.  Who said your entry table has to be FULL of accessories?

The architectural columns give height to these old rustic urns filled with gourds.  These urns would be fun to fill for each season.
This room is beautiful and so ecclectic with the different seating around the table too.
Traditional Home Magazine
This dining room has a formal traditional touch to it.  By adding this rustic urn to the table it has made this room feel more inviting and casual.   Simple additions like this can change up a room immediately.
As you have heard me say before, you want your rooms to be used.  If they are too formal, it creates a unwelcome, stiff, intimidating feel to the room.
A close up of this rustic urn allows you to see what a great base it makes for the arrangement. I love it when objects that would usually be outside are brought indoors to add a relaxed feel to the room.
Architectural Elements & Urns that I've incorporated in my home.
I purchased plain shutters and had a faux artist paint them for me (I showed her a picture of exactly what I wanted).  I added hardware to the doors and we are enjoying them at the top of our stairs.  My installer's had a hay day hanging them!
DecRenew Interiors - Ruthie Staalsen
My husband made these wooden pieces for me to put over each door in my kitchen.  He distressed them and added large railroad tie nail heads to them.
The kids had fun beating these up with chains to make them look old.
  They were my birthday gift about 5 years ago - they each came in the room holding a beam singing Happy Birthday.  A treasured gift....made with love.
Found this old ceiling tile at an antique store, it lives in my kitchen.
Old plaster architectural piece found at an antique mall now hangs in my living room.
This is my favorite urn and it lives in my entry.
Love its patina!!
Don't be afraid to incorporate architectural pieces and urns to your home.  Have fun and collect them over time.
Ruthie