Pillows can be the artwork in any room

I found this embroidered pillow about 6 months ago in a thrift store and thought it looked like it had lots of potential. I love the beautiful colors and the black background.  The zipper was broken and the tassels around the pillow were all tattered and abused but I knew I could revive it's soul.
I brought it home, cut the tassels off, found some left over fabric from some antique chairs that I had reupholstered and called my wonderful friend Kelly who sews. 
She put the pillow together for me and I think it turned out beautiful, especially since it is two sided now.  Thank you Kelly for doing this for me and for giving me the gift of your time!  The best gift ever.
Here are the chairs I had reupholstered
I love the distressed finish on them.  They have a bench that matches.
Antique Kilm Pillow - made from a rug
Pillows are such a great way to add a punch of color to any room.  I tend to love monochromatic fabrics and designs on my upholstery pieces.  This allows you to then add layers of colors with the pillows, lamps and accessories. 
Adding this Kilm pillow to the above antique bench would make it really come alive, don't you think?
Maybe even two pillows.
For a TOTALLY different look, something like these pillows would be nice on the bench too!  It would create more of a casual feel.  See how a pillow immediately creates the style!  The above burlap pillows are very popular this season as well.  I love them!
I added this decorative stencil to these chocolate brown pillows and it made them have personality.
My daughter's had the cutest denim bags when they went to pre-school that they carried every day.  When they started getting old and tattered, I had the bags made into pillows for their beds.  I think they are beautiful and now there is a memory attached to the pillow!  Very sentimental!
These embroidered pillows are one of my favorites that I've had made.  I found the embroideries at an antique mall and loved them as soon as I saw them.  I had them made into these beautiful pillows and now they speak volumes to any of my guests when they come stay. 

One of my lifelong friends gave me this one and I adore it!  So true!
Someone spent hours on these masterpieces.  The colors are stunning.
This pillow was plane Jane until I added this fur blue fox broach that was on a coat.  It adds so much pizazz now and is one of my favorite pillows because of the addition.  I'm constantly on the look out for broaches to add to pillows.
This is one that I found this week.  I adore the bead work and the mink fur!  I wore it on one of my jackets this week and got lots of compliments.  Wouldn't this be beautiful on a pillow.  Now I just need to find the pillow.  I know it's out there somewhere with my name on it.  I'll post it when I find it so you can see how small things like this can add so much character.
I have this "Springbok" skin that I brought back for my husband on my last visit to Africa.  I'm not too crazy about seeing the animal shape so I'm having it made into a pillow.
This is what it should look like when it's finished.
I wish I could have it dyed red, I love this one!  Maybe I still could?
This embroidery use to be a pillow.  My husband's grandmother made it.  I loved it and had it framed.  Sorry for the glare!
There are all kinds of options out there for pillows.  These are from Ikea  and they just zip right over your existing couch pillows.  What a great way to add a stylish update to a room without having to change out the whole couch.  I added the above pattern to my kids sofa upstairs.  Made it look more fun!
Pottery Barn has these wonderful bird pillows.  Aren't they perfect for changing things up for Spring?  Bird fabric seems to be all the rage this season.  I love how they have displayed these white pillows with such a great rattan headboard, adding so much texture and the feel of the outdoors.
Here are a few from Wisteria that I've fallen in love with!
Beautiful Spring colors.
Blue's are making a big comeback this season too!

Adding leather makes a room so fantastic!!!!  I love everything about leather!  Perfect for adding a masculine feel to any room.  Also adding leather pillows to a formal room can really make it feel more comfortalbe and less stiff.  These are found at Restoration Hardware

Round pillows do wonders too.  Find different shapes that add some style and interest.
Don't get STUCK with square!
I ALWAYS, ALWAYS buy pillows that are down filled.  They are so much more comfortable to lean against and look so much softer and classier.
It's time to make some simple changes for a big impact.
See what "you" can do with pillows.
Ruthie
One more thing......Don't you think I NEED these pillows with the key!!  Wow, this has inspired me....maybe I need to stencil a vintage key next.
Participating in Metamorphis Monday

13 is a good number!

I can't believe that my oldest daughter is turning 13 this week!
It's a bittersweet feeling.  Can I freeze her right now?
I'm planning a party for her and am trying to figure out what might be fun for these 8 girls to do at the party.
Here are some thoughts.
My mom found these wonderful forks.  Each one has candle in it.  Aren't they adorable?
Won't the kids go crazy over these?  Thanks mom!
So much fun for each girl to get their piece of cake and then light the candles for each to blow out!
Go here to see their website.
This is a wonderful sparkly bracelet that I've used as a napkin ring.  The leopard scarf they can take home.
My read for Spring Break!
I used a 12"X12" cork board as the place mat. Wouldn't it be fun to take pictures during the party and let the kids print their pictures and pin them to the cork board. They can then take them home. Each cork board has a sticky on the back so they can hang them in their bedroom.

Have a great week.

Hotel Avalon Baccara, Cancun Paradise

I love quaint small hotels that have character.  I've had the below hotel on my list to visit and haven't heard a bad review about it.  The hotel use to be an estate and they sold it and made it into a hotel.  Looks so intimate, relaxing and full of inspiration for someone like me!
Two doors down from the Governor’s Mansion and a world away from everything else, the Avalon Baccara Cancun is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Intimate, exclusive and totally private, this beachfront, boutique resort is truly Cancun at its finest.
These urns are the back of a fountain in the pool.
Perfect!
Love the palm trees.  Aren't these vibrant colors fabulous?  So cheery and fun!
Beautiful mosaic tile work in the pool.  I wonder if I could make a stucco platform for my chairs around my pool.  I can smell the tropical sun tan oil already.  Can somebody please bring me a rolled up fresh crisp white towel to my cabana while I sit sunbathing by my pool?  I love hotel towels.
Look how close you are to the beach.  A hop, skip and a jump!  I don't think this is just the photography?
Brunch calling my name here, Ruthie....Ruthie.....  Love the bamboo ceiling detail.  The detailed arch window adds great architectural interest looking out to the white sand.

That view!!!  Imagine it at night!  Not too crazy about the sunflowers but I can overlook that for the view.  Maybe they put a white table cloth on at night? 
How romantic to be RIGHT on the beach!   Looks like a great place to relax and get away from the world.  When I go on vacation, I want my design magazines, a good book, my ipod and the sound of the beach to take me away! 

Look at the color of that water!!!
There is that "ice blue" I keep referring to.
 Pina Colada please cabana boy!
Awesome stucco walls again with more of the bamboo ceiling.  Love all beautiful tiled rounded archways too.  Large terra cotta pots for all the palm trees "indoors".  Plants make everything come alive, especially indoors.  The brick floor is stunning too.  Easy maintenance for a hotel.

Again, love the detail on the ceiling.  Not the fanciest room but looks comfortable and has a beautiful view.
Very soothing lobby.  Nothing over the top but looks like a spa.
How welcoming!  
Pull up the  limo please!
Throwing the diet out the window and I'm packing my bags. 
 I'm sure my man would be game too, wouldn't be the same without him!

Oh, I wish we looked this good!
Happy Weekend Everybody.
Ruthie

Saddle up your horses

I came across some pictures of a ranch style home here in Texas that I decorated and thought I'd post them for you to see.  This home was my client's vacation home.  He was a roper in the rodeo and bought some land, built the house and then was building a huge riding arena on the property for him to be able to practice with his horses.  They had barns built for the horses too. The horses barn looked as nice as the ranch house itself.   It was an amazing place.  My client wanted me to do all the finishing touches to the home.  I decorated the entry, kitchen, living room, master bedroom and guest bedroom.
DecRenew Interiors - Ruthie Staalsen
This was the entry of the ranch house.  The piece of furniture was so amazing.  The wrought iron work with the rustic wood really introduces the style of the ranch home when you enter. I hung two matching mirrors above this piece to make a statement and that it did.   I filled a large glass votive with layers of different color sand.  These colors were used throughout the house.
DecRenew Interiors - Ruthie Staalsen
Sorry for the poor quality of these pictures.  The sunshine was so bright and my camera was struggling to get some good pictures.  In the above picture you can see the whole space from entering the front door.  Notice the hat rack so the "cowboys" can hang their hat when they come in from a day of riding.
DecRenew Interiors
Very monochromatic space with lots of textures; silver, wicker, wrought iron, leather, etc.  I really wanted this man to feel like his home was cozy and comfortable but masculine!  I didn't add drapes to the space because the property outside was going to be so beautiful after all the building was done that the drapes would have closed the room in.  Since the window was framed with beautiful wood work, it looks fine like it was.  If I could add different blinds, I'd probably put some rattan roman shades in the place of these 2" blinds but he had just purchased blinds throughout.  Sticking to our budget, there is always Phase II to think about.
This "cowboy" really wanted his vacation ranch to be comfortable so we incorporated leather and fabrics. He also wanted recliners so he could put his feet up after a long day of practice.  We really couldn't do ottoman's in this space so these comfy chairs (actually recliners) worked well.  The rustic coffee table with the sculpture of galloping horses worked well with the woodwork in the home.  I incorporated silver on the mantel to make the room feel classy.  Silver always adds that beautiful shiny reflection.
DecRenew Interiors
In the master bedroom I used an old barrel as a side table.  This bed was imported from Mexico and the bedding was all custom made.  I found a leather rag rug and had my upholsterer use it to create the bench and the pillow on the bed.  This added so much texture and interest!
DecRenew Interiors
I love the dark wood stain on this bed in the Master Suite.  I didn't want any kind of bedskirt to cover the beautiful rustic wood detail on the bed frame.
DecRenew Interiors
The dining room turned out so beautiful.
The table and the chairs were also imported from Mexico.   All handcarved and engraved with embossed leather.   Both ordered from different places but work wonderfully together.  If we do a Phase II in this dining room, I would like to change out the light fixture.  Could have some fun there!!   The flooring would be great with a rustic distressed floor too. You know my philosophy though, "you can make a place beautiful without going overboard."  My client was happy because he got an amazing home and he didn't have to totally redo EVERYTHING.  Adding all the beautiful furniture and accessories made an amazing change, don't you think?
The chairs had this beautiful embossed leather.  Notice how the chairs worked with the couch pillows!  Got to pull it all together and I'm ALL about the details!
DecRenew Interiors
The kitchen is a fun place for entertaining and I incorporated lots of masculine items on top of the cabinets.
DecRenew Interiors
I've posted the above picture before.  This was the guest room.  The headboard was transformed from a mirror to a cutom made upholstered headboard.  This frame is so gorgeous, I wanted to keep it for myself.
Hope you enjoyed.
Ruthie

Hello sunshine, where are you?

It's been cold and dreary here in Texas and I'm READY for spring and summer.  As you know, our gazebo collapsed during the snow and ice the past few weeks.  We are now thinking about what we are going to do to replace it.  Do we build one?  What kind?  What style?  Do we just buy one and hope it lasts us a few more summer's?
Here are a few of my ideas and things I love.  Thought you would enjoy the escape and can dream with me a little.

Elegant Homes Magazine
Of course we don't have the lake but the pool feels like a lake? 
Oh, take me to this place!
Traditional Home Magazine
This "outside" room is beautiful.  I'm thinking I'd love to incorporate a fire pit.  We are such outside people and would enjoy the fire pit in the springtime and fall.  Of course the furniture here doesn't seem too practical out in the open.  Mine would be under my gazebo and we could build the fire pit.  I also love the grass growing inbetween the flagstone.  How practical is this though?  Looks beautiful but all I can think of is weed upkeep.  I'm wanting practical, comfortable, beautiful and low maintenance.  Maybe I'm asking for too much.  With kids and running my own business I need to make sure we stick with practical.
Traditional Home Magazine
I love this "Spanish courtyard" venue.  Looks so peaceful and inviting. My thoughts here is that I'd love to use Spanish tile for the roofing if we build a gazebo.
Now this really speaks to me.  Growing up in Africa, we all had pools and thatch gazebo's.  This makes me homesick for where I was born.  In Africa, the weather is beautiful most of the year and "everyone" has a pool.  A lot like Texas actually.  Don't you love the flagstone around the pool? 
This gazebo would be nice.  The pool actually reminds me of ours. 
This one is a little small but it has such great character.  The criss cross thatch adds so much charm.  Don't you love the blue pool.  Check out the Lilly pads in the garden urn.  They've made the garden urn into a little pond.  This backyard is so tropical and I love that feel.  It makes you feel like you are on vacation and you are in your backyard.  Since we entertain so much and love to be home, I want to invest in our backyard.  They were smart in this garden too and put the bamboo that they planted in a pot.  You've probably heard how bamboo can take over your yard if it isn't confined.
This one of course is not feasible for us to do but isn't it fun.  I would have loved this as a child.  Could love it as an adult too!
What kid wouldn't want this one?  They would disappear for days.
I'm looking into places here locally that sell thatch roofing to see what it would cost.
This one is very large but I love the roof and the columns.  Might be a bit too traditional for my style but I thought it was very classy.

Just having fun dreaming! Thanks for coming along for the ride.
 Of course it all involves money and time.

We all need an escape from the cold and this post made me start thinking about the sunshine and outside time that is hopefully around the corner.  We all need something to look forward to even if it is a dreamy escape.

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Ruthie