Texas Capital in bloom

I recently took the day off work and went to Austin as a chaperone with my 7th grader to see the Capital of Texas. 

It was a colorful day in AUSTIN!

The sky was a beautiful blue and the weather was absolutely perfect!
We admired beautiful architecture inside the Capital building and outside.
These were the beautiful spring flowers that were on the capital grounds! 
Such vibrant colors!  Aren't they stunning?  What a beautiful combination, the white really makes all of them work together!
We visited the Texas State Cemetery and that was very inspirational.
I loved this picture with all the students walking amongst the Texas flags.
It's spring time and the grass and trees are so GREEN! 

Does anyone know why there are no flowers on military graves?  I was going to ask but didn't get the chance.

This is a sculpture that O’Connell, Robertson and Associates of Austin created of the Twin Towers. 
I found this fascinating.  These are actually metal beams from ground zero.

Simple and rustic but this sculpture spoke loudly.

All the students were really quiet as we honored these Texans. 
You totally get the sadness because we all experienced that day.

I would have love to have been sitting next to Joanna as she sewed this flag.  Imagine the conversation that went on?  I wonder what inspired her to do this? 
Joanna (or Johanna) Troutman, designer of an early Texas Lone Star flag, was born on February 19, 1818, in Crawford County. This is her portrait that hangs in the Capital building.  The flag was made of white silk, bearing a blue, five-pointed star and two inscriptions: "Liberty or Death" on the obverse and, in Latin, "Where Liberty dwells there is my country" on the reverse. 
Fun was had by all the students in the Bob Bullock Museum.
Taking a day off to be with my daughter was a great reminder of how the simple things in life are the best.  We had a great day enjoying the crisp spring day and it made me feel fortunate and blessed to be a part of this beautiful state!  If you haven't been to Austin, it's a great weekend trip and well worth it. 
ONE LAST PICTURE...and QUESTION FOR YOU...

I may have taken the day off but my designer eye was still at work.  We passed this construction site while on the bus going to the cemetery.  What in the world are they building?  My guess was an art studio?  Any guesses?
Oh, and....
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU ALL TODAY!

Ruthie

Using what the client has - BEFORE and AFTER

I had a fabulous day today with a client who is about to have their first baby and wanted their home to be all ready for this new little package!
The best part about this client is that they have moved 4 times and each time I've come in and made their home beautiful with the things they already own.
Today I moved furniture pieces from room to room, hung pictures & mirrors, placed accessories, stole throw pillows from other spaces in the house, hung draperies (from previous house) and shopped throughout the house to find things I needed.  
See what you think! 
BEFORE

AFTER
Much more conversational.  Moved the two chairs in from their office. 
(we had to use plants next to the armoire to cover up some ugly speakers)
BEFORE
Plain and boring, needs some definite interest.

AFTER
Now it has personality.  I moved the chair in from their guest room. 
BEFORE
These pillows were too "copy cat" so we neutralized them with new pillows from the guest room.  The pillows coordinate nicely with the draperies we hung.
AFTER
(sorry for the blur)
BEFORE
This looked okay, but we needed the big picture in the office.  The client had these wonderful wrought iron gates so we placed them on the mantel to create an unexpected look to this room.  I love adding casual elements to a room that tends to feel formal.  These gates immediately made this living room feel more relaxed and approachable. 
AFTER
My suggestion to the client is to paint the mantel black so it makes more of a statement.
BEFORE
There is wallpaper on this kitchen wall but right now they can't remodel the space.  So instead, we hung these draperies in the kitchen to take away from the small floral print.  I worked!

AFTER
The draperies are now the focal point and the artwork takes away from the floral wallpaper.  Amazing how you can do small things with accessories that totally transform the space.  The client is going to update the chandelier too.
BEFORE
AFTER
Layering photo's always makes a nice look.  Who says you have to hang them on the wall.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE

These candles are plain so I added some candles that are still "natural" but add some color.  It's time to say goodbye to the dried rose potpourri.
AFTER
Added moss to the candles and also added this writing pad underneath this grouping to make it more interesting.  Layering always makes things look better.  The color of the candles with the wood is now fantastic. 
Immediately this vignette is delighted to be alive!

BOOKSHELVES AFTER
No clutter, just simple, full of texture and color to coordinate with the rest of the room.

Loved this old typewriter (used as decoration) next to a big armchair in their office.
It was a busy but fun day!
The house is ready for baby now, full of color and light!

Here's the comments that my client sent me:
"Hi Ruth - I wish you could have seen my husband's reaction when he got home. I can't tell you how many times he got up to look throughout the house, amazed again at what you were able to do considering what you had to work with! "
Call DecRenew Interiors if you would like to have a "One Day Room Rearrange" it is the best money you will ever spend. 
Ruthie

Living room changes for spring

BEFORE
I made some changes to my living room the past few weeks:

 Added a new leather chair - old chair is needing to be re-upholstered
Added the silver vase with the tall branchy pussy willow, love the height it creates!
Moved in red ottoman from guest room (love the way it goes with the red basket on coffee table)
Added a throw rug to the couch arm to add texture and interest
Changed out coffee table accessories

AFTER
Small changes but I love change so this satisfies me!
Ruthie's Quick Tips for the week:
  Mix and match ottoman and chairs, they don't have to match exactly.
Create height to a room with something simple as "natural" branches.
Add punches of color to your rooms with your accessories or one piece of furniture
Change out your coffee table accessories - layer items; baskets, books, etc.
Add a basket to your rooms, they create wonderful texture and an eclectic touch
Make sure your rug is big enough for your space; or maybe it's too big?
Don't be afraid to mix styles.  As long as the colors and the scale works, you are set.
Take risks in your space...mix it up so it's not like a "furniture showroom"
Add "metallic" elements to your space (like the silver vase) it makes any room shine.
Take pictures of your space and then evaluate it - this allows you to see what others see.
BEFORE LEATHER CHAIR
with plain pillow (same color as chair so it doesn't make a statement)
AFTER LEATHER CHAIR
with patterened pillow (isn't it alive now)
Change up your pillows too, I love the way this animal print looks on the leather chair. 
What do you have to move around from room to room?

Participating in Metamorphis Monday.  Go to Between Naps on the Porch blog to see other postings.

An afternoon in Granbury

I had a client in Granbury this past Friday and decided to spend the afternoon shopping in their downtown square.  If you haven't been to Granbury, TX, you should give it a try.  It's a nice day trip from the DFW area and there are lots of fun stores with some real treasures.  I had a great lunch at the local bakery and bought my girls a homemade oatmeal cookie each that they devoured!  
 Here are some of the treasures I found!
Had to have this pillow.  Perfect S stenciled on burlap!
Old piece of burlap would make a great pillow.
Loved this idea.  A old book shredded and used as decor in this rustic urn.
Whimsical lamp.  I especially love the lamp shade.
Lovely garden statue.
Who wouldn't want this hand towel?
Check out these rubber cowboy boots.  I don't know if I would have the guts to wear these?  Would you?

These I could get away with!
Stenciled lampshade.
Loved the color of these terra cotta pots.  I know which client is going to get these for their pool area.
Next time I think I'll go for the day and stay at a Bed and Breakfast!  Fun girls trip!
Take a trip and find some treasures!

I'd like to be the trash man!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  My computer died!  It's at the dr's office in surgery as we speak.  It's having to have a total heart transplant.  I almost died along with it!  Luckily I have been backing up everything and I'm going to be in good shape as soon as it gets home.  If any of you need a great computer service company go to User Friendly Consultants, they have been fabulous to me!!
I've started a new routine of walking each morning (use to do this all the time and got out of the habit) and it has been such a wonderful reminder of how our bodies need exercise and how much better you feel when you do!  The best thing about walking is the music you listen to.  I downloaded some new tunes and wow what a gift music is to our souls, especially when you are out in such beautiful weather! 
As I was walking today, I found the above treasure sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up by the trash man.  Looks like it was a base to something wonderful.  Boy, sometimes I wish I was the trash man...I'd be rich with treasures!  I tried to pick it up, way too heavy,  and thought I could carry it home but oh how funny I'd look???  My dog already pulls me frantically, that's just how she walks.  I already get people pointing at me and laughing because we are a sight to be seen.  She hops like a rabbit if you can imagine that!  My right arm is getting really buff because of the strain.
Wish we could walk peacefully like this picture.
I came home, jumped in the car and went back and got it!  I placed it in my flower bed but will figure out what to put on top of it.   I know I'll find the perfect thing!
Back of chair so you can see the original color.
During my thrift store shopping this week, I found this wicker/rawhide chair.  I know that blue is the new color trend but this blue???  No, no.... I can't handle that!  Reminds me too much of the 80's when pink and blue were the "in style" and we had that combination all over our homes.  I know you know what I'm talking about.
I've started working on the transformation but haven't finished it yet.  It looks better already!  I'm doing a "leather brown" first coat and am going to finish it off with a "walnut" stain.  The rawhide is what makes it so special and it's in decent shape.
One of my dear friends found these columns for me at a garage sale and passed them on to me.  What good friends I have!  I'm going to use them in my garden somewhere and can't wait to give them a new home!
Take yourself on a walk today and see what treasures you can find!
Ruthie