Perfect unexpected way to display your art

I found this oil painting (below) at an estate sale last weekend. I especially loved the colors; so warm and inviting. Wouldn't this be a great place to go and relax on those weekends when you just need to get a way from it all?
Love the stone bridge and what a dream home all nestled under the trees.
My entry table has this architectural piece (faux window) resting against my wall and I've always  love it.

I had a brain storm one night while my whole family was sleeping and I was all inspired and moving everything in my house around.  I do this often, I'm sure there are lots of you that can relate!  It's the way I relax...I know seems nuts, right?
I slid the painting behind the window and I think it has a new home.
Now it gives the illusion that you are looking out a window.
Quick finishing touch with a treasure I love.
These are the little elements that make a house a home, adding your personality and style.
The best part is I only paid a few dollars for this lovely painting.
I'm linking up to Room to Inspire today!
Ruthie

Decorating with vintage oil portraits

Etsy.com
Consider using Oil painting portraits found at antique shows and estate sales in your home.  They can instill a sense of history to any room, especially when placed in a room filled with items that have been collected over time.  Even if the room has a modern flair, it's okay to add a traditional oil painting to the mix.  Adds an immediate unexpected touch.
Who says you have to have known the people? 
Etsy.com
Sweet innocent smile.
Love these colors.  This would be beautiful in a teen girls room if the colors coordinated.
Etsy.com
Perfect portrait for above a piano.
Etsy.com - "A music lesson"
Another great one for a music room.
Great one for a library or office.  Don't you wonder what she's thinking about?
Kind of a sad one, her face says so much.
I think I like this one because of the divine chair she's sitting in.
Little shabby but love the strength of the black.
Again, another one for a girls room.
Sweet!
Next time you are at an estate sale, garage sale or flea  market, look for portraits like these above.  You will be surprised how many are out there.   They can be placed leaning on bookshelves without a frame or framed as beautiful and elaborately as you want them to be.
I'd love to see what you find.  Hey, you might even get lucky and find one that looks like you or one of your ancestors?
Ruthie

Simple, classic and to the point

SIMPLE, CLASSIC AND TO THE POINT.
I'm a true believer in making things simple and classic.
It's amazing how you can make a room look so fabulous just by adding something simple like the two leather wing back chairs at the end of this table.  It's all about mixing it up!  If this dining room table didn't have these chairs it would still be pretty but the chairs add such texture and a touch of class.  It also makes the room feel a little more masculine.  I believe that a room with true "class" is one that has a touch of masculine added to it.
 
The above room has a gorgeous antique table.  Painting these antique chairs  a glossy white breaks up the "matchy matchy" look and adds an eclectic flair to this room.  Some would just freak out about painting antique furniture but it's okay! There is nothing wrong with mixing styles and bringing things up to date.  I also LOVE the antique bench!  The masculine flair in this room is the painting.  It speaks volumes and again adds such class and sophistication because of the warm colors.   It's all about the scale - see how the bench is the same height as the chairs, making this marriage work.  Not a lot of fuss in this room, just classic and a look that lasts year after year!  Simply gorgeous.
If this was my room I would have reupholstered the chairs in an animal print or maybe reupholster  just the bench.  Perfect addition to the space and it's a simple change up!!
Either one of these would work.   I like the warmth of the first one.
It's not everybody's style but I love an eclectic twist.  If you look into the living room you can see that the homeowner has plaid drapery fabric (gives a conservative/traditional feel to the room).  Adding this animal print would break it up and make the rooms feel much more interesting.  The tones of the fabric go with the painting so it all works together.
Which one is your favorite?
Remember you never want to "over decorate" with animal fabrics.  If you use this fabric, don't use it anywhere else or any other animal print.  You don't want to use too much of a good thing.  So often I go into homes where the animal print is WAY overdone.  Don't ruin a good thing by overdoing it!! 
If you just CAN'T do the animal print then you could do this Tapestry Chenille.
I'd actually like to see this Tapestry fabric with the 1st fabric above.
Here they are together, pretty combination don't you think?
Your whole house doesn't have to be transformed all at once.  Make small simple changes by thinking  of little things that make a BIG difference.
Remember that I offer online consultations.  You can send me your pictures of the room that you need help with and I can give you advice, suggestions & tips to help you make your home
 SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.
Ruthie
Go to my website at DecRenew Interiors to see my portfolio.

Vintage Camper Decor

In my last post, I commented on how I was going to make new curtains for our RV (or have someone else make them).  I've been doing some Internet searching to get ideas and have found some great old vintage campers I thought I'd share with you.  These campers are so incredibly fun!  I'd love to restore one and make it fabulous!  Take a look at these cute redo's.

Not perfect but so charming.
My mom still has one of these sunflower food covers. 
Needs some work but real sweet.

Yeah, here comes sunshine!
Perfectly restored.
I often get RV lust when we are out in our RV because we are often surrounded by RVs like this one!  Don't get me wrong, I love our RV, it is not too shabby...but these....whew!!!
They are beautiful and the insides of these traveling homes are amazing!!  Wood floors, granite, washer dryers, several plasma TV's, etc.  Makes your vacation very luxurious!  But something in me loves one that I could fix up even better!  I could make it my own, add some spunk and personality to it.  
I came across this website Snailtrail.com and went absolutely nuts.  I had to share some of the pictures with you.  You can go to their website to read about each of these wonderful vintage campers.
These 2009 Volkswagen retro-campers can be hired. They each have a fun old fashioned name.  These campervans are some of the very last to be built with traditional, air-cooled engines - giving the feel and that nostalgic, rumbling sound of the VW camper originals.  All images from SNAILRAIL.COM.
MEET BETTY

MEET PEARL
MEET ELSIE
MEET MATILDA
MEET NELL
This is my favorite!
MEET PRUDENCE
MEET DOT
 MEET RUBY
MEET DAPHNE

 NOW WASN'T THAT A FUN RIDE!
I'm all kind of inspired!

Wouldn't this make a great ice cream shop?
Somebody please tell me what the flamingo stands for?  It was the topic of our conversation on our last camping trip.  Retirement?

or chocolate shop? 
I'd even love one of these for a guest house.  Hmmm..... I might have to get onto that one!  Air conditioning would have to be a must in this Texas heat!

Happy weekend!

Ruthie

Rest and Relaxation

Every family needs rest and relaxation.  We love to camp as a family!  We will take our RV and camp right by the water somewhere peaceful.   This past weekend was one of those times.  There is something about being out in nature that makes you STOP EVERYTHING and enjoy!  No phones, no Internet (well we did find wifi) and no house chores to do!   I love being home but being away from home makes me turn my creative juices off a little so I can revamp and get refreshed.  I'm constantly decorating and creating in my head!
This is the view I looked at each morning while drinking my coffee!  The kids are getting ready to go out in the canoe to fish!
Does life get any better than this?  Cousin memories forever!
I caught up on some reading, chat time with my sister-in-law, time with my daddy and his wonderful wife! 
It was awesome! 
We are going to do more of this during the summer!  In Between decorating installs, camps, piano lessons, sewing classes, etc. 
Life is good when you take time to be with family and RELAX a little.
I did decide that I'm going to have new curtains made for the RV!!!  Gotta do a little decorating.
CAMP ON!!!