Church Converted into a stunning home!

A couple in Kyloe, Northumberland bought this church that need restoring and made it into their home. They kept the exterior just like it was and renovated the interior to their liking.
I could attend church here every Sunday that's for sure!  Just wait until you see the rest of the photo's.
Absolutely breathtaking!
I've said that I would never move again.....but...I would move to be somewhere as unique as this!
Love the painted stone.  Looks so fresh and pure!
Can you just imagine the conversations that went on in these halls.  Little feet going to Sunday School and adults sharing about their lives!  Love this history.
A little weird to have the bedroom right off the dining but I'm assuming these drapes close?  How on earth?  They must have a remote?
This photo makes you realize how big the church is.  Wow, wow, wow!!!  I'm speechless.
How Grand!
The only thing I wouldn't like is the tomb stones.  That's a little freaky!
Transformations like this one inspire me to no end!
Ruthie

Tired of dusting those books?

Anthropologie.com
I came across this bookshelf wallpaper today while looking for wallpaper samples for a client.  I thought it was fabulous until I looked at it closely and realized that the same stack of books had been pasted over and over again.  Nah, not for me.  
But what I do like is that there would be NO DUST on your shelves! Sounds great right? 
Now this is cool!  Quirky but cool!
All these pictures make me wish I had a library so I could use this idea and make a "reading" corner.  I could have a custom wallpaper made with all my favorite decorating books...wishful thinking.  Too bad I couldn't just scan all those books into my brain so whenever I needed a resource it would be there!
Here's another from HomeDepot.com
Such rich soothing warm colors.
You could get really creative with this border.  I know borders are OUT so I wouldn't use this design on a wall.  However, they could be decoupaged onto something....  How about making your own faux books?  You could have wooden pieces cut the size of a book and then you could cut each individual book from this border and paste it onto the wooden book end.  You could then glue a few together and have a little collection.  I think that would work.  See ideas below for safes, boxes, etc. 
While searching for other book ideas, here are some inspiring collections that I thought I'd share with you.
Designer Lynda Gardner
The owner and designer of the above room says: these photos are from the library which was once a horrible tiny bedroom which barely fit a single bed……it now has a wall filled with real books alongside a wall of Deborah Bowness wallpaper,…this room also has a couple of leather 1930s chairs, a star light handed down as a family heirloom and a cow skin hide….a cozy place to sit opposite an open fire on the opposite wall.

I like it!


Fauxbooks.com

Today faux books are valued by curators, interior designers, art directors and discerning individuals for their remarkably authentic appearance. The above books are genuine antique leather books either sourced at auction, borrowed from libraries or found in private collections.  Each spine is individually coloured, gilded and waxed by hand. A variety of colours are available all of which have a beautiful antique patina.
 
Leather books are my all time favorite! I'm not a collector of anything specific (don't usually like collections) but leather books I could collect. Actually when I went to Paris this past Thanksgiving, one of my purchases was a French leather bound book.

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Faux books can be used to hide all kinds of treasures.
These look particularly real because they are soft cover books, don't usually see them used for a safe or hidden hideout.
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This is what I was talking about in my idea above.
fauxbooks.com

A talented artist.....

Bookshelf by Jim Rosenau
Jim Rosenau was raised in a house with 5,000 books. He has been making and selling thematic bookshelves from vintage books since 2002. The idea occurred to him years earlier after reading an essay, "Books As Furniture," by Nicholson Baker. Given his background as the son and grandson of publishers, he assumed the reaction, should he make such a thing, would be furious. The work, once underway, proved him wrong.

Bookshelf by Jim Rosenau

  Bookshelf by Jim Rosenau
Fun that this one has a Spanish twist to it.

Bookshelf by Jim Rosenau

(Studio Dynamics)
Love the blue!
How very creative...
fun gift for a reader!

Project by Caitlin Phillips from Washington D.C.

Go to etsy to see more designs like these.
Decorate with your books.
  Look in your attic, I bet you have some sitting around that have some value or special family meaning to you.  When you are out and about at garage sales, dig through some of the old boxes...there may be a treasure in there for you.  I've found some great Hymn books at estate sales which I treasure.  They all have that wonderful old bound look and have some wear and tear on them.  I like that because it means they've had some wear and tear meaning someone has put some history into it.

Tip of the day......Take off your book jackets when arranging your bookshelves (most of them aren't all that attractive).  Underneath those jackets are some gorgeous books.  You will be SHOCKED how this simple trick can make your bookshelf so much classier!

Happy reading!
Ruthie

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.