High School Here I Come

BEFORE
AFTER
This teenage girl wanted something "happy" for her bedroom. She is going into high school in a few weeks.  What a privilege to be able to have your bedroom redone for your freshman year! 
The element hanging from the fan is a stirrup, she adores horses and has won many ribbons!
AFTER
This rug is to die for!
Happy about how this modern pillow compliments the lamp.
I just love these patterns and color combinations.
DRESSER SHE HAD BEFORE WAS JUST TOO BIG FOR THE ROOM
NEW DRESSER I PURCHASED FOR THE ROOM
(Was all white, had it faux finished and added new crystal knobs)
Of course we had to add some beautiful towels to match everything.
They can be hung on this awesome hook in the bathroom.
It was an exhausting day but a fun one.  Always good to see a vision that has been in my head finally come true!
Ruthie

Sneak Peek/Teen Bedroom

I'm working on a teenager's bedroom.  Thought you might enjoy seeing some of the items I'm using in the space.
Pillow Shams
Euro Sham

Duvet
Rug

Mirror overlay for bathroom mirror.
Drapery panels.
Drapery hardware

Artwork for bathroom.
This dresser is getting repainted and getting new hardware!  Bedside table will match!
Here's a sneak peek.  I'm in love with the crystal knobs.
DRESSER BEFORE
This is what the dresser looked like before.  Looks much smarter doesn't it?
Bedside table lamp.
 
Fun, whimsical decorative lamp for desk.
 
Catch all storage.
I'm putting the room together on Monday, I'll have before and after pictures up soon!
Ruthie

Home owner personalizing their space with color

I've been working with a client over the last week or so that just purchased this beautiful home. 
They were originally going to move into the house in about 3-4 four weeks but things got moved up and they needed us to make a move on things and get the home ready within about a week and a half. 
We put a RUSH on things and immediately started absolute craziness in their home.  I selected paint colors for several of the rooms and the painters got started right away. 
Here is the entry in progress. 
The paint is still wet here so it has a terrible sheen.  The color is Sherman Williams (Cavern Clay).
It will really make this decorate molding stand out!
Sorry for the reflection in this photo.
We got a move on in their master bathroom too!
Yesterday their bathroom looked like the above.....
Today it looks like this.....
 SHOWER BEFORE
My client was feeling overwhelmed with all the decisions that had to be made so quickly and said "I TRUST YOU TO PICK WHAT I LIKE."  I took her word for it and found exactly what I KNEW she would be happy with.   I ordered the tile and the installer arrived the next day! 
 This quick process is the beauty in having an interior decorator making all the decisions for you.  It speeds up the process and makes things HAPPEN.
These are the selections I made.
By the time I arrived at the clients house this a.m, the tile guy had things laid out just like I suggested so we could talk it through with my client.  All is a go and they should finish the tile work today!!
They built a bench in the shower and put in a niche too!  Thank you Tommy and Mr. Flores for your dedication to me and my client's.
As if all this wasn't enough, in the living room, the wood guys were refinishing the floors.  They put a few color examples down for us so we could choose the "new" stain.  The floors weren't taken care of by the previous owner so they needed some TLC.  
I'll keep you posted as things come along as this project progresses.
  In the meantime, I'm shopping, shopping, shopping for lots of items for about 3 others fun projects.
Here is a sneak peak at what I've been up to.
 
I fell in love with this burlap lamp and shade.
I crabbed these pillows before anyone else saw them!  I'm going to have a hard time giving these away.
Couldn't resist this beautiful piece.  It weighs 15 pounds.
These rustic frames are crying for some good artwork and I know exactly what will go in them.
Won't this urn look great with the arrangement below.  It will give it some height.
Happy Thursday to you all!  Keep cool!
Ruthie

Three Sixteen Photography and Pure Style Home

Baby Zachary Martin
I received this baby announcement in the mail today from one of my favorite client's.  We have redone 3 of her homes and I so enjoy working with her.  The last time I saw her she was very pregnant and we prepared her house for the arrival of their first baby!  I'm crazy about the "all natural" elements used in this photo.  Isn't the photo above the most adorable one you have ever seen?
Back of Announcement
Congratulations Nick and Debbie, he is a precious little precious.
Thank you for keeping your promise by sending this beautiful announcement to me.
Debbie used Three Sixteen Photography for this photo shoot and I think her work is incredible!  When it's your first baby, you are very selective in choosing the best photographer to capture your little gem's personality.  Check out Amber Sustala's gorgeous website, it is delightful.
Today I also read a post from Pure Style Home and Lauren writes about how to make homemade baby puree.  I love Lauren's way of blogging, she is such a great mom and designer and her voice comes through her writing.  It's hard to read all the design blogs out there because there are so many but Lauren always captivates me because she is so "real" about life!  I thought her blog entry went hand in hand with the baby announcement I received today.
Ruthie

Colorado cabin by the lake

Priest Lake - Telluride, CO
Photos by Ruthie Staalsen
We just got back from our family vacation in Colorado.  It was fantastic to get away and be a part of nature while enjoying family! 
We set out with my husband's 3 brother's and their families to embark on this wonderful adventure with those we love!  Nothing like spending time together in COOL weather.   We are blessed that we all get along (most of the time) and can give our kids memories with their cousins.
On one of our drives in the mountains we came across the above lake (Priest Lake) and it was so incredibly breathtaking!!! 
You can't describe what it looks like in person.  It's almost as if your eyes are seeing things.
Of course there were beautiful log cabins tucked in the woods overlooking this AMAZING view.
Imagine how quiet it would be.
My family thought I was nuts when I got out to take pictures of this little dilapidated cabin.  I could picture myself sitting on the front porch drinking my coffee once this place was leveled and my new house was built.  Of course, it looks right over this lake. 
Someone will purchase this property for the lot and have an incredible vacation home.  I imagine a bed and breakfast, one of my "things to do" in life!
This is the view from the cabin.  Seriously tempting for $285,000.  Close to the amazing ski town of Telluride.
This bridge was just a short hike or drive away from the cabin.
Wildflowers blooming everywhere.
My girls picked some for me and yes I put them in a disposable cup and enjoyed them all week.  Life is about the simple things, especially when you are in an RV for 10 days!
Always good to go on vacation and enjoy the beauty God has given us.
 
Priest Lake Trail  in winter - Telluride, CO
Always great to come back home even if it is 108 degrees here in Dallas.
  Home is the greatest place on earth!
Ruthie