What a little spray paint can do.

There is nothing wrong with this lampshade, nothing at all.  It's actually really beautiful.  However, I decided for the space it's in, it needed to be a different and lighter color.  I'm getting tired of these dark tones and want to lighten things up a bit in my home.  So without spending too much (my husband is a lucky man) I gave it a transformation on a budget.
It's a metal shade so of course spray paint is the ultimate solution.


I sprayed it a nice creamy white satin.  I painted the entire inside of it too. It use to be gold inside and didn't put out much light.  Now it's all fresh and puts out a LOT of light.

Quick change for under $5.00.  I think it will look even better when I spray it with a high gloss polyurethane. 
I'm happy and had a great decorating therapy session!  My hands are covered in paint but I needed a manicure anyway!  I got ahead of myself and didn't use those handy throw away gloves? 
Need a quick change and a "crafty" therapy session?  What can you spray paint today?
How about a silver shade for Christmas?  Metallic is all the rage right now!
Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see more before and after pictures.

Ruthie's Tour of Homes, Colleyville

Do you ever see a house that has a driveway that leads somewhere that you know is probably beautiful but you don't see the house from the street?
Well, we have a house that is for sale across the street from us and it is one of those that I drive by at least 10 times a day and wonder what is behind those beautiful gates?  What kind of house is on that property?
  Well, that house is now on the market and being the curious person I am, I looked it up.
Ahhhh, this is what I've been driving by each day!!!
Isn't' it beautiful?  I knew it would be!
5,932 sq. feet
Price: $2,000,000.00

 

It has a stocked pond with its own gazebo !

Tons of trees on this 8 acre lot.

Private Tennis Courts

Large Pool

2 bedroom guest house with full kitchen!

I feel satisfied now that I know what is at the end of that driveway!  For those of you that live in the area, I bet you have been curious too!

While I was searching the Realtors website, I came across this lovely house!

This "Spanish" style home is one of my favorites in the area.
Over 6,000 sq. ft.
Total sale price: $2,285,000.00

Beautiful curb appeal.
The stone with the stucco, tile roof, columns, loads of trees and walkway that leads you to the front door.  The house has amazing architectural balance.  How did they work around those two beautiful trees perfectly framing this home?
Oh, I'm crazy about this courtyard space!!!

So many windows and great light.  Beautiful travertine tile, stunning lighting, nice crown molding and wide baseboards and amazing ceiling detail.
Don't you love this floating granite counter with sink?
The way they did the tile work around the mirror is very creative too.
Putting tile half way up the wall is so functional in a bathroom.
This arched window is one of my favorite features of the house!
I noticed that in one of the rooms they placed an arched mirror, now you know why!  You have to play off of those details.
The ceiling beams really add character and warmth.  All the built in shelving is a big plus for all those "treasures" to be displayed.  A sectional couch is perfect for this room.
Hey, that's my rug!  The deer heads on the wall add a masculine touch.  My husband would love his "own" space to hang all his hunting paraphernalia.
I get so excited when I see that they didn't forget about the ceiling detail.  Notice the scalloped mirror.  So much better than just square.  The wood floors were placed on an angle in this room and that makes it appear larger too.
Mosaic tile work on back splash and behind bath is the artwork in this room.
Notice how neutral the colors are.  It's perfect because now they can add the color with their accessories and it stays timeless.  You can change your accessories whenever you want to!
Warm theater room!
Fun place for the family to hang out.  Looks like stained concrete on the floor.
I'll take this office space/work space for all our family needs.
Look at all the storage.
Notice how they angled the rug, who says it has to be straight.
Again, every bedroom has so much light!
Rattan shades are the perfect solution for privacy.  No need to cover up these doors/windows with draperies.
This covered patio is heaven.  The wood on the ceiling is what adds so much richness to this seating area.
The pottery is something I want to steal and their color and texture are so vibrant.  Great idea to put them on a pedestal to make them appear larger.
The columns frame the pool beautifully.
Who says you can't have a mirror outside?  The cooks can check themselves out while they grill those steaks for their guests.
Flowers in different size pots everywhere!
Okay, I'll have to go check my blood pressure now because I've got all kinds of creative juices flowing through my veins now!
Have a great week!  Hope you enjoyed my quick "Tour of Homes"
Ruthie
Check out my website at DecRenew.com to see more beautiful homes.

A trip down memory lane

(BEFORE transformation)
(Sorry for the blur)
I found a set of prints yesterday that I was immediately drawn to!  Both pictures of Paris reminded me of our trip last year right around this time.
We visited Notre Dame
and the Eiffel Tower.
We had an amazing 5 course meal at a quaint little restaurant very close to Notre Dame and then walked the streets of Paris after dinner (walked across the bridge in the picture).  It was a magical night with friends!  No words can describe the feeling of romance that was in the air! 
I purchased this set of pictures because they triggered my fond memories of this great trip.   What I didn't like about them was the gold frames and decided to paint them black.
(Close up of the transformation)
A black wash did the trick and now I'm happy with their new look.  There is also something wonderful that takes place when you put your own stamp on an accessory/painting, etc. that has meaning to you.  You end up admiring it and enjoying it a whole lot more because you have put some love and time into it.
I always buy what I LOVE (if it's a good price of course) and then figure out how I can incorporate the item into my home. 
Our dining room has a few things in it that tell stories of our travels so now we have our Paris trip added to the mix. 

They also add some height to the room.
This was our Thanksgiving Feast on Thanksgiving Day
last year in a park in Paris. Casual and the best Thanksgiving EVER.
(French Cheeses, fresh bread and expensive wine = DIVINE.
While I had the black paint out, I dug up this oil painting that I found last month for $2.00 at a flea market.  I was drawn to the vibrant colors and the vintage feel it portraits.  (You can see I've started in with the black in the above picture).
Close up of "old frame"
 It needs some love and care.  Doesn't look awful but some aging technique will add some depth and character.
 It got painted with a black translucent wash and it speaks to me now!
Much richer!
Hung now in my guest bathroom along with this old mirror (actually it was a tray that belonged to my husband's side of the family). I think they make a great marriage, especially against this terra cotta wall.
It makes me smile that the painting has a date on it - 1968.
What have you incorporated into your home recently that you love?
Ruthie

"Vintage items, antiques and flea market finds both show a "carefulness" and a "carelessness," in a way." - Ruthie Sommers

Visit my website for more before and after pictures and my contact information.

Rustic decorating elements

I absolutely love this room!  The reason is it so beautiful to me is the mix of the rustic elements with the more traditional furniture. 
The Cyprus panels behind the chairs lends itself to a sea-inspired texture - as though the wood washed ashore, battered by salt wind, and sand.

Coastal Living Magazine

I really love the casual sophistication that this room has.  It's monochromatic color scheme makes me want to curl up and have a cup of hot chocolate.  I wonder if there is a fireplace in this room? 
Coastal Living Magazine
The kitchen in this home has the same style.  Simple and clean.  The rustic cabinets make this kitchen feel casual but the French chandelier over the island dresses up the space and gives it stylish sophistication.  The scroll work on the chandelier is so beautiful with the contrast of the  light and airy shades.   The marble counter tops and the mosaic tiled back splash have smooth and glossy surfaces adding such class and charm.  The above stools are reupholstered in slick outdoor fabric that can wipe clean in a snap, a great idea.
I've been on the hunt for several items for homes that I'm working on right now. 
Today while I was out antiquing, "junking" as I call it, I found this wonderful LARGE wooden wagon wheel.  It's the real deal, not a reproduction.  Fun treasure...
Wouldn't it make an amazing mirror? Another option would be to have thick glass put in the opening and place it on a wrought iron base and it would make an incredible coffee table. 
Isn't the "rustic" finish divine?
I went all kinds of crazy over these old doors that I found too.  Wouldn't these look amazing next to each other in an entry over a console table or even above a mantel. What a statement they would make, especially in a formal or traditional space.  Adding elements with interesting texture and character totally transforms a room and can make it more inviting, a conversational piece and make the space casual and approachable. 
Tip of the Day:  Just because you have a traditional house doesn't mean you can't add a few rustic elements to your home.  You will be surprised at how it adds more style and the "unexpected" to your design.
Ruthie

The life of a skeleton

I have a very creative friend, Carolyn Ann!!! She is not only incredibly creative she is an incredible cook too. She is always full of ideas and adds so much spice to the lives of everyone she knows.
She and her girls have had such fun this Halloween season with their skeleton friend in their front yard. Every week this October, they have redressed their skeleton named "Big Bertha" and posted a picture and caption on Facebook.
Big Bertha No.1
"Big Bertha is ready for the game, got her nachos and popcorn ready"
Big Bertha No. 2
"Is it really October?  Feels like May!  Where's Autumn?" 
The "call me" part had me laughing so hard!!
Big Bertha No. 3
"Come on, Rangers! Resurrect the game that got you to the World Series! We didn't literally mean that we had "died and gone to Heaven" over this...Big Bertha may have, but we're still here!"
Big Bertha No. 4
and today.....she posted this...
"Big Bertha, the Church Lady, sings today! Hallelujah! Amen Brothers and Sisters!"
I love it Carolyn Ann!  You have such a fun sense of humor and I'm sure your girls have enjoyed this creative energy!  I'm sure you have been the talk of the whole neighborhood!

Happy Halloween Everyone! 
Ruthie