A day at World Relief, Ft. Worth

World Relief assists several hundred refugees a year as they embark on new lives in the Forth Worth area.

Today our Church 121 Community Church did a "Saturday Serve" where anybody that wanted to could come and donate their time for the day.  We spent 1/2 the day at the  WORLD RELIEF offices in Fort Worth painting and making their offices look like home.
From the day refugees arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport they receive care and assistance from World Relief to establish themselves around the Fort Worth metroplex. Housing, medical needs, education, and employment requirements are addressed.
Hurting refugees from war-torn and oppressive communities are finding peace and security in the heart of Texas. They are discovering that the Church cares about them.

My job today,  was to oversee the volunteers from our church and help turn one of their offices into a "prayer room."  The room was 8' X 10' so you can imagine how small that is.  I love that we had this opportunity to transform this "nothing" room into a place where people can come and pray for direction for their lives.
We started about a week ago by rummaging through the church storage unit to see if there were items we could use to  make the room look finished.  "Using what we have" is my specialty so I was in heaven.
Score!
Yeah, a nice BIG cross!  We are all set.
Ready, set, go!!!
We spent an hour taping this room up in preparation for this transformation. 
I chose a color from Valspar called "graphite" and as you will see from the after pictures, it's a really nice soothing color.
BEFORE
These chairs were in the storage unit and we snagged 2 of them.
AFTER

They were kind of plain so I had an "light bulb moment" and decided to take the curtain tie backs from the drapes and we attached them to the back of the chairs.  Now they look so much smarter don't they?
AFTER
I took apart an old arrangement, cleaned the glass vase so it was sparkling and new and added some pebbles and moss.  Now we have a refreshed arrangement!!
We hung two mirrors to make the space look a little bigger.  It worked!
AFTER
Added a rug that was in storage and some kneeling pillows.
Hard to take a picture of the entire room because it's so small.
The cross looks amazing hung on the wall.
(sorry for the blurry picture but my
 camera died and I had to use my iphone.)
I was happy they now have a place for people to come and pray.
Several of the volunteers organized their food pantry in time for Thanksgiving giveaways.
Others organized all their winter coats in time for the cold weather.
I rearranged their lobby area to make it more cozy and finished!
Created an inviting entry space too.
Some of the volunteers painted individual offices.  An accent color was chosen for each room because of time but it made an incredible impact to each room.   The colors chosen were very calming and some very happy!!
We got a LOT done in 5 hours and it was really rewarding!  So much fun to see families working together, kids bagging leaves and rolling walls.  I also got to know some new faces. 

If you want to know more about this ministry, check out the World Relief website to read about their programs and how you can serve or donate to their organization.

Feeling Thankful that I'm able to serve along side such great people that serve those in need daily!
Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see more of my before and after pictures.

Fabrics and platters

I met with a client today at a fabric store to select fabric for her ottoman and living room draperies for her beautiful home. 
 As I was leaving the fabric store, this fabric caught my eye.
I couldn't resist it. It will be perfect for my Thanksgiving Day tablecloth.
There are so many beautiful fall colors that are so incredibly vibrant and rich.  The splash of turquoise makes it even more fantastic.
There were 6 yards left on the bolt and I got the whole bolt for a song and I mean a SONG. 
On my way home, I saw an "Estate Sale" sign and decided to stop by even though it was 2:00 in the afternoon and I only had a few minutes.  Can you believe what was waiting for me?
Yes, for $4.00 I purchased this beautiful china platter.  Won't it go well with my new fabric? 
I love when it's that easy and a surprise!  I always enjoy setting the table for my guests but now I'm really thrilled and excited!
These are the two fabrics we ended up choosing for my client, aren't they great?
This piece of artwork in their living room is something they adore.  The colors were our inspiration for the fabric choices we made today!
 
Ruthie
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my website!

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.