Pool House Decor

I've been going through files of photos today.  I came across this one and realized I hadn't posted a good picture of the seating area in the pool house that we finished in November last year.  Since the pool house was really small and filled with sunlight, it was hard to get a good photo of the space.  This photo at least shows you how much fun it is to mix different fabrics and textures to get an inviting space

I found the rattan couch at a local consignment store (brand new).  The cushions had a horrible fabric so I replaced it with this masculine stripe. I added these awesome Ikat pillows from Z Gallery.  The round rug tones down these fun fabrics and adds a traditional touch to the combination. The overall feel gives out a great masculine vibe.  We were trying to achieve this feel for the man of the "main house" that uses this pool house for his guitar practicing with his buddies.
I fell in love with this lamp!  The wood grain was our inspiration for the architectural piece.
The architectural piece above the couch I dug around for at a salvage yard but it was a horrible dirty white.  We had it painted to have more of a rustic look and I think it made the space.
This is the other side of the pool house (I showed you this photo before) so you can see how the colors in both areas coordinate so well together.   The black and white sketch painting had some special meaning to this family so we incorporated it into the arrangement.  The two bar stools are used for playing guitar and we hung guitar hooks on the wall behind the spiral staircase for his guitars to be displayed.

Great fabric combinations can really make any room have a vibrant personality.

Wish I lived in Atlanta

THE INSPIRATION HOUSE
I've been reading through my "Atlanta Homes" Magazine and found this amazing Tour of Homes that is taking place in Atlanta that I so wish I could be a part of.
This question is what caught my eye:
 "Do you need some new ideas on how to use inherited antiques?"
You know I love to incorporate a mix of styles in my designs and this Tour of Homes would be so inspiring. 
Ten talented interior designers were each invited to adopt a room at
The Inspiration House of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Designers were
asked to show visitors a fresh approach to including antiques in today’s homes. Some approached the task from a layered, classically
traditional viewpoint, others took a pared-down sleekly modern
approach, while still others skillfully blended elements of old and new.
If you answer ‘yes’ to any or all of these questions, be sure to visit The Inspiration House at the Cathedral Antiques Show.
Do you need some new ideas on how to use inherited antiques?
Are you trying to make your home more “green” by re-using or
re-purposing antique or vintage furniture? Or are you just a lover
of antiques, period?
YES, YES, YES

 

Visit this link for more details.

The 40th Annual

Cathedral Antiques Show

& Tour of Homes

Tour of Homes – January 30 – 31, 2011
Antiques Show – February 2 – 5, 2011

 

The roster of designers includes: Laura Green Thome (foyer and second-floor landing), Rick Anthony Bonner (keeping room), Marcia Sherrill and Alison Goldwater-Arkin (dining room), Robert Spiotta and James Deadwyler (library), Darcy Harris (bedroom/sitting room), and Terri Vawter and Terry Brown (bedroom).
Antiques add so much style to a home.  They don't have to make a home stuffy.  Incorporating old and new items is what makes a house feel like a home, collected over time with history and a story to tell.
 For more inspirational ideas visit my website (DecRenew Interiors)

Kitchen table dilemma SOLVED

Go Here for this recipe
Over the holiday we had family over for hot potato soup.  Silly me wasn't paying attention and didn't have the kids use place mats on the table!  I don't like a high maintenance table like this but that's what kind I have so I won't complain.
Yikes, when everyone left...this is what I noticed!  7 nice burn circles all the way around the table.   I have tried everything to try and remove the marks but it is hopeless.  Every trick in the book has been tried.
 It just looks awful but I knew that I could find a solution without having to replace the table.  I didn't want to have to sand the whole thing down and redo it either!  Don't have time these days for that!
Pier 1 (used my 25% off coupon)
What I ended up doing is buying a glass top for the table.  For  now, I've put a piece of fabric that I already had underneath the glass. It looks great and is functional too!
It solved the problem and didn't cost me much.

I'd love to change it up a little too.  I enjoy change so I know that this fabric will start getting old and I'll need something new.  Here are a few things I've been thinking about trying.
According to Lonny Magazine, one of the top trends for 2011 is Typography. It would be fun to add some lettering like this under the glass! 

See Michelle Adams (Lonny Magazine) Top 5 Design Trends on the The Nate Show.
So many fun things out there.

.

I thought I could also put my kids artwork under the glass.  I've got stacks of these fun little treasures!  I wish I could rewind time that's for sure.
There are tons of wallpapers and wrapping papers that I could use as well.
For Christmas next year I'm going to put all the photo cards we get from all our friends under the glass.  Won't that be fun!  Can it be Christmas already?    Well, maybe NOT.
This is what one blogger did.  Very cute.  See Kim Saulter's post here at It's a miniature life.  I think I will do all black and white photos.
Imagine the fun I'll have with Valentines Day!
I love when a problem turns out to be something that is better in the long run.  We are going to have such fun with this table now!  
 Imagine what you can do during birthday months, graduations, baby showers, etc.  I'm really going to enjoy this! 
Thanks kids for inspiring me!!
For more before and after photos to inspire you, visit my website.

Every room needs an inspiration!

We are in the middle of a master bedroom "face lift" this week. I thought I'd share some of the fabrics, colors, accessories that we are using in the space.
After talking with my client and hearing what they wanted their room to look like, I dug this photo out of my collection of "favorites" and thought it best resembled what they described they really wanted.
(I wish I knew who to credit here?  Anyone know?)
I love having an inspiration photo to start working with.  I showed this picture to my client along with a full design presentation and they loved it.  We are doing some things differently  but the "overall" feel of the room and the colors will be the same as the INSPIRATION PHOTO.

The wallpaper for the headboard wall is getting installed today.

This fabric will be for the Draperies.

The walls have been painted this wonderful blue seen in the fabric and it is to die for!!  So soothing and relaxing.  Sherman Williams - Watery

This stripe is for the bed skirt.
Fabric for Euro Shams

Mirror selection
(A mirror will be placed above each night stand)

Don't you love these lamps?
I spoke with an artist today and she is creating a painting for me with the above colors.  You know how I love original art and love to support our local artists.
Vases for dresser
Vintage Artwork



This rug will bring the whole room together and the bedspread and sheets are still being chosen.
I'm really excited about putting all these items together in the space.  It's such a fun process!
We are gutting their hall bathroom this week too so I'll post pictures of that in another post.

Good antique for storage!

I've been shopping around for a while now trying to find a good solid antique for some of my china that is taking over space in my kitchen.
I finally found this wonderful buffet two weeks ago and it's perfect.
Over the New Year holiday, I cleared out a whole cabinet in my kitchen and I'm so happy to have the space I need now.
I paired it with my favorite black modern lamps, some of my best coffee table books, a bit of pottery and an urn with some corral (all accessories I've purchased on my vacations over the last few years).   I now have a fresh new look "on a budget" that I'm happy about. Mixing old things with new is my favorite way to make a statement in a room.
I also found these down filled throw pillows on clearance for $2.00 each if you can believe that!
Oh happy day!  One more thing crossed off  my "to do" list for this year!
 to see more before and after pictures of my work.