Lolipops and gumballs anyone?

I found this picture in House Beautiful this month and showed it to my oldest daughter as an idea for her upcoming birthday party.  I'm in love with this cake and wonder how hard it would be to create?  It looks achievable.
She got really excited and is now all inspired to have a "candy" themed party for her 14th birthday. 
Sometimes all it takes is a vision like this photo to get your creative juices flowing.  I've set her loose now and she is having a blast figuring out what she will do for this theme!  That's the beauty of girls getting older, they can start planning their own parties and it is so much fun for them!
This would be a lovely theme for Valentines Day too.  Red and pink candy displayed all over the table (I've always loved red and pink together).  I think I may have to plan a party just so I can create something fun too.  I've always LOVED a good party!  The whole idea of a candy theme is so colorful and yummy all at the same time.
Strawberry Cheesecake Jelly Beans - Oh my goodness, YUM!!!
Wouldn't these Carmel apples be fun to make? 
Or these....who doesn't like a few sprinkles?
Last year I got all inspired with gumballs around Valentines day too.  Go here to read my post.
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Centerpiece
Design by DecRenew Interiors, Ruthie Staalsen
Look what one blogger did!  Brilliant!!  Way to go Deana!  This is adorable.  Paper lanterns wrapped in shrink wrap making the cutest candies ever!

Thank you House Beautiful for inspiring us!
 Let's just hope none of our teeth fall out!
For more information about my design services, click here to go to my website.

Spanish Doors and Artwork!

I have a client that I've been working with that has been through so much over the last 6 months.  They had a flood in their home and have had to redo their entire home.  The whole culdesac they live on had to endure this painful process. She hired me to be the shoulder to lean on during this whole process of decision making from paint colors to floor selections. 
Today we did something fun.  We hung some beautiful works of art for her. 
I chose these Spanish Doors for their dining room.  We hung them on the wall as artwork and I'm in LOVE!!!   Don't you just love the bulky, chunky hardware on them? They have a very formal dining room and we wanted to relax it a bit.  I felt that these doors would add character, texture, conversation, loads of history and interest.  They are the first thing you lay eyes on when you enter their home.
They were imported from Spain and have SO much personality.  I knew they were the ones when I found them and sent a photo to my client right away for her approval!  YES, YES, YES was the answer.
This was the painting that WAS hung in their dining room originally.  It screams formality and it is dated.  They spent a fortune on the frame, however, my client disliked the painting because she had a few people comment that it looked like it belonged in their grandma's home.    My suggestion to her was to have a local artist create a new painting for us with loads of color with more of a modern feel.  I thought that marrying these two styles would bring it up to date and save my client lots of money. 
It definitely did!
Artist - Mary Howe with Divine Inspirations
We made sure it could be hung landscaped this time and I think it's perfect on the wall in their den.
Hope you are having a great week.  Mine got off to a great start!

$25 Garage Sale Gem

My friend Mary found this cabinet at a garage sale for $25.00 the other day.  She had been looking for a china cabinet for her dining room and knew she could find a steal somewhere.  Mary is an amazing artist and with her talent can transform anything into a treasure.  She said when she saw this at the garage sale she knew it had potential, she was absolutely right.  
I just received her before and after pictures and she gave me permission to share them with you. 
BEFORE

It's a heavy duty piece made out of solid wood but just doesn't go with her decor.
BEFORE
Great decorative detail too.
AFTER

She took the doors off, added some trim pieces here and there, painted the whole thing onyx black and gave it some chic distressing. The detail work on the cabinet shows up now more than before.  She had shelves made out of mirrored glass and that made the whole cabinet come ALIVE!!!  She also added mirrors to the back of the cabinet.
 Don't you love the crystal knobs she added?
The best part is now she can finally showcase all of her wedding crystal and she is elated!  Great Job Mary! 
Do any of you have anything that you have "RENEWED" (big or small) that you would like to share with me.  I might just post it on my blog!  I'm all about a Renewed Treasure and love to see what you've done with yours. 
Email your pictures to ruth@decrenew.com by February 14th and I'll let you know if I post them.  I will also have a prize for my favorite redone treasure.

Be still.....

We have all been experiencing such crazy weather and we here in Texas have been enjoying the novelty of snow.  4 snow days in a row for the kids and they have been so excited to be home!  We've been catching up on reading, baking, sledding, TV time and much more.
I've been home with the flu but enjoying some of these views from my windows.  The glare of the white snow makes everything in my house feel brighter and I love it.
  The snow has made us all "be still" this week and I've been appreciative of that time.

Luckily the pool pump is running so the pool doesn't freeze.  The ice and snow on the fountain looks beautiful.

My ceramic birdie is all covered up.  Can you find her?
My favorite little chair.
Cougar doesn't look too happy....Stone Cold.
but... Aslan the lion is in front of our house on guard as usual.
Our house numbers have disappeared.  You can see one peeking out from the big rocks.
No sign of my pansies anymore.  At least my Fleur de leis is still standing.

There is something so peaceful about the combination of water and snow.
Jimmy the frog is still smiling.
He looks very content even though his body language (folded arms) says otherwise.
I won't be having coffee out here today! 
 My bistro table does look like it belongs on a Paris winter postcard. 
Have you noticed how quiet everything seems in the snow?
Glad we have a new gazebo.  Hopefully the roof won't collapse like our canvas one did a couple years ago.
The weather men say that the sun will be shining soon so we can get the Superbowl activities rolling again!  I'm believing we will be feeling better soon too!
I'll be staying by the fire enjoying the goodies the girls have made for us.
Stay warm and be still!

Click here to visit my website to see before and after pictures that will inspire you.

Flowers, Crystals and Brides

(Crescent Hotel Lobby)
Photo by DecRenew Interiors
I spent some time visiting different hotels and restaurants with a friend this weekend, making plans for her upcoming wedding. 
 
Hotels always make my creative juices overflow with happiness.  
The Rosewood Crescent Hotel here in Dallas is especially beautiful!   The floral grouping above is in their lobby when you walk in.  It captivates you when your first see it. The variety of flowers all at different heights and in silver and crystal vases is so dramatic, yet still so soft and feminine. 
Modern Elegance
Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel

Their lobby feels grand like a hotel of this caliber should feel, but has the inviting warmth of a home.
Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel

The soft and subtle upholstery fabrics, original artwork, soft flowing patterned drapery panels, floor lamps, table lamps and throw pillows everywhere really make the grandeur feel more cozy and comfortable.  All the comforts of your own home, away from home.

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel
The elaborate crystal chandeliers hanging everywhere add sophistication and sparkle to the space.  I love this rug so much because it is eclectic, yet so fresh, young and fun.  The variety of chandelier styles throughout the lobby is gorgeous too; keeping away from the "matchy-matchy" look that so many hotels gravitate towards.   They all illuminate with style and independent personality.   Doesn't this vignette look like it could be in your home? So many people travel for business and pleasure, and a hotel should feel comfortable and make you want to sit and stay a while. 
While we were visiting the venue, the outdoor courtyard was hustling and bustling for a wedding that was taking place that evening.  There is something magical in the air when a bride is present.   Aren't these over sized garden urns filled with white fully bloomed roses beautiful?
Photo by DecRenew Interiors

We couldn't wait to see what this courtyard would look like when it got dark.  We decided to hang around a little while, and came back after eating a quick bite on the patio.

BEFORE DARK
 
Photo by DecRenew Interiors
Notice the crystal chandeliers in the trees.  They looked great when it was light but wait until you see what they looked like after dark.

AFTER DARK

It was worth the wait because the setting was even more beautiful once it got dark. This bride had a beautiful day for January winter in Dallas.  74 degrees and absolutely perfect weather for an outdoor wedding.  Everything was sparkling as she walked down the isle to meet her anxious groom.
These arrangements were on some of the tables in the reception area.  I loved the crystals cascading down from each one.  Any crystal up against a reflective object like silver or a mirror makes a statement.  The dance floor had about 100 really large crystals hanging from the ceiling over the dance floor. It was stunning!
Photo by DecRenew Interiors
(isn't the best picture but wanted you to see the hanging crystals)
Isn't it great to see that every table has a different arrangement, creating interest within the room?  It can be a little overpowering if they are all the same height.
Ocean Prime Restaurant Lobby , Dallas, TX
Floral Designer - Judy Blackman
Didn't Judy do a great job keeping it natural, colorful and lush?  It creates such a nice invitation to the restaurant lobby, without making it too overpowering and stuffy.  Casual elegance is much more inviting to most people.
Photo by DecRenew Interiors
The variety of vases she used as well as the big pieces of rolled bark really added so much texture and interest.
Photo by DecRenew Interiors
Beautifully arranged.

We enjoyed our day and had fun being together!  Hope you enjoyed the tour!
This was our view as we ate dinner.  There is nothing like the sound of a fountain.  The yellow pansies were all around the entire courtyard.  Amazing what a statement one color can make!