Bring the Garden Textures Indoors

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I mentioned in my last post that I was going to give you some quick tips that you can do over the next few summer months.
Here is #2
BRING THE GARDEN TEXTURES INDOORS
We all have an empty vase, glass jar or ginger jar, etc. that needs to be discovered and placed!  We all have rooms that need a feeling of being alive and happy.  Outdoor elements can add that magic to your rooms.
Add some natural leaves to ginger jars or vases and it instantly makes a collection of accessories complete.  If you can't do real leaves, there are some wonderful looking faux leaves to be found at your local craft store.
If your vase isn't tall enough, add books to give it height and then group the vase with a little natural coral.  It's these elements that make your items have a designer quality.
Designer, Susan Kasler
(see Colour Me Happy Blog post about this room)
So much fun that Maria posted this just before I finished this post!
These pink cherry blossom branches make this whole room complete!!  The scale is true perfection!
(Ida Architecture & Interiors)
A collection of branches with fall leaves on a round table doesn't look staged but relaxed and inviting.
An unexpected branch resting in the corner.  It may not last long but it will be something delightful while you have it displayed.
(Pottery Barn)
A gathering of small rustic sticks placed in a wooden bowl adds extreme interest. 
(I just painted my dining room this beautiful gray/blue and I'm LOVING it.)
This simple vase with branches added an airy sophistication to this traditional mantel.  Love the balance of color in this room.
Isn't this a great idea?  I'm sure you have an old frame sitting around that you could spray paint and then add branches to like they did here.  Makes a great piece of artwork.  You could really get creative and spray paint the branches a vibrant color like orange or lime green.
This simple bucket with blooming branches sitting next to this chair is so natural and would be great in a laundry room if you have an empty corner.
(DecRenew Interiors)
This driftwood is sitting above my refrigerator and I love the texture it adds to my kitchen.  I found it on the beach in Florida several summers ago.
This branch has just been spray painted and placed on the coffee table.  An easy way to add color to your room.
Add branches to a silver urn, you can place Spanish moss inside or you could do a green moss.  I love having this kind of an arrangement in front of a mirror.
(Charlie Simmons)
Perfect centerpiece for your dinner guests.  Everyone can see around it too!
Do you have a colored vase?  If you do, it makes a beautiful grouping with some palm leaves. A monochromatic room with punches of color here and there is gorgeous!
This glass vase with the branchy sticks placed in front of these family photos softens the room.  Don't be afraid to add arrangements that are natural like the one above in front of pictures.
These lamps are so stylish and grouped with these yellow florals they make the room look incredible.
Greenery added to a room can be what you have been missing in that corner.
A grouping of the same greenery is always a fresh combination.
An arrangement like this added to your dining room table, bar area, coffee table or even above your refrigerator makes a room come alive.  Looks like it could be growing in your garden.
Two topiaries on a fireplace add that touch of green you need.  Garden urns that would normally be used outdoors are beautiful brought into your home.
Tall and proud!
Masculine and sleek.
Motivated to make some summer changes?  Good!
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.

Small thing, great pleasure = great decorating

It is always a great pleasure to add special touches to my own home once in a while.  I'm always working on clients homes, it's such great therapy to be able to have a quick moment to do something for my humble abode.
I read this quote this week and loved it - by Holly Becker (Decor 8)
“wrong is when you decorate according to what you think others want you to express or share or pretend to be and not according to who you truly are, so wrong decorating is to deny yourself the freedom of displaying your authentic expression of self in your home.”

I found this round green velvet pillow yesterday and added it to my animal print settee in my entry.  I love what it incorporated to the feel of the space.  An added extra pop of style!
You can see my inspiration board behind my french doors.  I LOVE looking at it daily and it keeps me motivated to create beautiful interiors.
Maybe the new pillow placement will keep my family from using the settee as their dumping ground!
Made me smile today and I wanted to share! 
Hope you are having a beautiful week!
Visit my website  DecRenew Interiors to see before and after pictures that will inspire you!

Freshen up your "stiff" dining rooms and get people talking.

At this time of the year I get restless.  Right before summer starts I start dreaming more than usual about changing things up in my home. 
 Over the next few weeks, I thought I'd give you some quick suggestions you can make to spruce up your home.  Hopefully they will be ideas that will make you feel like you have done a transformation without going overboard on your budget.
I love INSTANT changes and I'm sure most of you do too.  My hope is that these images and my descriptions will give you some inspiration and desire to change things up with INSTANT results!
SPRUCE UP YOUR DINING ROOM
WITH MIX AND MATCH CHAIRS
(Freshen up your "stiff" dining rooms)
(Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech)
Your chairs don't have to match.  I especially love mixing up a formal dining room.  Just changing 2 of the chairs can make a drastic difference to the feel of the room.  It can make the room go from "stiff" to "inviting"
(Dreamy Whites)
These folding chairs make the room look summery and beachy.  Perfect for kitchen dining areas.  It's not expensive to buy folding chairs like these and have a change for the summer months.
(Lisaleo Designs)
If you really like a FORMAL feel then make the end chairs different to the rest of the chairs.  Add a fun whimsical fabric that makes it more interesting and playful. 
The above room wouldn't be so fabulous if it didn't have the end chairs that add such a fun flair.  CHANGE up your dining rooms so that they are USED and not just FOR SHOW!  The less intimidating they look, the more people will enter the rooms.
(Fougeron Architecture)
This is a great mix if you have a modern style and are brave enough to really mix up styles.  The end chairs make the table feel less stark and adds some history to the mix (also coordinates with the antique buffet).  You can find these kinds of chairs at resale stores or your local thrift stores and have them recovered for a whole lot less than replacing all the chairs.
(Glen Gissler Designs)
How about getting rid of the chairs and adding two painted benches?  Red and black together always make a great combination.  Great look for a space that isn't used often but you want it to be striking.
Slipcovers is a great way to transform a room without spending too much. 
(Lorraine G. Vale)
These slip covered chairs are beautiful in this room.  Don't you love how they put the orange at the bottom of the skirt to tie into the wall color.    This is a perfect grouping for a room that you are just not sure what to do with (like a small front living area that isn't really big enough for entertaining). 
(Nurif geffin-batim Studio)
Old farm chairs with a bench is always a great way to add style and also adds lots of seating for little ones.
(Rachel Reider Interiors)
Maybe you have a couch like the above somewhere in your home that just isn't speaking to you.  Try it with your dining room table and see what it looks like.  You may even have one in storage?
(Rachel Reider Interiors)
 Imagine how boring this room would be without the side armless couch.  It's a little tall compared to the chairs but they balanced it with the vases they placed on the table.
(Country Living)
Oh, I'm loving this casual setting.  Old and new all mixed up together!  A space that looks lived in will be USED!  In my house, this would be a "chat with my girlfriends" kind of nook.  Don't you want your dining room space to be used?  Amazing wall color in this photo!
(Decor Pad)
Shop around your house and add a wingback chair to your dining room table mix.
(Decor Pad)
Makes me want to sit over a long dinner and have great conversation. The blue walls are gorgeous too.
Maybe you already have this look but have a drab color on the walls.  PAINT, PAINT, PAINT.
(Rebekah Zaveloff)
Loads of mixed up modern character!
(Sutton Suzuki Architects)
These were probably pretty boring parson chairs and now they have fancy pleated skirts that adds a feminine spin without being too girlie.  Very classy and the pleats are beautiful with the lines of the wood floor.  You know I'm all about the details.
(Teneke Triggs)
You may have a set of dining room chairs right now that are all matching.  Take the two end chairs and reupholster them in a lively fabric.  Immediately you will have a quick change for little money.  Again, imagine this dining room with all the same color chairs.  Wouldn't be so fun now would it?
See all the chairs don't have to match. Do remember you want the colors to coordinate. This is so my personal style! 
Shop around your home and accumulate a collection around your table.
(Cottage Living)
(Cottage Living)
Eclectic and full of fun!  Doesn't it make you wonder who lives here and what kind of personality they have? 
Make your rooms a place that makes others curious about you!
An old chair painted white to match the slipcovers.  The gray stripe is stunning with the wall color.
PAINT YOUR FURNITURE FOR A QUICK CHANGE.  The above table painted black is immediately the focal point in this room.
Perfect mixed up combination for a wine cellar.
If you are really on a tight budget, just change out the seat cushions for a fabulous tranformation that everyone will talk about.
I challenge you to mix your dining room chairs up, even restaurants do it!
I look forward to sharing more quick updates for your home over the next few weeks.
Don't forget about your outdoor dining space too!
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see before and after pictures of my work.

A Mother's Love

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 
HOPE YOUR DAY WAS FILLED WITH ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL!
Mine was wonderful and I even took a 3 hour nap!

Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease. ~Lisa Alther

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
 ~Sophia Loren
A Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.
 ~Marion C. Garretty
Visit my website to get more information about a design consultation for your home @ DecRenew Interiors

Garden Party Inspirations

With the weather being so beautiful, I'm in the mood for a garden party.  When I came across this beautiful setting,  it really got my excited about entertaining outside. Isn't it gorgeous?  Oh to have a beautiful garden with colorful blooms like this....I can dream on being that I live in Texas.
Here are some other settings that I know you will love.  I'm warning you, you are going to want to plan your garden party after you see all these beauties.
Aren't the columns great?   I especially like the grapevine/wisteria growing up the columns.   Fun ethnic lanterns hanging from above.    Imagine how festive it feels at night when it is all lit up!  The mixed matched chairs add a flair of interest too.
This looks like a great place to hang with friends.  Looks like lots to upkeep but I'll be the guest!
Isn't this like a fairy tale?  Wouldn't be that comfortable but for a little while I could handle a little whimsy!  Wouldn't want to serve your guests too much wine!
(The Style File)
Perfect setting for a barbecue.   Hanging the lanterns at different heights is the way to go!
These Spanish pots are stunning on this patio.   I'm crazy about this look!  Get the table set and we are ready to start the music and fire up the grill.  Looks like this square table seats 12! 
Warm earth tone colors always make me feel at home, maybe it's because it's the colors that I grew up with in Africa.  The stone work is so complimentary to these pots and they make the perfect marriage.
What an amazing centerpiece.  You could fill each box with cookies (or whatever you want)  and send them home with your guests as a party favor.  I have to plan a party this very minute just so I can do this!!  The pink and green color combination is so much fun!  Polka dots don't just have to be for kids.
(Jessica Clair Photography)
Takes my breath away!  A round or oval table always makes such a perfect conversation circle.  Paired with these round comfy seat cushions, we have a winner for comfort and style.
Blue is a great backdrop for colorful foods.  Notice the fun silverware and vintage glassware.  The bottled drinks served up in this wrought iron flower planter is a great idea too.
Cozy little space for cocktails.  The stonework is a nice backdrop.  Add a few colorful throw pillows and a outdoor rug to this mix and it would be divine.
An intimate table setting.  Very springy.  Looks like each guest got a pair of stylish gardening gloves.
Pops of color against a green backdrop always draws your guests to the space.  This looks like it's ready for a bunch of fun woman ready to talk their heads off.  Maybe it's for a "bride to be?"
These chairs are amazing!  I love how the scrolling goes so beautifully with the pattern on the tablecloth.  Details, details, details....
(Roberts Ericson Designs)
Adding several complimentary fabrics together can make a table so interesting.  Incorporating shells, rocks, stones, bark or any other natural element adds texture and a masculine touch.  Notice how well the napkin goes with the flowers.  It's great to mix and match but the key is to pull it together somehow!
Let's get this party started!
Visit my Website to see my design gallery.  I'd love to set up an appointment with you!