Paint or Wallpaper an Accent Wall

(Brown Davis Interiors)
I don't know about you, but I love to change things up, update and improve my home. However, I want to be able to do some of those quick transformations in a day or so.   There are times when we need to hire contractors to do big projects, etc. but I I LOVE to have attainable jobs that I can tackle without having to involve a crew of people or contractors.

My #3 quick tip for you to tackle over the next few summer months is:
PAINT OR WALLPAPER AN ACCENT WALL
Some of the most stunning ways to transform a space is by adding a color to one wall. It could be a kitchen wall, dining room wall, behind a china cabinet, a headboard wall, bookshelf walls, or even a ceiling.   The key to remember is......like anything, you don't want to go overboard with this concept.  A little goes a long way.  You don't want accent walls all over your home.  Choose one room and go for it!
(Ann Rue Interiors)
Painting the wall in this niche made it so inviting and warm.  This particular paint technique looks like venetian plaster but you could just paint it a wonderful chocolate brown and then glaze it if you wanted.  I love the scallop around this niche.  I'm usually not a fan of a skirted table but this one looks beautiful with the backdrop of the accent wall.
(Elad Gonen and Zeev Beech)
This dining room would be a little stark and cold if this wall hadn't been painted.  A painted wall makes for a great backdrop for your artwork.  I would die for a table that seats 16 so easily.  Cool how the lighting reflects against the color too.
(Cary Bernstein Architects)
A headboard wall is one of my favorite ways to use color.  It's especially wonderful if you don't have a headboard and need that grandeur behind your bed.
(George Interiors)
The fireplace surround probably didn't look like anything special until it was painted and now it looks like it is claiming the room and stands proud!  The color also brings out the architectural interest of the home that wasn't brought to your attention before.
(Imagine Living)
See adding a bold color can change EVERYTHING!
(Myriam Payne)
A red wall is always a great compliment to any room! This room looks especially good in red because of the wonderful imported chandelier.   Be careful when choosing a red wall, it can also dominate too much if you aren't careful.
(Jana Collins)
A wide stripe accent wall is a strong statement too. 
(Michelle Hinckley)
How about these stripes for an entryway?
WALLPAPER ACCENT WALLS
Some designers don't like paint or wallpapered accent walls but I'm one that LOVES the transition it gives to a space if done well.  These next few photo's are wallpapered accent walls that are absolutely done right! 
Ruthie's Design Therapist Tip:  Do not wallpaper with your spouse, it is the most stressful thing you can do to your marriage.  I learned from experience so trust me on this one! 
It can still be done in a day if you hire a wallpaper installer!!!
(Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.)
Don't you agree, this room is done right? 
(The Furniture Guild)
I don't know what it is about this wallpaper but it makes my blood pressure rise I love it so!
Beautiful addition to this bathroom, especially the way it coordinates with the flooring.
Imagine the fun you could have with the pattern on the towels!!
Such a fresh space.
LOVE!!
(Amorosa Designs)
This white and gray combination is spectacular!
(Jason Ball Interiors)
What about adding it to a work area.
(SB Architects)
or a ceiling?
(Veranda Magazine)
I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start painting and unrolling!
That big wall that you had no idea what to do with can be painted!!!!!
Hope you were inspired and added some of these ideas to your "to do" list this summer.
Contact Ruthie Staalsen @ DecRenew Interiors if you would like to set up a consultation to talk about your design needs...some things just can't be done alone.

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.