Deck the Halls

I'm finally totally decorated for Christmas.  It's my favorite time of year!  I purposely planned a Christmas party in our home at the beginning of December to make sure I got decorated early.  I really wanted my family and I to STOP this season to "enjoy" instead of being "rushed & stressed" like we've done in past years.  I know that this season is never "stress free" let's just get real here, but I do know that we can try to prevent the craziness.
My husband and I really love having friends and family in our home all year round but especially this time of year.   Our dining room table is the place where we gather to chat with friends and family.  I keep the above giant green bowl on the table all year.  During different times of the year, I fill it with a variety of interesting items.  It's perfect because it's "functional" and doesn't have to be moved to see one another across the table.  It's always a great conversation piece and the kids love seeing the changes!
 These giant glass ornaments mixed with my antlers and fresh greenery is my favorite assortment this Christmas.
My bust was crowned with a wreath this year.
This frame is now lavishly covered in garland.  I'm a believer that your Christmas decor shouldn't take over your home but should be subtle addition to your existing decor.
  I like special touches in each room but don't want it to be over the top. Christmas shouldn't look like it threw up all over your home. 
I bought this swag several years ago and added a little extra color and sparkle to make it special.
I don't have a real tree but want the smell of Christmas in my home.  I usually incorporate fresh garland wherever I can.  My kitchen table arrangement was fun to make.  I used a rustic container that I usually use for my office supplies, added fruit and pine cones and instantly have a simple addition of Christmas on my kitchen farm table.
I added these decorative balls to my stair garland this year.  Love the copper and green combination.

Placing a "Rejoice" sign in my wrought iron urn added a quick touch of Christmas.

I love using large ornaments. Fresh garland added to my mantel allows me to sit in my favorite chair and smell the live evergreen.  Less clutter and more of a statement.

Our Christmas tree got put in an urn last year and I did the same this year.  It makes it taller and makes a grander statement in my entry.
Again, large ornaments with berry wreaths draped on them adds a special touch.
Bookshelves need garland too.  Can't leave them out!
My favorite tapestry in my entry also graciously welcomes guests with it's new addition of Christmas.
Outdoors is always fun to decorate.  The kids love driving up and seeing the pops of red!  The bows were their idea this year!
We added ornaments in with our pansies too.

Added these bells and berries to this garland and hung it outside our back door.

My candle sconces got a little somthin' somethin' added to them too.

Above my refrigerator makes me smile each morning too!

An elf stocking hung on the corner of a chair adds some whimsy.
Silver leafed ornaments were placed in my vase on my desk, along with my driftwood collection.

REJOICE!  Of course a Nativity scene is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

  Placed on my console table it is the center of attention in our entryway.
I'd love to see what you have done in your home this year for Christmas.

Email me at ruth@decrenew.com if you have done something different this year.  I might even share them with my followers later on this month.

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.
I linked up to The Lettered Cottage today!

Kitchen Island Makeover

BEFORE

What a beautiful kitchen!  My client loves the flow of this kitchen and the feel.  My job was to come in and add some spunk and personality to it.  Notice that everything in this kitchen is the same color.  There is nothing that truly grounds it and makes it feel personalized. 
AFTER

I lightened the kitchen up by having the main center island faux refinished in this wonderful distressed patina.  The island had LOTS of ornate work that seemed to dominate and over power the room.  This technique toned all of  it down and made it more beautiful.  The island is now the artwork in the space!

  I did take down the scrollyscroll work below the shelf.  See in the above "BEFORE" picture.  It was just too much of a good thing.
The color we used for the base color was the color that we used on the walls in the adjoining room.
Perfection and the client LOVED it!
The wall color! 
Found this wrought iron piece at an antique store and thought it went beautifully with the artwork I chose for the room.
The color goes beautifully with the stone too making the rooms flow together!
Think about painting your kitchen island!  It can change the look of the space instantly.
I'm dragging Christmas out of my attic today, wish me luck!
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my before and after portfolio.

Family Room Before and After

So much fun to finish this project for my client just in time for Thanksgiving with their family.  We gave their family room and kitchen an update with paint, new furniture and accessories.

BEFORE
The fireplace was a cream stone and had such beautiful detail.  However, the detail was lost because the fireplace didn't make a grand statement, it just blended into the wall color.
AFTER

We fauxed the fireplace surround a graphite gray and it now has much more grandeur. I suggested they paint their bookshelves an off white so their accessories could be showcased. Collectibles always look better against white.

AFTER
They had a patterned carpet in the room already but my client wasn't too fond of it!  I found a rug that complimented it well that we  placed on top of it.  This added dramatic color and interest to the room and made my client really happy!  The leather sectional was a must because this is their TV watching room where lots of football watching goes on!
Of course you have to have reversible pillows for those that love instant change!

A seven foot mirror really added a WOW to the room! 
This console table matches the fireplace color.
I found this metal urn and painted it and then aged it.  Added some driftwood and it's a fantastic addition to the bookshelves.  Notice the wonderful cinnamon color behind the bookshelves!

Every room needs a touch of animal print.
Sorry for the TV reflection. I couldn't figure out how to turn it off!  I really tried to personalize the room so it didn't look staged! Family photos and special items were hung on the walls to make them feel surrounded by their special things.  The crosses were gifts from family and friends.

This stone was our inspiration for the color palette for the paint colors.

Adding candles in the same color scheme really adds a magic to the space.

Enjoy your weekend! 
I'll post more about their kitchen later. Wait til you see what we did with their enormous island!
Visit DecRenew Interior's Website to see Ruthie's Design Portfolio.

Doilies and Ornaments

Someone shared this idea with me today.  I just had to share it with you because if you are like me,  you are looking for great ideas to make for Christmas gifts or just looking for some pure fun crafts to make to celebrate the season. 
 All they did here was spray paint a crystal or clear ornament.  They overlayed it with a doily and used silver spray paint to get the beautiful design.  Any metallic spray paint would be awesome! 
Adding some glitter after you paint it would add sparkle too!
(Google Images)
What a great gift to give this season.  You could make 6 and put them in a fun decorative box.  Everybody loves something "made with love" . You could even keep them for yourself and display them in a pretty box or large candle lantern like the above!
(Pinterest)
Love these Christmas Trees in their large pots! 
I'm getting all the boxes out of the attic this week.  I'm decorating early this year.  I want my house done before I do everybody else's!  I CAN do it!!
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.