Who doesn't LOVE Sunday lunch?

 
I have always loved Sunday lunches after church with family.  This Sunday was extra special because my Aunt and Uncle from South Africa are here visiting! 
 
 
My mom, my aunt, my sister and myself :)
 
 
One of the things I love most about Sunday lunch is setting the table.  Nothing fancy but just simple and  inviting "using what I have."  I used my every day china and crystal this time.  I found the tablecloth last year at an estate sale (thank you to my daughter who ironed it for me).  It is a beautiful cross stitch pattern that the lady's mother had made. 
 
 
I brought in the miniature roses and berries from my backyard.  I have a set of 5 little vases and they always make the table feel "simply" spectacular.
 
 
We made fajitas since my Aunt and Uncle had never had them.  Of course, they loved them.  We did have to convince them that they didn't need to eat them with their knife and fork.  Picking them up and eating them like a sandwich was totally cool here in Texas.  We had a good laugh over that. 
 
 
Several years ago, I purposely purchased a large bowl that goes in the center of my table.  The reason I love it so much is that everyone can be seated and I can have something beautiful in it without disrupting our view of each other.  
 
Ruthie's tip of the day
 Centerpieces are lovely but don't create one or place one in the center of the table that you have to remove once everyone is seated.  You want to be able to enjoy it while you eat.  Make it low and wide if you have to, rather than too tall.
 
 
I change what is in the bowl with the seasons.  I can't wait to put my pumpkins in it for the fall and then fill it with Christmas ornaments for the holiday season.   Of course everybody got a cloth napkin because as you know, Fajitas are not easy to eat without making a mess!
 
 
For yesterday's meal, I filled it with these blown glass balls.  I placed a loose flower amongst them because I loved that pop of interest.
 
It was amazing to hear about my Aunt and Uncle's adventures and ministries that they are a part of all over the world.  Very inspiring to hear how lives are being touched and hope is being planted in others hearts. My uncle has been building houses, teaching others to garden so they can eat their own crops, feeding and providing shelter for orphans, etc.  See his website here.  http://www.tendinternational.org/
 
 
After we finished the meal, I scattered the little vases around the house so we can enjoy them all week!  We all had coffee, apple pie and ice cream and chatted all afternoon.  Perfect Sunday!
 
 
Hope your Labor Day weekend was amazing.  We were blessed to have my husband's family and some great friends over for the day for burgers.
  My house was full all weekend and that is what makes my soul happy!
 
Thank you to my sister in law who brought me these beauties!  I have them on my desk so I can enjoy them while I work this week.
Hope your week is filled with beauty and not too much chaos.
 
   Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT)
 
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio. 
 I'd love to set up a consultation with you so we can make your home beautiful.
 
 
 


Wool dress transformed to pillow

 
Today I took 5 teenage girls to my favorite thrift stores in town. It was an absolute blast!  I taught them all my thrift store tips and it was fun to watch them find their treasures! 
 
I found the above wool dress and can't wait to turn it into a throw pillow for a teenage bedroom!  Cool, don't you think?
 
Everyone found something wonderful and I drove a car full of girls home that were excited and happy!  They loved digging for that perfect item, just for them. 
 
Hope you are having a great long weekend? I'm spending the weekend with my mom and family.  My Aunt and Uncle just flew in from South Africa to spend some time with us. They are on their way to Alaska!  I'm cooking Sunday lunch tomorrow for the family and we can't wait to be together.  Cooking fajitas!
 
 


I couldn't wait!

 
 
Remember my little treasure of a cabinet that I posted about last week?   Here is the link to the post.
 

BEFORE
 
BEFORE I painted it.
 
Well....I got inpatient (it looked so lonely sitting in my garage) and I didn't do exactly what I had anticipated doing when I blogged about it last week.  Chalk paint is always divine and saves you steps but I had some "chill out" time and decided to tackle this project.  For me, getting a paint brush in my hand, knowing there will be a fun result, makes me relax and rejuvenates me.  I know it seems nuts but I LOVE putting my paint clothes on and getting paint under my nails.  Some good rockin' music helps too!
 
I decided to "use what I had" as far as paint is concerned and just went for it!
 
AFTER
 
 
I used an off white paint, let it dry and then used a rough sandpaper to distress it!
 
I painted the wallpaper that was already on the back of the cabinet a nice warm chocolate color!
 
 
I usually don't like flowers but I thought these looked nice once they were painted.
 
 
I found a perfect little home for it and the end of the hallway by my bedroom!  Of course, I had to find a spot for what was there and that caused me to change a bunch of things in my living room.  Good grief, I love change but wasn't ready for one thing to lead into another :) 
 
 
This glass top table use to be in the hallway where my "new" piece is now.  I think it looks great in it's new home, next to my favorite chair!
 
Made sense to put these little guys in this wooden tray on top of the glass top table.  Like?
 
 My husband came home and it looked like a tornado had been through our house but I did get it in order eventually.
 
 
I loaded it with some unique accessories and now I'm a happy girl!  The best part is that it didn't cost me much and I was happy to get some "chill out" time.
 
Hope you have a fun long weekend!  Do a project and send me pictures!
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my portfolio of before and after pictures
 and book your design consultation today!

Antiques and Chalk Paint

I've always love a curved glass front cabinet like the one above.
and.....
I found the most wonderful treasure today.  YEAH!!!!
I've been on the lookout for a cabinet like this that I can paint with Chalk Paint just like the finish below!   Anyone know anything about chalk paint?  I've been hearing such great things about it!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it?
 I was so excited when I came across this treasure in a junk shop.  I decided to purchase it and dress it up!   It has three glass shelves that go inside.
I plan on painting the back of the cabinet a slate gray here.  It already has a textured wallpaper adhered to the back so I thought the gray might make the pattern shine.  I hope to put lighting in the cabinet as well.
This finish would be nice too!  What do you think?  Yellow or turquoise?
I found a link here that gives great instructions on how to get this look.
Wish me luck and be on the lookout because it may be for sale when I'm finished with it!  A great cabinet to put that shoe collection you've got!
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see before and after pictures as well as my portfolio.

Don't be green with envy an longer!

Don't be green with envy any more.....change up your home today by updating some accessories and moving things from room to room.
I love it when I'm cleaning out files and find old before and after pictures.  Thought I'd share this living room space!  Drastic before and after. 
BEFORE
AFTER
Just look at what new pillows did to that couch!
If you are thinking about hiring a decorator and would like to incorporate things you already own, you will be shocked at how different a space can look. Adding new things to your existing items and updating your walls with paint can be a huge start!  Just look at the columns and you will see what a drastic change adding a glaze made!
We just added accessories to this space and moved things around from different areas in the home.
The large wall panels really make a statement and look much more to scale than the wimpy artwork before.
Opening up her writing desk made it look so much more interesting too!
Don't be afraid to try something new! 
 A decorator can help you and will give you the confidence to make that next step!
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio as well as more before and after photo's to inspire you!