Before & After Bookshelves & Kiddos Treasures

(Clay fish my daughters made in elementary school)
 
Some of you may have seen the bookshelves I posted on facebook that I found on Craigslist for my Master Bedroom.  Well, this weekend I transformed them!
 
I don't have much display space in this house and really wanted to have a space in our master where I can put the treasures that my girls have made us over the years :)  As well as some family pictures that are important to us.
 
BEFORE
 
 
I found these beauties and drove an hour away, way into the country to get them.  A girl does what she wants to do if she finds something she loves, right?  Even if it involves driving my husband's beast of a diesel truck.
 
  I especially loved the arched shaped curves at the top and knew they would be gorgeous all painted up and "Ruthiefied" as my sister-in-laws say.  I loaded all three of them up and brought them home.
 
AFTER
 
 
I wallpapered the backs of the shelves with a wallpaper that is very close to the paint color and it looks so great!
 
 
I've got 2 done, and am working on the third to place next to the one above.
 
I used  Krylon Fusion spray paint (Color - River rock) because the shelves are not solid wood and could not be sanded. 
 
 
This spray paint has a primer in it and worked really well.  The only negative was that I used 4 cans per bookshelf, yikes!  It is also very messy so you WILL NEED GLOVES when doing this project :)
 
 
The wallpaper coordinates beautifully with my drapes and bedspread.  It's nice and subtle so it doesn't look to froo froo as my husband would say.
 
 
 
 
I sanded the edges so some of the original color would shine through. 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm halfway through placing things on the shelves, this will take some tweaking.
 
 
Treasures like this cute clay sandal that my daughter made in her art class her 5th grade year will be placed ever so carefully.
 
 
Paper Mache pot, again made in art class.
 
 
A sketch of my two girls that was given to me for Christmas one year.  Adorable!  My favorite gifts are those that are made with LOVE.
 
 
My initials made out of clay amongst some shells we collected on one of our beach trips.
 
Funky Fish Display.
 
Hope your weekend was productive! 
 
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.
 
 
 

African Story about LIFE!

 One of my sweet clients passed this African story on to me this week.  I couldn't help but share it with you, especially since I was born and raised in Africa and still have family there.  Africa is so dear to my heart.
  It is so incredibly inspirational and it made me think about how our lives can be transformed by the accountability we have in our lives and the family & friends (or tribe) that encourages us along the way!
Hope it makes your week colorful like it did mine!

 

Here it is.....
When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant, she goes into the wilderness with a few friends and together they pray and meditate until they hear the song of the unborn child.
 They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When the women is attune to the song, they sing it out loud.
Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.
When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child's song to him or her.
Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child's song.

 

When the child passes through the initiation into adulthood, the people again come together and sing.

 

 At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.

 

 

 Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.
 In the African tribe, there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around them. They then sing their song to them.
 The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity.
 When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another. A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it.
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.
 You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not.
When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song, and you feel awful if it doesn't.
 In the end, we shall all recognize our song and sing it well.
 You may feel a little wobbly sometimes, but so have all great singers.
Just keep singing, and you'll find your way home.
- Alan Cohen
Isn't that beautiful???
Enjoy your weekend and love someone well!

 

Bookshelf Tips and Decorating Compromises

  
Photo found on Pinterest
 
This past weekend we decided to paint our bookshelves in the living room.  I've always thought they make the room feel dark.  The main reason I didn't like them is that all my accessories wouldn't POP on a dark background.
 
 
It was like pulling teeth to get my husband on board but he finally said YES!  We had to compromise on a few things like keeping the crown molding stained but I can live with that.  I've learned that it's his house too and he has input that I need to consider.  I'm constantly encouraging my husband and wife clients to compromise, it's just hard to do it myself.  I've got to practice what I preach!
 
I stumbled upon  Comex paint at  Lowes.  Their color sample display got me ALL excited and they definitely have some rich beautiful colors. They have a fabulous selection of neutral colors as well as gorgeous bold colors!  
 
BEFORE
 
 
AFTER
 
 
 I chose the Comex Paint Glutted 2853M for the bookshelves.
 
 
Your bookshelves can be as beautiful as a window view.
 
 
I shop for books at estate sales and thrift stores.  Take their jackets off and sometimes there is a treasure cover or great color/texture underneath.
 
 
 
 
My husband grew up in Papua New Guinea and I grew up in Africa.  This bookshelf has touches of our childhood.
 
My accessories are now alive!
 I love to use muted tones for my accessories and then add loads of color with my books!
 
 
Tips for Decorating Bookshelves:
  • Try to collect colorful books that tell a story about you.  Sometimes they are just for the color, sometimes they are because they say something about where you have travelled or what you love to do.
  • Adjust your shelves so they aren't all the same height.
  • Use muted tones for your accessories and then add loads of color with the books.
  • Add a small lamp to a shelf if you can, it creates a nice mood in a room.
  • Lean artwork against the shelves and layer accessories or books in front of the artwork.
  • Every shelf doesn't have to have lots of items on it.  One larger scale accessory can look better than a bunch of clutter.
  • Use a variety of textures like baskets and pottery, this makes it eye catching.
  • Don't over decorate your bookshelves, less is more.
  • Hang items on the back of the shelf.  I love to do this with mirrors.  Especially round ones.
  • A interesting empty frame leaned up inside a bookshelf looks amazing.  Even a few of them layered on top of one another looks amazing.
  • Hang a picture or mirror on the outside of the bookshelf.
  • If you don't like some of your books, wrap them in your favorite wrapping paper or just brown paper.
  • Add a storage basket to your shelving so you can hide things quickly when guests are coming.
  • Paint the back of your bookshelves the color or a couple shades deeper to make the room feel bigger.
  • Add lighting to your bookshelves if that is possible.
 
 We thought this project would be a quick and easy one.  However, like I always tell my clients, it always takes TWICE as long as you think.  Don't believe what HGTV tells you, it's never like they show on the design shows. 
I was reminded that painting also makes you feel you are moving, urggg!
The good thing is that both my husband and I are happy with the outcome! SCORE
 
I'd love to hear your comments!  Add your tips to the comments, we all love to be inspired!
 
P.S.  As you probably noticed, I'm not using "Ruthie's Renewed Treasures" anymore as my blog name.  I'm just using "DecRenew Interiors" for now.  I'm feeling like "Ruthie's Renewed Treasures" limits my readers and I'd like to broaden my following by making it more Interior Design focused.
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio and book your consultation today.
Hourly consultations available.

Opulant Foot Stool Inspiration

 
 
Oh wow!  I LOVE this vintage Art Deco foot stool that I found on Etsy here.
 
I've been swooning over it because it's so interesting and these kind of items are what make homes feel so charming and different.  Mixing old with new is my favorite way to pull a room together.  With every client I work with, I try to add something unusual that is created especially by me so it's one of "Ruthie's Specialties" in the space.
 
 
Items like this one always inspire me to look for unique items while I'm out shopping at consignment stores, estate sales, garage sales or thrift stores. They may be hideous when I buy it but I always know that they will become a shining star in a room when I'm done with it.
 
 
I find that looking for a treasure that has potential to be made into something fantastic is MUCH MORE fun than shopping for something that is brand new and predictable.
 
 I especially love adding an animal print to a room because it makes a room shine.  Never overdo the animal prints.  Small doses are just enough to give you that statement you need.
 
Designer - Ruthie Sommers
 
The above room designed by Ruthie Sommers (I love her style, could be because she has my name?) has touches of faux zebra on these cool side chairs and it makes this room come alive and gives it an eclectic vibe without being overdone.
 
Here is a find that I found this week sitting in a lonely corner that I thought was so much fun and they were definitely calling my name!  I can't wait to transform them into something like the footstool above that inspired me so much.
 
 
They are stackable foot stools, how fun.  They look very outdated as they are with their nasty old faux leather (they didn't make faux leather's as nice as they do now) but I thought I could paint them like the foot stool's patina above or maybe even do something even more dramatic like midnight black or even an antique gold rub.
 
I've been introduced to this pewter rub on finish and thought I might try it.
 
 
Thank you Thrifty Decor Chick for showing us how to use it. 
 
 
 
I do love this finish.  Love it when it's far from perfect, it adds charm and character.
 
 
I'm going to reupholster them in this fabric or find  or something like the one below.  Won't that be great?  I'll do the the cording in a solid color. 
 
 
 
A couple copper or metal upholstery buttons and it will be a winner.
 
 
These crystal ones would make it shine!
 
Always be on the look out for a treasure that can be RENEWED! I'll post pictures when I've finished with this treasure.
 
Blessings on your day and weekend!
  My cousin is getting married on Saturday in England.  My dad and step mom are there and I can't wait to see pictures.  They are getting married in a beautiful little stone church where my grandparents are buried.  So meaningful and beautiful! 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio and book your consultation today!
 

Tips to Personalize your Decorating

 
I've always loved this picture of my brother and I riding camels on the beach in Kenya. 
 
Once you have lived or been to Africa, it always stays with you! I have wonderful memories of doing fun, crazy things that I look back at now and think "Wow" that was awesome and I had no idea how blessed I was to get to experience such a cool childhood. 
I truly realize now and can't wait to travel more with my kids.
 
 
Anyway, I found this cool camel's saddle at an estate sale and it sits beautifully in my living room.  It has significance to me because of my memories riding camels on our holiday in Mombasa, Kenya.  It's worn and tired but it has incredible character and makes for a great conversation.
 
When looking for items for your home, find things that have meaning to you.  We personalize so many things these days, our Facebook page, our Google profile, our cell phone ring tone, our Instagram photo's, our laptop screen saver.  I've been thinking a lot about it and started to wonder if people really put that much energy into their personal spaces where they spend most of their time.
 
Do you personalize your home?
 
 
I try to collect pieces of driftwood.  I've collected them from all over and have scattered them throughout my home. 
 
 
 I love their texture and they makes me think of the simplicity of life.  Nature does that to me.  Brings me back to the basics of life.  Having a bit of nature in my home constantly reminds me to keep things simple and reminds me to enjoy all things beautiful.
 
 
Seashells and corral also makes me think of my visits to different beaches.  The beach is what makes me relax and there is something about the smell of the air that makes me feel peaceful.  I instantly feel "chilled out" when sitting on the beach and feeling the breeze.
 
Here are a few tips for you to help you personalize your home.
 
 
Surround yourself with things you LOVE or items that trigger memories of your travels.
 
Re purpose old antiques or heirlooms.  Add your special touch and style by displaying them in unique ways.
 
 
Find one of a kind artwork, rugs or accessories  that says something about who are or what you have done.
 
 
Use your own signature scent for your home. 
 
 
Throw splashes of your favorite color around.  Layer those colors with different sizes, styles and shapes.
 
 
Incorporate your heritage and place vintage and family photos on your bookshelves along with your favorite collections.
 
 
Incorporate architectural elements.  They add so much interest to any corner or wall.
 
 
Add a few interesting imported pieces of furniture.  This is also a great way to add color!
 
 
Scatter your child's artwork in different places.  They love seeing their creations on display!  Date the bottom of them so you know what year they did them.  They will want them for their home one day.
 
 
 
Baskets add loads of personality and interest!  Hang them on your walls for all to enjoy.  I full wall of woven beauties has just as  much impact as a full wall of mirrors because it makes a statement!
 
Make the first thing your guests see when they ring the doorbell have a splash of YOU.
 
If you haven't personalized your home, I challenge you to do so.  If you have kids, it means a lot to them too.  My girls love to see their history and memories all over our home.
 
Tell your story by personalizing your home today!
 
P.S. - I am not a good writer and my punctuation may not always be perfect.  I just love what I do and like to express it on this blog.  I'm apologizing now for anything that you see in my grammar, etc. that isn't right :)  I try, but I'm far from perfect.
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.  I can help you personalize your home and make you "house proud" as Nate would say :)