A Marriage of Masculine and Feminine Design

We just finished an awesome install last week. What makes the install amazing is working with fun clients during the process. I have to say that this client was one of my favorites. As a designer, when the client is joyful and excited about their reveal, that makes it so rewarding!

They totally put their trust in me during the whole process which enabled me to do my job well.

 BEFORE ENTRY

The client hired me for the remodel portion of their home and then to finish it out with accessories, rugs, lighting and draperies.

AFTER ENTRY

The entry had some great pieces but they just weren't making a statement. The desk in the entry was too deep for the space so we moved it to another room (see details on that in a later post).

Ruthie Tip: In small spaces, I try to use anything that gives the illusion that the space is bigger. Example in this entry would be open legs on the console, a mirror, crystal lamp, glass vase and white stools.  

We painted the clock a pretty gray, added a round rattan rug (notice the black that ties into the stair runner) and slid some fuzzy ottomans underneath the console for some fun and a casual flair.

 BEFORE ENTRY

AFTER ENTRY

 I incorporated some of the antiques that were spread out throughout the home because antiques mixed in with new items makes it look collected, not decorated.

We painted the stairs white and added a black runner to the center of the staircase. We also painted the staircase railing black. We had a barn door custom made especially for the music room that adjoins the entry so they can close that room off. The detailing of the barn door is fabulous and can really be seen better from the inside of the music room (this is the back of the door).

BEFORE FAMILY ROOM

Their family room needed some lightning up, that's for sure. The Tuscan "old world" theme was everywhere.  She loves traditional and he loves a more contemporary style. I encouraged them that we could marry the two and get something that they would both like. I created a transitional look for them and they LOVED it.

 The leather sofa and 2 chairs were in decent shape so we reused them, along with the coffee table. We painted the entire downstairs walls as well as the bookshelves and mantel.

AFTER FAMILY ROOM

Amazing transformation, right?

TV was moved to top of the mantel. Added new lighting, a new rug, draperies, artwork, coffee table & bookshelf accessories, side tables, lamps and pillows. It made a huge impact to the feel of the room. When people say, the details don't matter, THEY DO! Just look at the details above!

BEFORE

AFTER

I love layering the coffee table accessories. The tray can be removed easily if they want to play games, etc. I collected all of these items over the month at different places I shop and it makes for a nice mix and loads to talk about when entertaining. I found the tiny binoculars and painted them gold (they are my fav).

The rain stick from Mexico is cool too.

Loved these gold candle holders.

The rug!!!

BEFORE BOOKSHELVES

AFTER BOOKSHELVES

The chairs swivel so they can easily watch TV and can pull in chairs from their dining room for extra seating when needed.

Ruthie Tip: Notice how we painted the candlesticks white with a gold leaf dusting? Reuse what you have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEFORE KITCHEN

Notice the faux brickwork!! Remember when we use to love this?

The kitchen felt closed off from the living room, due to the funny opening on the right. We took out the sheetrock column and opened that area up. We wrapped the support beam with rustic wood all the way across and stained it to match the barn door. It now feels so much more open.

AFTER KITCHEN

We added new lighting in the kitchen, above the island.We took cabinets to the ceiling and that made a big impact to the kitchen vibe. It is now so much more updated, and we didn't have to gut the entire thing. I love how you can see the entry in this photo too! You can see here that the desk that was in the entry, is now a place in the living room to pay bills, etc., it is also painted cream.

 The family room feels a part of the kitchen now!

The client had this camel saddle and I thought it looked perfect on this shelf, rather than on the floor. The colors I incorporated on the bookshelves brings in the colors from the fantastic painting.

A animal print throw on the ottoman pulls the room together. Small detail but you can see how it makes a statement. Another small detail is that we added hardware to the drawers and cabinets under the bookshelves. They don't match but I love that!  Leather pulls and crystal knobs!

Pillows, pillows, pillows, and they don't all have to match! Texture, texture, texture. I love to mix it up.

Fabulous, colorful artwork with gorgeous lamps on a console table that the client painted black for me with chalk paint.

Ruthie Tip: You can mix gold and silver! It makes it more interesting.  

Here is the video of the reveal as well as a walk through video of the entire finished project.

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I'm working on my next home as we speak!

Hope you mix it up this week in  your HOME!

Hope it's a great week!

Fresh and classy family room

A few weeks ago we finished a family room for a new client.  The room was pretty empty when we started.  The client wanted to clear the room and start fresh with everything new.  They requested a space that felt fresh and classic with a bit of a modern twist.

As most of you know, I LOVE to repurpose furniture.  I have always done that for my own home as well as for clients. This passion started from the day I first started this business.

I found this couch at a local  resale store.  It had great lines and was very comfortable.  I knew I could transform it into something fantastic. I didn't like the rolled arms (too traditional for this client) so I had my amazing upholsterer redo them for me in a more modern style.  We also took the skirt off and added nice tapered walnut legs.

Looks fab now!

Re-upholstery may not necessarily be cheaper than purchasing a new couch.  However, you can definitely custom design it to your liking. I prefer to do this because I can use my creativity to make it into something more personal for my client.  It definitely gives it a higher end look and makes the entire room feel more pulled together and detailed.

I did the same with these two recliners.  I wanted recliners because this room is primarily the room that this family watches TV in.  They requested chairs where they could relax and put their feet up to watch their favorite shows.  We were really limited for space so recliners were my best option, eliminating the need for ottomans.  Reupholstered in a fabulous gray velvet with cream piping to match the couch and new legs ended up being a successful redo.  The chevron metallic pillows really added a pop of something fun.  These chairs were hot pink when we started LOL

I also found these fabulous antique rattan barrel chairs.  Loved their lines and needed two accent chairs to add to the room that weren't too big.

Painted black with new seat fabric and nail heads makes them feel handsome and sharp.  Gives it a "collected" look. Love old and new!

The rug was purchased first and was my inspiration in the room. The soft vintage color palette is so pleasing to your eye when you first set eyes on it.

The large stone coffee table and the petrified wood side table pull everything together beautifully.

Accessorizing with old, new and natural elements add a sophisticated, collected feel to the room.  I filled a small wood slice to a glass terrarium and added green moss to an antique silver urn.

The silver hashtag adds a touch of whimsy to this eclectic mix. My favorite was the lucite tray that I grouped with the glass balls and a family photo.   The metallic chevron pillows on the wingback chairs coordinate beautifully with the mirrored glass box on the coffee table.

New hardware was added to the cabinets too.  I did mix them up a bit. The large cabinet doors got the fun arrow hardware (painted to my liking of course)the small cabinets got the square pearl hardware.

Added some old books with bright colors and some shelf adjustments with artwork, pottery and assorted accessories. A few family photos are also a must on bookshelves.

BEFORE

AFTER

The two floor lamps were gorgeous when I purchased them but I didn't like the shiny gold finish they had.  We toned them down to our liking and added new shades.  The new drum shade chandelier with crystals sparkles.

I also decided to do two sided pillows on the couch.

I'm a woman that likes change so my client can now change the room up a bit when they want to.

BEFORE

AFTER

The drapes soften the space without taking away from the beautiful backyard. I'm not a fan of draperies that cover up the light and view in a room.

We also took the fan out (the client never used it) and we hung a gorgeous drum shade chandelier with crystals.

I believe rooms should have a touch of feminine and a touch of masculine to them.

I always try to keep it simple --nothing too froufrou or trendy. When you mix it up, it's more interesting and fun.

The room feels tailored but all the textures give it a cozy warmth.

When you hire a decorator, we think about ALL the details. Some people furnish their entire home and then never finish it out with the detail.  As you can see from the AFTER photo's above, the details MATTER!

This home was a super exciting reveal, that's for sure!!!

You can watch our video of the before and after below or by clicking here.

Creating homes as unique as you are!

 True fulfullment is being able to enrich a families life by creating a home that suits their lifestyle. My goal at DecRenew Interiors is to create a space that is as unique as the client.

 Our tag line is: "Creating homes as unique as you are."

 I  met with this client after they had been living in their newly built home for a year.  This is the second home that I have had the opportunity to decorate for them.  It is always such a pleasure to work with the same client over and over again.

 The drapery fabric (mainly the colors)  was my inspiration for pulling the entire room together.  I adore all the  vibrancy and so does  my client.  As you scroll through the after pictures below, you will see how I made sure these colors were all married together somehow.  Different textures, patterns, shapes, etc. together created a mixed up, eclectic style with a transitional flair.

They had some things that I knew we could repurpose.   These two club chairs were reupholstered because the client loved them and they were super comfy.

 They just needed a makeover after being used in their gameroom surrounded by kids and all that goes with that!

My goal is to use as much of what the client "already have" in order to save them as much money as possible.  Of course, only if the item was  still stylish :)  Often times, my clients will say "really, keep these old things" and I say "yes, they/it has HUGE potential."

Ruthie Decorating tip:  Use unique items for your flowers. This candle holder was perfect for the fresh flowers on the coffee table.  Make sure that the item is not pourous if you place the flowers directly in the vase.  If it is, I put a small drinking glass inside the vase and use that for the flowers.  

 We were going to redo these two ottomans.  As the room started to come together, I thought they could stay "as is" since they go beautifully with the animal print rug.  I'm crazy about the round side table.  Such great detail!

Gus loves his new home too!

 The coffee table is so unique and the texture and color make the reupholstered chairs united.  See how the detail of the book on the coffee table pulls together the ottoman color?

Those are the details that I think about for days and days before the installation.  I often wake up in the middle of the night and get up and write things down.

What color florals to use is also a huge decision.  

Notice how these flowers make the entire room pop.

The new gray sectional is perfect for their family life.  This family room is where everything happens in their house.

The stripes and houndtooth patterned pillows add a masculine touch against the more feminine draperies.

Adding unique wooden side tables makes the room feel warm and cozy.  With the high ceilings in this room, we needed that.  Also adds that shape that we needed to soften the edges.

Unique lamps and a fun shade add personality, fun and a more relaxed feel.  The painting on the mantel is huge and is all the mantel needs to make a statement.  Less fussy!

The chair pillows add a punch of turquoise without going over the top with this bold color.

  I found a cake platter in one of the kitchen cabinets and created this vignette.

Ruthie Decorating Tip: Accessories placed in different heights make more of  statement and draws your eye into each item.  Look for bowls, books, boxes, etc. to raise things up.  It's more appealing to your eye. 

This telephone was in their junk pile.  I rescued it because I think it adds some history to the room.

I have a love for lamps and this one is to die for!

The family also enjoys playing batgammon.  I placed it out as decor since it is used often.  The kids loved seeing their treasures out and displayed.  I also placed some of their other items like family pictures, grandma's clock, etc.

Paired with this cute piece of pottery that their son made a few weeks ago, it makes for a nice combination.

So you probably want to see a totaly before and after right?

It's a hard room to get a good picture of the entire space because of the light that pours in (a good problem to have).  These are the best we could do but it gives you an idea of the dramatic transformation.

BEFORE

AFTER

I loved what my client said when she walked in her new family room.

 "Is this really my house?  I don't feel worthy of this gorgeous space!"  

Yes, you are worthy!!!!  I so appreciate the opportunity to work with such a wonderful, worthy family!  Thanks for trusting me and for allowing me to be part of this project.

Thanks for joining me for this recap! I'll be posting before and after pictures of their dining room next.

See above!

"All mixed up" - My favorite decorating style

House Beautiful Magazine, April 2004 (Center fold)

Kelly Harmon - Designer

You have heard me say that my favorite rooms are ones that have mixed styles.

  The above cottage is a classic example of how you can mix textures, styles and items that have been collected, refurbished, recycled and replenished into a stunning room that has character and a feeling of items "collected over time."

The room above includes Mexican shutters and doors, American homespun and French linens, Japanese hardwood dishes, an Amish armoire (love it), a Swedish table and chairs, and an American Gothic church window from Texas.  The chandelier over the dining table is made of deer antlers and lit with beeswax candles.  Could you mix it up anymore?  Doesn't it have a very inviting, casual feel?

The cottage's oak floors were stripped, hand rubbed with paint, and polished with a white wax. 

Notice how there are no draperies or rugs.  Simple and nothing to interrupt your eye from the beauty of the floors.  The wire basket is a great accessory and adds so much personality.  I would love a window like this that has roses peering in as if they were in the house - perfect!

This kitchen is perfect for a cottage.  Notice how the island is the focal point because it is different from the rest of the kitchen cabinets.  The rustic stool and "driftwood" sign are perfect additions to this light and airy kitchen.  The height of the wire fruit stand creates interest and a slight pop of soothing color.  The chicken wire on the cabinet doors allow for the homeowner to display her favorite dishes and glassware.

Perfect little hooks for her coat or miscellaneous items she needs quick access to.

What works beautifully in this room is the way your eye sees the rustic wood sign above the cabinet and your eye then moves down to the shutters on each side of the window and they then land on the island making it a very balanced kitchen.

These are all things that designers know to do to make it feel perfectly fabulous!

One of the reasons why these rooms work so well in this cottage is that they share a noticeable lack of bright color.  Instead their hues are unified and share varying shades ranging from the lightest of beige to faded robin's egg blue. 

I'd love to own this cottage by the sea!

Ruthie