Peek into our Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio 2017

We have been working hard on our Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio space. It has been a joy to do this vignette in memory of Dot Greenlee.

Swirl artwork was by Jennifer Ayyed and light blue glass rock artwork by Latoya Jones. Acrylic bases done by E&D Plastics.

Thank you to IDS Dallas Chapter for selecting me, along with Barbara Gilbert and Nicole Arnold to honor Dot in this way.

Artwork by Christi Meril

Dot was known for her use of bright colors, specifically pink.

Art by Artist Mary Howe

We wanted our space to be bright and happy, just like Dot.

Thank you to our main sponsors Robert Allen, Kisabeth Furniture and Nomads Loom. The stunning floral arrangements were donated by Curate Florals (Linda Baker, IDS President).

After we finished the space, the designers that knew her well said the space is a great representation of what she loved.

The lighting in our vignette is spectacular and I want every single light fixture for  my home.  The above fixture is from Currey and Company and it gave our installers fits. Very heavy and lots of sharp edges.  It is the star of the show in our vignette.

One of IDS Members, Josh with Stal Timber donated these unique side tables made from 100 year old beams. They are spectacular!  Paired with the rug from Nomads Loom and the navy velvet chair and sofa donated by Kisabeth Furniture, they are just gorgeous.

Follow me on Instagram to see more behind the scenes clips of our vignette and the event itself.

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek.  This Charity event will be held on April 5th, just in time for my 50th birthday!  You can purchase tickets at https://www.dwellwithdignity.com. It is the event of the year, I promise!

If you can't make it to the party, Thrift Studio 2017 will be open to the public, starting April 6th and will be open for a month.

Stay tuned for more photos after the event is over.  Hope to see you there!

Montclair Estates Elegance

This past week a had a quick getaway to Arkansas to kick off the summer with my family.  It was an incredible time.  It was eye opening to me to see how my "DecRenew" team took care of everything while I was away!  I am extremely grateful to the contractors that work along side me, they are continually making my job such a pleasure.

 It was hard to come back after being in paradise at Lake Greeson in Arkansas.

My mind was renewed (as much as it can be for a few days away) and I was ready to get back to work the day after we returned.

A wonderful family hired me to decorate their piano room, dining room and entry.  They have been in their home several years now and have remodeled each room.  They just hadn't done any decorating  to their 3 front rooms.  Of course, these are the first rooms guests see first. They hired me to make it look inviting, comfortable, classy and welcoming.  This is Phase I of the decorating.  We will be adding some additional items sometime next month.

 The dining room was already furnished and had all the lighting.  We just added draperies, artwork and accessories.

BEFORE

 Amazing what a difference color, texture and draperies can do to a room.

AFTER

The artwork was inspired by the drapery fabric.  Mary Howe from Divine Inspirations did the painting for us.  I outlined the concept and colors and she did her magic like she always does, such talent!

I created the urns by adding moss to a round Styrofoam ball and then surrounding them with grapevine to give it a really natural look.  I just love using greenery that has lots of branches incorporated.  Truly looks like you picked it off a tree.  The urns were aged with an aging solution.

 My camera died in the middle of taking these photo's so I apologize for the "not so vibrant" shots.

The piano room was cleared out completely.  We kept the piano where it was because it is the star of the room.

BEFORE PIANO ROOM

 AFTER PIANO ROOM

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

  We had the fireplace fauxed with layers of  grays.  It now is more of the focal point in the room and coordinates with the colors in the entry. We added all new custom furniture, rugs and accessories, leaving the piano as the focal in this room.

AFTER

 This oil painting is the mom of my client.  She is perfect for above a mantel in a piano room don't you think?

BEFORE

We created a gallery wall with all of the oil paintings that were done by family members.  Framing them all in the same frame made them a grouping that works together, even though they are all quite a bit different.

AFTER

 I didn't use the oil painting with the fruit because I felt like that one is more appropriate for a kitchen.

Substantial dark frames changed the look of the artwork drastically!  Grouping them together makes it more of a collection.  Spreading them out all over the home would have lost their impact.  Seeing them all together tells a better story and showcases the collection.

I found the glass  lamp bases and changed out the shades with something a little more decorative than plain white.  The muted chevron pattern is gorgeous with the rug.

 These custom chairs are my favorite thing in the room!  The colorful  pillow makes the entire room come together. Well....I love the gallery of artwork too!

BEFORE ENTRY

AFTER

 The entry accent wall was painted a similar color to the fireplace surround,  uniting the rooms together.

 I found the chair at an estate sale and had it painted a light gray.

 Reupholstered the seat to match the pillows in the piano room and united everything together with a  cream Brazilian  hide.

 These Spanish doors were added to the stairway wall and are an incredible statement to the home with their weathered texture and color.

The amount of work that goes into one of these installs in incredible.  It always blows my mind to see the ideas that have been swirling around in my head come together within an 6 hour time frame. Months of preparation and organization.  Such an  awesome feeling to see it all put together.

The reveal is always so exciting and this family all gathered together to do the final walk thru after being gone all day.

The moment you drive away from a client and watch as the family walks back into their home is always such a rewarding feeling.  I love knowing that as they enter the front door, new memories will be created as they have friends and family gathered around for meals around their dining room table.  I can imagine lots of gatherings around the piano too, especially  for holidays and special occasions.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of using my gifts to warm the hearts of others.  It's a gift that comes back to me ten fold.

2012 Design Trends for your Home

(Traditional Home)

There is always buzz at the beginning of a new year as to what the trends will be for that year. I've been hearing 5 that seem to be pretty consistent in the design world.  Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine confirmed them today on the radio.

(Lifestyle Expert - 103.7 FM)

I thought I'd give you some images to go along with these trends.  The images I've chosen are what I envision those trends to look like.  They are examples on how I plan on incorporating these trends throughout the year as I decorate homes. 

 Hope the visuals and examples help you as you think about incorporating some of these into your home this year. 

(Pinterest)

Remember, be careful not to go too "trendy."  Add a pillow, a lamp or a rug, something that can be changed easily.  Stay classic in your design but add a few things that go along with the trends to add some interest and personality.

NO. 1

"Tangerine Tango" by Pantone - The color of the year!

This makes me happy because It's one of my favorite colors.  I have splashes of it all over my home.

Source

Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

It's a bold color and is beautiful as an accent color for your upholstery selections, dishes,

 accessories, wall color, lampshades, throws and much, much more.

Source

I'm crazy in love with these teacups!

(pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com)

Fun light fixtures and mix and match chairs.

(The Nate Berkus Show)

Perfect touch at the end of a bed with pillows or with fresh florals.

(World Market)

Love this throw pillow.

(tumblr.com)

This chair makes the room come alive!

Subtly including the color on a bookshelf is a great way to be in the trend without going overboard.

(designpages.blogspot.com)

It's beautiful with blue as the background!

(cococozy.com)

For those that are really conservative about trends, how about incorporating a large oversized ottoman with the color "Tangerine Tango" within the pattern?

I finished this room last year with "Tangerine Tango" as the accent color.

(Simplifiedbee.blogspot.com)

Pillows and florals once again.

NO. 2

GOING PREPPY - A clean, crisp look.

(Pinterest)

Gotta love houndstooth patterns.

(Dreamdesignlive.com)

A preppy wall design as a backdrop.

Source

Love a great plaid.  You could find an old flannel shirt and make it into a pillow.

Source

This look is one of my favorite ways to dress.

(Pinterest)

Beautiful textures that can be incorporated into a room.  Another one of my favorite looks.  Furs, leathers, animal print, sweater, vintage style  and wicker.

(Elle Decor)

So fresh and clean.  Appeals to men and woman.

(Ralph Lauren Home)

Wonderful layering of plaids and leather.

NO. 3

MASCULINE WEAR INSPIRED.

Every girl loves a sharp dressed man.  Well, it carries over into a sharp dressed room!

(remodelista.com)

You are going to see lots of furniture looking like men's clothing.  Very sharp!

Source

(Ralph Lauren Home)

So warm and comfortable.  Lots of plaids, warm tones, animal prints, leathers and books.

(habituallychic.blogspot.com)

Dark tones with leather, metal, architectural elements and colored artwork.

(picsdecor.com)

Leather, grasscloth, black tones and artifacts.  Love the crystal lamp to soften the look.

(Pinterest.com)

Love this chair upholstery made from a mens flannel shirt - fabulous look.

NO. 4

CALM COLORS

Blues and Greys

The seascape look

(Houzz.com)

Notice that it's not all themed in seashells.  It's just touches of it here and there to add interest.

(Tobi Fairley Home)

Small touches here too but the ice blue really adds a calming feel to this master retreat.

(Coastal Living)

Grey is a restful color and makes me want to turn down the sheets and sleep.

(Anna Baskin Lattimore Design)

Blue walls with white furniture and seashell motif.

(Concreteanddust.tumblr.com)

Light blue walls look fresh and happy.

(nominimalisthere.blogspot.com)

Seashell mirror and sink.  The mirrored vanity pulls it together and makes it glamorous instead of too country.

Painting the back of bookshelves adds a touch of the seaside.  Notice how beautiful white accessories look against the blue.

A collection of blue bases adds a calm yet vibrant feel. The black chairs really draw your eye in and complete the look.

Source

Beautiful accessories on a console table with touches of the sea.

Source

Driftwood and glassware speaks volumes in this vignette.  Makes a space feel "alive"

NO. 5

ENERGIZING COLORS

Splashes of red, yellows and other vibrant colors.

Source

Country Living

Red and yellow have always been a great marriage.  Notice how they painted the walls and the bookshelves the same color.  Great way to add drama.

(DC Design House)

So vibrant and beautiful.  Painting the inside of a cabinet is a great way to add color to a room.

(Thedesignfile.net)

A painted chest of drawers can add a pop of color to your space immediately.

(Traditional Home)

Monochromatic room with vibrant yellow artwork is spectacular in this room.

What a happy place with an eclectic mix of styles.

(Traditional Home)

Draperies is a great way to add a punch of color to your room as well.

I'm looking forward to this year of design!

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my portfolio

 and book your design consultation today!