What a fun few weeks we have had here at DecRenew Interiors by Ruthie Staalsen!

We finished up about 4 big remodels about a month ago so have been doing some photo shoots! Photo shoot days always involve a lot of packing, lugging, wrapping and sweating but it is always worth it!

I thought I'd post this Industrial Farmhouse kitchen first since I just love it! We only have a few before pictures of this kitchen which makes me sad. I met with the client for a walk thru consultation to discuss what they wanted done and how we were going to proceed. It was a fantastic consultation with loads of brainstorming and thinking on our feet with my team. Before I left their house they said they would let me know when they were ready to proceed with the demo.

The next day I got a call from them saying that they were leaving on vacation that week and decided they wanted the demo to go ahead and start while they were gone. Ok then, I love decision makers! So refreshing!

My team got busy but we forgot to take before pictures, urggg! We did get these few!

The kitchen was incredibly un-functional and was closed off to the rest of the house. I suggested we open it all up and create two islands. One in center of the kitchen for their prep work, etc. and the other one where we opened up the space into the family room.

They had a formal living room that they hardly ever used so opening up the space into that room made sense.

They had a round dining table in the kitchen area that they used daily. We made the bar area nice and big so the family can sit and do their homework while mom or dad cooks.

The family room had beams but they were off scale. We widened them and added new beams to the area where we tore down walls.

There are barstools on each side of the island as well because we all know the kitchen is where everybody hangs!

The kitchen was totally gutted and we started from scratch.

The wood floors were the last thing to go in and once they were down it all came together beautifully, just like I saw it in my head during our walk thru consultation :)

I just love the handmade subway tile and the lighting we chose, it really gave the kitchen that industrial farmhouse feel. I think Jo Jo would approve, don't you?

Stay tuned for more before and after from some of our other remodels!

It has been such a privilege to work with my recent client. She is young and has been extremely successful. Recently purchased a beautiful town home and called me to help her add personality and fun to it.

She had a few accessories, a small round bistro table and a beautiful town home to work with. The furniture that we couldn't use, she donated to charity.

BEFORE

(dark and drab)

Being that she is young and fun, I presented a design plan to her with color and crisp freshness. She loved it and we got started right away! We painted all the walls a soft gray and that in itself transformed the entire room.

The beautiful watercolor that you see in the hutch below was my inspiration for the room and helped us incorporate some of the existing blue accessories she already had and loved.

I found the used china cabinet below and had it professionally repainted, bringing it up to date! It had such great bones and I knew the curved arches would add interest instantly.

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The outside was painted a rich gray and the inside was painted a light gray to showcase all the colorful accessories I added.

My client does not like a cold modern, contemporary style.

My goal was to make her home feel updated, functional and comfortable but also give it a feeling of youthfulness and style.

She wanted it to be a place that is a casual refuge for her to come to after a long day at the office. I placed some old leather books, along with some pottery she had and mixed in unique artwork. I also found these antique wallpaper stamps and they make a great conversation piece placed in the cabinet.

It now exudes a colorful, free spirit just like she has.

BEFORE

AFTER

A wonderful tufted ottoman is a place where all feet can rest comfortably!

The existing table she had now looks to scale, especially underneath her new chandelier.

Underneath the large front window we added a new console table.

I found these two fabrics and knew combined they would be perfect for her style. Blown glass vases inbetween the lamps are showcase pieces now with the light shining in on them and above them. They also have a bit of sparkle so that was a fun surprise for her.

The mantel was painted black. I proposed to my client that we move the mantel up due to the wierd space between the ledge and the mantel however, due to the budget, she decided that could be done later. We worked with what we had for the mantel and I think it turned out nice.

BEFORE

AFTER

My client returned home after being at a meeting all day and fell into her comfortable couch and immediately started enjoying her NEW room! She had the wrought iron shutters already, we just rehung them somewhere else.

Team DecRenew was extremely tired after a hard day with an extremely early start; 3 truck deliveries, 2 cars full of breakables and flowers, a wonderful handyman, my assistant Lesley with her crazy good organization skills and "get it done" attitude, and of course Tim my drapery installer that always does his magic. I couldn't do it without them all!