Ruthie's 2012 Fall Decorating Favorites

 

Since it's the beginning of October, I thought I'd post a few of my fall favorite decorating ideas so far!

  

 

Wine glass jewelry.  Precious little pumpkins for your fall brunch or luncheon.  Find them here

 

 

Cute idea and adds color!

 

 

 

So clever, made out of mason jar lids!  here

 

 

Made with little yarn balls and acorn tops!  Found here

 

 

These are so adorable!  Made out of vintage chenille.  I remember I had a purple bedspread made out of this chenille! Found here

 

 

So cute for each place setting!

 

 

Wouldn't this be a cool idea with pumpkins underneath the glass instead of the flowers?  I'd be afraid the above might fall over at my dinner party.  Pumpkins might keep them from falling.

 

 

Glitter pumpkins.  Use painters tape to create the design and then spray adhesive to make the glitter stick :)

 

 

Chevron patterned pumpkins all all the rage this year.

 

 

Even for cookies!

 

 

Simple and absolutely beautiful!

 

 

Great idea so your tablecloth won't fly away!

 

 

Better Home & Garden rocked this wreath!

 

 

Check out these chocolate covered pretzels, dipped in sprinkles!  Brilliant and EASY!

 

 

Perfect for your address!

 

 

Great way to serve drinks!

 

 

Fall gift tags found here.

 

This is the table arrangement I made last year.  I really enjoyed the antlers and my shoe polished pumpkins.  Did you know you can use clear shoe polish to make them shine!  Makes them look like wax.

 

This was my centerpiece a couple years ago.  I placed a pumpkin in a large bowl and then placed a wreath around it.  Instant gorgeous!

 

 

Check out what Jennifer at "Dimples and Tangles" is doing for fall in her home here.  Love the feathers and pops of color!  You'll love it too!

 

My other blogger friend Jennifer, from The Magic Brush is doing amazing things with her pumpkins too.  Pop over to her blog and take a look at her talent!

 

 

Happy Fall Decorating Ya'll, I'm glad it's finally feeling like fall here in Texas!

 

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio with before and after pictures you won't want to miss.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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 :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.