Ruthie's Memorial Day Inspirations

With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, it has got me thinking about all things Red, White and Blue.
Let's start with some interiors.
This entryway is stunning.  Don't think I could be brave enough to do this in my home but it sure is glamorous.  The door is upholstered and the paint color on the walls is a lacquered high gloss.  Do you like it?
One of the clients I'm working with right now had her entryway painted in this gorgeous blue.  SW "Outer space" and it looks incredible.  She was so afraid to do it but ended up trusting me and now she LOVES it!
House Beautiful, October 2012
I love this room featured in House Beautiful.  The solid blue velvet, plaid, leather and then the American Flag really gives it a masculine flair.  The rug pulls everything together in this room and gives it balance.
This room is inspiring and they gave us the colors from Sherwin Williams.  Lots of pattern in this room but they all work together beautifully.
If I had a lake house, I'd decorate the bunks like this.  Great for boys and girls.  The seagrass rug really adds a great texture to the space.
I like the idea of combining dark navy with these burnt orange colors.
Stark white paint on this built in looks incredible with the navy blue.  The white cording really makes everything pop!  A port hole mirror would be something I would add to the back wall to give it some charm.

Source

Red shelves with blue books is so sharp!  Love the black and white pillow.
Column and baseboards painted blue to match the wallpaper!  Not my personality but I could see this being down in a boutique or retail store in a second!
How fun is this couch??!!!!
On to Red, White and Blue Exteriors.....
So happy!
Rustic quaint
Fun red for a cabin!
Red makes things look exciting!
Coastal Living
With painted furniture being all the rage right now, why not paint your wicker red?
 
Ballard Design has some awesome umbrella's this season and the tilt which is an added bonus.  The black and white stripe is my favorite.
On to eating and miscellaneous fun.....
Memorial Day is the beginning of summer around here and the grills get fired up and the pools get ready for backyard parties.  We are having a party on Monday with some good friends and I'm thinking about what desserts to make.   Here are some I'm thinking about.
Rooms to Inspire
I thought the wrapped twizzlers was a great idea.  The teens will LOVE these!
Trifle is my absolute favorite dessert ever!  This is the taste of summer!
I'm making this for my guests.  I make it with "store bought" sugar cookie dough.  I use 2 of the Pillsbury dough rolls.  It is such a hit for parties!
I won't be sporting this cute little number but it is adorable for the summer!
I will be wearing these little lovelies.  Ann Taylor is having a huge sale and  I've purchased these!  I thought they looked very classy.
How fun would these be to make! My teens would be all over these!
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY, we remember you this weekend.
No words can be expressed for the sadness we feel for Oklahoma's loss this week.  We will continue to pray that through this disaster, God will be working behind the scenes to show us that He is amongst us in these tragedies.
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.

Traditional Home Magazine & Great Kitchen's Digital Edition!

Sneek Peek
 
 
Several months ago I received information about a Traditional Home contest and immediately felt it would be something I should enter. (see above).
 
 
They gave us an option to choose from 5 categories. 
 
1.  The Ultimate Kitchen
2. Entertaining Secrets
3. Favorite Kitchen Designer
4. At Home Event Theme & Menu
5. Best Dressed Table
 
 I couldn't decide whether I wanted to enter for the "Best Dressed Table" or enter one of my Kitchens in the "Ultimate Kitchen" category. 
 
 
As you know if you follow my blog, I'm not only crazy about decorating and design, I'm passionate about entertaining, food, parties, gathering friends and families together and all things beautiful! 
 
 
 I wrote a post last year about one of the Gourmet Dinner club parties that my husband and I hosted.  See the Tablescape, Food & Menu that I thought would have been great for the "Best Dressed Table" or "At Home Event Theme and Menu" submission.
 
 
 
In the end I decided to enter one of my kitchen remodels that I am so passionate about.  One of the main reasons is that it has a fabulous family story that I knew many would LOVE and enjoy if I shared it!  The kitchen is absolutely gorgeous too because my client has great taste!  I checked with her to make sure it would be okay to submit the entry and she was elated.  My client and I shared fun & happy moments and as I worked on this kitchen with my contracting crew.  My team grew to love their family and were sad when the job was over.  She even made all the guys her famous "iced"  brownies when the job was done and they devoured the entire pan.  They said they were "off the chain", An expression that I had never heard!!
 
I collected my thoughts, pictures, etc. and submitted my kitchen with crossed fingers and held my breath, hoping that I would win......
 
 
 
Well, the other day I was notified by Traditional Home Magazine that my kitchen (my client's kitchen to be correct) did win in this contest!!! 
 
I am beside excited and so is my client!  Thank you Traditional Home for this honor of being chosen.
 
 
My kitchen remodel will be a part of the Great Kitchens Digital Edition, full of fresh inspiration—from design tricks and cooking tips to entertaining must-haves that will be live May 24th so keep a watch out for it! 
 
A sneak peek into the kitchen.



Traditional Home is also having a Great Kitchens Sweepstakes. Enter for a chance to shop, cook, eat, and enjoy California hospitality alongside Thermador chefs, Traditional Home editors, and the bloggers and designers featured in our Great Kitchens online magazine at the Thermador Design & Experience Center! One lucky winner and guest will have the chance to join the celebration, July 22-24, in Irvine, California. 
YOU can Enter to win here.
 
Thanks for being excited for me!
 

Shop Online at DecRenew Interiors

As some of you know, I've been working on getting an Online Store ready.  I'm happy to say that it is up and ready to go today!
 
 
You can shop for a variety of things for your home.  Everything from lamps, rugs, artwork, accessories, furniture, mirrors, etc.
 
 
I often get asked, "where do you shop?" and knew that it was a need for some of my clients that want to do shopping for themselves.  I can point you to items in my store and inspire you during our "Walk Thru" consultation and you can then shop away! 
 
Anyone can shop at my store and purchase directly online.
 
Make sure you check out "Ruthie's Picks" to see the items I LOVE and also see My Style!  I will have weekly clearance items and New Arrivals often!
 
 
HAPPY SHOPPING!
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio. 
 I'm known for creating luxurious, relaxed interiors on a budget!
 
 


House Beautiful in a day.

 
I always enjoy my ONE DAY installs.  My client and her husband just moved to their new home and hadn't a clue where to start with all of their decorating.  They were consolidating homes and had a bit of this and a bit of that and a lot of wonderful collections too!  They hired me to "use what they had" to make their home beautiful.
 
 
I met with them for a "Walk-thru" consultation first and I helped them select paint colors for certain rooms.  I then took an inventory of the items they had and made a list of some accessories that we could add to their mix to make the final reveal look more complete.  Doing "One Day" installs is one of my favorites, it's my passion!  I want everyone to be able to have a beautiful home and it doesn't always mean purchasing ALL brand new items.  Mixing it up and adding some creativity to your home is what makes it personal! 
 Isn't that what Pinterest is all about these days?
 
 
On the day of the install (a week later) I made them leave for the day (so they could be surprised) and we got to work!  Half way through the day, I heard the front door open and it was my client, she couldn't wait and wanted a peak....I immediately told her she wasn't allowed to peek :) and sent her on her way :)  She was just so excited and thought I'd let her see a glimpse into what we were doing.  I was just as excited :)
 
BEFORE
 
 AFTER
 
My team and I went through each room and pulled things from other rooms, shopped in closets, the garage, and even the patio.  We also placed some new items (lamps, accessories, pillows, wall art, mirrors, etc.) as well.   These three niches are something you see a lot in new houses. I don't like them because they limit what you can do and make new homeowners that don't have a clue about decorating even more frustrated!
 
 
 
I recommended they paint the insets Sherwin Williams "Foxy" to go with their rug and other furniture they have in the house.  In the past, I've wallpapered, faux finished, tiled with a metallic pearl tile, stenciled, etc. but for these niches it was more cost effective to paint them.
 
 
The  homeowners had a formal flair to their decorating style and I suggested that we break that up a bit. Adding old and new items, formal and casual, makes a room feel a lot warmer and more inviting.  I want rooms that I decorate to be spaces that people actually go in and enjoy!  Their house needs to have "lived in" spaces not just "for show" rooms.
 
 
Adding the rustic panels to two of the niches added the casual, comfortable, rustic flair.  For the middle niche, I added three antiqued & distressed mirrors in gorgeous frames.  They look really stunning with the  buffet lamps I purchased for them.  
 
 
Their family Bible that has been passed down for generations was placed between the lamps because that is the one thing the homeowner really wanted!
 
 
BEFORE
 
 
The dining room was painted a wonderful sage green. 
 
AFTER
 
I took a leaf out of the table as it was way to big for the room.  The leaves can be added with no problem but for every day, it needed to be smaller. 
 
 
I grouped special artwork that was done by family together on one wall.  I added a few embroidered throw pillows for color (the same red that is in the entry niches) and they made this dining room come alive and united this room with the entry.  An "all natural" arrangement added to the table and it looks fresh and updated now. It brings me great joy when I can incorporate things that have special meaning to the family.
 
 
I spruced up their family room too.
 
 
 
 
I found this old window in their garage and decided it would be beautiful on their mantel.  Again, breaking up the formal feel and adding a bit of character and "old world" charm.
 
Rearranged the bookshelves and added some height to the room with artwork and wrought iron.
 
 
The butler pantry got a new look with her collection of baskets.  We hung them on the wall because they are all so beautiful and did not need to be hidden in the closet.
 
 
 
 
The Master Bedroom got an animal print throw pillows to add to the mix and broke up the "matchy matchy" of her duvet set.
 
 The couch back pillows were getting worn and had lost their form so I got rid of those.  I then took the floral bed pillows off their bed and added them to the couch and I  must say it looks wonderful. I made a nice quiet reading/chatting space for the couple to sit and have coffee each day together.
 
 
It's amazing how a few throw pillows can "update" a space instantly.
 
 You have to have those things that are special to you close to you.  Placed this treasure on "HIS" side, so sweet and obviously hand made with LOVE!
 
 
The baby room got a few throw pillows and we moved things around a little.
 
 
 
The upstairs rooms got some freshening up too.  Their children come home a lot to visit so they wanted them to have some personality based on what each child likes.  Again, we "used what they had" and made it work beautifully. 
 
 
Ruthie's tip:  If you buy a "bed in a bag" mix it up with other pillows so it isn't so matchy.  I brought in the plaid pillow and the round pillow from another room and it happened to work perfectly.  It isn't always that easy but buying a few pillows that didn't come with the set is a great way to mix it up.
 
 
 
Found the large flowers in another room too and thought they deserved to be more of a focal point with these purple vases they already had.  I've made a shopping list for a few things the upstairs rooms need and will place them in Phase II of the project.
 
 
The pillows are stunning in the "Architects" room.
 
 
 
We had the theatre room painted a rich espresso and the columns got a nice silver metallic finish on them.  We hung new posters and this room is ready for the show to start!
 
 
It was a fun, exhausting but a very rewarding day! 
 
If you need help with your decorating, visit my website,
 DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.
  Remodels, updates, one day decorating, hourly consultations and much more!
 
 
Follow me on Pinterest and be inspired!
 

Ruthie's Easter/Spring Decorating Favorites

by:  Pottery Barn
 (Check out Pottery Barn's New Catalog, it has a fabulous new look)
 
Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born.  We are all starting to think about Easter and the renewal that brings to our lives.  I love this time of year because we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the resurrection of our savior.   I love this quote:
 
"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not only in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." Martin Luther
 
Beautiful reminder as we watch things start to bloom and blossom.
 
 
Speaking of needing renewal, I've been diagnosed with Asthma which has put me in bed for a few days to try and get myself well after an ER visit and many, many breathing treatments.  Trying to figure out what triggers the attacks.  In the meantime, I'm looking at it as a time for rest and trying to appreciate that.  It's hard for me to sit still but I'm learning that it's necessary for our bodies to recover. 
 
Martha Stewart Living
 
  So....what have I been doing while in bed?  You guessed it, catching up on Spring Ideas.  I've put together some images that are my favorites of the year.  For Easter, some like a formal table, some take their families to the park and some of us barbecue!  I've picked a few of my favorite Spring and Easter decor ideas to get your ideas flowing while you plan for this special time.  Thought I'd save you some Pinterest searching time. 
 
If you don't follow me on Pinterest already, click the link and start following me.  I'll do all the work for you and find the most inspiring images out there being pinned.
 
 
by: Focal Point Styling
 
Painted metallic eggs - Love this look.
 
 
(by  Focal Point Styling)
 
My absolute favorite color combinations!  So refreshing for a new spring color combination, instead of pink and green.
 
Here are some other amazing ideas from Pinterest for eggs.
 
 
White Sharpie!  Just imagine what else you could do with these color!
 
 
Decoupage with tissue paper!
 
 
Black Chalkboard Paint brilliance.
 
(by Dreamy Whites)
 
Love the Pink and White!
 
 
Classy Spring decor from Houzz.com
 
 
Gorgeous color combinations with a pop of mossy green.
 
  
Whimsical
 
 
Perfect setting for a Spring brunch.
  
 
 
 
Cute as could be!
 
(Pinterest)
 
I posted this picture last year and still love it!
 
(Pinterest)
 
 
I love this collection of pink and yellow pots with a variety of potted plants.
 
(Houzz.com)
 
I have an umbrella, I'm totally going to do this!
 
(Dreamy Whites)
 
Fresh picks from the garden.
 
 
Wow, cupcake paper cups.  Very creative.
 
(I love when blogs or websites watermark their pictures)
 
Spring into Spring with vintage bed springs. 
 
Tidymoms.com
 
These bunny cookies would make any tummy happy.
 
(Pinterest)
 
Burlap and moss is still all the rage this year.
 
 
but....my question of the day is, what do you think about this mesh ribbon?  I'm not that crazy about it but it seems to be everywhere in the crafting world.  I'd love to hear your personal opinion in my comments feed.
 
(Etsy.com)
 
Check out this link Midwest Living for some more wonderful spring ideas.
 
Happy Spring Everyone!
 
 
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I'm known for creating luxurious and casual homes on a budget. 
 Bringing Family back home.  Visit my website see my portfolio @ DecRenew Interiors