Fall Decorating 2013

 
Welcome Fall!  It is a "little" cooler here in Texas but still not cool enough to actually officially feel like fall.  Because I'm having foot surgery and have to be off my feet for a couple weeks, I figured I better get busy decorating for fall so we can enjoy the next few weeks.
 
I always dread climbing in the attic to bring everything down to decorate. This year I just rummaged through the items and chose my favorite things, making it simpler and less overwhelming.  Life around here has been a bit crazy with my husband having surgery a few weeks ago.  Trying to make things simpler this year with all "my home" decorating so I have time to spend with my family which is most important.
 
I placed my favorite "natural" pumpkin on top of my column in my entryway and it always makes me smile each time I walk by it.
 
I hung my favorite wreath on my newly painted black door!
 
I had all these wonderful fall colored florals that I purchased last year "on sale" at the end of the season.  I placed them around my little fur trees and it really made the front look festive and colorful. 
 
Mr. Scarecrow is in the front yard guarding the house instead of by the pool like last year.
He used to scare me too much while walking by at night, I decided he would be better off in the front where I don't see him regularly.
 
I adore white pumpkins and am still loving my black and white one that I painted last year.
 
I had about 3 wreaths that I no longer LOVED so I took them all apart and made this arrangement on my dining room table.  I actually like it!
 
 
I added the driftwood that we found here, there and everywhere on different camping trips we have taken.
 
 
Another 2 pumpkins on top of my fridge paired with my little lamp that I just love. 
 
 
 
 
I added a crow to Mr. Scarecrow!
 
 
 
I had a planter that cracked so I kept the base and it is now makes a great pumpkin stand!
 
 
These two mercury glass pumpkins are on top of my new cabinet in my kitchen.
 
 So if you haven't even started decorating for fall, that's okay.  Start by stepping out on your front porch and pretend you are a guest visiting your home.  Does it look clean (free of cobwebs, etc.) and fresh?  If not, give it a good makeover and add a few pumpkins or mums and you will be set.
 
 
 
Now I'm in the mood to make pumpkin bundt cake!
 
I'll be out for 2 weeks resting up my foot after surgery.  I'll be stylin' a large boot for a while!
 
 
Ruthie

LUXurious, Chic Master Suite

 
Master Bedrooms are always my favorite rooms to redo.  So often we leave our master bedroom until last in our house, however, it's where we spend most of our time. 
 
 
When my I first met with my client, she had the bed and the sheets and a few pieces of furniture in this room.  She left all the old bedding behind when she moved from her Ranch. Decided it was time for a change.  The bed originally had draperies hanging all around it and I recommended she take them off and showcase the beautiful wrought iron work on the bed. She immediately did that and the room came to life!
 
 
We added Luxurious down pillows, a quilt and a down duvet cover.
 
 
The European shams are a great way to bring grandeur to your bed.
This picture was taken looking through the mirror. 
You can see how beautifully the color and patterns work together!
 

The client found the rug and wanted me to decorate around it.  Because the rug is vibrant in color and is a show piece in the room, I didn't want to overdo the bedding.  Instead, I chose a softer more CHIC style to compliment the rug.  For those of you who know me, I'm all about "mixing it up" so it looks really classy.  All the bedding pieces were purchased through different vendors, making it look interesting.  It's all about the layers!

 
I found the lamp bases and added new shades to them because the ones that came with the lamps didn't appeal to me.  The new gray shade really looks handsome.
 
 
 
So inviting, I almost spent the night.

 
The artwork above the bed with the white mats really looks fabulous with the white pillows.  My client already had the chocolate brown bed skirt so the euro shams with the embroidery all around the edge really  pulled it all together.
 
 
We moved the chair in from another room.  It wasn't anything too amazing but in great shape and the perfect reading chair.
 
 
By adding a vibrant, updated pillow to the chair it immediately made it stylish.
 
Great way to spruce up a chair is to add a pillow, can you see how this pillow makes the chair 
now?
 
Fun artwork display with items that were special to the client that she specifically wanted showcased.
 
We added splashes of the colors we used in the bedroom into the master bathroom too.
 
 
Who needs solid towels when there are such great patterns out there.  Mix solids with patterns to create a more interesting look.
 
 
New artwork to make it feel fresh and finished.

 
This little cabinet is in the hallway right outside the bedroom.  We made it look more modern by putting this sophisticated silver mirror above it.
 
 
Instantly gorgeous grouped with 3 glass vases on one of her silver trays.
 
 
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
 
I found out this week that I'll be having foot surgery sometime next week so I'm slowing down a bit because I'll have to be off it for 2 weeks, urgggg.   Working on 5 new design plans while I have to stay off my feet so I won't be doing any installs over the next few weeks. 
 
Ruthie
 
 
 


Fall Randomness

 
Wrapped these books with wrapping paper this morning!
 
So last week my husband had surgery.  If you remember, he broke his femur 5 years ago (a motorcycle accident) and his leg has given him nothing but trouble since.  He had it fixed last week so now his leg should be good as new again.  Anyway, this week I've been playing nurse, mom, decorator, business owner, taxi driver, choir banquet coordinator
and housekeeper and it has been a bit overwhelming. 
 
Painted my gold mirror "high gloss white" and moved it into my entry.
 
 However, this weekend I'm enjoying having all the windows open since the weather is getting cooler!  I have had a chance to do some tweaking around MY house for a change.  My husband's friend came to pick him up to get him out of the house a bit so I'm enjoying a little bit of "me" and quiet time.
 
 
I had a chance to paint this "random" painting.  Decided to paint over the previous one I did about 10 years ago using new, fresh colors.  I woke up early and couldn't sleep so I got my acrylic paints out and started creating.  I think it represents the "chaos" that life  deals out sometimes but life is still beautiful amidst the chaos.
 
 
Now hung in my entry way, it goes beautifully with my other décor.
 
We have been blessed to have had our friends from church bring us meals each night this past week which has been an incredible help to me since my hubby is the cook  in this family!  So grateful for good friends in my life that have cared for us so well during this time. 
  Last night some of our friends dropped by with warm cookies and milk from Tiff's Treats.  So delicious and thoughtful.  If you haven't tried Tiff's Treats, they are amazing and they deliver to your door!
 
 
I'm ready for fall and next on my list is to get out all my fall décor as well as my winter clothes and boots!  I love this time of year.    Turquoise and orange = yummy!
 
 
  My colors in my home always go so beautifully with my fall décor so it gets me excited each year when I start pulling them out.  I've put two mercury glass pumpkins on top of my new vintage china cabinet and they look so pretty!  I love the way they reflect the light!
 
Last years décor!  Remember the tip I gave about how  clear shoe polish works beautifully to get pumpkins shiny!  Just make sure you buff really well.
 
 Happy Saturday Ya'll
 
Visit my website at DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.
 If you don't follow me on Pinterest you can now, lots of new pins for fall decorating!
 
 
 
 
See my  HOUZZ profile Here. 

We will never forget September 11th

 
Deep grief today for those that lost their lives on September 11th. 
 
 
but remembering that there is hope!
 
“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
 
Watch this video, it's been one of my favorites this year!
 

- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001
 
(The Military Link)
 
 
 
 


Tiny Bathroom Ideas and Inspiration

 
So it's been a 6 week process but we are finished with this "tiny" bathroom remodel.
 
 
When my client first contacted me she was desperate for an update to her hall bathroom.  She had NO storage and the bathroom was not functional for her family (teens involved here).  Her priorities were to add as much storage as we could and a place where more than one person could get ready at the same time and to do it all within her allotted budget.
 
AFTER
 
Of course, like I always do for clients that are wanting me to handle the entire job for them, I put together a design plan for her with color suggestions, flooring and wall tile choices, cabinet color, hardware, shower curtain options, fixtures, lighting, etc. 
 
She loved the design plan so we moved ahead right away! 
 
 
 Ruthie's tips for making a "tiny" bathroom feel bigger.
 
1. Bring the tile to the ceiling
2. Use larger tile so you have less grout lines
3. Use light, fresh colors
4. Add recessed lighting to add lots of light
5. Use curves to create softness (round mirrors, etc.)
6. Add a pocket door if you can
7.  Maximize your storage so you don't have "stuff" all over the counters.
 
We ripped out the old cabinets and installed custom made ones.  We installed new counter tops with a new under mount square sink.  Didn't have room for 2 sinks but that's okay because storage was more of a priority for this client.  2 round mirrors were added instead of the large rectangular one.
 
 
  I recommended that we curve the counter top around the toilet area to give them more room.  Of course we couldn't put cabinet doors underneath this part of the counter because then they wouldn't have been able to open them because of the toilet being in the way.  Our solution was to do add adjustable shelving so they can add baskets of their choice for misc. storage.  We hid the toilet paper roll in there too so that's nice :)  New brushed nickel hardware really dressed up the cabinets as well.  Notice how we mixed them too so they aren't all pulls.  Knobs and pulls together look more interesting.
 
We added plugs to the inside of the cabinet so they can store their hairdryers there permanently!
 
 
New tile and bathtub and a new niche for hair products. I love the little miniature shelf for razors, etc. We added small recessed lighting to the shower area too so they can see and have no excuse but to  be squeaky clean!
 
 
Big difference isn't it?  The wall color was inspired by the medallion shower curtain I found.  It really is a fresh, clean, inviting color.
  The laminate wood floors really added a warm look to the space.  She now has tons of cabinet space too so everything can be hidden and all things have a place.
 
 We put a pocket door in as well so we could add cabinets to one of the walls without interfering with the door.  Nice big, deep drawers for makeup and a lighted mirror that is attached to the cabinet that pulls out and magnifies for convenience,  Eeeek!!!
 
It's a gorgeous space now and functional too.
 
Hope this bathroom inspired  you to make a "tiny" bathroom into a "grander" space!
 
Visit my website, DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.