Boring to WOW

Yesterday I had an install for a wonderful client that I've worked with for a couple years now. I thought I'd show you a few pictures of one of the rooms I finished.

This dining room is very pretty but we had to add some personality. I just bought a new camera so I'm trying to adjust the color mode. The after pictures are a little light but I will get that adjusted for the next post.

This window was tricky because you can't put a rod all the way across the window because of the arch. I decided to do two seperate rods and by doing this it made the window look like one big one instead of 3 seperate windows. The arch is still the focal point of the window and the room!


Adding a great big bowl to the table makes a grand statement. No need to fill it with anything. It's beautiful by itself.






I had this cushion re-upholstered. The cording is leather. Adding this fun leather pillow makes this chair gorgeous. Adding a pillow to the below chair also updated it. The client has a young son and didn't want to reupholster any big furniture until his grown up a little more. Adding a pillow changed its look completely for now, without having to re-upholster.Again, we did small updates without re-doing the whole room. Adding accessories, rugs & drapes can update any room without spending too much money. In this economy, I have a lot of requests to "use what people have" but just update it with small things that make a BIG difference.

Here's the client's comments:

"WOW, I just had to run home between work and my picking up my son to see what you had done. I just can't believe how wonderful it all looks! I keep looking at everything again and again and again. I can't wait to see what my sister and son think."

"You got the stamp of approval from both my sister and son. My son said "She really changed our house!" He loves his rug because it reminds him of the dance floor in Club Penguin. My sister kept saying "how does she find this stuff and put it all together....she's really talented".

Won't be posting for 2 weeks because it's vacation time in the mountains.

Happy Decorating!

Cleaned out closet becomes new fashion line

One of the things that I ALWAYS preach is that it is SO important to "clean out" and get rid of things you no longer need. As much as I dislike doing it, I make sure that about twice a year I go through my closet and make piles of things to donate to goodwill or give away to teenage nieces or friends.

Being that both my daughter's are loving their new sewing machine, they are always looking for fabric that they like so they can create things. Our dog has new outfits "poor thing" as my husband would say. She has new bandannas for every season too. As I was putting things in piles, things were disappearing and I finally asked what they were doing. "Mom", they replied, "we are making our own fashion line." What am I going to say to that! Go get creative!

We recently had some friends come visit. I love my friend Marquette because we both have our own businesses. See Marquette's website at http://www.simpletreasuresphotography.com/ Our businesses are very different but we both have to be very "artistic" in what we do. She is the most amazing photographer that I know! She has a daughter and they all disappeared upstairs for the evening while we sat and and enjoyed dinner with our husbands.

After not hearing much of them, toward the end of the evening they came down stairs and said that they had a fashion show for us. I was blown away with what they had created out of MY clothes.

In this photo, they took one of my t-shirts, cut it in two and made a cute top and skirt. I want this outfit!

In this picture, they did the same thing with one of my dressier tops. Cut the shirt in half and created a top and skirt. The top even has a button sewn in.

Here are all three fashion designers.

They all worked together to come up with the ideas and patterns and then one of them offered to model the pieces. What a sweet time for my friend and I to see how what we do in our businesses has inspired our girls. As most of you know I love to "use what you have" and seeing them create something out of something I was going to give away is very rewarding to me and made me smile.

Sorry for the blurry pictures

I'm buying a new camera TODAY!


Notice how they even went in my closet and found some cute zebra shoes that compliment the outfit! Didn't even leave out the details. Oh, and to top it off (I know I'm bragging, it's the mom in me) they made the headband! They laughed and said, "mom, we know you don't like things to MATCH perfectly so we made it compliment the outfits". Now that's my girls!

Mix it up, remember you can "use what you have." You will surprised at what you come up with if you just clean out and change it up a little.

Loss of a beautiful woman

Yesterday I lost a dear friend that has been in my life for about 4 years. She died of cancer after struggling for a long time. She left behind 5 kids which breaks my heart. The beautiful part of Barb's life is that she radiated. She never complained, she was always positive, always wanted to know what was going on in YOUR life even though she was struggling. She was beautiful inside and out! She went through chemo and lost her hair so she started collecting scarves that she wore on her head. They were always VERY colorful and beautiful. As I reflect on her life now, she was like radiant color in a gorgeous flower.

She would walk in a room and her presence was known because of her attitude, love and thankfulness of the everyday things, the simple things that I'm ashamed to say I forget about sometimes. She constantly reminded us of the beauty around us; the sunshine, the rain, the wind we feel in our face when we take our daily walk, the green grass, the birds chirping, the friend we walk with, our health and SO much more that we take for granted. Anyone that met Barb would now forget her. Her spirit was alive and left a mark on your life. I know her children have a beautiful memory of their mother.

My friend Rosalinda found this poem that I thought was very appropriate for her life.

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile

because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her only that she is gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she'd want:smile,

open your eyes, love and go on.

”David Harkins

Thank you Barb for showing us what TRUE beauty is. Your life was a true example of tremendous faith and incredible determination. You always made sure that God was glorified in the midst of your trials. You had NO fear of death because you knew where you were going. You were radiant and will always be remembered by many.

Blessings,

Ruth

Paintings that Inspire

I was inspired by the painting that I saw a few months ago while shopping in a local antique mall. They decoupaged tissue paper onto a canvas board and then used thumb tacks and curtain rod rings to enhance the painting. I decided to make my own rendition of the painting with the colors I love. Here it is in my guest room.

Also, couldn't remember if I posted this painting that I created for my sister. I found the below painting as "Hemispheres" and I loved the texture but not necessarily the colors. I decoupaged burlap onto the canvas to start with and then let dry overnight. I then layered the colors to the canvas. My sister LOVED it and it was a fun gift to give her. I put it into this great rustic frame that I re-stained after I found it at a thrift store.

Here's the result! Created with love for the very best sister EVER.

I've been keeping a file of paintings I like and often take pictures of random canvasas here and there.

When I went to Africa, I went into a Gallery and found a paintings that I liked because it has a modern twist to it. For those of you that know me, I love to mix styles and personally have eclectic taste for my own home. I usually tend to gravitate toward reds, black and golds. I'm trying to think outside the box a little and try something a little new.

These are my next few paintings that I'd like to try sometime. Maybe this fall when it's not SO hot here in Texas.

I found this old door at at a thrift store and I'm going to use it for an inspirational piece for a painting. Wouldn't this wrought iron piece look fabulous on a painted canvas? Can't wait to do this one.

Oh, never enough time in the day!

Amazing Mosaic Tile Floor

I got so excited when I saw this and it absolutely inspired me. That's what this blog is for right? A place for me to share my inspirations! Well, here goes. I felt that sinful feel of jealousy as I looked at this bathroom floor and absolutely fell in LOVE with it. Can you believe this is glass mosaic tile all done in a LEOPARD print no less! Fun, Fun, Fun! I shall dream of winning the lottery tonight! Ha!

Ruth

Kitchen Dining Room Buffet & Other

I thought this kitchen dining room buffet turned out so beautiful. Fresh and inviting. Adding lamps with some whimsy can really add to the character of the room. I looked and looked for lampshades that I liked and just couldn't find what I wanted for this client. I finally bought some linen shades and added the trim to the top (usually it's added to the bottom) and I was happy with the results. If you decide to do this, make sure that you use a fabric glue and not a glue gun. You NEVER want ANY glue to show!

The distressed buffet piece from "Ballard Design" is perfect. The kitchen opposite this buffet is painted burnt red so it ties in nicely to the red undertone of this furniture piece.

The table extends to seat 8 so we bought extra chairs and placed them next to the buffet for when needed. Notice how the floral arrangement is nice and large. Don't be afraid to place items in front of your mirrors, just make sure it's something of grandeur. As long as the mirror is hung at the right height and the lamps are tall enough you are good. The scale is very important and that's where I can assist. Notice also that the metal mirror has some embellishments on it. I found some metal 12x12 squares with something similar in design and hung those close to the mirror to compliment it. It's great that they hung diagonally because that made things look more interesting.

Great design is always in using awesome shapes, great color, texture and the right scale!

On another note....

You know all the books I told you I was going to read....well...I read a few and then got a stomach virus and didn't finish my R&R time while kids were at camp. As soon as I get around to reading them, I'll post my comments. Business is really busy right now so maybe I'll find some time in between client appointments and my 2 big installations I have this month.

Surviving the heat here in Texas,

Ruth

Bathroom Curtain Idea

I thought you'd like to see a fun idea for a bathroom curtain. This particular client did a HUGE kitchen remodel and at the last minute couldn't stand that her little bathroom off the kitchen eating area wasn't updated but...she ran out of money.

I told her not to worry I'd do a little magic for her and update it as much as possible with accessories. Of course this is just for show, not to be opened and closed. This bathroom had a glass enclosure that wasn't so attractive and the home owner didn't want to replace any of the tile or the glass enclosure. This was my solution to make the bathroom look a little more updated and add a softness to the much needed updates. I purchased a shelf and attached it to the ceiling and then velcro'd the curtain to the shelf. I swooped it to the left and hung it on a beautiful medallion bracket and it looks great. The homeowner was so pleased to have something beautiful in her bathroom! A quick update for little money.

Little changes CAN make a BIG difference.

What's books are on your coffee table?

These are the books/magazines that I'm going to sit in a comfortable reading chair with this week while my kids are at camp. I've got lots of catching up to do so I'm looking forward to my "Starbucks" coffee and these good books. I'll post some of my favorite pictures/rooms, etc. when I'm finished.

4th of July "Family Fun" T-Shirts

I told you I would post a picture of the shirts the girls made.

They had lots of fun painting them. We were camping in our RV and I decided it wouldn't be a good idea to paint them inside. Learned that from experience. Paint ALWAYS walks out of the container onto furniture, clothing, bedding, etc. We ended up doing it outside in the 106 degree Texas heat. Needless to say, it didn't take them long to make them! Good thing the firework creation is suppose to look kinda hodge podge.

Way to go "Coca Cola", love your 4th of July display

I was at the grocery store and LOVED the way "Coke" displayed their drinks for the 4th. Excuse the clarity of the picture, I used my cell phone.

HAPPY JULY 4TH WEEKEND!

My family is going away for the weekend to camp with friends. We are going to make these t-shirts while we are gone.Go to http://familyfun.go.com/ to see how to do it. They have a "how to video" section too that has some great 4th of July ideas.

Enjoy!