A touch of seaside to an entry

Today I had a 2  hour consultation with a fabulous client that I've worked with before.  They moved about a year ago and have just never finished putting the detail of each room together.  

They hired me to go through their 2 large tables of items that they didn't know what to do with.  Should it go in their garage sale pile?  Get moved to another room?  Given away?  Thrown away, etc. etc.

A touch of seaside.

We moved a lot of things around but we completed their entryway with some of those items as well as stolen items from around their house.  I thought it turned out GREAT for "using what you have."

We moved other items to their living room, master bedroom, master bathroom, hallways, back porch, guest room and kitchen.  They had some great items, they were just STUCK.  We got rid of a lot of greenery and accessories that all seemed to have the same look.

I placed a mirror on their console table and then put the glass vase filled with seashells on top of it.  They already had the wrought iron welcome sign but it wasn't to scale so we added the metal ceiling tile behind the grouping.  Now it all comes together and makes an amazing vignette.  

Pottery Barn

When we all stepped back to look at what I'd created, I told my client it had a "Pottery Barn" feel to it. 

When I got home, I sat down to read my recent Pottery Barn magazine and there it was!!

Pottery Barn

It was great fun!  Days like today are what make me LOVE my job.

Ruthie 

Get me to the Church on time

BEFORE

Here are the pictures I promised of the Bible Church face lift (Faith lift) we just finished.  They really wanted to "update/remodel" but had a limited budget. 

You know that I love these kinds of projects because it means I get to REALLY put my creative skills to work.  I put together a design board and presentation with all my ideas.  I proposed that they give the stage a  "face lift" with the  budget and maybe do some minor updates to the rest of the auditorium.  They agreed and I got to work preparing for the updates.   We had 6 days between church services to complete this "redo"  WHEW!!

Here are the changes we made.

AFTER

Added a decorative stone wall to the back wall as our focal point.

BEFORE

AFTER

Replaced the stage carpet (of course we had to eliminate ALL the stage squeaks before the carpet was laid.)  We added a stair rail on each side of the stage to make it feel more balanced.  They will also be useful to those that need that extra boost to get up the stairs.

You are probably wondering why we didn't replace ALL the carpet in the Auditorium.  Well....that's for Phase II of the project.  The carpet has been chosen for when they want to proceed and it coordinates beautifully with the stage carpet we put in! 

BEFORE CROSS

Oh my, don't let anyone put that floral arrangement back out unless their is a funeral.

AFTER CROSS

We had a new cross made out of heavy duty copper and I painted it to make it look more rustic and old.

I was pleased with the end result.  

BEFORE

AFTER

I wanted to bring attention to the high beams that are on the ceiling.  They were lost before but now that we have painted them a rich brown, it made the auditorium feel bigger and more open.

BEFORE

AFTER

See what I mean with the columns?  Draws your eye up.

We also removed the large box that was in the middle of the stairs, now it looks less bulky.

I also had the side panels painted black underneath the white music screens.  The stage ceiling was also scraped and painted an incredible gray and it looks awesome with the stone.

BEFORE

Yuck, this paneling was really faded and looked like an old barn.

AFTER

We stained it a rich espresso color and it really made it come alive.

BEFORE

AFTER

We had the stone put in the baptismal area too and now it looks fabulous.

We also took the pulpit away and added a table and chair.  I think it's less intimidating and makes the congregation feel more relaxed.

(We did stain the pulpit a rich walnut color if for some reason it needs to be used later on).

BEFORE

The lobby area had no personality.

AFTER

Now it speaks to you when you walk in.  The entire lobby and hallways were painted a fresh new color too.

It was a long and crazy week but it was a fun project.  I felt privileged to work with such great people.  My team of contractors were amazing!!!  The only reason we got the project done in a week is because they are dedicated to doing things right and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done! 

Feeling blessed! 

Ruthie

Remodel, just in time for a wedding.

Photography by Ken Vaughan

It is always great to see pictures of a finished project!

  This kitchen was remodeled just in time for a family wedding.

Several months ago, I had a "walk-thru" consultation with a wonderful couple.  They met with me desperate for ideas and inspiration to get their home ready for a family wedding.    I made suggestions for floor tile, carpet, wall colors, kitchen cabinet colors, back splash tile and design, granite choices, furniture placement, lighting, window treatments, appliances and much more.

Photography by Ken Vaughan

We painted the fireplace mantel to make a statement

 and tiled entire room which leads into the kitchen.

They hired Jeff Teller with Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings (214-738-6001) to do all the tile, carpet and granite work.  Jeff and I worked together with this client to make sure nothing fell through the cracks.  Everything HAD to go smoothly, especially since they wanted the project done before the wedding.   Couldn't have family and friends staying in your home with no floors and a torn apart kitchen.

Photography by Ken Vaughan

Jeff Teller with Nationwide is amazing!  He is very detailed and doesn't miss a thing! 

The carpet and tile we selected look beautiful together and open up the space.  Using large tile and laying it on a diagonal makes the space flow nicely. The patterned carpet adds texture and interest.   Before the spaces felt really choppy as you went from room to room, now it's roomy and open.

After the whole project was done, I spent a day rearranging their existing furniture, hanging accessories, pictures and putting together all the finishing touches.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

An event always gets you motivated to do some remodeling!

Steppin' on painted floors

I was out and about antique shopping and I absolutely fell in love with these painted floors.  I'm so very tempted to try one of these designs in my bedroom.  Sometimes it isn't possible to replace all your wood floors.  Maybe they are still in good shape but you want a change.  Painting them is a great solution and can add so much interest to your space.

Each room in this Antique store had a different pattern.

Perfect for an entry.

This would be great in my office.

These designs got me all inspired to look into other design ideas.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Cottage Living Magazine

Can you imagine the detail of measuring this all out?  This sunshine yellow color on the walls is so elegant with these floors.

There are only certain rooms that can carry off these bold colors, especially bright pink.  The diamond floor pattern really pulls it together don't you think?

Cottage Living Magazine

These floors are perfect in this kitchen.  They works so well because the white painted stripe is the same width as the bead board on the cabinets.  Beautiful thought out detail.  The large scale clock is to die for and it is amazing how the bar stool bases compliment the round shape of the clock.  Black ALWAYS makes a statement and dresses up a room.

Such a restful room.  White painted floors add such a softness and "beachy/casual" feel to a space.  Notice how these chair styles don't match in style but they all have the same upholstery.  I'm crazy about the decorative branches in the corner.  With an all white room, they make a natural statement!

Painted floors on an angle, very creative and opens up the room tremendously.

Cottage Living

Very subtle but perfect for the decor in this room.

Looks like back breaking work.

I usually don't like green but this I like.  Rustic charm!

Wouldn't this pattern be fun in a hallway or game room? 

This pattern done in honey and ebony is one of my favorites.  It compliments the adjoining room beautifully.

Country Living Magazine

WOW, what detail!

Here are a few WILD ideas.

My girls would love this!

Painted floor by  PG Model

Brave but could be amazing in the right room.

BEFORE

Benjamin Moore has an epoxy paint that takes a while to dry but makes a drastic difference to a Parquet wood floor that REALLY needs help.

AFTER

Can you believe the difference this made????

The wall color made this room look even more gorgeous!

Have a great Sunday!

Ruthie

A face lift is in the works

BEFORE

This week we are in the final stages of a church face lift!  Their budget didn't allow for them to totally remodel so we are doing some dramatic changes with paint, stain & carpet.

Here is a peek at what is going on!

Can't wait to see the finished stage!

Should be finished on Saturday, just in time for them to plug in their organ, set up their instruments and hang their new copper cross.  Will we be there all night on Saturday so it will all be ready for their Sunday morning worship service?

Tune in soon and I'll have the details.

I'll post after pictures as soon as I can!

Ruthie

Hotel Indigo, Dallas - A Great Escape

This weekend my husband and I got away from "everyday life" and escaped to the Hotel Indigo, downtown Dallas.  It was originally the Hilton years ago and is a beautiful historical building.  It's a couple blocks from Neiman Marcus and is surrounded with some great restaurants that we got to enjoy!

We are celebrating our 22 Anniversary this week and any time  you have a wedding anniversary, there should be a celebration!  Thanks to grandparents who love being with our kids we were able to enjoy a fabulous relaxing weekend together.

We wanted to experience a different kind of hotel.  Hotel Indigo is a "boutique hotel" and definitely isn't your typical Dallas hotel.  Very quiet and cozy.  A lot like the warm blue knit sweater that is the wallpaper backdrop behind the bed.

It has a beachy decor and a really comfy "at home" feel.  Definitely bright and cheery!

Refreshing colors and fabrics.

Small touches that make it feel like you are in your own master suite.

Whimsical draperies.

Feels a bit like a bed and breakfast.

Great chair! 

Wood floors are in each suite which makes it tropical and warm.

Accessories placed within the hotel that you would find in any home!

The bright yellow walls and lavender ceilings were so happy and felt like a ray of sunshine!

The hallway carpet is a plush apple green and the pattern is one of my favorites.

The hallways are painted a sky blue and are toned down by this beautiful striped wallpaper.

If you want a place to go away from the "typical", Hotel Indigo is the place to go!  Very relaxed and inviting and definitely doesn't have a hustle and bustle feel.

Ruthie