Flowers, Crystals and Brides

(Crescent Hotel Lobby)

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

I spent some time visiting different hotels and restaurants with a friend this weekend, making plans for her upcoming wedding. 

 

Hotels always make my creative juices overflow with happiness.  

The Rosewood Crescent Hotel here in Dallas is especially beautiful!   The floral grouping above is in their lobby when you walk in.  It captivates you when your first see it. The variety of flowers all at different heights and in silver and crystal vases is so dramatic, yet still so soft and feminine. 

Modern Elegance

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel

Their lobby feels grand like a hotel of this caliber should feel, but has the inviting warmth of a home.

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel

The soft and subtle upholstery fabrics, original artwork, soft flowing patterned drapery panels, floor lamps, table lamps and throw pillows everywhere really make the grandeur feel more cozy and comfortable.  All the comforts of your own home, away from home.

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Crescent Hotel

The elaborate crystal chandeliers hanging everywhere add sophistication and sparkle to the space.  I love this rug so much because it is eclectic, yet so fresh, young and fun.  The variety of chandelier styles throughout the lobby is gorgeous too; keeping away from the "matchy-matchy" look that so many hotels gravitate towards.   They all illuminate with style and independent personality.   Doesn't this vignette look like it could be in your home? So many people travel for business and pleasure, and a hotel should feel comfortable and make you want to sit and stay a while. 

While we were visiting the venue, the outdoor courtyard was hustling and bustling for a wedding that was taking place that evening.  There is something magical in the air when a bride is present.   Aren't these over sized garden urns filled with white fully bloomed roses beautiful?

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

We couldn't wait to see what this courtyard would look like when it got dark.  We decided to hang around a little while, and came back after eating a quick bite on the patio.

BEFORE DARK

 

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

Notice the crystal chandeliers in the trees.  They looked great when it was light but wait until you see what they looked like after dark.

AFTER DARK

It was worth the wait because the setting was even more beautiful once it got dark. This bride had a beautiful day for January winter in Dallas.  74 degrees and absolutely perfect weather for an outdoor wedding.  Everything was sparkling as she walked down the isle to meet her anxious groom.

These arrangements were on some of the tables in the reception area.  I loved the crystals cascading down from each one.  Any crystal up against a reflective object like silver or a mirror makes a statement.  The dance floor had about 100 really large crystals hanging from the ceiling over the dance floor. It was stunning!

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

(isn't the best picture but wanted you to see the hanging crystals)

Isn't it great to see that every table has a different arrangement, creating interest within the room?  It can be a little overpowering if they are all the same height.

Ocean Prime Restaurant Lobby , Dallas, TX

Floral Designer - Judy Blackman

See link

Didn't Judy do a great job keeping it natural, colorful and lush?  It creates such a nice invitation to the restaurant lobby, without making it too overpowering and stuffy.  Casual elegance is much more inviting to most people.

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

The variety of vases she used as well as the big pieces of rolled bark really added so much texture and interest.

Photo by DecRenew Interiors

Beautifully arranged.

We enjoyed our day and had fun being together!  Hope you enjoyed the tour!

This was our view as we ate dinner.  There is nothing like the sound of a fountain.  The yellow pansies were all around the entire courtyard.  Amazing what a statement one color can make!

Beach Houses and Life Lessons

People often ask me what inspires me and what gets me excited about design?

As a decorator, anytime I go on vacation or start planning my getaway it leads me to so much more.  I am so inspired by travel and the design ideas that start turning in my head during this process make me elated about what I do.

The research process and the dreaming about where we are going and where we will be staying is all part of the experience and is so much fun for my design eye.  Travel is one of the things that gets my juices going and helps me to become better at what I do!  Getting away from all the "busy" things of life is always rejuvinating too!

 Panamanian dancers celebrating independence day.

We are in the planning stages of a trip to Panama.  I spent my 7th and 8th grade year in Panama City and have some amazing memories of times on the beach. We had a pilot friend that owned his own plane and would take us out for the day and fly us to local private beaches!  Pure bliss!!

  I remember him doing figure 8's in the sky and I look back on that now and can't believe that was me.  What an amazing experience. The crazy thing is that  I thought that was every kids normal.  I remember a one day trip specifically because we landed on the beach and the entire beach had black sand,  it was a trip and very HOT!

  One specific beach memory pops in my head all the time now because it was a time when I learned one of the biggest lessons of life.

I was riding a horse on the beach one early morning with my good friends during free time at summer camp.  Let's just say this horse was VERY stubborn, I'm going to call her Adamant.  She consistently wanted to gallop with me and would run away from the shore close to the little grass huts that were on the beach for vacationers to sit under and relax.  Adamant would start to trot and then would go into a full gallop instantly.  Being that I wasn't an expert rider, I didn't like her habits.  I kept slowing her down and each time she would eventually get into the gallop stage. Well, my controlling her wasn't working too well.  She won the battle every time and continued to gallop, gallop, gallop.  I was freaking out!!!  Remember, I'm about 12 years old.

While galloping, the entire saddle started to slowly get loose and eventually I was underneath the horse....yes, still galloping!  She kept up the pace for at least 40 seconds with me hanging on for dear life.  I was screaming and my friends didn't know what to do.  Adamant finally stopped and I was crying hysterically.  My friends got me calmed down and then said these words "you have to get back on this horse or you will  never ride again."  It seemed like good logic and so mature, but they hadn't experienced this horror.   After lots of convincing, I did get back on Adamant and she calmly trotted with me along the shore (I think my screaming scared her).  It was a life lesson about hard times for me.

  We often get knocked down and shaken up and don't know how to handle life's blows.  Most of the time, the best solution is to do something and that s to continually get back up and keep riding.  Whenever I'm experiencing a hard time, Adamant comes to mind...keep riding, don't give up!  Oh, and the most important part is to surround yourself with friends that can encourage you to get back up and continue.  Sometimes you don't have the strength to think logically on your own.

Anyway, back to the vacation planning.   We have found a few beach homes that look promising and I thought I'd share them with you because they look so appealing during this cold winter season.

House #1

  This home has a private beach!  See that table and chairs below, under the umbrella, that would be my happy spot for the week!  Such a peaceful atmosphere.

This split level vacation home is right on the beach and is for rent for the week. I've already moved in, no convincing needed.  I'll be in that hammock in the evening as I listen to voice of the waves! 

There are a couple of patios that overlook the ocean and I can see us spending hours chatting with our friends and watching the kids as they surf.  The tropical atmosphere is to die for.  I can't wait to spend time with our friends in this kind of atmosphere.

This patio is absolutely amazing.  The thatch roof, the beams, tile floor, large table with rustic leather chairs.  The architecture of this home is so appealing to me.  This kind of Spanish decor has always been one of my favorites styles.  It's beautifully accessorized too.

The thick stucco walls with the combination of tile and rustic wood beams is such a great mix.

This home won the 2008 single unit International Property Awards in association with CNBC and New York Times.

This patio is beautiful.  Aren't these benches with upholstered cushions, the curved leather chairs and the tree trunk coffee table the best?

Practical tile floors throughout.

So cool how they incorporated these tree trunks into the design on this patio.

HOUSE #2

Perfect getaway for a large family.  Beautiful lawn and the beach, Wow!

Waking up to this every morning would be called "living in Paradise"

I love hanging in a hammock.....can't imagine this.....

So peaceful!  I remember collecting whole shells and whole sand dollars by the dozen.  I wonder if it is still like that?  I can't wait to find out!  My choice is House #1, we'll see what happens!

For more information about my design consultations, go to my website to see before and after pictures that will inspire you.



CAUTION - Hall Bathroom under construction

BEFORE

This bathroom is getting a face lift!!!

We removed the wallpaper and repainted the room a soft misty blue.  We changed out this dated tile and replaced it with some beautiful 18X18 tiles.  The tile goes all the way up to the ceiling and looks fantastic!!  The room looks SO MUCH bigger now.   The client was really nervous about using larger tile but they are very happy now that they see it installed.

 We put in a glass decorative border, the cabinets have been painted a rich chocolate brown and we have installed an AMAZNG mirror.  All the fixtures and hardware have been replaced too.

BEFORE

A new shower curtain is being made and it's going to be fabulous hung on a curved rod much higher than this wimpy little shower curtain.

Isn't this fabric fun, fun, fun for 2 young girls!!

Wait until you see the towels and artwork I've chosen to go in this fun little hall bathroom.

I'll post pictures of the finished room soon!

Dreaming about a media room

Today was an extremely busy day!  All I can think about is putting my feet up and relaxing. 

I just read a recent blog entry over at  Things that Inspire and these pictures of a gorgeous chic media room caught my attention.  It's a home in Atlanta (seems to be the theme for me this month) that is for sale. 

I'm dreaming about lounging around in this room!  Wouldn't that be fabulous after a long hard day!

It is really speaking to me with those dark cozy walls and the beautiful white fluffy pillows and throws.

Seems awfully practical for kids too!  I don't know about you but being in this room would be divine right about now!!!  Ahhhh to dream a little.

Hope you get to get some rest and put your feet up a little this weekend!  I'll have to be satisfied with my white fluffy robe and my brown slippers :)

For a design consultation with me or to see more before and after pictures, go to my website (DecRenew Interiors).

Pool House Decor

I've been going through files of photos today.  I came across this one and realized I hadn't posted a good picture of the seating area in the pool house that we finished in November last year.  Since the pool house was really small and filled with sunlight, it was hard to get a good photo of the space.  This photo at least shows you how much fun it is to mix different fabrics and textures to get an inviting space

I found the rattan couch at a local consignment store (brand new).  The cushions had a horrible fabric so I replaced it with this masculine stripe. I added these awesome Ikat pillows from Z Gallery.  The round rug tones down these fun fabrics and adds a traditional touch to the combination. The overall feel gives out a great masculine vibe.  We were trying to achieve this feel for the man of the "main house" that uses this pool house for his guitar practicing with his buddies.

I fell in love with this lamp!  The wood grain was our inspiration for the architectural piece.

The architectural piece above the couch I dug around for at a salvage yard but it was a horrible dirty white.  We had it painted to have more of a rustic look and I think it made the space.

This is the other side of the pool house (I showed you this photo before) so you can see how the colors in both areas coordinate so well together.   The black and white sketch painting had some special meaning to this family so we incorporated it into the arrangement.  The two bar stools are used for playing guitar and we hung guitar hooks on the wall behind the spiral staircase for his guitars to be displayed.

Great fabric combinations can really make any room have a vibrant personality.

Wish I lived in Atlanta

THE INSPIRATION HOUSE

I've been reading through my "Atlanta Homes" Magazine and found this amazing Tour of Homes that is taking place in Atlanta that I so wish I could be a part of.

This question is what caught my eye:

 "Do you need some new ideas on how to use inherited antiques?"

You know I love to incorporate a mix of styles in my designs and this Tour of Homes would be so inspiring. 

Ten talented interior designers were each invited to adopt a room at

The Inspiration House of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Designers were

asked to show visitors a fresh approach to including antiques in today’s homes. Some approached the task from a layered, classically

traditional viewpoint, others took a pared-down sleekly modern

approach, while still others skillfully blended elements of old and new.

If you answer ‘yes’ to any or all of these questions, be sure to visit The Inspiration House at the Cathedral Antiques Show.

Do you need some new ideas on how to use inherited antiques?

Are you trying to make your home more “green” by re-using or

re-purposing antique or vintage furniture? Or are you just a lover

of antiques, period?

YES, YES, YES

 

Visit this link for more details.

The 40th Annual

Cathedral Antiques Show

& Tour of Homes

Tour of Homes – January 30 – 31, 2011

Antiques Show – February 2 – 5, 2011

 

The roster of designers includes: Laura Green Thome (foyer and second-floor landing), Rick Anthony Bonner (keeping room), Marcia Sherrill and Alison Goldwater-Arkin (dining room), Robert Spiotta and James Deadwyler (library), Darcy Harris (bedroom/sitting room), and Terri Vawter and Terry Brown (bedroom).

Antiques add so much style to a home.  They don't have to make a home stuffy.  Incorporating old and new items is what makes a house feel like a home, collected over time with history and a story to tell.

 For more inspirational ideas visit my website (DecRenew Interiors)