My long awaited rose garden!

(photo by DecRenew Interiors)

Hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day!  We had great fun with family and friends in Arkansas. 

For a while now I've been wanting to plant knockout roses in my backyard.  I've heard so many wonderful things about these roses and have been watching them bloom over the last few months all around town. 

My husband has been working on a project in our backyard for a long time now and it finally got completed.

When we moved into this house and started excavating the backyard, we found all these wonderful boulders.  Can you believe how many we found?  I think they are beautiful.

My husband, along with my strong teenage nephews, built this rock wall along our side fence.  One scary emergency visit and a seriously crushed finger and the wall finally got completed.  We now have lots of stories to tell and crooked fingers to show off, yikes!

A couple weekends ago, they finally got to plant my roses and finished off the flower bed with mulch.

The roses are now starting to bloom!  What I love about these knockout roses is that they are low maintenance.  They love full sun, don't need regular pruning and don't need to be sprayed regularly for bugs like most roses.  We all live such busy lives and we have to find ways to be able to have beauty around us without having to spend hours and hours maintaining that beauty!  We also live in Texas and it's WAY too hot to spend hours outdoors in the summer.

I also planted a knockout rose bush in one of my large terra cotta pots and placed sweet potato vine all around it.

I LOVE the color of sweet potato vine and it cascades so beautifully!  My angel also feels protected and sheltered!

Our next project starts this Friday with new flowerbeds in the front yard.  My neighbors are going to be happy!

Go to my website  DecRenew Interiors to see more about the design services I offer and book your consultation today!

Bubble Chandeliers

While looking for chandelier ideas today, I came across these pictures and had to share them with you.

I would just love to have a big enough room to be able to do something with such whimsy above a dining room table, a kitchen island or even in a master bedroom above a reading nook.

(Shirry Dolgin, Interior Designer)

Just gorgeous isn't it?

Wouldn't this collection liven up a hallway or game room?  Striking!

There is no reason why a chandelier can't add a "playful" element to a space. 

Don't bubble chandelier's make you feel like being a kid again?

I've never been around any kid that doesn't smile when playing or watching bubbles float away!

Who says these kinds of chandeliers are only for hotels or restaurants?  I find great inspiration at hotels, restaurants, retail stores and spas for my lighting for homes. 

Overstock.com

Love the black bubbles on this drum shade. 

(http://www.shopwildthings.com/)

How romantic!

I'm all inspired to start hanging some bubbles. 

I'd even be happy just dancing with my man underneath these beautiful bubbles.

If you can't hang a beautiful bubble chandeler, at least go blow a few bubbles, it will brighten your day and make you feel like a kid again!

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my portfolio. 

Paint or Wallpaper an Accent Wall

(Brown Davis Interiors)

I don't know about you, but I love to change things up, update and improve my home. However, I want to be able to do some of those quick transformations in a day or so.   There are times when we need to hire contractors to do big projects, etc. but I I LOVE to have attainable jobs that I can tackle without having to involve a crew of people or contractors.

My #3 quick tip for you to tackle over the next few summer months is:

PAINT OR WALLPAPER AN ACCENT WALL

Some of the most stunning ways to transform a space is by adding a color to one wall. It could be a kitchen wall, dining room wall, behind a china cabinet, a headboard wall, bookshelf walls, or even a ceiling.   The key to remember is......like anything, you don't want to go overboard with this concept.  A little goes a long way.  You don't want accent walls all over your home.  Choose one room and go for it!

(Ann Rue Interiors)

Painting the wall in this niche made it so inviting and warm.  This particular paint technique looks like venetian plaster but you could just paint it a wonderful chocolate brown and then glaze it if you wanted.  I love the scallop around this niche.  I'm usually not a fan of a skirted table but this one looks beautiful with the backdrop of the accent wall.

(Elad Gonen and Zeev Beech)

This dining room would be a little stark and cold if this wall hadn't been painted.  A painted wall makes for a great backdrop for your artwork.  I would die for a table that seats 16 so easily.  Cool how the lighting reflects against the color too.

(Cary Bernstein Architects)

A headboard wall is one of my favorite ways to use color.  It's especially wonderful if you don't have a headboard and need that grandeur behind your bed.

(George Interiors)

The fireplace surround probably didn't look like anything special until it was painted and now it looks like it is claiming the room and stands proud!  The color also brings out the architectural interest of the home that wasn't brought to your attention before.

(Imagine Living)

See adding a bold color can change EVERYTHING!

(Myriam Payne)

A red wall is always a great compliment to any room! This room looks especially good in red because of the wonderful imported chandelier.   Be careful when choosing a red wall, it can also dominate too much if you aren't careful.

(Jana Collins)

A wide stripe accent wall is a strong statement too. 

(Michelle Hinckley)

How about these stripes for an entryway?

WALLPAPER ACCENT WALLS

Some designers don't like paint or wallpapered accent walls but I'm one that LOVES the transition it gives to a space if done well.  These next few photo's are wallpapered accent walls that are absolutely done right! 

Ruthie's Design Therapist Tip:  Do not wallpaper with your spouse, it is the most stressful thing you can do to your marriage.  I learned from experience so trust me on this one! 

It can still be done in a day if you hire a wallpaper installer!!!

(Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.)

Don't you agree, this room is done right? 

(The Furniture Guild)

I don't know what it is about this wallpaper but it makes my blood pressure rise I love it so!

Beautiful addition to this bathroom, especially the way it coordinates with the flooring.

Imagine the fun you could have with the pattern on the towels!!

Such a fresh space.

LOVE!!

(Amorosa Designs)

This white and gray combination is spectacular!

(Jason Ball Interiors)

What about adding it to a work area.

(SB Architects)

or a ceiling?

(Veranda Magazine)

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start painting and unrolling!

That big wall that you had no idea what to do with can be painted!!!!!

Hope you were inspired and added some of these ideas to your "to do" list this summer.

Contact Ruthie Staalsen @ DecRenew Interiors if you would like to set up a consultation to talk about your design needs...some things just can't be done alone.

DecRenew Interior's favorite paint colors!

These are some of my favorite paint colors to use right now.  Aren't they all just delicious?

Just painted my dining room #8.

Which one is your favorite?

I wish I had a room to paint in #6, isn't it gorgeous?

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Bring the Garden Textures Indoors

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I mentioned in my last post that I was going to give you some quick tips that you can do over the next few summer months.

Here is #2

BRING THE GARDEN TEXTURES INDOORS

We all have an empty vase, glass jar or ginger jar, etc. that needs to be discovered and placed!  We all have rooms that need a feeling of being alive and happy.  Outdoor elements can add that magic to your rooms.

Add some natural leaves to ginger jars or vases and it instantly makes a collection of accessories complete.  If you can't do real leaves, there are some wonderful looking faux leaves to be found at your local craft store.

If your vase isn't tall enough, add books to give it height and then group the vase with a little natural coral.  It's these elements that make your items have a designer quality.

Designer, Susan Kasler

(see Colour Me Happy Blog post about this room)

So much fun that Maria posted this just before I finished this post!

These pink cherry blossom branches make this whole room complete!!  The scale is true perfection!

(Ida Architecture & Interiors)

A collection of branches with fall leaves on a round table doesn't look staged but relaxed and inviting.

An unexpected branch resting in the corner.  It may not last long but it will be something delightful while you have it displayed.

(Pottery Barn)

A gathering of small rustic sticks placed in a wooden bowl adds extreme interest. 

(I just painted my dining room this beautiful gray/blue and I'm LOVING it.)

This simple vase with branches added an airy sophistication to this traditional mantel.  Love the balance of color in this room.

Isn't this a great idea?  I'm sure you have an old frame sitting around that you could spray paint and then add branches to like they did here.  Makes a great piece of artwork.  You could really get creative and spray paint the branches a vibrant color like orange or lime green.

This simple bucket with blooming branches sitting next to this chair is so natural and would be great in a laundry room if you have an empty corner.

(DecRenew Interiors)

This driftwood is sitting above my refrigerator and I love the texture it adds to my kitchen.  I found it on the beach in Florida several summers ago.

This branch has just been spray painted and placed on the coffee table.  An easy way to add color to your room.

Add branches to a silver urn, you can place Spanish moss inside or you could do a green moss.  I love having this kind of an arrangement in front of a mirror.

(Charlie Simmons)

Perfect centerpiece for your dinner guests.  Everyone can see around it too!

Do you have a colored vase?  If you do, it makes a beautiful grouping with some palm leaves. A monochromatic room with punches of color here and there is gorgeous!

This glass vase with the branchy sticks placed in front of these family photos softens the room.  Don't be afraid to add arrangements that are natural like the one above in front of pictures.

These lamps are so stylish and grouped with these yellow florals they make the room look incredible.

Greenery added to a room can be what you have been missing in that corner.

A grouping of the same greenery is always a fresh combination.

An arrangement like this added to your dining room table, bar area, coffee table or even above your refrigerator makes a room come alive.  Looks like it could be growing in your garden.

Two topiaries on a fireplace add that touch of green you need.  Garden urns that would normally be used outdoors are beautiful brought into your home.

Tall and proud!

Masculine and sleek.

Motivated to make some summer changes?  Good!

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.