July 31, 2010

Saturday in the kitchen...

Check this out...IKEA cabinets so its not an outrageously expensive design, but still looks like it is. I don't know about you, but I am really loving those nifty little chairs as the 'oomph' to the room - would you add black chairs in this sleek kitchen or would you choose a punchy color?

(original image from Living Etc.)

July 29, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Saffron Marigold...

Welcome to the world of Saffron Marigold...following last week's post featuring 'Les Indiennes, I am in love with all fabrics Indian.  These are curtain panels that are so reasonably priced, its ridiculous. The first photo above is called 'Maharaja -Beautiful Burgundy Royal Elephant Colonial Curtain' - isn't that great? and it is only $24.99 per panel!! Happy shopping indeed!

Spice Route - Decorative Red Orange Moroccan Tab Top Panel -

Kilim Noir - Designer Black Gold Tab Top Cotton Panel -

India Rose - Luxury Pink Floral Indian Sari Print Curtain Panel -

Morning Dew - Elegant Decorative Yellow Blue French Beaded Valance - (this valance is only $19.99)


The company also creates shower curtains, duvets, bedspreads, pillow covers, sheer curtains, table linens and cushion covers. The website is beautiful...for more inspiration please go here: http://www.saffronmarigold.com/ - there is a catalog and you can sign up for 'exclusive savings and announcements.' 

Which fabrics would you choose for your home? perhaps some curtains? or a bedspread? Do you like a lot of pattern around your windows?

(images courtesy saffronmarigold.com)

July 28, 2010

The Green Scene...Burt's and the Bees...

And now for something a little different...ok, the title is a little hokey, but, what girl can resist skincare, lipcare and shampoos??  and how about products like Burt's Bees that are safe for the environment, socially responsible and green? well, its stating the obvious, but I love the lip stuff from BB's so it got me thinking today...these are green products you can use for a myriad of beauty needs, they have great packaging design and are environmentally-friendly...I'm in...how about you?

Naturally Ageless Eye Cream...



Res-Q Lip Balm SPF 15...




An array of the shampoos...


Simply Ageless Hand Cream...

For more beauty products, visit http://www.burtsbees.com/ - Which products would you like to use? do you have a fave already? do you buy some products because you love the great packaging??


(images courtesy of burtsbees.com)

July 27, 2010

Divine design...

The maps, the green, the ikat print on the chairs, the rug, the chandelier, the curtains, the matchstick blinds, the settee, table and little metal chair...the maps...is this room divine or what?? It is perfection...thank you Hal Williamson for this beautiful room in New Orleans...one of my all time faves from House Beautiful a year or so ago...*sigh*


(original image by John Kernick)
Interior Design by Hal Williamson

July 24, 2010

Home painting projects...

While on vacation at my little cottage I did some painting and wanted to show you the before and afters...the back door, a window and an old stove all got some 'perking up' from me, with 'Amarillo' yellow paint from True Value...above is the door before...

And the door after...I painted it all white last summer...

The window before...oops, got a quick photo right after I started the painting...

The window after...I don't think I need curtains now...it looks better in person...these photos don't do it justice. There is a closet on the other side of the room that has yellow inserts I painted last summer so now the eye can 'rest' somewhere on this side of the room (see 'cottage sitting room' for the closet pic on my blog) -

Ok, I am on a major budget and have this hideous old stove...so, instead of removing it I put some contact paper on last summer which concealed the oven door or the 'big black hole' as I call it...

I wanted to pick up the yellow in the room, so I redid it using this paper and it does look better if a little 'Rube Goldberg-ish'...but it was a good way to cover the old thing...

This is a shot taken from a sitting position on the floor in front of the stove...!

So, that's it for my little project done in the air conditioning, as it was very hot a couple of weeks ago, as it still is. I have a chair to paint and need to get a couple of bureaus painted this summer too...when I do, I will share the before and afters. Hope you all are having a great weekend!!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

July 22, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Les Indiennes...

My intention with this weekly post is to simply give you, the reader a few pictures and a bit of information about fabulous fabrics and their companies.  It is in a magazine-like 'column' format (not literally) so that you may want to further explore the website. It is also designed to inspire, excite and perhaps motivate or help you make a change with fabric at home, work, holiday home, rental etc. I sincerely hope you enjoy the column and that it is a quick and easy read, because I know there are lots of other blogs to read in a day!! Enjoy!


Welcome to the world of Les Indiennes, a fabulous company started by Mary Mulcahy who was looking for an Indian block print fabric. Long story short, she found a man in India who was still making fabrics in a 400 year old tradition called the Kalamkari Process (see more about this below)...unbelievable, and the company was born.  Above, is Dominique...

Dots in block print...

Fleur also in block print...
Traditional Ikat...


Dots Ikat...

The Kalamkari Process is done using weather, sunlight and fresh water, the fabric is organic and provides fair trade income to 50 families in the Indian village where it is produced. The process uses no mechanization or electricity. For more information about Les Indiennes that also produces pillows, bedding and paper products has a gorgeous website -http://www.lesindiennes.com/ -

(photos courtesy of lesindiennes website)

July 21, 2010

The Green Scene...Tin Roofs...

I have been looking at tin roofs and loving the look of them.  I have a summer cottage that I am seriously thinking about putting a tin roof on. Not only do they look fantastic, they come in all kinds of colors, are environmentally friendly, energy efficient and weather resistant. These roofs have passed tough hurricane codes in Florida and Texas.

The graph above, courtesy of Atlantic Metal Roofing (http://www.thenewtinroof.com/), shows how well the roofs reflect the sun and will help the homeowner keep the cost of cooling the entire house down.  The roofs are Energy Star Certified and will save you up to 40% on your heating and cooling costs. Plus, you can get a $500 tax deduction from the government.

These roofs are also environmentally-friendly as they are made up of between 20% and 60% recycled material...asphalt roofs absorb a large amount of solar energy which can create smog formation and ozone. Asphalt also creates a huge (about 7.5 million tons) amount of waste that has to go in landfills. Because the tin is so durable, it will last for years, cutting back on consumption of materials that will turn to waste. I'm convinced, how about you?

(image courtesy Atlantic Metal Roofing)

July 17, 2010

Cottage beautiful...indeed...

I know this will make the rounds in the blogosphere (if it hasn't already) but I was blown away by this gorgeous little cottage designed by Krista Ewart, who used to work for the great Ruthie Sommers, featured in the new issue of 'House Beautiful'...I fell in love with the charm, the spectacular bold color combinations, and on and on...I can't get enough of the these rooms...above is the living area in pinks and greens...

The super small bathroom with the Albert Hadley wallpaper (my fave)...featuring a pink shower curtain reflected in the mirror...

The kitchen with the pink SMEG fridge and the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster, another fave...

Another shot of the charming living area with the whimsical animal touches including elephants, a turtle and the Jonathon Adler zebra rug that Krista loves...

This bright blue whale wallpaper looks fantastic with the green dresser, so fitting for a child's room...

Did you like this beach cottage? what is your favorite room?

(original images for House Beautiful by Victoria Pearson)

Interior Design by Krista Ewart

July 13, 2010

Marbles series II...



I am on a much needed vacation this week so this is just a short post...I will be taking a break from my two columns as well, so I hope you don't mind. These are a series of photos I took in March of some pretty marbles...just for fun! hope you are enjoying the summer and I will see you back here this weekend!!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

July 8, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...IKEA inspiration...

IKEA has some fabulous fabrics and since I featured IKEA in my Green Scene column, I thought I would highlight some of their versatile fabrics...above is a modern take on a quilt...great for a kids room or even as a wall hanging...

Check out this fab bag - its only $1.99 - can you believe it? how great would this look at the beach or at the grocery store??

For a baby's room, these sweet curtains could work for a little boy or a little girl's room...adorable...

My favorite - POLKA DOTS! I love, love them! and this fabric is only $4.99/yard...wow! the colors are so rich...

This is a very modern pillow cover with chic global appeal...this would look great in a room with an eclectic style...



The great thing about IKEA, is that if you don't live near a store, you can shop online...visit http://www.ikea.com/ for a lot more fabric design inspiration and great prices...have fun!! which fabric/design appeals to you?


(images courtesy ikea.com)

July 7, 2010

The Green Scene...IKEA Norden Series...

The Norden Gateleg Table

It was inevitable that I would mention IKEA in my weekly column...not only are the prices unbelievable, but the quality will not let you down. Make no mistake...this store is huge in Europe and should be bigger here.  Open any European design magazine and you will find IKEA furniture, accessories and textiles in homes big and small. I love how adaptable their products are. The Norden series is amazing and I wanted to share this with you from the website:  this series is built from the "knotty top part of the birch tree" and was introduced in 1998...they were the first to think of doing this instead of "burning it as firewood or grinding it for chipboard production." I love this 'green' story...below are the finished eco-friendly products...

  The Norden Gateleg Table

The Norden Bench

The Norden Glass Cabinet


For more information please visit: http://www.ikea.com/

(images courtesy IKEA.com)

July 6, 2010

Porch pause...

I couldn't resist another summery scene and this is just gorgeous with the dreamy blue colors...that ceiling is unbelievable! what a great place to hang out and have an ice cold drink...of course, where I live the temps reached about 99 degrees today - unreal heat...hope you are staying cool where you are...

(original image by Don Freeman for Coastal Living)

July 5, 2010

Ocean view...

Wishing I was here now looking out at the ocean in South Carolina (or Maine)...so relaxing and soothing to look at water as far as the eye can see...hope everyone is enjoying their day off! To all on the east coast, keep cool!!

(original image by J. Savage Gibson for Coastal Living)

July 4, 2010

Red, white and blue...

Maine Cottage makes these beautiful cabinets, the Nellie Dresser, in rich colors that will add 'oomph' to any room...red, white and blue for the 4th of July, though the red is actually called 'rhubarb' - either way, they are very stylish...

Nellie Dresser in White...

Nellie Dresser in China Blue...


(images by mainecottage.com)

July 3, 2010

Saturday in the kitchen...

Frank Roop is at it again in this gorgeous kitchen with handmade glass tiles in a luscious turquoise with white cabinets...little bit of red in the flowers makes it red, white and blue for the holiday...hope you are all enjoying the sunshine wherever you are and having a cool drink...

(original image for House Beautiful by Francesco Lagnese)

July 1, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Modern Organic Fabrics...


Modern Organic Fabrics on Etsy.com is a wonderful shop that supplies these gorgeous 50's-inspired fabrics from India...the collection is called 'Circa 50' and all the fabrics are organic...above is 'Starburst in Pool'

Cars in Strawberry...


Pebble Lines...


Chairs...


Houses...

Wouldn't these look great in a kids room or on pillows for a den or lounge? so groovy!! Visit etsy.com and Modern Organic Fabrics for more fifties' fun...plus, these fabrics are all available under $10.00!! Happy shopping!!

(images courtesy modernorganicfabrics)