December 31, 2011

Saturday in the kitchen...

Well, here we are, the last day of 2011.  Do you have anything special planned?  This is a modern version of a country kitchen that appeared in House Beautiful.  The simplicity, white and wood are so beautiful and functional, especially with the commercial style faucets.  Notice too, there are no cabinets on the wall, a feature I find very appealing.





The whole room is so spacious without upper cabs don't you think?

(images Eric Piasecki for House Beautiful)

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve, stay safe and enjoy!! Best wishes for a very happy and prosperous new year!! Thank you for joining me here, I appreciate your support so much. I will be kicking off the new year with a fabulous giveaway next week you won't want to miss!!  

For information about my decorating services and VirtualDecor package, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 30, 2011

Green + leopard = fab

I know I spoke about my love for whites yesterday, but this office space makes me want to add some color. On the opposite side of the spectrum, would this space inspire you? or is it too much? what do you think?


via



Have a great weekend! See you back here soon!


For information about my decorating services, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 29, 2011

White...hot...

I am obsessed with white rooms at the moment, and I'm not sure if or when the obsession will pass. The rooms are so gorgeous and relaxing to me that I have been redesigning my house in this style, but, unfortunately only in my head since I rent. I have reimagined my living room with wide plank white floors, white walls, wide plank chair rail around the room and zebra area rugs with lucite and Swedish furniture. Oh, and silver with other accents of color.  Help! It would be so beautiful...next house...right?  Oh, and please feel free to visit my Pinterest page, you will see my obsession in full swing there!

Image by Jonny Valiant

Image by Karyn R. Millet

Image by Francesco Lagnese

Image by Francesco Lagnese


Image by Amy Neunsinger

Image by Pieter Estersohn


(All images originally appeared in House Beautiful)


I realize there are blogs dedicated to the white room and they are lovely -  I hope you are having a great day , thanks for visiting me here and I will see you again soon!!



For information about my VirtualDecor and decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

December 28, 2011

Wish I was here...

Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and you are now gearing up for the new year! My computer has some kind of virus and it will have to go in the shop, so I am using another one temporarily so I can keep up with my virtual world!!!  I really wouldn't mind being in this setting below about now...I will be planning a trip abroad soon, and I'm very excited about it! I hope all your wishes and dreams come true in 2012...or at least if you get halfway there, you will be happy ;-))



Until we meet again!! Enjoy the day!


For information about my decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 24, 2011

Saturday in the kitchen...

Happy Christmas Eve! This image is perfect for today...long and leisurely breakfasts with lots of tea and coffee -



Merry Christmas Eve!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with me, I appreciate your support as always!

xoxo


For information about my decorating services via VirtualDecor, or if you are in the New England area, please contact me here: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.


December 23, 2011

Inspired by...Marmalade Interiors!

Jill Sorenson was born in Sweden and is now the principal of Marmalade Interiors, based in McLean, Virginia. Her work was featured in the recent issue of Ivy & Piper magazine (go here) and when I checked out her portfolio, a particular residence stood out for me. I loved her home in the feature, with lots of bright colors, but these photos are truly inspiring. I think you may agree -









I am in love with Swedish design...how about you?? Would you love to live like this?
For more inspiration from this talented designer go here -

(images marmaladeinteriors.com)

For information about my design services and VirtualDecor, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.


December 22, 2011

Loving the pin...

OMG, I have discovered PINTEREST, as I'm sure most of you have and I didn't think it would happen to me, then BAM - I am officially hooked. What a great place where there are SO many gorgeous images, its overwhelming.  So, in honor of the holiday, here are some of those pix for your eyes to feast on - I am officially on vacation now until January 3rd so, I plan on gettting lots of sleep...what are your plans??





Pinterest, you have me now...gorgeous Christmas-y photos for you to enjoy -

See you tomorrow!


For information about my decorating services, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.


December 21, 2011

Royal jewels...

Did you happen to see the photos of the fabulous Kate Middleton attending an event in London the other night? For those of you who were around when Princess Diana made her first public appearances, the dress Kate wore struck me as almost identical to a velvet dress Diana wore with Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Charles in 1981.  But, the jewelry Kate wore was simply stunning - a diamond and ruby necklace with shooting stars, matching earrings AND a bracelet.  All apparently a gift from a 'family friend.'  Wow, I wish I had those kinds of friends, don't you??

Here come the jewels...

You can see them here a bit better...


The dress Princess Diana wore in 1981...





Isn't she fabulous??

(images courtesy Getty Images, Alpha Photo Press Agency Ltd, WireImage)

Are you ready for Christmas??

See you back here tomorrow!!


If you need help making your space lovely, please email me for rates and information about my decorating services: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.





December 20, 2011

A simple tree...

As the day draws nearer, I wanted to share my Christmas tree with you. I always have a tabletop tree, but decided to go bigger.  Since I am on a budget, I bought my tree with lights for just $25.00 and its 6' tall.   It has only red and white candy canes and red bows on it and a sparkly red cardinal at the top.  I was going to hang ornaments, but it looks so pretty like this, I thought they would just gussy it up too much. It is a much simpler tree than I have ever had and I love it! I hope you have all your shopping and decorating done!!

Please excuse the mess to the right!! and the hideous black box to the left...(a TV of course, way bigger than I would like...) - that's an IKEA bookcase too...

I took this before I put the red cardinal on top of the tree - this pic shows a little silver sparkly bird from the Pottery Barn...

I couldn't resist my little boy Scooter settling in - though, he has been munching on the branches...naughty kitty! ;-))

Have a great day tomorrow!

(images by me)

If you need help making your space lovely, please contact me so I can help you! Email me at: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.


December 19, 2011

Top 5 Bargains of the Week...last minute gifts...

Etsy has stepped up to the plate again with some fabulous last-minute items you may want to consider as they will all ship out this week in time for Christmas! Hurry!! Get your orders in!


Fishs Eddy - Dry Cleaning Ticket Tray 7 2/8" L just $10.95  -go here for more fun ideas -


ETSY S'mores Soap for just $5.50 ea. Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary - don't they look delish??


ETSY The Buzz: The Etsy Kit for $19.95! Friend or family member looking to sell on Etsy? here is the comprehensive, original kit to help you sell more, market your business, drive traffic to your site etc.  Don't miss this great opportunity!


Gorgeous 18" Ottoman Pouf in Yellow Chevron Zig Zag for $75 - from ETSY shop Aleta Savage and ships for $15;  larger 24" ottomans are $95 -



Vintage Seed Sack Stockings from Ohio ETSY shop Cat Nap Cottage for just $44.50 with $5 shipping - great gift for this year and/or next!


Have a great week and I'll see you back here soon!

(images fishseddy and etsy.com)



For information about my decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.






December 18, 2011

The Liebster Blog Awards...

I am truly honored to have been nominated by the sweet Anna of the blog, My Design Ethos who has introduced me to this award for bloggers with less than 200 followers. I now must nominate 5 bloggers I love that I feel are also deserving of this award. So here is my list:

Honored to be nominated!!

Here are my five picks - bloggers to be recognized:

1. Tiina P. of Elce Stockholm blog based in Stockholm; Tiina features photos of gorgeous Scandinavian design and she has just started her own company creating beautiful pillows with graphic fabrics. Please visit her here -

2. Rebecca Ward of DesignR was a classmate in Holly Becker's 'Blogging My Way' class and is an interior designer based in Sacramento, CA.  Rebecca regularly features her work on her blog with her new camera and other design inspirations. Visit her  here -

3. Kristen is an interior designer based in Minneapolis, MN and has just had a baby and featured his lovely new room on her blog, Cottage Modern.  Kristen shares personal glimpses into her life, as well as featuring her beautiful design work. Please visit her here -

4. Photographer Lauren Christine has a beautiful blog called Golden White Decor and she posts her own photographs and chronicles her laid back southern California lifestyle here -

5. I just discovered New Zealand-based Annie Loveridge Interiors chronicling her design and lifestyle here -

Thank you again to Anna and best wishes to these bloggers!!


Have a great day!







December 17, 2011

Saturday in the kitchen...

Country Living magazine featured Trina and Mike Burke's charming farmhouse in Oregon dressed for the holidays in whites and antiques, and I just love Trina's clean aesthetic.  Usually I just show the kitchen, but this house is so pretty, I included some more pictures. Trina has a blog as well, so feel free to visit her here - have a great weekend!

Beautiful clean white living room and tree...

Love this dining room...

The well organized kitchen shelves with stoneware...

Gorgeous vintage utensils in baskets...


Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

(images by Max Kim-Bee for Country Living)

For information about my decorating services either in New England or in across the miles, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 16, 2011

Christmas time...

I thought I would post some photos I took around the house in 2010 before taking new shots of this year's decorations over the weekend. Last year we had a little table top tree (as we do every year), but I decided to do something different this Christmas.  As we get closer to the holiday, it is a good time to reflect on the past year, your hopes, dreams, accomplishments, failures etc. and figuring out a way to make the new year successful...and fun! 




Merry Christmas a little early everyone!

(images by me)


For information and pricing for my decorating services, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

December 12, 2011

Top 5 Bargains of the week...

Its getting down to the wire for holiday shopping, so I am showcasing 4 Etsy items and one big box bargain.  I am supporting my Etsy artist friends and encourage you to look at these unique items to give as gifts, as they are so beautiful.  Art is a great gift for everyone, so please take the time to look at their stores and happy shopping!!

ANNECHOVIE:
Anne Harwell's gorgeous paintings and other gifts  are available on her blog here with a 15% discount!

BRIGHT, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

Blogger and artist Laura Trevey's 'Winter Wonderland' is a 5x7 print for $30 - for more of her gorgeous artwork go here 


Etsy artist MayaG Handmade creates these lovely sets of 4 ceramic coasters for just $15 -

Ballard Designs Burlap Ribbon with colored edges is just $7.99 on sale -



Etsy artist Whitney Smith created this ceramic cake stand for just $34 -



Please support these wonderful artists, add some color to someone's life and buy fabulous gifts at the same time! Happy Shopping!

(images annechovie, brightboldbeautiful, etsy.com, ballarddesigns.com)

Let me help you achieve your dream home with my decorating services! Contact me via email at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 11, 2011