Shabby + chic = gorgeous

Are you at a loss as to where to put that shabby and worn out dresser, table, chair or bureau?  Well, look no further than these pics showing a piece of shabby furniture in rooms with different aesthetics. The look of these worn items mixed in with other pieces is fabulous and timeless. Its such a classic look that you can experiment with and see how it fits. These pics are from one of my favorite boards on PINTEREST - are you following me there yet? Do you love?

(images)

Each piece is unique and looks so right - I especially love this

kitchen cupboard - just the right amount of paint is gone.

Have a great rest of the weekend! Hope you are inspired to 

start a new project!

Is your home exactly how you like it?

As fall is quickly approaching, I am offering my decorating services. If

you are thinking about changing things up in your house, I can help if its

new artwork, fabrics, pillows or a whole room redesign. We can work via

email with consultation, then a mood board with suggested stores and sources. Please

contact me for info at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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GREEN is GOOD...

Green is the new trend in fashion and design and I couldn't be happier about this versatile color taking front and center.  Used in fabrics, paints, wallpapers, accessories and rugs it is also considered very lucky in Feng Shui, so place a kelly green pillow or rug in your house and get lucky!! What do you think? Are you loving this trend or not?

(image by me)

(image by me)

DON'T FORGET FASHION!!!

(all images via and via except where noted)

GREEN IS INFLUENCING DESIGN AS WELL AS FASHION, HANDBAGS

AND JEWELRY - WHAT IS YOUR FAVE?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MY INTERIOR DECORATING SERVICES BOTH 

IN NEW ENGLAND AND VIRTUALDECOR VIA EMAIL - GREAT RATES AND

RESULTS!! GET THE HOUSE READY FOR FALL! MONACOINTERIORS76@YAHOO.COM.

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Gotta have these...5 tips for a kitchen facelift!

Time to give your kitchen a face lift instead of an all out reno? Well, you can do a few things to make it look pretty again. Here, I will share 5 great tips to give that kitchen a face lift as well as popular products that we are selling over and over again in the showroom. Not only are they functional and pretty, they will give you the look you want in your space.

Kohler has a great faucet in Vibrant Stainless that has a pause button and two different sprays. The single hole on your counter will give you more room, a less cluttered appearance and its easy to keep clean.  This is a great choice if your appliances are all stainless.

I know I have featured the Bellera before, but what a great faucet and 

its under $300!

Kohler Bellera

For the sink: this is a really beautiful and functional undermount sink that is a standard 33x22 size for your cooking and cleaning needs - it has a pretty 'v' detail on the bottom and looks like a commercial sink without the price tag:

For about $600 this can be yours - it is available smaller and

as a drop-in -

Kohler Vault

For a great looking counter that you don't need to do anything with, such as treat it with sealant, look no further than Ceasarstone Quartz - I chose a pretty neutral that is also recycled material to help keep your living environment clean and toxic-free:

Oyster 9601 - a gorgeous neutral to go with light or dark cabinets -

Ceasarstone Quartz

Need an island but don't have the space or money for a large size? Check out Ikea's Bekvam mobile cart - I had this and it was really useful. You can stain or paint it any color to match your decor and at less than $60.00 its a steal!

Great for storage, moving around and extra space for cutting or cleaning veggies -

Ikea Bekvam Cart

Last but not least, the paint color to give the kitchen some added 'oomph' right? I like Benjamin Moore's VOC-free Aura collection. Tons of colors to choose from so you can go light or dark. I chose a pastel green and to keep the environment clean, this paint is non-toxic so its safe and won't harm you or your kids:

Benjamin Moore Parkside Dunes 568

Benjamin Moore

I hope this gives you some inspiration for the kitchen project you've been thinking about doing but didn't want to spend a fortune. You can do one of the tips, two or all five!! You don't have to do all of them. 

Have a great Sunday! What is your favorite go-to tip for fixing the kitchen? Paint? new faucet? sink?


If you need help decorating your kitchen or bath or just need a face lift with a mood board, please contact me!! I can help - email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com. ;-))


(images courtesy kohler, ikea, ceasarstone and benjamin moore)

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Pink power...

I just got my new House Beautiful and as usual, there is so much inspiration. I have been very drawn to the color pink lately and there is a survey in the mag that says bloggers have chosen pink over other colors more than anyone else. Well, I love this dining room with the elegant curtains, gorgeous linen textures, crystal and blue and white.  Note the pattern on the wall under the console...Wouldn't you love to sit down here for a meal? How great would everyone look bathed in candlelight? I'm in...

(image by Bjorn Wallander)

Have a great rest of the week!

If you would like to place a small ad on my blog, please contact me at

monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Thank you London...

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics from London and will go into a post-Olympic slump when they close tonight with a spectacular ceremony. Its always bittersweet, but, the amazing athletes with unbelievable personal stories are always nothing short of miraculous. Michael Phelps, Andy Murray, Oscar Pistorius, Usain Bolt and so many other athletes will long be remembered not only for their talent, but to remind us that anything is possible with grit, determination and focus.  Keep that in mind as you go about your daily business and negative thoughts creep into your head...'I think I can' and 'what you think about you bring about' are so simplistic, but powerful...here are some images by Etsy watercolor artist Jessica Durant whose work I really admire (do visit her shop on Etsy!):

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(images Jessica Durrant)

So, until Rio in 4 years - next up, the Winter Games 2014 from Sochi, Russia -

Have a great Sunday!

If you want to place an ad on my blog or need help decorating your kitchen or bath, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Saturday in the kitchen...

I have a busy day ahead of me and have been remiss in posting the last few days, but this sweet little kitchen caught my eye. Aren't the colors gorgeous together? Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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Do you need help styling or redecorating your kitchen or bath? Email me for pricing and information at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Breakfast for dinner...

Do you ever eat breakfast for dinner? I LOVE making eggs, usually scrambled for dinner - its light, good protein and filling. I will add broccoli since I love vegetables with eggs, toast with jam, a tomato and a Pinot Grigio.  My breakfast is usually a high protein and fiber cereal...how about you? Any rituals in the morning or for dinner?

Yum! Breakfast for dinner!! ;-0

(images by me for Monaco Interiors)

Happy Tuesday! Soon...more Olympics on the TV tonight though...

;-))

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Blues on Sunday...

This is where I will be for the next few hours...in bed watching Wimbledon at the Olympics. I will be rooting for Andy Murray to bring home a gold medal for Great Britain...love this gorgeous turquoise bed with the vintage table, lamp and decorative wallpaper don't you? Have a great Sunday!

image via

Need help decorating? Email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

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Before + after window in the cottage...

I am trying to make some little changes here in my little home and thought I would share one with you. First, I need a little more privacy, so I bought a 72" matchstick blind for $15.00 - I have to be a big bargain hunter these days...I love the look and although its not a 'black-out' blind, it adds some great texture and a little privacy to the room:


Windows before:

Please excuse the air con but I need it!

I just have some sweet little valances on the windows;

I painted this room last year with a warm white from

Sherwin Williams -the walls had been a pale blue -

Window After:

The reason I love these blinds is that they don't require any 

work other than slamming a nail in the wall with a

hammer, which is about all I can do...notice my

kitty Scooter checking the new look out!

I leave them up about halfway all the time and they look great.

Do you love adding texture to a room? Have you tried these matchstick

blinds in your home? 

(images by me)

Have a very happy Friday! ;-))

Please contact me for decorating assistance or if you would like to place a small

ad on my blog for a great rate and great exposure...monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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