Happy Easter and a Best of MI...

Have a great Easter Sunday!  I thought I would post this fabulous picture from a few years ago...I am loving pink this season in all forms.  Just bought a piece of pink clothing, a vest, and have a lovely pink infinity scarf. It is so indicative of Easter to me...enjoy.


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FROM AUGUST 2011:

Wow! A foyer is your first look when you walk into a home, kind of like a first impression when you meet someone, you notice what they are wearing.  I love that this designer chose this gorgeous pink, Benjamin Moore's Razzle Dazzle (indeed!) to greet guests - what a design statement!  Would you paint your entryway hot pink?

Not to be forgotten is the beautiful vintage NEEDLEPOINT chair - can you believe? Jonathan Berger is the designer and I am his newest fan!

(image Francesco Lagnese)

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

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New year...Best of MI...Blenko Glass Company...

Well, here we are in 2014 and I am only now just posting.  Its hard to believe I started this blog over four years ago!  Wow, time has flown in many ways, but its also moving slow.  I am still trying to decide what, who, where and the how of this blog, so in the meantime, I wanted to go back to an early post and see what I was doing.  This is a great company based in West Virginia and if you love glass, you will love this.  I once visited Venice, Italy and got to see glass making in the process and it was fascinating.


What are your plans for the new year?  I don't do resolutions as its a cliche for not getting anywhere or getting anything done.  Too much pressure.  I am nursing a head cold right now, so my energy level is nil. I do hope you have a great year and are able to move ahead with plans, dreams and resolutions.

I would like to thank my loyal readers for stopping by and keeping me going, I appreciate your support!!


From March 2010:

Thought I would write about a little bit of Americana and what better than the iconic Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia? My mother had the Spring Green Water Bottle on display in our living room when I was a child and I always loved it. Years later, I spied it in a store and bought it as a wedding present for friends.

William J. Blenko founded the company in Kokomo, Indiana in 1893 having left the East End of London where he was born and learned the art of glassmaking starting at age 13.  He came to America in 1893 to start a business selling stained glass windows.  The only countries manufacturing the glass at that time, were Germany, France and England. Thanks to William's entrepreneurial spirit, the company has continued to flourish.

This is still true today - his family has kept the company going and I like to think that supporting American-made products never goes out of style.  You can even tour the facilities in Milton, WV at Blenko's Visitor Center.

Aren't these gorgeous? and very affordable!  (I added a couple of new products)

C418L Large Dimple Glass Crackled

($36.00)

1113 Cobalt Swirl Bowl ($120)

1108 Bella Bocca Vase ($80.00)

Fire and Ice Vase ($200)

Blenko Water Bottle ($46)

For more information, visit http://www.blenkoglass.com/

Which one would you like for home? (my favorite is the Water Bottle)

(images)

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For design services, please contact me for rates at 
monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

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Best of MI...Dear Design Diary...Windsor Smith...

This is from January 2011 and I loved this issue of House Beautiful for featuring this gorgeous home of Windsor's.  I love dipping into my archives, of which there is so much to choose from!  I have been blogging for a long time now.  Hope you all have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!


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The last issue of House Beautiful had a couple of standouts for me...I know you love Windsor Smith and I just couldn't help going back to look at a couple of her rooms again and again. Her use of color, texture and fabrics just blend together so well and makes me want to redesign my living room and bedroom following her aesthetic:

The living room features an overall silver and white color scheme with hand painted de Gournay wallpaper that is just lovely. Notice the different textures (coffee table, chandelier, silk pillows) and the navy blue doors in the hallway...I think the white sofas give the room a more relaxed feel, making this space an expert mix of glamorous and casual chic...

Well, Peter Dunham is one big reason I love this room - that is his fabric and wallpaper - 'Samarkand' and I love the bed matching the wall! Note the metal bed, lantern, Moroccan pouf and wicker chair - so stunning! So, Dear Design Diary...make my wish come true and redo my rooms like these please!!!

(images by Victoria Pearson for House Beautiful)

(Interior Design by Windsor Smith)

If you would like your home to reflect your ideas and unique vision, contact me and we can work together to make your dream come true. Please send inquiries to monacointeriors76@yahoo.com - I would love to assist you with any project large or small!

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Best of MI...its ALL WHITE...

Good morning!  I thought I would share another post from quite long ago...from July 2011 highlighting a favorite piece from Lonny magazine.  Its a beautiful home and I always love a white space. What are you doing this last week before Christmas? Are you done with all your shopping? I'm not!!
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I got my digital issue of Lonny a few days ago and these photos stopped me in my tracks...so dramatic, so cool and so WHITE. I love white with color, but this is just insanely gorgeous and difficult to do. I went to a show house in Maine about 3 years ago and saw a white room and bathroom in person and I couldn't believe how seriously beautiful it looked.  I particularly love the use of photos/wallpaper - it looks so dreamy - would you use this effect?

That wood bottomed coffee table is great ...

I love the mix of furniture here too...

Well that wall covering is just amazing...Jarlath apparently uses real photographs and transforms then into wallpaper - !!

Are you in a white mood too? maybe because its summer, I feel like I love 'lighter' design or maybe that's the direction I'm headed...do you decorate with a lot of white? For more inspiration go here -

OR VISIT MY WHITES & NEUTRALS PINTEREST BOARD

(images by Patrick Cline for Lonny)

(Interior Design by Jarlath Mellett)

Looking for a designer to help you transform a space? Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and I will help you create a room(s) that you love.

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Best of MI...Ruthie Sommers...

Good morning!! Happy Fourth of July to all of you!  I have the day off and will be lounging.  I am watching Wimbledon right now and can't wait for the women's single and men's single finals this weekend.  I used to do a regular column called 'The Green Scene' and decided to run this with one of my favorite designers - Ruthie Sommers.  I highlighted her ability to recycle furniture that she sold in her now-defunct store in Hollywood.  Her design is timeless and looks just as great as it did in June 2010 when I did this post.  Do you like her designs?  Any favorites here? 

One reason I think Ruthie Sommers' design aesthetic is so popular is that she recycles and reuses furniture that she use to sell in her now-closed store in Hollywood,Chapman Radcliffe Home, and in her clients' homes too...here is a house in Hollywood she designed...

Notice the bedside table, which looks like a piece you would see in any consignment shop or Goodwill store repainted to look glamorous!...

 This room has an antique desk in the corner...looks lovely...

The kitchen has several recycled items...the chandelier is vintage, the Saarinen table by Knoll is a classic and the vintage chairs are reupholstered in candy colors...yummy...

This chair looks like it came from a consignment shop, redone with new upholstery...the sconces on the wall are vintage too...

Ruthie made this home more personal with items already owned and used...not brand new...it is a great way for the client to save money and own something unique...you can use organic fabrics too that don't cost a lot (more on that later)...I'll be back on Friday with the Fabulous Fabrics series - see you then!

Visit Ruthie Sommers website: http://www.ruthiesommers.com/

(original images for Traditional Home by Grey Crawford)

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Bathroom vanity before + after...

I finally got around to getting my new little vanity installed in my cottage, which I am now renting.  The old sink and faucet was hideous and it was in desperate need of updating. I still need a medicine cabinet, but with the new vanity and faucet, I decided a new shower curtain in yellow and white would  give the bath some much needed 'oomph.' 

The cabinet and lavatory top is from Bertch and the faucet is Kohler's Fairfax.- I love it!

Before - sorry its a yellow color!

After! 

The top is Bertch's Sage pattern - a faux-granite
The cabinet has the white 'Centennial' style door

Kohler's 4" centerset Fairfax in chrome 

Beautiful curtain from TJ Maax

Sorry the pic is a bit dark 

My renter is enjoying the new setup - notice in the pic above the old
sink to the left; you can also just about spy the Flipside showerhead
from Kohler - it makes for a great shower!

(images by me)


What are you doing today? Have a great Father's Day!!


Please email me if you would like to redesign a room -

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Best of MI...Saturday in the kitchen...

Happy weekend!  Thought I would post from my archives today...this was from 6/19/10 three years ago. What a great kitchen and very patriotic don't you think?

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Father's Day!





From July 2010:

Inspired by this cottage kitchen with a beautiful red wall and stainless units...IKEA no less! It has a camp-like look and I love the lamps and chairs (made for the US Navy in the 1940's) -



Design by Amanda Kyser...

(original image by Ngoc Minh Ngo for House Beautiful)

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Best of MI...White + white = gorgeous

How are you all doing? I am in a new environment and have been terribly remiss in not posting at all recently.  I have been so busy, but don't want to completely neglect my little blog.  I feel like I have put so much time into it and have met so many wonderful people online - I only wish it was a small source of income.  Did I just write that? Well, you know, hours and hours and hours online with no tangible payment. My life was turned upside down last year and I have been putting back the pieces of my new life without my beloved Scooter, who unfortunately finished his journey with me in December.  So, I continue to forge ahead and concentrate on the new horizon.  I am keeping my head up and my eye on the ball - have a great rest of the week friends!! Thank you for visiting me, I appreciate your support.

Be sure to follow my Whites + Neutrals board on Pinterest or all of my Pinterest boards here -


From July 2011:

I got my digital issue of Lonny a few days ago and these photos stopped me in my tracks...so dramatic, so cool and so WHITE. I love white with color, but this is just insanely gorgeous and difficult to do. I went to a show house in Maine about 3 years ago and saw a white room and bathroom in person and I couldn't believe how seriously beautiful it looked.  I particularly love the use of photos/wallpaper - it looks so dreamy - would you use this effect?

That wood bottomed coffee table is great ...

I love the mix of furniture here too...

Well that wallcovering is just amazing...Jarlath apparently uses real photographs and transforms then into wallpaper - !!

Are you in a white mood too? maybe because its summer, I feel like I love 'lighter' design or maybe that's the direction I'm headed...do you decorate with a lot of white? For more inspiration go here -

(images by Patrick Cline for Lonny)

(Interior Design by Jarlath Mellett)

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Best of MI...Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith...

Well, its my last Friday in my seaside cottage and I've gone for my last walk...its bittersweet for me, but on to bigger and better things now.  I thought in true fashion for a Friday, I would post one of my favorite columns about one of my favorite places in the world: England.  My mother was born in Scotland and I lived in England so it has a very special place in my heart. Not to mention aunts, cousins and friends live there so its always a vacation I want to take.  So, enjoy and have a great weekend! I will be posting from my new digs soon! Thanks for following and stopping by -

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From October 2010

'Fairlight' - Richard's 17th century farmhouse

I'm sorry I'm so late with this post but I spilled hot coffee on my laptop keyboard and it stopped working! Needless to say, I purchased a keyboard that is spill-proof (!!) so it is just a quick fix until I decide to take my laptop in for some 'surgery...'  I digress...welcome to Jolly Old England for this post. Highlighting a fabulous textile designer in the UK - Richard Smith who has redone his country home and uses ALL his own fabrics to decorate...I think you will like what you see - I can't decide which room I like best...:))

Richard has designed fabrics for F. Schumacher and Warner Fabrics...

Richard Smith in his studio amongst his textiles...

'Cecily' hand printed silk...

(original images by James Merrell)
(Interior Design by Diana Kelly with Richard Smith)

I love all of the rooms, but the turquoise linen fabric in the dining room and these curtains above are particularly beautiful...Richard has done different collections for 'No. 9 Thompson' and you can see more here.  Since living in England, I have a soft spot for all things British and of course, British design.  Thank you for spending a little time with me this week and I hope you all have a great weekend!! I have something special for you next week so please stop in again! xx :))

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Best of MI...Spaah on Sunday...The Maldives...

WELCOME!

A lot has happened in my life since I posted this - life changing events that are huge, so this photo speaks to me on a very cold winter Sunday. What I wouldn't give to be right here, right now - how fantastic that would be. Not a surprise the resort is called 'Shangri-La, right?!! 

The Maldives have just been added to my bucket list.  What travel destinations are on your bucket list?  Start saving now! Have a great Sunday- I won't be watching the Super Bowl, but, I will be watching 'Downton Abbey' - I'm addicted are you?

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FROM AUGUST 2011:



After a pretty stressful week, I decided to post a real spa photo that frankly, speaks volumes. I would love to be at this resort in the Maldives getting a massage, wouldn't you??

Oh how I wish I was here!

(image Shangri-La Villingili Resort, The Maldives - CHI, The Spa)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Thank you to new followers, I appreciate your support!! xoxo

Click on 'Services' above to see if we can work together to create something

unique and stylish for your interiors.

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BEST of MI...Kitchen before + after...

BEST OF MI...from Sept 2011:


Just a quick post this morning...some of you may remember that little magazine called Domino...well, here is a before and after  that I love. Designed by Juliette Hohnen, who is married to one of my fave actors, Steven Weber, who played Brian Hackett on 'Wings' for years, she is in real estate and flips houses.  This is a beach house in Malibu that she redesigned to perfectly fit the California aesthetic. Take a look - here is the before:

And here is the after below:

Juliette used the IKEA freestanding units, poured concrete floors and an all white palette to bring this kitchen up to date. Do you like the look? She did the whole place on an impressive budget as well. For more Domino fun go here -

Have a great weekend!!

(images Mikkel Vang)

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

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