Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

December 27, 2013

Fabulous Fabric Friday...Ralph Lauren...


I hope everyone had a great week celebrating Christmas.  I had a pang of nostalgia for my old column (Fabulous Fabric Fridays) which I ran faithfully for a couple of years.  I have been blogging so long now, it all seems a blur.  

I stopped in a Calico store yesterday and saw these Ralph Lauren fabrics up close and immediately wanted to design a room around them. Preferably in an English country house or in a suburban New Jersey home - who cares?  Of course dark wood, fireplaces, brandy snifters, velvet, Wellies, deer heads, tigers and tweed come to mind and it takes me away to the Scottish Highlands or Devon (my favorite).  The quintessential library or game room would be the best place for this style.  This could all be equally fabulous in a bedroom or living room without all that ambiance don't you think?  Super inspiring fabrics! I added some furniture to the mix.  Have a great weekend!


For the English Country house, I have added some furniture from Home Decorators Collection to complement the fabrics:: 






Maldives Coffee Table $399.00


Maharaja Nesting Tables $199.00




Custom Greenwich Sofa $1299.00

Porter Armchair $699.00


The English Country House fabrics to cover the chairs, sofas and windows:

Hillcliff Plaid Moss $200.20/yd

Serengeti Linen Zebra Mahogany $116/yd

Kingsbridge Original $255.20/yd

Aragon Original $261.80/yd

Leighton Hunt Olive $81.40/yd

Maya Silk Original $123.20/yd





Do you like the English style? 
Which is your fave?



I will do a digital moodboard for you that won't cost
the earth. Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com
for more information.





May 17, 2013

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 -

******************************************************************************

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 :))

February 5, 2013

The farmhouse sink...which faucet?...

Every day I help customers try to choose the right faucet for the their kitchen sink.

 The Shaws Farmhouse Sink by Rohl is an iconic and beautiful addition to a kitchen and I think it requires a special faucet to enhance the entire appearance of the sink, counter and backsplash.  There SO MANY options, it can be confusing. Its a good idea to focus on three different faucets and then eliminate which one you really don't like.

Today, I am focusing on Moen, and tomorrow, we will explore other faucet options.  In order to go with the traditional style of the sink, these three options are all 'vintage' and old-fashioned looking. I think they all look great, but I particularly love the bridge faucet.  The Shaws sinks are all handmade in Lancashire, England and will stand the test of time.


ROHL Shaws Farmhouse Sink - 30x18


Which faucet do would you like best with this sink?



The Moen Woodmere in Chrome - $721.85




The Moen Vestige in Oil Rubbed Bronze - $517.90


The Moen Waterhill Bridge Faucet

My favorite is the Waterhill Bridge faucet - the lines are great and this is very well priced -
at $778.75 in chrome -

For more information about Shaws sinks go here; and for the Moen faucets go here -

If you need help choosing fixtures for your kitchen, I can help! Click on the 
'Services' menu on my blog for more information.


June 10, 2012

Cath Kidston in Chiswick...

On my recent trip to the UK, I was lucky enough to find myself in leafy Chiswick for an afternoon of lunch and shopping. My friend knew my must-see was the Cath Kidston store, which I had never set foot in! I have spent lots of time perusing the website for all the goodies, but, the store was just lovely. See below -


The pale blue store


Fabulous fabrics!


The little back room 


I once had a duvet that looked like this one


Your choice of pretty wallpapers


The work table with a knitting book


The iconic telephone boxes in Chiswick


Street scene in Chiswick

(images by me)

Hope you have a super Sunday!!


If you need help styling or decorating your rooms, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.





June 3, 2012

Tea with the Queen...

It is Jubilee Sunday and I will be enjoying the festivities via TV and will drink from the lovely cup I bought when I was over there last month. It is a beautiful Royal Stafford, made in Great Britain mug with 'ER' and the dates of her reign on it.  Also included are pics from my trip to the Isle of Wight, which I loved. Happy Jubilee Sunday!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway here: Crafty giveaway - only open until tomorrow night!

 









I don't have Picnik anymore, can anyone suggest a good free substitute??

Have a great day everyone!

(images by me)




May 31, 2012

This is exciting...+ a glimpse of England...

I don't usually blow any horns here about my humble little corner of the internet universe, but I was approached to have my blog featured on a 'Best of the Web' series for Be @Home Best of the Web Series. This is a first for me, so I am excited to share it with you!! I hope you are all having a great week - there are big changes happening in my life that I must prepare for, but, its all good.  I am totally addicted to this blogging thing and I don't plan on slowing down at all! How does this addiction fit in with your families, lifestyles and work life?? Do share -

Please go here:
Best of the Web Series

Also, I just wanted to show you a couple of pictures of my recent visit to the UK:


Zara Home in Richmond...


Cath Kidston (!) in Chiswick...


The Old Thatch Teashop on the Isle of Wight...


Thanks for your visit! 


If you need any help decorating your home please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.