Saturday in the kitchen...perfect cottage kitchen...

This is a gorgeous little country kitchen -with a farmhouse sink and big faucet (looks like a Rohl), vintage blue chair, classic round rug and pale blue walls.  I love that you can see a glimpse of a bookcase in the foreground as well, in case you want to thumb through a volume while drinking tea.

The cabinetry with glass is also a nice touch that doesn't make the kitchen seem too small.  Do you like this kitchen or are you more into big glamorous kitchen?  I think this is plenty big enough. 

What are you doing on this lovely sunny Saturday?

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I am offering a couple of new design services, check them out on my 

Services page.

Have a great weekend!

Check out my boards on PINTEREST

for more inspiration!

Contact me for design services: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

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Decorative ideas for a holiday party...

Hello and welcome to the weekend!  I have a special column today to help you with last minute ideas for decorating your holiday party.  With New Year's Eve this week, its time to get it going!! So, let's get the party started!! 



Elegant Decorative Ideas for your Holiday Party without Spending a Dime


With Christmas now over, you are faced with the realization that it’s time to start decorating for your annual holiday party. There’s no need to fret and start running to the nearest store for decorations. You have all you need in your Christmas storage box and then some.

Whether it’s a winter wonderland outside your front window or not, you can create that warm and fuzzy feeling in your home with a little help of the imagination. Always infuse your personality in
everything you do. Most importantly, choose a color theme that works best with your home decor.
The goal is to use what you have to make a dazzling statement.

Ideas for the entryway



It wouldn’t be Christmas without all those greeting cards and colored envelopes from friends and family.
Don’t leave them in a pile on your kitchen table; use them as fun and colorful garland to drape around an entryway mirror. Just simply poke a hole in each card and use a festive ribbon.



Create a wintry scene using mini Christmas trees, holiday figurines and reindeer. Use a white piece of fabric you find in the home or extra large cotton balls and fluff them out to make snow.


Design your very own vinyl banners using ribbon and Christmas cards and cut them out to spell “Happy Holidays” or “Merry and Bright”. Hang it from a prominent wall so that guests will see it as they walk in.

The tabletop


Don’t spend a fortune on floral decorations, use what you have. Grab three vases of varying sizes and fill them with ornaments or holiday candies. Use a mix of bright color or go silver and pale blue for a more sophisticated look.



Bring some nature into your home by cutting a pine branch or holly branch from the yard and place it around a vase filled with cranberries. The rich red and green definitely says “Merry Christmas.”

Don’t forget the chandelier! Make a statement from above by dangling crystal ornaments or fun snowflakes on beautiful ribbon. Your guests will love it.

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These are just a few simple and easy ways to get holiday party ready without spending a dime on expensive decorations. Breathe new life into your holiday decorations with a little imagination and have fun.




(additional images by me)


Have a wonderful weekend and I hope these tips help you with your holiday party!!


If you need your house spruced up for the new year, I can help! Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com for more information.

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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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7 Top Ideas for Being Crafty & Playful for the Bedroom!

7 Top Ideas for Being Crafty and Playful for the Bedroom

Make your bedroom fun and cheerful by getting creative and crafty!

Please welcome guest blogger Jessica Christian from 4 Interior Design blog in the UK!! 

She has some great ideas for adding some fun and unique decorating tips for the bedroom. Please let us know what you think and which idea might be a good addition for a client's home or your own home. 

Unique lighting

Invest in some unique lighting for your bedroom. Create your own unusual lamp shades, designed to cast pools of light and shade on your walls, or even featuring cut out circles, triangles and other shapes. Light does not have to be standard white light anymore, there are colour LED lights on sale at most hardware and home furnishing stores. These allow you to 'paint' with coloured light, creating a wonderfully playful effect in your bedroom. 

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Wall Art

Wall art no longer refers to just paintings, and photographs. You can find or make 3D pieces of art for your room. Once finished and installed on the wall these textured pieces can give a room a wonderful depth, making them excellent for brightening up plain or dull walls. Many shops sell 3D artworks, but they are relatively easy to make, with paper mache, paint and patience! For wall art and wall stickers I always prefer Wall Stickers website or Urban Walls.

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Bean Bags are In!

Bean bags are all the rage this season for stylish yet quirky bedrooms. Invest in a ready-made bean bag in colours that match your bedroom, or make your own using remnant fabric and polystyrene pellets. You can even find a storage bean bag that you fill yourself, with clothes that you do not need at present – for example summer clothes in the winter!

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DIY Furniture

Purchase some modular furniture and have fun rearranging every day! This furniture looks like giant-sized building blocks and you can endlessly make and remake your furniture configuration, changing the look as many times as you like! Modular furniture adds a delightfully fun and childlike air to any room, making it great for all ages, from toddler to pensioner!

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Faces It All

It may sound ridiculous but put faces on your furniture! Large stickers, self-adhesive googly eyes or even carefully drawn or painted faces instantly brighten up any room, adding a touch of whimsy to the atmosphere. Even the back of your bedroom door is a great place for a crafty face as you will be the one who sees it the most – almost as your bedroom is looking out for you and watching over you as you rest and sleep! For comfortable bedding options my utmost personal favorite is Yorkshire Linen Company's website.

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Food Inspirations

Delicious cupcakes, velvety chocolate and even colourful pizza can all be part of your bedroom! Not only can you get your bedding covered in pictures of your favourite foodstuff, you can even find cupcake storage units, chocolate table and chairs and even pizza and lollipop cushions! While perhaps not the best idea if you are trying to diet, food-based décor is very popular at the moment, especially with teenage girls and young women.  The photo below is one example:

(image) + davidelfin

Neon Geometric Designs

Bright neon colours and unusual geometric shapes are perfect to add difference to any room. Make or buy funky lampshades, angular furniture and distinctive bedroom accessories. If this sounds a little too dramatic for your tastes, you can still add that unique mystique to your bedroom by choosing vibrant and unusually patterned bedding! With the great range of styles and fabrics available you are sure to find the perfect playful look that will make your bedroom pop!

 

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Be sure and visit Jessica and her blog here for more inspiring design ideas!! Thank you Jessica for contributing today to start the week out with a BANG!!


Enjoy your week and thank you for stopping by!



Please contact me for design services at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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WOW! This is new...INC bedding collection

I found some GREAT bedding at Macy's and didn't realize that the clothing design company 'INC' has created a new home bedding collection.  This collection called 'Bloom' is particularly sophisticated- I couldn't find other pictures except these two.  What do you think? Will you buy these for a client or your own home?

I love the mix of white with the colors and the black
and white - very elegant

A night view still looks great and the furry pillow adds
texture -

(images Macys.com)


These look fresh and modern to me, and gives a
designer lots of options to mix colors.


Have a great day!

Please visit my PINTEREST BOARDS for
more inspiration.

I am available for VirtualDecor from anywhere in the
world.  Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Design idea #1...curtain as a room divider...

I want to share with you a design 'tip' that I have used and would like to highlight for inspiration.  If you have a hallway or entrance that needs to be visually separated from a living area, or that might be draughty in the winter, or, just needs a little spicing up with color and pattern, then go ahead and add a single panel or pair of curtains.

In my cottage, I added a single panel curtain, though I have used a pair in the past.  One curtain does the trick here. The hallway is a brick floor and one wall is wood paneling (the other is two windows), so, to give it some 'oomph' and add color and pattern in both the living room and hall, I added a blue and white check Swedish style curtain. It also distinguishes between the two areas since there is no door here. I got these curtains a long time ago on sale at JC Penney's home store. I don't think I paid more than $15 for them, so they were a bargain.

View from hall into the living room giving the impression of two
distinct spaces

Curtain is blue, but shows as 'grey-ish' here because of the light

Rugs add more color and tie in with the blue checks in the living room

Looking into the hallway, I know, the paneling is very 70's,
but I love the look of it here - mirrors are from IKEA
and the 'LAKE' sign is vintage

Here, you can see the brick floor and a glimpse into the front
bedroom with my vintage leather footstool I scored for $25!!
The chair is IKEA's Poang with white cover, antique Art
Deco rug


The curtain adds just enough to this application to give the room some
'oomph' as I like to call it.  I can switch it up with a different colored
curtain or add a sheer with it.

When I lived in England, I knew some friends who liked to cover their
front door with a velvet curtain to keep out the cold.

How have you visually separated a space with no door?

What do you do to add some warmth, color or pattern to an entrance
or hallway?

(images by me)
Don't forget to visit my PINTEREST BOARDS FOR INSPIRATION!

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

I am available for myVirtualDecor design service from anywhere in the
world - my rates are reasonable and I can assist you
with any design project. 

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Sunday in a colorful room...

Good morning!  It is another gorgeous day here in Maine and for your viewing pleasure, I have found this room to perk you up.  Loving the color combos, wallpaper and zebra print in orange.  I had a great day out in Portland yesterday and will share pics with you this week.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day -

((image)

Please visit my PINTEREST page of Colorful

Rooms for more inspiration -

Contact me for interior styling at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Dear Design Diary...bedroom love...

I have to admit I LOVE lounging around on Sunday mornings and if it goes into the afternoon, oh well right?  Love having my coffee while I blog and surf the net.  Now its time to actually get some things done ,so before I shower and go off shopping and hit the beach for a much needed long walk, here is a beautiful bedroom I wouldn't mind hanging out in.  LOVE the pinks and florals - do you? And please feel free to check out all my Pinterest boards here.

What are you doing today??



(image Pinterest)


Need help refreshing a bedroom? Contact me for interior styling at
monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Green Design notebook...Velux blinds and windows...

I have often wondered why we are not tapping in to the power of the sun.  On walks I notice how many houses are right in the sun all day and why the builders didn't add solar panels or windows to harness all this energy. I understand its not an option yet, but going forward I would love to see most houses built with these options so we are not so dependent upon oil, gas and electricity.  So, if you had the chance to replace windows or add some windows at the top of your house, would you?  Not only can you let natural light in the house, but, you can control the amount of light coming in with blinds.  How practical would this be? I personally love a house that gets tons of natural light and it would be a sticking point for renting or buying a home. I need curtains and blinds opened in the morning to let in as much light as possible don't you?  I don't know, the curtains drawn all the time seems a bit depressing. 

So, if you had the chance, would you add more windows or better yet, add windows on top of the house? I would!  I could open up the whole roof if I had my way. So, if you did this there is a company that caters to this need and it would add style and practicality to the home. 

VELUX blinds is a company that includes both solar panels, windows and blinds in a one stop shop. So, for those of you with a house that has an attic or room at the top of the house that you would love to open up and add a whole new look, this is a place you should shop. If you want windows that offer more ventilation and sunlight, check, if you want windows that save energy, check, if you want electronic blinds to control the light coming in to your house, check.  VELUX blinds has you covered, literally, for all your needs. 

 

Blinds available in a variety of different colors to match your
decor;




Electronic operation for your light filtering and black out needs;





Blinds in different positions on the windows;




Solar powered skylights with all the fantastic advantages;




Great idea for ventilation in the bathroom;




Let the light in!!


(all images VELUX blinds (UK) and VELUX blinds (USA))
Sponsored post by Velux Blinds


Can you decide which you would prefer?  I love all the options and would really 
like the solar powered windows with electronic blinds.  With different colors
and options to fit your budget.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day and week!! 

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Yellow + white = Gorgeous Bedroom

I have been remiss in posting this week as I have a few things going on and I'm taking a blogging class! But, because its so cold here in Downeast Maine, I thought it would be a good idea to post this gorgeous yellow in a dreamy bedroom to remind you that spring is, in fact, coming very soon...when, who knows? But until then, I want to look at bright colors. Enough of the black, grey, maroons and browns - its over!! So let's think spring and move forward!! Happy Sunday!!

What do you LOVE about this room? What don't 

you love? Would you use these colors in your bedroom?

(image)

Please contact me so I can help you decorate and style your 

interiors.  Please click on the 'Services' above and you can

email me: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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

Happy New Year one and all!! Hope you are having a great day just enjoying 'being...' I loved this designer and it was part of my 'Fabulous Fabric Fridays' series that ran for quite some time. I thought it would be fun to hop across the pond for this edition as it was one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it too - have a fabulous and successful 2013! Thank you for joining me here - I appreciate it and look forward to many more postings! xoxo

10.2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith...

'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...

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 :))

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

You might also like:

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...new series...

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...new series...

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Clarissa Hulse...

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Bathroom walls...what would you do?...

Here is my dilemma: I rent my home so I can't wallpaper or paint my bathroom (which is not to say I can't get creative!). I have a long countertop that had too much stuff on it and a lovely little wicker shelf on the wall that, although pretty, just collected horrible amounts of dust. I decided to 'feng shui' the room and get rid of unnecessary stuff and change my storage (for loads of toiletry items) from a three drawer plastic cheapo thing to a pretty box. Maybe you know the feeling of looking at something the same way over time and just accepting it as part of the scenery (no, not your husband...but...).  I now have a blank space on the wall where the wicker shelf was and I'm wondering what to put up there, if anything at all.  Here are five bathrooms with great ideas for the walls - what would you hang in its place? a mirror? artwork?

I like the look of the symmetrical frames on the wall...

Design: Paolo Moschino; image Simon Upton

Love the blue & white of course, the frame and sconce...

Design: Joe Nye; image Luca Trovato

Fabulous bathroom and bird art...

Design: Kelley McDowell; image Victoria Pearson

LOVE this room...it doesn't look like a bathroom and the symmetrical arrangement of art on the wall is beautifully done...

Design: Robin Bell; image Christopher Baker

Dig this wallpaper and the hats - that's different huh?

Design: Tom Scheerer; image Francesco Lagnese

I thought these were great examples of what to hang on your bathroom walls...what do you think? any suggestions for something unique or should I leave the wall blank?

Hope you have a great week!! Thanks for stopping by to visit, I love hearing from you!!

Did you know I offer online design? Check out my VirtualDecor page and contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com to find out how I can assist you with your decorating in any room of your house.

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