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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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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Deep greens and blues...

(image by Sarah)

'...are the colors I choose, won't you let me go down in my dream...' - who remembers the James Taylor song 'Sweet Baby James?'  That line always stuck with me and creating this post, its going through my head!  Feast your eyes on this beautiful color combo combining blue sky with nature's color, green. What is your favorite? Do you decorate with blues and greens?

Happy Sunday!

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(image Victoria Pearson)

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(image by Sarah)

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Don't forget to follow me on PINTEREST!

I am also on TWITTER!


Have a great rest of the weekend!



Don't forget to stop by the Monaco Interiors Shop for
some great gift items, fabric and clothing!!

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A richer palette...

I know everyone has been talking pastels this spring, but let's take a look at a richer, more saturated palette for the home that can bring out the best in what a room has to offer.  I love the deep blues, greens and pinks that paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have to offer, but, my inspiration comes from Pinterest this morning. Where else can you find such beautiful photos in one place?? Plus, it goes great with my Earl Grey tea!  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the weekend -

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Gorgeous deep blue wall mixed with white

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This green is stunning, bringing the outdoors in

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I LOVE this hot pink to greet you as you enter a home

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE? WOULD YOU 

LIVE WITH ANY OF THESE COLORS? 

MAYBE IN ONE HOUSE? 

Did you know I have some gently used items for sale in my shop? Please

feel free to browse by clicking the link on the top of the page. I have 

Paypal to make it super easy - and its all FREE SHIPPING!! 

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Saturday in the kitchen...plus 20% off in my shop...

I decided to post my old column today in honor of this adorable little minty green kitchen, which reminds me of my small cottage rental kitchen! I love small spaces since it forces you to delete items and not have more than you actually need. I am lounging and getting ready for a walk on the beach,
what are you up to today? Don't forget to visit my shop - 20% OFF AND FREE SHIPPING!! A couple of vintage items, one keepsake and a new pillow are on the block - ;-))

(via)

Also feel free to visit my Pinterest boards here for fun -

Similar? maybe not the same chicness, but, its cute!

My little kitch - you can only see the corner of it, but the

stove is the same as the one in the minty green kitch -

Happy Saturday!!

STOP IN MY STORE!! 20% OFF AND FREE SHIPPING!!

(two images by me)

On a different note, RIP to one of my favorite actors Larry Hagman - thank

you for Major Nelson and JR Ewing - you were one of a kind -

Please check out pricing for my design services if you need a kitchen or 

bath refresh!! 

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Gotta have these...on a budget!

As promised, I am bringing you more home decor products from big box stores for those of you who still want chic without the high cost.  I look through some decorating magazines and wonder who is spending hundreds of dollars on a lamp because I know its not me!  Well, if you can afford it, great, if not, there are always creative ways to find out how to stay on trend within a budget.  Happy weekend and happy shopping!

Thank you Amazon for this affordable room divider screen -

so pretty and affordable at $61.20 - info here

Gorgeous yellow and white duvet cover from Target

and it costs $29.99 in Queen - go here

Pretty bottles for fall decoration won't set you back, but

will add some color to your kitchen - from Big Lots, these

are just $4 each -

How pretty is this light for your front door or porch from Lowe's? -

This is only $32.98 and will add some chic to your house; go 

here 

I hope you like my picks and again, I am not paid for any endorsement, 

this is strictly my own opinion and recommendations to help you find 

great products for the home that don't cost a mint.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great weekend! ;-))

(images amazon.com, target.com, biglots.com and lowes.com)

Need help decorating? I can help! Email me for my rates at

monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Gotta have these...! (on a budget)

Here are my picks for this week's items that I gotta have, but, on a budget. 

I will be honest with you - I am tired of seeing decorating items to buy in sleek magazines that just cost too much money. Not many people have $1,000 to drop on a sofa, let alone any other piece of furniture. Re-use pieces, paint them, decorate them, anything you can do to recycle will cost you far less money. So, I thought I would highlight items from big box stores - K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Target. You can find virtually anything for your home and it doesn't have to cost the earth. Good taste is good taste is good taste, no matter what. So, tell me, do you agree?  Does it seem like magazines are pushing really expensive items in the middle of a deep recession?

A great big red clock available at Target for $28.34 -

this is a price cut -

This gorgeous graphic comforter set from K-Mart is available

in both Full and Queen for $29.99 - and it is on trend -

Ok, this is my favorite - a PINK SLIM TV! This is available

in pink, white and purple for $209.98 - it is 32" and at 

just 2" it is ultra slim. I have wanted a white TV for ages -

who wouldn't love to get rid of the black 'carbunkle'  TV (as I 

call it) dominating your living room?? 

(images Target, K-Mart + Wal-Mart)

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend

on home decor items.  It is no wonder thrift, consignment and second hand

stores are doing so well right now, especially in the Northeast US.  Next week,

we'll explore other big box stores and what they have to offer for any 

budget. 

Let me know your thoughts - thanks for stopping by!

If you need help decorating on a budget, please contact me for my great

pricing and first time customer discounts.

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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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Ocean mood board...

I put together a little mood board of a simple, soothing bathroom design with turquoise, greens, blues, silvers and creamy paint with natural wood to inspire you on a Sunday morning. I love the artwork I found as it perfectly fits the outdoorsy aesthetic of this room. What do you think? Would you love to live in it?

Seaside inspiration...

(design by Monaco Interiors)

Have a great Sunday!

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

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Dream house...found...!

Ok, I was slightly obsessed with my hand built (in Vermont) doll's house when I was little, so I was thrilled to see this in the new issue of Elle Decor this month.  I had to look it up and of course, blog about it here...so enjoy!

The Emerson House - Mode Doll's House...my modern dream home complete with LED lighting, mitered-glass corners, fireplaces and solar panels!

Oh! and it comes with sliding glass doors...

And check out those fab wood floors!

The Bennett House...

This is the Bennett House and will be available in spring 2011...

Influenced by the De Stijl movement, this is a townhouse that has solar panels, elevator, a rooftop pool and LED lights powered by the sun or moon...large windows show the 'weight and thickness of the structure.' The house 'emphasizes lines, squares and rectangles in asymmetrical patterns while minimizing color.' Is that a sparkling chandelier I see in the living room above???

Another view...the attention to detail is gorgeous...notice the glass railings...

This is too much...you can also purchase furniture for both houses - all modern and all made with non-toxic materials so it can be enjoyed without harming people or the environment...

By the by, my little doll's house had real carpet in the living room, each room was wallpapered and lace curtains hung in every window...oh how I loved it and still do...though, it is in storage and I must get it out soon to refurnish it! It is purple with green trim - hmmm, maybe I should repaint it???

For more information about these amazing structures including cost go here - maybe someone special on your list will get one of these??

(Designer: Tim Boyle)
(Images Brinca Dada)

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