Memorial Day weekend...

Happy Memorial Day and I hope you are all enjoying the time off.  I am sick, so I'm spending more time than normal on the computer.  I just wanted to share some pcitures I have taken in the last couple of days. The weather is spectacular here in the New York area and I hope it is wherever you are too.

Also, I am offering some new services UNDER $50.00!!

See the details on my Design 

Services page -

Enjoy the day! 

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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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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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Thinking outside the...house...

My posts are so sporadic these days, I must apologize. I wish I could post every day, but, I just don't find the inspiration lately. Does this happen to you? Well, let's start the weekend here with some thoughts for the patio, backyard, front porch etc...we are always talking and posting about interior design, but how about exterior design for a change?

I am still on the hunt for a sweet and small table and chair set for my cottage.  It is for the front of the house where I used to have my picnic table (that rotted and I had removed late last summer). This year I am going to rent my house, hopefully from June-November, possibly longer. I am looking for long term tenants that will take care of the house.  Is this possible? I hope so! Anyone out there who might want to live for six (6) months in the lakes region in Maine?  Please send me a note (monacointeriors76@yahoo.com) if you or someone you know does!!

Here are some affordable and great ideas from IKEA - who doesn't LOVE their quality and pricing??

OUTDOOR RUGS IN GREAT COLORS -SPRINGKORN $39.99

JONELLA TABLE RUNNER $9.99

BARBAR TRAYS $5.99 EACH

ROXO TABLE + 2 CHAIRS $69.99 (WERE $89.99 LAST YEAR!)

SPRINGKORN INNER CUSHION $7.98 EACH!!

SOCKER GREENHOUSE $19.99

SOLVINDEN SOLAR POWERED LIGHT CHAIN WITH 5 BIRD
LIGHTS $14.99


(images by IKEA)


For more inspiration go to IKEA

GOT A FAVORITE? I LOVE ALL THESE!

REMEMBER TO STOP BY MY SHOP AS I HAVE ADDED SOME
CLOTHING FOR SALE - AND I HAVE SOME OTHER ITEMS -
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND YOU
A PAYPAL INVOICE!! YOUR ITEM WILL BE IN THE MAIL TO YOU
WITHIN 2 DAYS  OF ORDERING!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! 

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Fashion inspiration...Vera Wang...

I recently bought a Vera Wang top and I was thrilled as I've been looking to buy something from her petite collection at Kohl's for ages!  It is a multi-colored top with an asymmetrical neckline which gives it a unique and slightly edgy design. One of the things I love about it is the mix of colors, which got me thinking about how it would influence the colors in a room. I'm sure we have all thought about this, when you buy a piece of clothing what do you love about it? I think Domino magazine used to do a feature on clothes/rooms.  So here is my interpretation of how you could use this top to design a room:

(image by me)

(image by me)

Hopefully you can see the colors here - it is 

brighter than it looks with lots of yellows, greens,

reds and pinks and hint of teal -

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I LOVE this TETRIS lamp! This is my favorite example -

I love all the colors here - 

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All images from my PINTEREST boards -

Do you have a piece of clothing that could influence the design of 

a room for a client or in your own house? 

Don't forget to check out my Monaco Interiors Shop!! 

Have a great Easter!!

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Gotta have these!...spring trend edition...

So you've all seen the new trends in color for the spring right? Black + white, floral, green, yellow, pastels and white among others so I thought I would highlight some of these with items you can add to your home or a client's home for new the season.  Which is your favorite?

Floral chair - the Victoria Wingback from World Market

Black + white from West Elm

Green lamps from Pottery Barn

Yellow + white duvet from West Elm

Yellow + white shower curtain from West Elm

Pastel glasses from Pottery Barn

Fabulous white slipcover from Macy's

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

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Best of MI...Rafael de Cardenas...

I absolutely love this designer's work and was so taken with the purple in this design, I think you will be too, even if its not your favorite. He used textures, sparkles and glamour to up the beauty quotient in this spectacular New York apartment.  What do you like? Do you love the purple? Would you use it or would you use a different color?  Happy Sunday!! 

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BEST OF MI FROM 2010:


When I first saw this designer featured in the October 2008 Elle Decor, I couldn't believe how beautiful purple could look. Never my favorite color, that all changed upon viewing this gorgeous apartment in New York. I was blown away by the colors, mid-century modern furniture, vintage wallpaper and unusual accessories. I studied the pictures for every detail. Take a look at these photos and tell me which one is your favorite!


Vintage wallpaper and a 60's vintage Italian lamp above...

The living room features a vintage sofa found on eBay, vintage '50's armchairs with Donghia fabric, vintage lucite and glass coffee table (LOVE!) and a '50's floor lamp. What a wonderful mix of fabrics in here too.

More vintage wallpaper and chaise and a stool by Marcel Wanders for Kartell.

For me, the foyer sets the tone of the apartment with the designer's own mural, a Dorothy Draper lamp and mid-century side table. The chair is circa 1940's. Look at that fabric!

For something completely different as far as color goes, the master bedroom features more vintage wallpaper from Secondhand Rose in New York, a vintage Florence Knoll bench and quilts from Calypso Home.

Do you like purple in a scheme? Do you like the way the designer used wallpaper?

(images by Roger Davies in Elle Decor, October 2008)


Let me know if you need help with your home, I can assist you with the design and decoration. Please email me for information: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com. 

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Dear design diary...whites + neutrals + Scooter...

Hello blogland! My posts are sporadic because I am dealing with a very sick cat right now and it is taking a toll emotionally.  Scooter has diabetes along with thyroid issues and had pancreatitis last week, which he is still barely recovering from. I have to give him subcutaneous fluids nightly along with a litany of medicines - its not pretty, so I am taking it one day at a time. He is 17 years old now and I can't tell you how truly difficult this is for me. I have already thought he was a goner twice now, though he showed improvement, but now seems to be on a downswing.  I will be honest, it is really stretching me financially, but I wouldn't think twice about getting him proper care.

So its Sunday now, and I started writing this yesterday.  We had a very bad night, I won't go into detail, but I have a call in to a doctor and am waiting for her to call me back to discuss the situation.

I can't really focus on the blog right now but wanted to highlight fabulous design inspiration from Pinterest - once you start pinning, you can't stop. I particularly love all the white and neutral photos, so much that I created this category. I am also obsessed with all the fashion on Pinterest and find it has given me good ideas to apply to my own rather boring wardrobe.  Do you find this to be the case too? What is your favorite category?

Enjoy!

The incomparable Darryl Carter...via

Beautiful design by Georgia Carlee via

via

via

Swedish design via

via

This is a rockin' space -

via

If you are so inclined, please say a little prayer for my valiant little Scooter,

fighting for his life right now - he is very strong and stubborn. 

Have a great Sunday -

xo

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