Blue tiles...

Nothing but blue tiles...I thought these beautiful blue subway tiles were gorgeous enough to photograph.  Where are they? In a new Starbuck's inside a Target store. Staff were concerned I was taking a picture of their menu.

Which would you prefer? Blue or white (or a combo) subway tile?  Would you consider a color rather than the classic white?

Photo by me for Monaco Interiors

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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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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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Adding color to the home...

I apologize my posts are so sporadic but life gets in the way and so do taxes!! I came across Olioboard and their colorful shop that offers rugs, wallpaper, pillows, decorative accessories...well, just about anything for the home.  Pillows, rugs and accessories are such a great way to add color to your decor. On this Sunday that will hopefully warm up a bit, here are some of my choices to add some much needed oomph to your home or a client's home.  After all, its spring!! (or its supposed to be...)

I never get tired of the graphic rugs...

Gorgeous blue and white 

Bright red candlestick for pizzazz

Coral and white rug - so hot right now

Black and white will never go out of style...

Gray Chevron wallpaper is hot right now too

Trina Turk wallpaper to add a graphic 

element to your room...

Pantone color of the year - green and white = gorgeous!

Luscious blues-

Fuzzy hook style butterfly in green and yellow

Classic red + white = chic

For the vintage + crafty lover - sweet green heart

Do you go to Olioboard to see what's new?

Check it out!! Lots of great stuff -

Have a great rest of the day and

thank you to my new followers!

(images Olioboard.com)

Interested in some classic fabric? I have Eric Cohler fabric

for sale here in my shop - it is for sale on Amazon

for more than $400!!  I am selling it for $100 - please

email me for inquiries: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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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...

What do you love about this kitchen? What don't you love? The sun is finally shining here in Maine so I will be out and about today. After all the snow, its going to be refreshing to feel warmer air and sunshine, I am so ready to kick old man winter to the curb!  I want to know what you might do differently in this kitchen or if you would leave it as is.

What do I love? The blue color is fabulous and I love it mixed with the black

and white. The yellow is also a punchy addition as is the tile backsplash in 

the same blue, black and white. I also like the darker cabinets and the mix of

textures in the room. Anything you would change or keep? Do tell! 

Have a great day!

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If you would like my online services to help you with your decor, please contact 

me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Gotta have these!!

Welcome to Sunday! After some snow here in Downeast Maine, it seems to have stopped now so I will head out for a walk on the beach soon.  I have been seeing a lot of blue in the magazines, in fashion, art and inspiration, so I chose three items that can easily blend into your decor with almost any color scheme. What are you up to today?

This is a gorgeous Navajo throw from 

Pendleton - the Legend Lake Throw $188

Target has a new line of curtains, Room 365

Geometric Window Panel $27.99-$32.99

Home Decorators Collection never disappoints and

this blue lamp, the Ava is $139 with free shipping

(images pendleton.com, target.com, homedecorators.com)

Please contact me for interior styling collaboration for any room 

including kitchens and bathrooms at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Tour my cottage...

I recently downsized from a 2,000+ square foot home to a little over 600 feet of living space. With this change, I had to get rid of a lot of furniture, stuff, lamps, knick-knacks, clothes, shoes, handbags...well, you get the idea.  It was a very cathartic experience and I am currently living in about two rooms. I had most of the furniture here, all I brought were my two favorite rugs,  (from my mother and grandmother) a chair, two ottomans and some pillows. Welcome to my little cottage by the lake!!:

Living room rug my mother gave me -

Bedroom vignette with shabby dresser bought for $95

and Anne Harwell print -

Sitting room (and guest room) with Chinese art deco rug that belonged to my

grandmother, $69 IKEA chair, vintage leather stool, fabric throw

 from Israel and Scooter the cat

sleeping...;-))

Hallway with IKEA mirrors bought years ago, vintage sign...

View into the living room with a wicker chair bought for $10 and 

painted bright yellow by me...

Hallway with Scooter who wants to go out...;-)) the floor

is brick -

Reflection in vintage mirror I painted yellow...settee bought

at vintage store for $125 -

Rug details...curtains from JC Penney bought years ago...they are

blue + white check -

Print by Gray Harwell and a thrift store mirror -

(images by me)

My favorite plants and view out the kitchen window - woods

and more woods - perfect for 'serenity now!' - a view of

woods is supposed to be great 'Feng Shui' -

I painted the cottage white and added lots of yellow, blue and 

turquoise...gorgeous colors that I love to live with -

Thanks for joining me on my little cottage tour - I didn't make the 

photos look too 'glamorous' or stage it too much, so you will

notice shoes, a wire and a box for Scootie to sleep in - ;-0

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

If you would like help decorating your home, I would love to help, so please email me for pricing and details at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Pink power...

I just got my new House Beautiful and as usual, there is so much inspiration. I have been very drawn to the color pink lately and there is a survey in the mag that says bloggers have chosen pink over other colors more than anyone else. Well, I love this dining room with the elegant curtains, gorgeous linen textures, crystal and blue and white.  Note the pattern on the wall under the console...Wouldn't you love to sit down here for a meal? How great would everyone look bathed in candlelight? I'm in...

(image by Bjorn Wallander)

Have a great rest of the week!

If you would like to place a small ad on my blog, please contact me at

monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Blues on Sunday...

This is where I will be for the next few hours...in bed watching Wimbledon at the Olympics. I will be rooting for Andy Murray to bring home a gold medal for Great Britain...love this gorgeous turquoise bed with the vintage table, lamp and decorative wallpaper don't you? Have a great Sunday!

image via

Need help decorating? Email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

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NEW MONACO INTERIORS!...

WELCOME to the NEW MONACO INTERIORS!  I am excited to share the new look that is updated to be light, fresh and modern looking. I wanted to revise my blog to zero in on my aesthetic which is all white interiors with colors, mirrors, vintage style and different textures with a cottage-feel and painted furniture mixed in. I am offering design services, so if you need a room designed or styled or accessories added for a fresh look, please contact me for pricing. I would love to help you make your home look and feel unique, to suit your personality and taste.  

Cottage interior in white with yellow and colorful pillows

Close up of colorful pillows and gold mirror with yellow 

mirror in the reflection...

(Images by me) 

Let me know what you think - please stop by for some new things happening here as well, such as my shop which isn't ready yet, and a guest columnist from London who will be bringing us fantastic recipes from her kitchen. She will be joining me after the Olympic hoopla is over. 

Also, if any blogger, writer, etsy shop or artist is interested in advertising, I would love to have you  - please send inquiries for my very affordable rates to monacointeriors76@yahoo.com. I look forward to partnering with you!!

Happy Day! 

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Into the blue...

What draws you into this picture? For me its the blue wall, which is a soothing shade of a light navy and turquoise mix.  Then I think its the two tall white chairs in each corner and the color of the dining chairs which are a nice contrast to the blue wall.  The fluffy Moroccan carpet adds more casual chic to the room too.  The lovely white of the chandelier lamp and walls make this room a favorite color combination of blue and white? Anyone like that too?



This gorgeous room is eco-conscious as well: the beams were sanded and treated with beeswax; the paints are from Benjamin Moore's Low VOC line - the white is 'Sailcloth' and the blue is a custom mix; the chairs are from 1st Dibs. The designer is Zem Joaquin who has a website:  http://www.ecofabulous.com/ so stop by to see more of her work.

(images by Michal Venera for Traditional Home)

If you need help decorating your space and don't live in the Boston area, check out my VirtualDecor option. Email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com for more information.



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Blue & white...

These simple dishes remind me how much I love blue and white in all its different forms. I bought these vintage plates at a cool little store in Maine and love to use them everyday.  I have a thing for mismatched vintage dishes...I think I first realized I could mix my plates and dishes when I read Rachel Ashwell's first Shabby Chic book.  Do you like to use mismatched vintage dishes every day?

Pretty blue flowers on a creamy white plate...

I especially love the blues on this gorgeous plate...

Have a great Monday!

(image by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

Don't forget to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER and FACEBOOK!!!

If you need help decorating your space, please contact me for assistance at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com. I can help you with any project large or small.

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Fabulous Fabric...Monday...Blue & White...

This room is a great example of using more than three to five fabrics in a space. In fact, I count eight different patterns! This variety of fabrics definitely give this room its personality, though, I probably would have just used three. The classic blue and white never seems to go out of style does it? It is a country look, but you could do the same in a space with more modern bold and graphic fabrics. Would you?

I love this color combination, as I know many of you do as well. It looks like the fabrics are all a cotton or cotton mix. Check out the floor too (no pun intended...!) Hope you have a great Monday!!

(images for Country Living)

(original image by Keith Scott Morton)

Have you seen my new page 'VirtualDecor' yet? I can assist you with any project online - please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Pretty plates...

I snapped these photos last summer of some pretty plates I bought at a great little store that sells vintage goodies, towels, furniture, shabby chic stuff and vintage tablecloths. I LOVE collecting these plates to use every day and can't resist buying them...I have more vintage china and used to have a set (not complete) of the blue and white Italian Spode (I miss it!) and the beautiful Portmeirion Botanical Collection, both of which belonged to Lady Somerset in southern England.  Herewith, some photos -

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this china...

For more information about Italian Spode, go here and for the Portmeirion collection go here -

Do you have a favorite china pattern you love to use or display? 

(images from blueandwhite.com and portmeirion.co.uk)

Need help decorating your home? Contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and we can assist with your design dilemma.

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