Showing posts with label cottage style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cottage style. Show all posts

November 19, 2019

Chair Refurbish...


I thought I would post a chair rehab I did using an old chair I bought and painted white (first painted orange, which was hideous and then blue).  I was living in Maine and visited a now-defunct Maine Cottage showroom and bought some fabric I used to cover the seat.

It is my favorite rehab as I've painted a lot of furniture in the past.


BEFORE:



 AFTER:


(Images by monaco interiors)

May 31, 2014

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?








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


May 26, 2014

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! 





April 20, 2014

Happy Easter and a Best of MI...

Have a great Easter Sunday!  I thought I would post this fabulous picture from a few years ago...I am loving pink this season in all forms.  Just bought a piece of pink clothing, a vest, and have a lovely pink infinity scarf. It is so indicative of Easter to me...enjoy.


______________________________________________________________________-


FROM AUGUST 2011:

Wow! A foyer is your first look when you walk into a home, kind of like a first impression when you meet someone, you notice what they are wearing.  I love that this designer chose this gorgeous pink, Benjamin Moore's Razzle Dazzle (indeed!) to greet guests - what a design statement!  Would you paint your entryway hot pink?

Not to be forgotten is the beautiful vintage NEEDLEPOINT chair - can you believe? Jonathan Berger is the designer and I am his newest fan!

(image Francesco Lagnese)

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

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone celebrating a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a fabulous new year!  Its not a white Christmas here in the New York area, but its cold!  I rounded up some of my favorite photos of the holiday from my Pinterest Christmas board.  Enjoy!

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(image) and (image)

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Enjoy your holiday!!

Thank you for visiting and for
your support! I appreciate it!

Lots of love - Sarah
xoxo





December 16, 2013

Best of MI...its ALL WHITE...


Good morning!  I thought I would share another post from quite long ago...from July 2011 highlighting a favorite piece from Lonny magazine.  Its a beautiful home and I always love a white space. What are you doing this last week before Christmas? Are you done with all your shopping? I'm not!!
***********************************************************************

I got my digital issue of Lonny a few days ago and these photos stopped me in my tracks...so dramatic, so cool and so WHITE. I love white with color, but this is just insanely gorgeous and difficult to do. I went to a show house in Maine about 3 years ago and saw a white room and bathroom in person and I couldn't believe how seriously beautiful it looked.  I particularly love the use of photos/wallpaper - it looks so dreamy - would you use this effect?


That wood bottomed coffee table is great ...

I love the mix of furniture here too...

Well that wall covering is just amazing...Jarlath apparently uses real photographs and transforms then into wallpaper - !!

Are you in a white mood too? maybe because its summer, I feel like I love 'lighter' design or maybe that's the direction I'm headed...do you decorate with a lot of white? For more inspiration go here -




(images by Patrick Cline for Lonny)
(Interior Design by Jarlath Mellett)

Looking for a designer to help you transform a space? Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and I will help you create a room(s) that you love.

November 23, 2013

8 Tips for a thoroughly organized bathroom...




Please welcome my guest blogger today, Eva Stephen! Eva has a lovely blog Home Decor by Eva, and she has some GREAT tips to help you not only organize your bathroom, but also give you some great product ideas to improve the decor!  Eva loves to write and does a lot of DIY, so do stop by her blog and follow her to see what project or advice she has next!!  

Here are Eva's tips on how to organize your bathroom:



The bathroom or washroom is a well-used part of the home, but not one
 that we particularly consider from a décor point of view, that is, 
until we have important guests coming over to dinner!


These eight tips will help you to get your washroom beautifully organised and attractive and, perhaps even more importantly, how to keep it that way.



1 Firstly, you must be organised when planning housework and décor. 
Set a specific time to sort out each room, allocating your bathroom a 
mere fifteen to thirty minutes each week. You may think that this is too
 little time, but once you have a planned layout for your bathroom, and 
have incorporated some or all of the following tips, you will be 
pleasantly surprised at how quickly each room can be restored to tidy 
glory. This is your time for sorting through the parts of the bathroom 
that are not obvious, the towel cupboard, the supply of toiletries and 
anything else that might not be noticed when you are quickly blitzing 
through.

Towel cupboards can be found here:  Target.





2 Throw away old and unused products and make sure that the family 
finishes up bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and shower gel 
that otherwise might sit on the shelf for months with a spoonful or two 
dirtying the bottom of the bottle. Insist that all the little ends are 
used up (you may find it easier to use them up yourself!) or tip all the
 little dregs into one container to take on holiday or camping. Make-up 
should be used up within six months usually so check the expiry date and
 throw away any products that have passed that date. Just throwing away 
old products and making sure that tail-ends are used will be a help in 
de-cluttering a bathroom, leaving only what is needed by the family on a
 day to day basis.







3 Everything in its place and a place for everything, goes the old 
adage. Make sure that there is space allocated to everything that is 
needed in the bathroom, and stay on top of the changing needs and whims 
of your children. Hair products, shaving paraphernalia and other beauty 
products will accumulate dangerously if left unchecked! Make sure, at 
least once a week, that there is nothing not bathroom-related in the 
bathroom, brutally pruning out anything that does not belong!


(image)





4 The simplest way to make sure that everyone has an equal amount of 
space in the bathroom storage is to allocate each member a certain 
amount of space for their stuff, be it a small container, wicker basket 
or even just a delineated space on a shelf. When everyone is given 
responsibility for their own toiletries it becomes a lot easier to 
maintain the room as a whole, and it is no problem at all to spot the 
one or two people who are responsible for unnecessary clutter

(image)



5 A regular routine will be your friend in the bathroom. Sort out 
surfaces prone to clutter often – daily if needs be. You may find it 
helpful to set a rota so you are not the only one constantly doing the 
same thing! The basin is often crowded with small pieces of make-up and 
various lotions and potions because people like to look in the mirror 
while applying them. Similarly, the top of the toilet can become 
crowded, especially with items that are used by the whole family. Make 
sure that someone pops into the bathroom daily to put all these products
 back into their proper place. Visual clutter can also be managed by mirror cabinets, with multipurpose function, these pose to be mirrors with a hidden cabinet space.

You can get a medicine cabinet  like this one or like the one below:

(image)




6 Try and avoid wasting space, even in the name of beauty. If your 
bathroom is very small keep decorative items to a minimum, flat on the 
wall, with no protuberant and exuberant flower displays or any 3D wall 
art. While pot plants can be part of a larger bathroom colourful and 
attractive stickers and vinyl pictures can brighten up a small bathroom 
without using up any space.




(image)






7. If you make it easy to maintain and clean the bathroom, even quite 
small children will find it easier to leave the bathroom in a reasonable
 state. Try to ensure that they do not have to stretch too high or climb
 on the edge of the toilet or bath to put things away; not only is this 
difficult for them it is very dangerous too. Installing a lower towel 
rail and mirror so children can operate safely in the bathroom is an 
excellent idea.


(image)














8. Make it look attractive. As strange as it sounds, people like to 
keep attractive rooms looking nice, while dingy or grubby rooms will be 
left a little bit worse! Your efforts in making the bathroom look 
appealing will hopefully pay off with the dividend of being maintained 
that way!



Incorporating these easy steps into a regular washroom maintenance 
schedule are sure to help you have the attractive and still functional 
bathroom of your dreams, one that is easy to use and even easier to keep
 looking good!


HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND!! THANKS FOR STOPPING BY -


If you need decorating or styling assistance, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

October 31, 2013

When vintage is in...

Not much you can say about this lovely room other than, its GORGEOUS!  I love the all white look, its no secret.  Nice balance of design and texture - wood, crystal, linen, metal and wicker. The faux fireplace is a great focal point. This is just perfect, don't you think?

Yes, please I will move in today!


(image)


Please visit my Pinterest Vintage board for some
more inspiration or my board Snow White's Decor
from 'Once Upon a Time' -

Have a great day!


If you need assistance styling, rearranging,
choosing colors, art, accessories or need
space planning, please contact me at
monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

October 27, 2013

Sunday in the kitchen...

Care to join me for a scone and some strong Vanilla Spice Chai tea??  Ok, so what don't I LOVE about this kitchen? Its definitely colorful and I really love the happy yellow juxtaposed to the black + white.
The floor is lovely as well - so clean and the yellow lamps - love.  Notice the black and white details above the cabinets and against the wall near the window.  It looks like every detail was very planned and executed just right.




What are you loving?  Do tell -



Enjoy the rest of your day!


Please visit my Pinterest boards for lots more inspiration!!


Need assistance with decorating your home for Christmas?
I can help with holiday, art selection and decoration, room
refresh, color consultation, organizing, textile selection,
office redesign, bath fixture selection, kitchen fixture
selection and space planning.  

Please email me
for more details at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.











October 25, 2013

Dear Design Diary...the all white bathroom...

Dear Design Diary:  Yes please!! I LOVE and WANT this bathroom!

It has a vintage tub, check, all white walls, check, white pedestal, check, chrome fixtures, natural fiber rug...oh my...I would love to hang out in this space or better yet, have designed it myself. I may have added a little more color with the shower curtain - would it look great with a turquoise curtain??

From Coastal Living -


Do you love this space? Would you design an all white bathroom? What is your
favorite part of this space?

Perfection in a bathroom



Have a great day and don't forget to go to my Pinterest Bathroom Inspiration Board -

or  my other Pinterest Boards

for inspiration -


I am available for VirtualDecor anywhere in the world-
please contact me for details -
I would love to help you make the most of your home
or office!

October 22, 2013

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. 

July 27, 2013

Saturday in the kitchen...


Good morning! Its a gorgeous day here in Maine and I will be going for a walk soon.  I'm in the mood to look at a Swedish influenced kitchen design how about you? I love the white floors, subway tile and simple counters.  The pale gray paint lends a certain sophistication as well. The light fixture, checkered floor and framed photos in the background in black and white add some depth.  I could live here, could you? I hope you have some great plans today!


Simple + chic=

(image)


You can follow me on PINTEREST and TWITTER too -

Please contact me for interior styling at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

July 5, 2013

Best of MI...Ruthie Sommers...

Good morning!! Happy Fourth of July to all of you!  I have the day off and will be lounging.  I am watching Wimbledon right now and can't wait for the women's single and men's single finals this weekend.  I used to do a regular column called 'The Green Scene' and decided to run this with one of my favorite designers - Ruthie Sommers.  I highlighted her ability to recycle furniture that she sold in her now-defunct store in Hollywood.  Her design is timeless and looks just as great as it did in June 2010 when I did this post.  Do you like her designs?  Any favorites here? 



One reason I think Ruthie Sommers' design aesthetic is so popular is that she recycles and reuses furniture that she use to sell in her now-closed store in Hollywood,Chapman Radcliffe Home, and in her clients' homes too...here is a house in Hollywood she designed...

Notice the bedside table, which looks like a piece you would see in any consignment shop or Goodwill store repainted to look glamorous!...

 This room has an antique desk in the corner...looks lovely...

The kitchen has several recycled items...the chandelier is vintage, the Saarinen table by Knoll is a classic and the vintage chairs are reupholstered in candy colors...yummy...


This chair looks like it came from a consignment shop, redone with new upholstery...the sconces on the wall are vintage too...

Ruthie made this home more personal with items already owned and used...not brand new...it is a great way for the client to save money and own something unique...you can use organic fabrics too that don't cost a lot (more on that later)...I'll be back on Friday with the Fabulous Fabrics series - see you then!

Visit Ruthie Sommers website: http://www.ruthiesommers.com/

(original images for Traditional Home by Grey Crawford)

June 23, 2013

Sunday in the kitchen...

Hello friends! Happy Sunday!  I am house-sitting this week for a friend and taking care of her adorable cat, Fluff.  So, I am adjusting to the new schedule and surroundings.  I have been so remiss in posting because I am in a new living situation and am not spending as much time on the computer.  This is a good and not so good thing right?  I thought I would post a kitchen for you to dissect and decide what you like or don't like about it.

Let me know what you think!


I love the IKEA units and yellow walls - the whole look
is so sweet.

For more kitchens go here -

Go HERE for my kitchen board on Pinterest -

and HERE for all my boards.


What are you up to today?


Please contact me for interior styling, refreshing a kitchen
or bath, living areas or staging a room  - monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

June 16, 2013

Bathroom vanity before + after...

I finally got around to getting my new little vanity installed in my cottage, which I am now renting.  The old sink and faucet was hideous and it was in desperate need of updating. I still need a medicine cabinet, but with the new vanity and faucet, I decided a new shower curtain in yellow and white would  give the bath some much needed 'oomph.' 

The cabinet and lavatory top is from Bertch and the faucet is Kohler's Fairfax.- I love it!

Before - sorry its a yellow color!

After! 

The top is Bertch's Sage pattern - a faux-granite
The cabinet has the white 'Centennial' style door

Kohler's 4" centerset Fairfax in chrome 

Beautiful curtain from TJ Maax

Sorry the pic is a bit dark 

My renter is enjoying the new setup - notice in the pic above the old
sink to the left; you can also just about spy the Flipside showerhead
from Kohler - it makes for a great shower!

(images by me)


What are you doing today? Have a great Father's Day!!


Please email me if you would like to redesign a room -


June 8, 2013

Gotta have these...JC Penney (where have I been?)...

Where have I been that I had no clue that Jonathan Adler and Terence Conran have designed lines for J.C. Penney???  I almost fell over when I saw the Conran ad.  When I lived in England, I bought a Conran sofa that I absolutely loved and had to leave there when I moved back to the US. I thought this was a perfect opportunity to post my fave column again!!  It is rainy and cool here in Maine, so I will be heading to a mall today to meet up with a friend. What are you doing?  Which line do you like better? Adler or Conran??






Lucina table lamp on sale for $121.99

Hyale coffee table on sale for $279

Brooke 84" sofa on sale for $985!!


Lola Magazine Holder $32


Lola Table Lamp $85

Elizabeth Faux Linen Curtain $45-55


(images jcpenney.com)



For more details go here-

If you need any help designing a room, please contact me!!