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)

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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.


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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.

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Decorate your walls...with prints on canvas...

Decorating Your Walls With Prints On Canvas

Home decor is one of those projects that never seem to end. Just when we think every aspect is covered, a sense of inconformity arises regarding a special wall or corner. Naked spaces can be covered with paintings, prints on canvas or wall graphics, depending on the available space. While some people proudly display renowned artists’ pieces, there is a growing trend to take a personal design or photo and turn it into a custom canvas print. What may have started as an affordable decorating practice, is now a personal expression to add your ‘magic touch’ to your own space.

Canvas print

Here are some reasons why you should consider prints on canvas as your next wall accessory.

They fit your vision

Custom Canvas Photo Prints leave you no reason to settle for an ‘OK’ wall piece. If you have been actively involved in your home decor project, then you probably want every detail to be perfect. Whether you’ve found a design online or taken your own photo, prints on canvas is an option to display it.

They are affordable

Low in cost but high in value! A simple photo taken from your Smartphone can be much more meaningful to you than any famous painting. Quality does not have to be directly related to high prices. Make your personality show in your home decor and no one will be thinking of the bills you must have paid.

They are easy to make

There is no difficulty in getting your custom photo canvas print. All you have to do is find a high quality image or photo, choose the printing size that best suits the space you’re decorating and order it from your favorite professional printing company. Most of these companies provide image requirements in advance so customers can avoid disappointing results.

They are easy to replace

Let’s face it, even if you have spent hours looking for the best image and you think it’s absolutely perfect, you could easily get bored with it. Replacing it with new prints on canvas is not a big problem because it’s not expensive or a hard service to find.

Give it a try and jump on the DIY home decor train. The worst that can happen is that you don’t like it and put it away. But if the experiment succeeds, you will be hooked on a new printing project.

Let us know how it goes!

art.com

(both images art.com)

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Design services available for you...

Hello blog world!  I wanted to post a friendly reminder (which I have never done) that I do offer design services by email as does the whole design world!  I have named my service, 'VirtualDecor' instead of e-design.

Its a new year, so, if you are feeling the need to refresh your kitchen or bath or just need some help redesigning a room, I can help.  I will be working on a bathroom project soon, but, would like to keep busy and help someone make a beautiful space.  This service allows you to go at your own pace while making decisions and planning your shopping.

Please note if you are in the New York/New Jersey area, you can contact me for a face to face consultation.  Please email me for info and pricing.

If you or anyone you know, may be interested, please send them my way!! 

Thanks and have a great rest of the week! 


Here is how I can help you design a new space with the services (the information is from my 'Services' page):

Monaco Interiors can assist with any decorating dilemma for your home or business from space, color and fabric consultation to closet reorganization and green design - consultation with me on the phone or via email. With VirtualDecor, I can provide design services whether you live in the US, Europe or anywhere in the world. 

Simply email me and I will send you a Paypal invoice for your convenience:

My email address: monacointeriors76@yahoo.com


Monaco Interiors offers affordable rates for your budget - 
New pricing!

Virtual Decor Design Services - One Room - $300



Office design 

Space planning

Fabric selection

Color consultation

Accessories 

Artwork selection

Furniture selection

Green ideas 

Organization 

Flooring selection

Carpet and rug selection

Design board will come with product recommendations, samples and space plan for your new room. 

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Bathroom Refresh - $225



Design board with new vanity/pedestal, faucets, shower, tub, sconces, medicine cabinet, flooring, walls, paint colors, accessories.

I worked in a kitchen and bath showroom and can provide suggestions
for the best way to purchase products with discounts!


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Kitchen Refresh - $250



Design board with new countertops, kitchen sink, bar sink, faucets, 
pot filler, flooring, knobs, cabinets, backsplash, paint colors, wallpaper, 
appliances and accessories

I worked in a kitchen and bath showroom and can provide suggestions for the best way to purchase products with discounts!

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Entryway - $175



The entrance to your house is the most important impression for guests! Make yours stylish and on trend with a design board to redesign or start 
from scratch. Furniture, rugs, wallpaper, paint, accessories, lighting, 
art and any other item you want to add or incorporate to make it
unique will be included on your board. 

Stay on budget and make the change now!

Email me with any questions or concerns before we begin.

You will receive your moodboard similar to these:

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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.

(image)

(image)

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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The way it was...Country Living 2007...favorite house...

I have kept this issue of Country Living for one piece - the home of Theresa Smith in Kentucky, who transformed a double wide (28 x 72 foot) mobile home into a fabulous home.  Not only is the kitchen nothing like a cookie cutter kitchen, she painted the whole place white with the exception of her office done in bright red.  I love it when people take something so ordinary and turn it into extraordinary. I have photographed the best here and still love to look at this piece for inspiration. You will too -

Issue from June 2007

Who needs a McMansion?? This has 4 bedrooms
and is 2,016 square feet - Theresa ordered it with
as few walls as possible to keep it light and airy

I still can't believe this is the living room! Fabulous!
Theresa's ingenious use of wood, lino, crystal, metal and marble
is unlike anything I have seen -and the pediment is so unusual
here above the sofa instead of curtains. None of the
windows have curtains, they have metal swirly things (I
have no idea what they are called!!)
Theresa is the master mixer of textures -

This kitchen is so unique - Theresa Smith had all the standard
cabinets taken out and put in her own idea of what would work
here such as a retail shop table and antique vintage cabinets-on the
right shows her collections of white antique ironstone and the
industrial sink and faucet - notice the metal all over mixing
with the wood (note the window above the sink and
the decorative metal accent used as 'curtains')

Close up of the fab kitchen details-she also added an outdoor
wire metal table with glass top and chairs for eating

The red office and details on the left of  the sun room on the
above right; note an actual front porch here!! So cool -

The master bedroom in all white with superb use of textures here
giving the room a truly vintage feel - metal, glass, pearls, marble
crystal and her grandmother's collection of beads, pearls, hats and bags

Theresa's husband Craig makes and sells
candelabra's like this one shown - so unique

Close up of the bed and side tables

(all images photographed and edited by me)

(original images Keith Scott Morton)

(original article written by Jill Kirchner Simpson)

Would you do a transformation like this? Could you?

I would LOVE to live here - what are your thoughts?

Design DO or DON'T?

Enjoy the weekend!

Don't forget to check out my SHOP and contact

me for online styling for your home!

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Headboards...comfort vs. style...

I currently have no headboard for my bed so when I read, I simply rest on two pillows.  I am trying to figure out what I want to do to make the wall look pretty.  I went to my Pinterest 'Bedrooms' board for some much needed inspiration.  I like all the options including mirrors, artwork and a vintage metal fence.  The truth is, you can do just about anything, including a closet!  Probably not very comfortable for reading though.  I am thinking about painting the wall a color or decorating with decals.  Any preference?

They all look comfy, except the closet -you

still need lots of pillows to rest your back.

Which do you prefer - comfort or style?

(all images)

Have a favorite or your own? Do share! 

Need help with your bath or kitchen refresh or design? 

Contact me for rates at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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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. 

(image)

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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.

(image)

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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