June 30, 2010

Parsons perfection...

I have wanted a Parsons desk for 'donkey's years' (an expression my Scottish mother loved) and I just saw this gorgeous yellow version last night while surfing West Elm's site...*sigh* - this is it, my heart skipped a beat...

Up close - the YELLOW desk...


A nice natural pendant to hang above my new fab desk...


The oh-so-trendy zig zag rug to go under the fab desk...

Last but not least, my handiwork...I painted this little table last summer and it resides in the living room...perfect mate for a yellow Parsons desk don't ya think??

(images courtesy westelm.com)

(last image by me for Monaco Interiors)

June 29, 2010

The Green Scene...Bamboo Blinds...

Taking advantage of the 'new' Domino on Brides.com, I decided to tie this in with my regular 'green' column. Since I am looking for some bamboo blinds for my living room, I have been focusing on these window treatments to add some texture and style.  (image from amazon.com)

Above and below is the New Orleans sustainable home designed by the Domino team...the bamboo blinds make a great natural addition to the home...

Here you can see the warmth and texture the bamboo adds to the room; it looks perfect against the green color of the walls - I love this house...

Visit http://www.brides.com/ for more DOMINO!!!

(original images by Max Kim-Bee for Domino)
(first image by amazon.com)

June 25, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Burlap Fabric...

I was having technical difficulty last night and was unable to post...I apologize for the pics...not the best, but the color and texture are the focus...this is 100% Jute, a natural material used for rugs as well. Jute, or Burlap is simple, stylish, colorful and only $3.98/yard! Wouldn't it make great curtains or pillow covers?


Burlap Teal

Burlap Avocado

Burlap Delft

Burlap Mariners Blue


You can add a little color to your windows or accessories for very little cash and you are helping the environment...there are other colors too - visit the fabulous http://www.fabric.com/ for more ideas. The website will assist with any measurements you need too.

Have a great weekend! Are you doing anything special?

June 23, 2010

The Green Scene...Ruthie Sommers...

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 21, 2010

Monday Inspiration...

Wow! this room looks like it is in the south of France...guess what? it is in Napa, CA!! I could relax here and feel the cool breezes from outside...how about you? would you love this room in your house?? So romantic and French...and the color is a beautiful mix of pale blue and lavender...dreamy...

Interior Design by Erin Martin
(original image by Dominique Vorillon)

June 20, 2010

June 19, 2010

June 17, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Designers Guild Again...

Designers Guild manufactures gorgeous rugs and I decided to show a few (well, just four) here today...all in light, summery colors...white, blues and grays. White might be a tad difficult to live with, but with some texture, looks fab...


Nabucco Pearl...

Montefiore Pebble...

Padgett Delft...

Alcina...
Do you have a white rug? If not, would you decorate with one?
For more rugs, visit http://www.designersguild.com -
(images courtesy designersguild.com)
PS: Little bit of blog 'sprucing' today - I had a third column added...do you like it? did you notice the difference?

June 16, 2010

The Green Scene...Mrs. Meyer's...

Everybody probably knows this product, but cleaning is always a priority and what better than to use all natural, cruelty-free products that won't cause you to pass out when inhaled?? With scents like Lemon Verbena, Baby Blossom and Lavender, your home will sparkle and smell great!!

Countertop spray...
Scent Diffuser...
Laundry detergent...
Kitchen Basics Gift Set...(dish soap, countertop spray & liquid hand soap)


All products are well-priced and affordable - for more information visit the website http://www.mrsmeyers.com/...happy shopping!!

(images courtesy mrsmeyers.com)

June 15, 2010

Design Inspiration...Boston Home Magazine...

Boston Home magazine recently featured this Newton, MA house that was refurbished by the homeowner. I had an extra issue and ended up pinning these photos to my cubicle at work for constant inspiration...I love the design for the unique take on the Victorian house. I love the way the homeowner gave her house a really modern spin...see if you like it too...







I apologize the photos are small, they are from the Boston Magazine website. Would you think of doing something similar to an old house? Would you give an old house a modern look?
Original images by Robert Knight
(images courtesy Bostonmagazine.com)



June 14, 2010

Mr. Berkus...We Love You...

I am joining in the NateDay celebration...I apologize these photos are not very good...I took them at night and it was challenging...quick snaps of his book, 'Nate Berkus Home Rules' which I highly recommend...below are a couple of design shots...









Nate has left the Oprah show and will debut his own show in September this year...can't wait!
(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)


June 13, 2010

Weekend Inspiration...

I went shopping over the weekend and picked up some vintage plates...the blue and white is inspired by the new Veranda magazine which had two layouts with blue and white interiors...love these plates and the colors...do you?

Allertons Ltd. (England) Kenilworth plate above (really love this one!)

Homer Laughlin plates above (bought 4)...



The blue and white plates (Homer Laughlin again on the far right) inspired by Veranda, just visible above the plates -


Blue and white plate with room inspiration...
The light outside was a little tricky, so the picture-taking was challenging...do you like blue and white as well?
PS: I was not going to renew Veranda, but I read that Dara Caponigro will be the new editor...she was a big part of Domino, so I don't want to miss what she will do with the magazine in her new role!
(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)




June 10, 2010

Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Marimekko...

MARIMEKKO!! Need I say more?? Enjoy these fabrics...I chose just a tiny fraction of what is on their fabulous website...for more fun go to -http://www.marimekko.com

Fabric: Pieni Unikko Designer(s): Maija Isola/Kristina Isola



Fabric: Satumaa Designer: Teresa Moorhouse

Fabric: Kivet Designer(s): Maija Isola/Kristina Isola


Fabric: Hiisi Designer: Erja Hirvi


Fabric: Domino Designer: Rinne Niinikoski



Would you like to have any of these fabrics around your house? which ones? which color combo appeals to your aesthetic?? I would have a very hard time choosing! Happy Friday!
(images courtesy marimekko.com)


June 9, 2010

The Green Scene...Marmol Radziner Prefab...

Could you live in a prefab home? one that uses environmentally-conscious materials and is energy efficient? Hopefully, there will be many more of these homes in the future and they won't be super expensive. Marmol Radziner designed this series, the 'Rincon' as just that...here are the stats: they use denim insulation, LED lighting and low-VOC paints. They will do upgrades including a "polished concrete floor, Heath Ceramics tile and a handcrafted walnut kitchen island." Below is the Rincon 5, 660 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bath and a kitchenette. Great for a starter or a retirement home. The base price is $179,000!






I love it for its simplicity, energy efficiency and modern design. I would love to live in this home...would you?
For a lot more information visit http://www.marmolradzinerprefab.com
(images courtesy marmolradzinerprefab.com)