Purple passion...

I don't ever think to incorporate purple or lavender in a design scheme, but, seeing these rooms makes me wonder if I haven't been missing out. I really love these combos with yellow and gray and find that the colors work so beautifully together.

Turquoise is even added to the gray and purple here...

Check out the lovely blue chaise...

(images Maura McEvoy)

Until next time...;--))

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

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Mid-century modern faucets...

I had a customer in the showroom today who is overhauling a mid-century modern ranch home with authentic furniture, carpets and wall treatments. She is looking for a lavatory faucet and tub/shower system that will go with the style of the home and these are my suggestions - what do you think? Agree or disagree?

Symmons Oxford

Symmons Oxford 8" widespread faucet

Kohler Margaux single handle faucet

Kohler Margaux 8" widespread faucet with lever handles

Kohler Margaux tub + shower trim with lever handle

Moen Eva 8" widespread faucet

All are in chrome -

I love all of them, but particularly the Symmons Oxford and the Margaux widespread - they are so stylish and definitely have that mid-century vibe.

(images symmons.com, kohler.com, moen.com)

Have a great day tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!

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

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Top 5 bargains of the week...

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday and a much needed break from work.  Today is Cyber Monday, so I have a few little goodies from ETSY to show you. Its a little bit of a quirky selection, but, I think you will like it.  Happy shopping!!

Photographs make great gifts - from Shadetree Photography on Etsy, this lovely scene is just $16.00

From the same photographer, Debbra Obertanec, this Candy Cane photo is just $10.00

A lovely winter white wreath with fragrance from WildridgeDesign is $50.00

For the techie, an IPOD Touch Nintendo Controller deck from GeekUnique is $31.98

Finally, for the bird lover, at Unica Home, a beautiful bird feeder for just $19.95

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!!

(images etsy.com + unicahome.com)

For information about my decorating services, please visit my 'Virtual Decor' tag and send an email to monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Brunch on Sunday...

Well, good morning to you and who would like some eggs today? Here is a wonderful recipe for egg salad on toast that looks delicious.  Anyone want to try?

Ham and Egg Salad on Toast

Ingredients:

  6 eggs

 1/3 cup mayonnaise

 2 tbs sweet pickle relish

1 tbs Dijon-style mustard

6 oz. sliced ham

4 thick slices challah, Hawaiian or French bread, toasted

1/2 bunch trimmed watercress

Directions:

1. Place eggs in saucepan. Cover with 1" water, bring to rolling boil over high heat. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 15 mins.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mayo, relish and mustard. Set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ham 1 to 2 minutes per side until heated through.

3. Drain eggs. Rinse in cold water. Peel under running water. Slice or chop eggs. Spread mayo mixture on toast. Top with ham, eggs and watercress. Serve immediately. 4 servings.

Did you survive Black Friday?

Happy Sunday!!

(image bhg.com)

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

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Saturday in the kitchen...

What a pretty little bright and light kitchen with an accent wall in the color of the moment - orange.  The touches of green add punch and the natural wood and white lend balance to give it a natural look.

Care for some tea?

(image bhg.com)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

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

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Smashin' fashion...

Ok, the title is a bit too cute, but, because its Black Friday, I thought I would post some items on my holiday wish list. H&M has been showcasing some fine pieces of clothing along with the more traditional Land's End.  Hope you are all buying lots of good stuff!

Great for layering...

 I always finish an outfit with a scarf...

Current obsession, I have two of these...

Banish boring black with red trousers...

Who doesn't love polka dots??

Pretty cardie with bow...

Love vests...great for layering...fur is so HOT!

Simple blouse in gray...

Nighttime glamour for layering...or not...

What is your favorite piece??

Happy shopping!

(images landsend.com and hm.com)

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Totally inspired by...

This fabulous design firm is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has been featured in various publications and I have featured them here before too. Caldwell Flake has such a beautiful aesthetic, I can't resist.  Tomorrow we will be cooking filet mignon with veggies and potatos instead of turkey. Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Nifty bedroom design with cool colors, patterns and furniture...

(images caldwellflake.com)

What will you be preparing to eat tomorrow??

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

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Top 5 bargains of the week...

Making it easier to surf the net quickly and easily, and, because I had to work today since I won't be working on Saturday, all my bargains are from one of my favorite stores - IKEA.  IKEA is all about the bargains, but offers quality at the same time. Who doesn't love the Swedish retail giant's lovely aesthetic? If you don't, take a quick peek and it might change your mind...

The Isala cabinet - gorgeous in lilac for just $169.00

Sweet little cushion, the Idgran for $14.99

Little Christmas stockings for $2.99

The unbelievably practical LACK side table for $12.99

The trendy black + white Eivor throw for $19.99

Happy shopping! For more great bargains go here -

Have a great week!

(images ikea.com)

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

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Brunch on Sunday...

Here is a delicious recipe for Strawberry-Kiwi jam to put on your toast, baguettes, french rolls and croissants. This will taste great on Thanksgiving too, either as a cranberry substitute, breakfast before the big day or mixed with turkey - mmm, good.

Ingredients:

3 cups fresh strawberries hulled + quartered

3 medium kiwis peeled + chopped

1 1 3/4 oz powdered fruit pectin

1 tbs finely chopped crystallized ginger

1 tbs butter

1 tbs lemon juice

1 tsp finely shredded orange peel

Dash salt

5 cups sugar (or sugar substitute)

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, slightly mash strawberries. In a Dutch oven, combine the fruit, pectin, ginger, butter, lemon juice, orange peel and salt. Heat on medium high, stirring constantly, until it comes to a rolling boil.

2. Add sugar, return to boil for one minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, skim off foam with a metal spoon.

3. Ladle jam into hot, sterilized half-pint canning jars, leaving a 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims of jars, adjust lids. Process in a boiling water canner for 5 minutes (start timing when water returns to boiling). Remove jars, cool on racks. Makes about 6 half-pint jars.

Enjoy!! Have a great Sunday - I have to work tomorrow (I usually have Mondays off) so I will be off for 5 days for Thanksgiving!! woo-hoo, I can't wait!  See you back here tomorrow!

(image bhg.com)

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Saturday in the kitchen...

Check out this lovely little space, just 900 square feet, but the designer managed to carve a galley kitchen out of it with a French theme. The muted color, tiles on the walls, cabinets and floors are beautiful -

Designed by Chris Welsh

(image housebeautiful.com)

Have a great Saturday!

For information and pricing for my decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Dresser...before and after...

I FINALLY got around to painting this dresser I bought at a neighbor's yard sale for $10 - I don't want to tell you how long I procrastinated, but let's just say I bought the paint ages ago! It was quite hideous before with blue drawers and ugly drawer handles as well as being white! So, with two colors and mismatched handles, it was time this thing needed a makeover! So, thank you Sherwin Williams 'Rejuvenate' - the color has lived up to its name!

BEFORE:

Blue + white dresser with mismatched drawer handles...

DURING:

I had to leave it in the bedroom to paint it...AND I didn't put any primer on the white...

AFTER:

Though, I took the drawers to the basement and sprayed KILZ primer on them and then slathered on the 'Rejuvenate'...

The knobs were just natural wood from Home Depot and I painted them the same color...

The color looks funky because of the camera flash...at least its all one color now!

I left these pictures dark as I like the look of the curtains...

Morning sun streaming in...

I first saw this orange color in a Tobi Fairley-designed bedroom in Traditional Home a year ago and loved it.  Hope you all have a great Friday!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

For information and pricing for my decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Top 5 bargains of the week...

Its holiday time folks, and I was at Pottery Barn today and finally found some antlers on sale, as well as a glittery bird ornament. I have also been looking at Christmas trees, since we only have a small table tree. I am thinking it would be nice to get a big tree!  Happy shopping!

From Target - a 6' Unlit Canadian Fir Tree for $20!!

Another Target deal - Pre-Lit Potted Pine Tree Porch Set with Clear Lights for just $35.00 -

From Pottery Barn - Faux Sheepskin Pillow Cover - 18" for $19.00 -

From Pottery Barn again - Ornament Set Glitter Birds - 3 for $10.50

From Etsy store The Note Treasury - and Old Fashioned Christmas card for $3.50

Inspiring gifts or something you may need!

I hope you have a fabulous week! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the support!

(images target.com, potterybarn.com, etsy.com)

For information and pricing for my decorating services, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Spaah on Sunday...again...

I couldn't resist showing you the tub I had in my hotel room in Quebec. This is a Bain Ultra tub that is an experience, with air bubbles, aromatherapy and chromatherapy. For total wellness, relaxation and therapy for the mind and body, look no further than the Bain Ultra products. 

This is the Pro Meridian tub with air bubbles and chromatherapy, which is light therapy; red for stimulation, blue for calming etc. 

Another setting with the Pro Meridian...

I tried both the Calm and the Energy oils - both wonderful. The Calm is great at night to help you relax before bed and the Energy is a mud bath and very stimulating before a night out.  The Energy has a very strong aroma of pine! For more information and to purchase a tub go here - Bain Ultra is the originator of the thermomasseur or air bubble tub, made in Canada. Bain Ultra also has a blog - go here for some more inspiration.

Hope your weekend has been great!

(images bainultra.com)

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

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Saturday in the kitchen...

I am showing the kitchen I worked on but don't have great before or after pictures.  Here are a couple of photos showing the new sink cabinet, counter tops and cabinets that used to have a wall cabinet above.

BEFORE:

The wall photographs very dark, although it is dark. I would prefer the walls painted a bright white...

As you can see, the wood has been damaged above the sink area and needs to be treated or covered with backsplash...

This cabinet used to have a wall cabinet above, but really isn't needed and it looks more spacious now...

The floor needs to be replaced as well...

Have a great weekend!!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

For information and pricing for my decorating services, please email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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