December 28, 2013

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.



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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.








December 27, 2013

Fabulous Fabric Friday...Ralph Lauren...


I hope everyone had a great week celebrating Christmas.  I had a pang of nostalgia for my old column (Fabulous Fabric Fridays) which I ran faithfully for a couple of years.  I have been blogging so long now, it all seems a blur.  

I stopped in a Calico store yesterday and saw these Ralph Lauren fabrics up close and immediately wanted to design a room around them. Preferably in an English country house or in a suburban New Jersey home - who cares?  Of course dark wood, fireplaces, brandy snifters, velvet, Wellies, deer heads, tigers and tweed come to mind and it takes me away to the Scottish Highlands or Devon (my favorite).  The quintessential library or game room would be the best place for this style.  This could all be equally fabulous in a bedroom or living room without all that ambiance don't you think?  Super inspiring fabrics! I added some furniture to the mix.  Have a great weekend!


For the English Country house, I have added some furniture from Home Decorators Collection to complement the fabrics:: 






Maldives Coffee Table $399.00


Maharaja Nesting Tables $199.00




Custom Greenwich Sofa $1299.00

Porter Armchair $699.00


The English Country House fabrics to cover the chairs, sofas and windows:

Hillcliff Plaid Moss $200.20/yd

Serengeti Linen Zebra Mahogany $116/yd

Kingsbridge Original $255.20/yd

Aragon Original $261.80/yd

Leighton Hunt Olive $81.40/yd

Maya Silk Original $123.20/yd





Do you like the English style? 
Which is your fave?



I will do a digital moodboard for you that won't cost
the earth. Please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com
for more information.





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 19, 2013

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!

December 17, 2013

All about the color...purple...

This is one of my all time favorite designs by New Orleans designer Hal Williamson in House Beautiful and I studied these pictures when I got my issue.  I had never thought about the color purple much before this article, but, he uses these muted tones so well that I fell in love with the color.  I would especially love to use Martha Stewart's 'Shantung' (for Sherwin Williams) if its still available.  I remember I went out and got samples of this color while I was still in design school and used it in a project.  I love the style of furniture in this house as well as the colors.  

Do you love it or not?  Would you use these muted purple/lavender tones in your home or for a client's house?

Benjamin Moore's 'Driftscape Tan' which reads lavender
Such a gorgeous mix of furniture and materials


You can just spy the iconic Beverly Hills wallpaper
in the kitchen of large banana leaves

Silky curtains and a photo of Ella Fitzgerald in the parlor
Walls are 'Grisaille' by Martha Stewart, another
muted lavender

Martha Stewart's 'Shantung' for Sherwin Williams
Silkscreen of Mahalia Jackson by New Orleans artist
Richard Thomas
Toile  'Louisiana Purchase'


(interior design by Hal Williamson)
(images by John Kernick)



Oh the lucky people who get to live here - 

If you need styling services, please contact me and
I can work with you via email - 

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!!
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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.

December 15, 2013

Best of MI...5 Tips for a Kitchen Facelift...


How much snow did you get if you are in the Northeast?  We got about 5" in the New York metro area, and I understand parts of New England got a foot.  Well, on this snowy Sunday, I thought I would share a post from August 2012 giving you some great tips for a kitchen facelift.  If this is something you need to do in the new year or are just starting to think about, go for it.  Your kitchen will not only look better, but, if you plan on selling your home, it will boost its overall value.  
Have a great Sunday!! 

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Time to give your kitchen a face lift instead of an all out reno? Well, you can do a few relatively easy things to make it look pretty again. Here, I will share 5 great tips to give that kitchen a face lift, as well as suggesting popular products that are selling over and over again in the showroom. Not only are they functional and pretty, but, they will give you the updated and fresh look you want in your space.

Kohler has a great faucet in Vibrant Stainless that has a pause button and two different sprays. The single hole on your counter will give you more room, a less cluttered appearance and its easy to keep clean.  This is a great choice if your appliances are all stainless.


I know I have featured the Bellera before, but what a great faucet and 
its under $300!


For the sink: this is a really beautiful and functional undermount sink that is a standard 33x22 size for your cooking and cleaning needs - it has a pretty 'v' detail on the bottom and looks like a commercial sink without the price tag:


For about $600 this can be yours - it is available smaller and
as a drop-in -


For a great looking counter that you don't need to do anything with, such as treat it with sealant, look no further than Caesarstone Quartz - I chose a pretty neutral that is also recycled material to help keep your living environment clean and toxic-free:


Oyster 9601 - a gorgeous neutral to go with light or dark cabinets -

Need an island but don't have the space or money for a large size? Check out Ikea's Bekvam mobile cart - I had this and it was really useful. You can stain or paint it any color to match your decor and at less than $60.00 its a steal!


Great for storage, moving around and extra space for cutting or cleaning veggies -


Last but not least, the paint color to give the kitchen some added 'oomph' right? I like Benjamin Moore's VOC-free Aura collection. Tons of colors to choose from so you can go light or dark. I chose a pastel green and to keep the environment clean, this paint is non-toxic so its safe and won't harm you or your kids:


Benjamin Moore Parkside Dunes 568


I hope this gives you some inspiration for the kitchen project you've been thinking about doing but didn't want to spend a fortune. You can do one of the tips, two or all five!! You don't have to do all of them. 

Have a great Sunday! What is your favorite go-to tip for fixing the kitchen? Paint? new faucet? sink?


If you need help decorating your kitchen or bath or just need a face lift with a mood board, please contact me!! I can help - email me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com. ;-))


(images courtesy kohler, ikea, caesarstone and benjamin moore)







December 14, 2013

Saturday in the kitchen...

The snow is falling now in the metro New York city area, the temperature is cold so its a great time to invite you in to have a cuppa tea or coffee in this gorgeous kitchen.  The mix of textures in this kitchen...the stone floor, metal, wood, wicker and fur are a fabulous combo making this more like a room than a kitchen.  And it has my favorite AGA cooker, even better.  I love the fur literally 'warming' up the space - do you like it?  Have a great weekend!



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Contact me for online consultations for styling your own home-
monacointeriors76@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to visit
me on PINTEREST!!

December 12, 2013

Top 3 Criteria when building your own home...


Hello blog world!  Please welcome a guest post today all the way from Down Under!  Sarah Q. Grey handles all the digital marketing for Today's Homes in Canberra, Australia, a  custom home builder, that also takes into account sustainable options for creating the home of your dreams.  Their beautiful website is worth a visit and when it comes to building your own home, there is no substitute for speaking with the experts.  Here are three (3) excellent tips to consider when you decide to build:







3 Things To Consider When Engaging With A Home Building Company.
If you’re looking for a home building company to build the home of your dreams, then there are a few things you should consider. Finding the right builder is not as easy as you might assume. There are countless options out on the market and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. To help you choose the best home building company for you and your family, here are 3 suggestions to help ensure you find the best company for the job.

1. Previous Examples

When looking for a high-quality builder it’s essential to begin by asking about previous projects. Most experienced home building companies are able to provide a portfolio of completed projects to demonstrate their competence and quality in building homes. And it’s important that you check these past projects out as a way of gauging whether a particular home building company is right for you. As we all know, building a home is a huge decision, and can be taxing both emotionally and financially. That’s why one needs to put in substantial time with their research in order to find the right builder. Canberra home building experts Today’s Homes always provide clients with past work examples, and it’s important that whoever you choose to build your home does the same. When looking at previous examples, it’s vital that you inspect these properties in-person (if possible) as this is the only way of making sure the portfolio being presented is not falsified to woo the client in.

2. Communication

Meeting and talking with a prospective home building company is doubly important. When it comes to such a substantial investment, it’s important that both parties can communicate effectively. This is to ensure that both client and contractor are on the same page in regards to the planning and implementation of the home building project. Make sure you speak with prospective builders face-to-face, and not just over the phone. Sure, you can’t expect to meet with them all the time (after all, builders are generally pretty busy people!), but you need to have had at least one face-to-face meeting to ensure that both parties are a good fit for each other.

3. Pricing terms

Building a home is a huge investment, and sometimes we can go over budget in the pursuit of our very own dream home. That’s why it’s important that you talk with any prospective building company and ensure that you agree on a final, fixed price for the project. Sure, things change during the construction phase, and you’ll have to foot the bill for any changes you make to the original plan. But it’s essential that both parties are clear on just what is included in the final price. Unfortunately there have been many cases in the past where a client was left in legal trouble when a builder decided to up the rates during construction. Get everything in writing, and make sure all important documents are signed. That’s the best way to ensure that the job is done properly and within budget.
Finding the best home building company to build your home can take some time. But stick with it. In the end, having a home you can be proud of is worth it. Consider the above tips and suggestions when hunting for a builder, and no doubt you’ll soon be on your own way to owning a home you can be proud of.







Are you ready to move forward with your dream home?

If you live in the Canberra area, contact Today's Homes
for expert tips, experience, design and build.

Thank you to Sarah Q. Grey and Today's Homes for this 
informative information!!


Thanks for stopping by!!


Please contact me for an online design collaboration
at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.




December 7, 2013

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!