Category Archives: interiors

03.15.12

Chartreuse and Gray.

Lately I am seeing more of this color combo popping up.  In moderation, I really like it.   Here are some of my favorite spaces in this palette.
Here’s how to get the look.  While some of these are higher end items, never rule out some of my favorite design tools: HomeGoods, Spray paint and a whole lot of creativity!
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

03.01.12

4 Little Ghosts.

I LUST after these lucite stools from CB2.  I hunted them down after seeing them in this kitchen.
That being said, they were a little to big for my kitchen, and my budget.
We have a small galley between our kitchen island and our refrigerator.   But the girls love to cook with me and get tired of standing on step stools.
 So, I found the perfect acrylic stools to fit my kitchen and my budget.  ($199.95 for two!)
To upholster or not to upholster, that is the question.

02.28.12

Ikea Rast to Dorothy Draper.

I had been searching for the perfect side tables for our living room for what seems like forever.  I saw a few Rast DIY’s on various blogs and figured if I couldn’t buy them, I’d make them.  Much to Mike’s dismay, this was a project that I (ahem) we were going to take on.  These tables were a true labor of love.

 I thought it would be easy, but it took many weekends and trips to Home Depot.   Here’s what we started with: two Ikea Rast Dressers  (At $34.99 the price can’t be beat!)

 and a cart full of spray paint.  That little spray grip was a lifesaver, because I practically went through every last can of spray paint that you see below.
 Here is the how-to.  You may want to eliminate some of these steps and learn from my mistakes.
1.) Assemble the bases, but not the drawers (or have your husband do it while he is watching football.)
2) Spray on on two coats of primer.  BE SURE TO SAND THOROUGHLY between coats. (I wish I had)  I recommend sanding blocks versus sandpaper for this one.
3.) I sprayed on a lacquer and I am not sure if it was the fact that it was 20 degrees outside, or that the lacquer wasn’t cutting it (see those spots?) After six cans of black lacquer I had to switch gears.
4.)  After a SERIOUS sanding, I repainted everything with a black oil-based polyurethane.  I used a roller to apply it.  Polyurethane takes at least 12 hours to dry.  I gave it 2 days.  (Helpful hint: Skip the lacquer paint and go right to this step.)

5.) Next I Sanded and painted my O’verlays with Krylon Gold Spray paint. I love the rose-gold undertones in that paint.  I also used that paint for my Intaglio frames in the dining room.   I let them dry for a day and sealed with a clear lacquer.

6.) Attempted to assemble the dressers.  Mike had to bail me out on this one.

7.) Installed 12 of this brass hardware. (Burnished Bronze, 51 mm x 43 mm)
8.) Super glued the O’verlays on as well as a few of my fingers together.

And here is the final result:

Recognize that lamp?  Next week I will post how I gave it a make-over in 20 minutes.

02.22.12

Shelter Envy: Brooke Shields.

I have always loved Brooke Shields.  I think she is so beautiful.  Did you know that at 14 she was the youngest Vogue covergirl?  I am still bummed that Lipstick Jungle got canceled…. Seriously, it was a great show!  She also wrote one of my favorite children’s books that I read to my girls every night for what seems like two years, Welcome to Your World, Baby.
Anywho, when I was browsing the magazine section at the grocery store, I came across a a stunning room on the cover of Architectural Digest (I always kick myself for not subscribing as the money I have wasted on buying single issues could pay for my kids’ college education… Note to self– subscribe today.)  As a self-professed Brooke lover, I am sure that you can imagine my excitement to see her posing next to the oh-so-perfect mantle.  Just look at these drool-worthy shots of her Upper East Side townhouse!

02.08.12

Black Trimmings.

As many of you know by now, I have a lot of black in my house… Here are a few pics just to illustrate my love.
Our kitchen.
And adjoining living room.
Let’s not forget about the dining room…
Foyer… (We painted out banisters and front door a polyurathane black almost three years ago.  It’s held up beautifully!)
Find out what happened to our poor rug here.
I realize not everyone may share my bold love of black, but there are so many ways to incorporate it into a plain-jane room and yield stunning results.  Let’s take a look at a few of my favorites….