Room Tour: Gypsy Soul Interiors Holiday Home

<span style="font-family: inherit;">We're in full Christmas mode today! If you celebrate Christmas too, I hope it's a lovely day for you and your family! </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friend Kristen Dowd from <a href="http://www.gypsysoulinteriors.com/" target="_blank">Gypsy Soul Interiors</a> in Dallas (who shared projects with us <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/03/room-tour-perfectly-pink-bedroom.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/12/dwell-with-dignity.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-feature-reader-diy.html" target="_blank">here</a>) has decorated her home so beautifully for the holidays and I thought you'd like to see it too before the big day has come and gone. So much inspiration everywhere! Also, in addition to doing online interior design consultations, Kristen is a talented artist. She is offering 15% off custom paintings for LGN readers (just <a href="mailto:Gypsysoulinteriors@gmail.com" target="_blank">email her</a> for details). This is one of her paintings below.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hall2.jpg" /> </div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Your home is lovely! What a transformation! Will you tell me about how much of the work was DIY and how much was contracted out?</b></i> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">We bought the home in 2009 and absolutely loved the layout. The area of town we live in is filled with amazing sprawling ranches that were built in the early seventies. Lucky for us, a builder had recently completely renovated the home and had taken out nearly every wall in the living area. Our kitchen is open to the dining room, entry, living area, breakfast area and bar. At the time we had a 1 year old, and open living is so easy with little ones. We now have a 5 year old and a 7 month old and I am still loving the floor plan. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Here's the before-we-moved-in shot:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/beforegreatroom.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The flip side of the coin was that said builder had a completely opposite aesthetic taste than I did. I've always said that I think the theme before we started putting our mark on the home was "Cracker Barrel meets Olive Garden" (no offense to either restaurant). So it was rustic and Tuscan at the same time, two of my least favorite design styles. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchenbefore.jpg" style="color: #222222;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Check out the vine on the hood. Nice!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hoodbefore.png" /></div></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The changes weve made really look extensive, but the beauty is, they really were not extensive at all. Literally, all we did was paint, change out tile and take some doors off the kitchen cabinets! It is really amazing what paint can do. I'd love to say that we did the work, but alas, I know my strengths and weaknesses and painting falls in the "weakness" category. I also know that you have to be patient when painting kitchen cabinets, and anyone who knows me knows patience is not one of my virtues. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen3.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen9.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As far as the paint colors, I literally painted every square inch of the living area, including trim and kitchen cabinets, "Simply White" by Benjamin Moore. I love the way white modernizes a room. I narrowed the initial choices of white down to 3 colors, White Dove (too grey), Mascarpone (too yellow) and Simply White. Simply White worked best for us, but I love White Dove and Mascarpone too, it all depends on the lighting in your home. The center island and center island cabinets are "Porpoise" from Sherwin Williams. The h</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ardware is from Horton Brasses.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen6.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The tile is bevelled subway tile from Floor and Decor laid in a herringbone pattern. The tile is so so so reasonable! My total for tile was less than $60. The herringbone pattern is what really gives it impact. We kept the granite because frankly, it was not in the budget to replace. Check out the vent hood. Hooray! No more carved vine.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>I am crazy about the breakfast nook right off your kitchen. Tell me a little bit about the pieces you have in here and the projects you've done.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sure! The chandelier is Horchow, the table was found on Craigslist, the chairs are also from Craigslist, the rug is Ikea and the Christmas trees are Homegoods. A huge score in this room and actually throughout the back of my house are the curtain panels. They are lined faux dupioni silk panels from JCPenneys, found on clearance for $8 a panel!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/breakfasttable2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The pantry in the breakfast room is an situated awkwardly on the wall. I could have painted it Simply White, like the walls, but when I saw <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/10/more-sharpie-les-touches.html" target="_blank">Caitlin Wilsons chalkboard wall</a> I knew I was going to copy her! And </span><span style="color: #222222;">I love how it turned out!</span></span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/pantrybefore.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you look closely, you will notice the hardware pulls are actually pewter longhorns! A playful ode to the great state of Texas :) </span></span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/pantry.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am using the pantry wall as a gallery wall of sorts. I am a folk art collector, and being from Montgomery, Alabama, love Mose T's work. The pink man is by Mose T and the Santa is by his daughter Annie T. The lady in turquoise is just a fabulous portrait I picked up at the White Elephant in Dallas. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/breakfasttable.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I love that your Christmas decorations are colorful and modern. Where do you shop for holiday decor? </b></i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I joke that many of our Christmas decorations are actually stolen goods. I probably shouldn't joke, because it may be true. When we were first married and lived in Atlanta, we lived in a "transitional" neighborhood. One day, I was heading to the thrift store in a sort of sketchy shopping center and there was a large unmarked 18 wheeler with a handwritten sign "Christmas Decorations" on the side. Naturally, I was curious, and ended up spending maybe $75 on enough decorations to fill two car loads. Something was odd, but I was still thrilled at my hau</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">l. I brought my husband back later that evening, and Ben was hysterically laughing and explained that this "pop up shop" was actually a stolen shipping crate. Oh well, lesson learned, but I did score some great decorations. Everything else in our home is from Homegoods or Target.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/console.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">We do not stick to a certain color scheme for holiday decorating but stick to a high "sparkle" factor which makes the decor look more cohesive.  </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I am also a fan of grouping like items for more of an impact, like out nutcrackers, metallic Christmas trees and reindeer. I started a collection of snow globes as a child, and Cici, my daughter is also collecting them. We display all of the globes together each Christmas. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I adore the tree above. See what I mean, we love "Sparkly!"Tree is from Dillards, Peace Sign on top is from Homegoods, Cabinet is from Montgomery Antiques in Montgomery, Alabama , Mirror is from Horchow Finale, wreath is part of my "Stolen Goods" Christmas decor. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Where are you favorite places to shop? What's been your favorite find so far? </b></i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">My favorite place to shop is Scout Design Studio, at 155 Howell Street in the Dallas' Design District. Scout is a 15,000 square foot warehouse of affordable vintage finds. My business partner Grace and I also sell our pieces from Scouts warehouse. Other faves include Salvation Army, Horchow Finale and Antiques Moderne in Dallas. My best find ever has to be the giant faux bois armoire that hides my husbands monstrosity of a television. You can see the armoire in this picture (this was before we painted).</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/armoire.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Tell me a little bit about your floors.</b></i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">That is a loaded question. I love these floors so much. They are a beautiful 2 inch handscraped oak with a tiger finish. I had no idea what a "tiger" finish was until we had a contractor come quote laying these floors in the bedroom area of the home. It is a fantastic look, as the stain almost resembles a tigers stripes. We currently have carpet (yuck) in the bedrooms and wanted the wood to continue in each room. Well apparently, handscraped wood floors with a tiger finish are $16/square foot at minimum! Gulp... Big Gulp... cant afford that :( We are brainstorming plan B. Plan B may just be to wait until we can afford so the home will be cohesive. The thought of a mismatched floor tortures me to no end. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i>Let's walk through the rest of your living spaces. Your home is such a fun mix of vintage and new. I love hearing about where you source your finds.</i></b></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hall.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here above, I framed Cici's artwork in a couple IKEA frames. The r<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ug is from Montgomery Antiques in Montgomery, Alabama.</span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Here's a before shot of our bar area.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/barbefore.jpg" /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I think the white paint really helps to hightlight the bar. To decorate the bar area for Christmas, I displayed our snow globes in with our decanter collection and wrapped a table runner from Walmart around the ikat pillow.  The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">"Texas" print is from Homegoods, the lucite stool is from White Elephant, the blue bench is from Homegoods and so is the pillow. The large canvas of my daughter Cici was printed at Canvas on Demand and the light fixture was purchased at Shopten25.com.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/bar.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Here are more of those JC Penney faux silk curtains hanging in our living room.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/living.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/living2.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/mant.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222;">And in our entry I hung a mirror from Craigslist over my Great grandfather's painting desk (how awesome, right?!) The lamps were also found on Craigslist. The lucite chair is from Amazon and the pillow is from Fabricadabra. The silver wreath is Target. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2entry.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i>Kristen, I'm loving your dining room, especially the interior color of the hutch. It's a vintage piece, right?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;">I found the vintage hutch at Salvation Army and painted it! The dining and two accent chairs are from Again and Again. The table is from Rooms To Go (yes, you read that correctly!). </span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/dining1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;">The brass chandelier is from Bienvenue Antiques in Miramar Beach, FL. And pretty much all the holiday decorations in here are from Homegoods (can you tell I like HG?)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/dining2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>A HUGE thanks to <a href="http://carriesmithphotography.com/" target="_blank">Carrie Smith</a> for the pretty photos and to Kristen. of course, for the lovely home tour! What a gorgeous home, right? </i></b></div></div><div class="hq gt" id=":47p" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 15px 0px;"></div>

Room Tour: Gypsy Soul Interiors Holiday Home

We're in full Christmas mode today! If you celebrate Christmas too, I hope it's a lovely day for you and your family!  My friend Kri...

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Room Tour: Lauren Leonard Interiors

<a href="http://laurenleonardinteriors.com/blog/" target="_blank">Lauren</a> emailed to share photos of her daughter Ellie's room. I hope it's not too ridiculous for me to be jealous of a six year-old's bedroom, because I totally am. I would swipe that gold + KWID chair from her so fast! :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom1073.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3009.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom1078.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3004.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2elliesroom1073.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3007.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3010.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3028.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom5004.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom5006.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom3013.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/elliesroom1073.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lauren said the John Robshaw fabric on the bed was her starting point but was also her budget-buster (<i>SO worth it I say!</i>), so she had to get creative with the other elements in the room, like framing prints from a $6 calendar and painting the pattern on a simple IKEA rug (here's a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-chevron-rug.html" target="_blank">similar project</a>).<br /><br />For all the details on this lovely bedroom, check out <a href="http://laurenleonardinteriors.com/blog/ellies-room-its-done/" target="_blank">Lauren's post</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, Lauren! If you'd like to share a space or project with LGN readers, feel free to <a href="mailto:jenny@jennykomenda.com" target="_blank">submit here</a>.

Room Tour: Lauren Leonard Interiors

Lauren emailed to share photos of her daughter Ellie's room. I hope it's not too ridiculous for me to be jealous of a six year-old...

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Give Away: $100 in Fabric from L&S!

Do you have a big project coming up that needs a lot (or even a little) fabric? <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/" target="_blank">L&S Fabrics</a> is having a huge sale that lasts through the end of the year. If you buy $250, you'll get 10% off your order. Spend $500 and get 15% off. $1000 gets you 20% off!<br /><br />Also, <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/" target="_blank">L&S</a> is giving away a $100 gift card here today! They have some really great new patterns to check out. Here are a few (or maybe a bunch!) of my new favorites:  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/B.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/adelle-1" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/cuba-p6764" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/sinai-sunrise-1" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/hero-1" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/C.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/maye-p6919-0" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/zig-zag-9" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/india-0" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/shiva" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/D.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/maye-p6919" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/pembrooke" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/roslin-0" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/waylon" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/A.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/taj-ark2-2" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/sumatra-20" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/panama-wave" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/keswick-ribbon" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/E.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/secret-gate-1" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/santa-maria" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/euphoria-1" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/solomons-seal-0" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/F.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/hero-1" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/fioretto-11" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/dino-b" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/brevard-hb" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/G.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/portobello-vase" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/paloma-8" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/muswell" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/art-deco-0" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/H.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/eton-ajru02" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/ikat-domino-0" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/shiva-0" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/p392-11" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/I.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/sultan-hb-0" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/illusion-0" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/bansuri" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/ottoman" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/J.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/ampersand" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/logan-1" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/anderson" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/gate-3" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/K.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/pavo-72058" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/beachcomber" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/galtemb" target="_blank">3</a> /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/tracey-0" target="_blank">4</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/L.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/jiri-0" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/heavenly" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/harmony-org-emb-2" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/tree-life-72061" target="_blank">4</a></div><br />To enter to win the $100 gift card, just visit the <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/" target="_blank">L&S site</a>, choose your favorite(s) and leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen next Monday and they will be emailed. Good luck!!<br /><br />PS L&S wanted me to mention they are selling original fashion drawings from an in-house artist that would make fun gifts. Check them out <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/catalog/art/" target="_blank">here</a>. I like the skirt on <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/art/no-3" target="_blank">this one</a> especially.

Give Away: $100 in Fabric from L&S!

Do you have a big project coming up that needs a lot (or even a little) fabric? L&S Fabrics is having a huge sale that lasts through th...

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DIY Holiday Gifts

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Christmas is a week from today! Are you ready? I have a few little projects left to finish before the shipping deadline on Thursday. I know - right under the wire! I was determined to be totally prepared for the holiday season this year, but it snuck up on me again. If you're scrambling for some last minute gift ideas that have a little personality, here are some easy (and usually inexpensive) DIY ideas from LGN days of yore.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DIY1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">1. Channel your inner artist and color a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/canvas-sketchbooks.html" target="_blank">canvas notebook</a> (or have your kids make them for grandparents).</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/06/give-new-life-to-lamp-shade.html" target="_blank">Cover a lampshade</a> in pretty fabric to top off a thrift store lamp. Your little sister will be in heaven.</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/02/reader-diy-animal-bookends-and-brass.html" target="_blank">Spray paint plastic animals</a> to make custom bookends for your best girlfriend.</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Make dozen of these <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-leather-tassel-keychain.html" target="_blank">leather tassel keychains</a> in an hour for your favorite co-workers. The tassels are so easy to do and they look like a million bucks!</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Find a vintage bench on craigslist and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-upholster-bench-corners.html" target="_blank">cover it in a fun new fabric</a>. A super simple project that requires only a few hours and not a ton of money, but comes with a big pay-off. (I'd probably go with something a little on the smaller side, and then you can go really crazy with the fabric!)</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Make a little <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/05/matches-cup.html" target="_blank">match cup</a> with the strike paper glued to the bottom.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DIY2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">7. Spend $4 blowing up the image of your choice in black and white (maybe your parent's wedding photo? Or a portrait of a special relative?). I mounted <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/02/huge-prints-for-only-4.html" target="_blank">my print</a> on foam core board and painted the sides bright orange.</div><div style="text-align: left;">8. I call these my <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-envelope-pillows.html" target="_blank">ten-minute pillows</a>. If you know how to sew a straight line, you can make a pair of pillows for your friend.</div><div style="text-align: left;">9. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-agate-trash-bin.html" target="_blank">Decoupage a dollar-store trash bin</a> with a pretty marbleized paper. It's too late to order the paper online now, but stationary stores carry these a lot of times (I know Paper Source has tons). If you're in a pinch, look for scrapbook or wrapping paper in a special pattern.</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-ombre-basket.html" target="_blank">Paint an ombre effect</a> on a pretty basket and fill it with a new throw for your mother-in-law.</div><div style="text-align: left;">11. Whip up a couple of these quick, <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2008/05/easy-and-cute-doll-pattern.html" target="_blank">easy-sew dolls</a> for your kids. My girls are still sleeping with theirs and they've held up really well after all these years.</div><div style="text-align: left;">12. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/03/bean-jar-method-and-freezer-paper-diy.html" target="_blank">Monogram a coin purse</a> using freezer paper and add a tassel (from above) while you're at it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">13. I inherited a bunch of buttons from my grandmothers so I sewed them onto a piece of linen and framed the fabric. <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/heirloom-button-art.html" target="_blank">Something like this</a> would be great to give to moms. If you only have a few buttons, try something like <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/12/antique-button-sample-cards.html" target="_blank">this look</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Here's hoping we all get done in time! :)</i></div></div>

DIY Holiday Gifts

Christmas is a week from today! Are you ready? I have a few little projects left to finish before the shipping deadline on Thursday. I know ...

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Entry Progress: A Bright Red Secretary

The entry on our parlor level is pretty small. There's a coat closet across from the powder bath and a teeny tiny little bump out next to the front door and that's about it. Here's what the space looked like on move in day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_6274copy.jpg" /></div><br />Not pretty, I know. We've since had all the walls painted Farrow and Ball's <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/cabbage-white.html" target="_blank">Cabbage White</a>, which is bright and fresh, and the doors were painted Pitch Black. We still need to do all the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/10/moulding-going-all-out.html" target="_blank">trim work</a> in here, but we had the small floor boards painted BM Decorators White.<br /><br />When I was trying to figure out how to best use this space, I sort of fell in love with the idea of a secretary (a really narrow one), so there would be a place to throw mail down, but we'd also have lots of hidden storage. The issue was finding a secretary that was less than 23" wide so that the door could open all the way. Not easy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_6273copycopy.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For a while we kept the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/11/sponsored-post-bathroom-vanity.html" target="_blank">vintage vanity desk</a> from this post in this spot because it fit and it was a place to put things down (you can see it peeking out <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-abstract-painted-walls.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>), but I definitely was left wanting something taller with storage after a couple months of that. Then one day at an antiques store in the burbs, a vintage Thomasville beauty presented itself. It wasn't in perfect shape and the dated-looking fruitwood needed to be painted out, but the size was exactly perfect and the price was right at $175. (Especially compared to the inspiration pieces I was eying on 1st dibs! yikes!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9270.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I knew I wanted to paint the secretary a fun color (aren't you surprised!?) because the entry is pretty bland and it needed some cheer. I went to Home Depot to get a color mixed and I stumbled across and ENTIRE GALLON of my beloved Safety Red, formally known to me as only-available-in-spray-can-form-Safety-Red. It's been a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/10/office.html" target="_blank">four year love affair</a>, so I couldn't <i>not </i>try it, right? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9157.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I expected it to smell as horrible as the other Rustoleum oil-based paints (like <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-heart-oil-based-paints.html" target="_blank">this one</a>), but this paint smelled more like linseed oil and less like fumes. Sort of like the Ben Moore Advanced line. It had an interesting, very thick consistency too. The finish was great though (smooth as glass), so I can't complain.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0309-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You're probably wondering what happened to the glass here. I have plans to get mirror cut, but I decided to paint out the glass from the inside so no one could see the things I have stored inside. (it's a whole bunch of vases and it looks really sloppy). I'm not completely minding the white actually, but I think the mirror will help to brighten up the space. (I was going for <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/dear-jenny-what-would-you-do-with-this.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/joannas-bathroom-makeover.html" target="_blank">this</a> look.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9553.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm really loving it and am just aching to get that moulding up now!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0302.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I did put down a small rug and that helped too (seen <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-pantry-and-500-give-away.html" target="_blank">here</a> formerly),</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0311.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I hung the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/06/honeycombpeacock-mirror.html" target="_blank">peacock mirror</a> on the wall next to the kitchen. I need to put art on the wall to the left of <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html" target="_blank">the kitchen</a> though and I think that will help even more. </div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0297.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But, it's progress! And just in time for <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/12/dinner-party-at-my-place.html" target="_blank">holiday dinner parties</a> (thank you so much for your votes, by the way! If you haven't had a chance to pop over, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466077473437950&set=a.466076980104666.105551.238652046180495&type=1&theater" target="_blank">the $500 contest</a> will go through the 23rd. xx)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0309.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">PS <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/09/joannas-living-room-part-2.html" target="_blank">A little tip</a> about painting mirrors or cabinets with glass panes <i>without </i>using painter's tape.</div></div></div>

Entry Progress: A Bright Red Secretary

The entry on our parlor level is pretty small. There's a coat closet across from the powder bath and a teeny tiny little bump out next t...

Read more »