Welcome, 2009


Treat yourself to a little something. You deserve it.

Have you seen the great sale here? Check it out. (and don't forget to enter 'JAN2009' for free shipping on orders over $150.)

I think I want this ($24.99).

these ($29.99)
this ($129.99). Perfection with a patent skinny belt.


Ruffles on a trench coat? Yes, please! ($99.99)

Ruffles on any coat, really. ($69.99)


or sweater ($29.99)

I'm pretty sure I need these gray patent beauties ($129.99) although the turquoise is also calling to me...

and these would be nice, too ($79.99)

So many to choose from! All the good stuff is going fast though, so hurry. In fact, earlier today I was eying a velvet blazer, but was having a hard time choosing a color. They're completely sold out tonight. So sad. My resulting #1 on the resolutions list: Live more in the moment! :)

I hope you're having a happy and safe New Year! I have a feeling 2009 is going to be amazing...

LAST DAY: Amazon Free Shipping

Today is the last day to order books for Christmas arrival on Amazon with free shipping. Doesn't get much better than free.

Also, a lot of people have Amazon wishlists. Mine is chock full of design books. Here a few of the books on my list that would be great for other interior design enthusiasts (or for a little holiday cheer for yourself!).

Textile Designs: Two Hundred Years of European and American Patterns Organized by Motif, Style, Color, Layout and Period
(be still, my beating heart)

Russian Textiles
(The real question is do I have to go all the way to Russia to find this gorgeous red fabric??)


The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton

(In case you didn't know, Edith Wharton, who was an American aristocrat and is most famous for her fiction works, had impeccable style and a great eye for interiors.)

The Domino Book of Decorating.
(I really, REALLY want this one!)


Celery Kemble's new book. She is one my short list of favorite designers.


Michael S. Smith Houses


Decorating Master Class

(Look at that laquered wall.)


Search for your friends and family's Amazon wish lists here (column on the right-hand side). Or start your own. But don't forget - free shipping ends today!

Australia

As promised, my trip so far has been full of endulging (in mom's pies), decorating (for Christmas) and relaxing (all sorts).

Saturday night we went to see Australia.




It was breathtaking. You will cry and laugh and laugh and cry, over and over again.


And of course you will love seeing the leading lady's run-down ranch in the Outback transform into a beautiful English manor, full of antiques.


Have you seen it yet? Did you love it as much as I did?

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Tomorrow I'm getting on an afternoon flight. Just me and my two little girlies.

BOS to PHX.
I don't love flying with the kids, especially alone. So wish me luck.

Don't feel sorry for me though. Each time I get a dirty look from a fellow airline passenger, as I schlep 3 diaper bags, 2 car seats (and a partridge in a pear tree) down the minuscule aisle, I'll shake it off and dream of what I'll be eating in Arizona for three square meals a day (not kidding):

Cafe Rio Chicken Salad.

And each time Claire lets out an ear-piercing shriek or when Grace drops her water bottle on the floor during take off (and it has to be passed back up from about 18 rows back), I'll close my eyes, say to myself "Serenity now" and start dreaming.

About this.

Ever been? It's called Last Chance and I want to be buried here.

Have you ever return a perfectly unused (or used - shame on you) pair of designer jeans or Miu Miu flats to Nordstrom? Well, all of them, from all the Nordstroms in the country, are shipped to Phoenix and put up for sale at Last Chance.

T-shirts are $2.97.
Skirts $4.97
Designer jeans are between $7.97 and $29.97

Shoes from $12.99 to $29.99


The place is a mad house and a total wreck within 5 minutes of opening. Here is the sign they post everywhere - rules that say no pushing, running, reaching over people to grab merch, or stealing from other shopper's carts.

It's not for everyone, but to me, it's heaven on earth. I always bring an extra suitcase just for my Last Chance harvest!


Some of the other highlights of the trip will surely include

Lots of family pictures. I'm planning a photoshoot of my grandparents, whom I love more than just about anyone or anything.

Plenty of thrifting and antiquing.

Lots of movies. And in a theater to boot! (a luxury to those with babies)

Watching the girls' excitement as they get to do new things - play with doggies and go swimming.

Early morning runs with my mom.

Best-ab-workout-of-your-life-and-my-cheeks-will-never-be-the-same-again laugh sessions. My family is hilarious.

Lots of decorating. I think I am helping about 5 different people decorate while I'm in town. I'm really excited about this one!

Arts and crafts. My mom is like the original Martha. She is so amazing and crafty. I want to recreate this wreath with her that I saw on Eddie Ross' blog.

We're going to be gone for almost a whole month. It's a long time, I know. We had flight vouchers and there were a lot of black-out dates. But it's going to be great to spend so much time with loved ones.

Anyway, the point of this post is to let you guys know that I may not be posting here as often as I would like during our vacation. Please keep checking back though, because I will try. And I will still be accepting design advice requests, so email me if you have a project in mind for over the holidays or after.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Jenny

Copy Cat Designing

An LGN reader, Sarah, wrote me an email about how she shares my love for this room that was posted on Friday. Sarah just got a promotion (congrats!) and moved to a new apartment in San Fransisco. She has set aside a chunk of money to decorate her new bedroom. She asked me to help her copy the exact look and feel of this bedroom.


Sarah, I accept your challenge!

Here's how to get the look for less.

THE RUG:

I think everyone knows this Moroccan tile rug. It was originally designed and produced by my favorite rug designer, Madeline Reinrib, then later knocked-off by Pottery Barn and West Elm. I prefer the West Elm version, which comes up for auction frequently on eBay. There is nothing up right now, other than this yellow version from Pottery Barn (although this one is nice because it's more plush than the West Elm flatweave rug).


I would wait until you find the orange one from West Elm. It looks like this:


THE BED
Sarah already told me that she plans to save some money by making her own headboard to look just like this sleek, low, white one pictured above. Just a piece of plywood cut to size, layered with foam and batting, and covered with inexpensive white brushed-cotton fabric, stapled into place, et voila!

The white bedding with a blue stripe is classic and will be easy to copy. I like this sateen, triple-lined embroidered version from Overstock.


You'll want a punch of yellow on your own bed like in their boudoir pillow.


This one will work, or you could find your own fabric and pillow insert.
There's also this one from Anthropologie


A pair of dark-stained wood vintage side tables would look great flanking Sarah's new bed. $50 for this pair.


THE CHAIR

The first option is to buy these completely stunning bergere chairs. The only change I would make to these is painting the dark wood white. And it's a good thing that's the only change, because this pair is on the pricey side for a Craig's List find at $300 each. It's definitely worth asking the seller to go down in price and/or to split up the pair.


I know the chair is a bit of a departure from the inspiration picture, with the blue zebra print rather than leather. BUT I am totally crazy about that print. I think it's awesome.


Another option is buying these two beautiful chairs for a total of $50. Can't beat that right? Vintage, down filled, and in great shape structurally...


While these bergeres are not the same exact shape as the barrel-backed chair in the inspiration photo, you could still get a very similar look by upholstering one (or both) using this amazing (and cheap) hide of blue patent leather. Don't forget to paint out the wood a bright, glossy white.


FOR THE WALLS

I love this grass cloth wallpaper for about $18 a roll. Such great texture.


The abstract painting on the wall is beautiful.
The pop of bright colors is so fresh. Somehow it even looks a little girlie, although it's not too sweet. If I were you, Sarah, I'd save some serious cash by tapping into my creative side and recreating my own version of this painting.

If your not feeling that adventurous, these eBay paintings are great and all are inexpensive.

abstract painting on eBay going for $50 right now.

This one's a little pricier at $200. But I love it.

I like this one too.

This one might be my favorite though.

LIGHTING

If Sarah is willing to invest a little more in her lamps ($142.43 to be exact), I really think she should consider these GORGEOUS Art Deco antique lamps.

I love the water lilies, the cloth cord cover and the original bakelite plugs!! Heaven...

This vintage pair is probably the closer to the inspiration lamps both in look and scale. You'll (obviously) need to invest in some new shades here, but it looks like this pair is going to go for a song. The current bid is $3.99. I love the octagonal bases. You can't buy stuff like this at Target.


This pair of mirrors look so much like the mirrors in the inspiration room. $230 for a matching pair of large-scale antique repro mirrors is a good buy.


And lastly, Sarah needs a few ACCESSORIES to fill out the space:

This MCM genie phone


A stack of fashion and design books. This one is my fave.
Original charcoal drawings.
And make sure you pick up a bunch of the pink December peonies at Trader Joe's to finish it all up.

via

Here's the mood board:


Do you have a photo of a room that you absolutely love and want to copy? Email me and I'll help you figure out how to get the look for less.

jkomenda {at} gmail.com