Murano Glass Lamps

My parents just returned from a trip to Italy and stopped over in NYC on their way home this weekend. It was so fun to see their photos and remember all the beautiful things in that country. At the end of our summer living in Brussels, Michael and I took a couple of weeks to tour Italy by ourselves, sans kids. That was probably the best trip we've ever taken. It was just beautiful, everything, across the board. And I can still taste the delicious food. Yum.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/DSC_0699.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We were in grad school at the time, so we didn't splurge on much during the trip. When we were in Venice, we stayed on the island of Murano, a quick boat taxi ride away from Venice proper, to save money. It ended up being a really lovely little bed and breakfast near some of the coolest glass-blowing factories on earth. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/DSC_0653.jpg" /><br />(this little drinking fountain outside our window woke us up every morning)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/DSC_0665.jpg" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(Some of the glass-blowing shops in Murano. Our bed and breakfast was in a little town square behind the white building on the right. It was so quaint and perfect.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Michael was a good sport and pretended to be interested while I was dragging him all around the glass shops. I desperately wanted to buy a chandelier or a pair of lamps, but our suitcases were already so full from treasures we found at flea markets in Brussels and Paris during the summer, we were at capacity. Plus, the prices of some/most of the pieces were completely out of our budget. We bought a few little trinkets, including a glass paper weight (<a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/artglass-paperweights.html" target="_blank">which I collect</a>), but nothing big. And I've always sort of regretted that for some reason. I guess it's just not often that souvenirs fit my aesthetic so well.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/BlueBls2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/collage1.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://paintyourspace.com/tag/murano-glass-lamps/" target="_blank"><i>via</i></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, shortly after we got home to Cambridge, I found a pair of vintage Murano glass lamps on craigslist for a great price and bought them even though it wasn't love. I really like them, but I probably should have waited for the perfect pair to come along. The blues are not quite as bright in person, but maybe they just need a room with more light? They've been sitting in storage for a couple of years, but don't worry - they're in good company with lots of other lamps. :) </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN_279396054copy.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I actually always had my heart set on a pair like these from <a href="http://swanklighting.com/lamps/vintage-murano" target="_blank">Swank Lighting</a>, but the multiple-thousands price tag convinced me it just wasn't going to happen. Ever.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/377308856_X6Mmtlcr_c.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>They reminded me a little of this lamp in <a href="http://kristenbuckingham.com/" target="_blank">Kristen Buckingham's</a> living room (she is one of my favorite designers).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/portfolio16.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Persistance pays off though sometimes and I found a pair of vintage green glass lamps recently on eBay for about the cost of a new pair of lamps from West Elm. I am so crazy about the jade color. These are going in the new living room, I think. And they almost make up for not getting a pair straight from the source when I could. :)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/ScreenShot2012-06-18at125943AM.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">PS I don't know who the maker was, but Home Goods was selling a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/03/just-few-more-thoughts.html" target="_blank">jadeite color lamp</a> a year or two ago. Might be worth a little digging if you're in the market for a lamp in a similar color.</div></div><div><br /></div></div>

Murano Glass Lamps

My parents just returned from a trip to Italy and stopped over in NYC on their way home this weekend. It was so fun to see their photos and ...

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Gathering, Planning

We had an appointment yesterday to take measurements at the brownstone. (Quick side note - someone commented that I shouldn't be calling the house a brownstone because it's technically a brick face, not stone. I always thought of 'brownstone' as a more general term, but I'm probably wrong there. Should I be calling it a townhouse? Rowhouse?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_4688.jpg" /></div><br />We were there for about two hours, poking behind and under the bachelor's grubby furniture and measuring every last nook and cranny. I left feeling both more excited and more stressed about our decision to move to this house. You know how when you see a space for the first time, it's like there's a fuzzy lens on your eyes? How it's all rainbows and stars from your excitement about the potential? I totally fell victim to the fuzzy lens trap last time. And plus, we were sort of rushed with the first walk-through, so there wasn't an opportunity to really inspect the house.<br /><br />This walk-through yesterday was different though. I had my designer's hat on and there was no allowing for giddiness or stars/rainbows. This time I got to really <i>look</i> at the place and the reality has set in of just how much cosmetic work it needs. The house was last renoed in the 70s and I'll just leave it at that so your imagination can run wild. It's just as bad as you are thinking. THEY TORE OUT THE MOULDINGS YOU GUYS. We have a serious project on our hands.<br /><br />I think I'd like to refinish the orangey wood floors and the kitchen needs to be gutted. I would love for those both to happen as soon as possible, hopefully before we move in. The bathrooms all need help. Every single room and walkway, every last piece of trim and every door (including the front door) needs to be sanded, patched and painted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/22IMG_5793.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But, I guess after walking through for the second time, I'm still feeling pretty great about the whole thing. The bottom line is we are really lucky to have found an affordable townhouse (with a backyard!) in an awesome Brooklyn Heights location, that's in totally livable condition. It's just not pretty yet. But we are also incredibly lucky to have a landlord who is thrilled to help us renovate and doesn't care what we do. Her quote was, "I don't need to hear about it unless you're planning to move walls, cause we'll need a permit for that." It's a dream come true for me, actually. I love doing this kind of work and am anxious to get my hands dirty again after two years of only light-weight DIY projects. We'd love to buy an older house of our own someday, so this will be good practice for the reno we hope to take on in a couple of years.</div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5796.jpg" /></div><br />So while the reality of the thing is sinking in for me a little today, as I sit here with pages and pages of notes from the walk through, I'm still excited. I have some big decisions to make about how I will  manage my day, or at least my working hours, after the move. I'm wrapping up all my big projects, and it's looking like client work can take a bit of a back seat to personal projects and blogging, and I couldn't be happier about that. It feels like good timing.

Gathering, Planning

We had an appointment yesterday to take measurements at the brownstone. (Quick side note - someone commented that I shouldn't be calling...

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Brass Etagere IKEA Hack

I love good, clean-lined etageres for displaying just a few pretty things. They're not the most functional pieces of furniture (I wouldn't want to overload these with piles of books), but they are perfect for picture frames, a few horizontal stacks of pretty design books, little boxes and baubles that tell your story and that you want to display, but never know where to put out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/263-00039_SUP_HH_DE092.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">House and Home (Tommy Smythe's apartment)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/christopher-bookcase.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://quintessenceblog.com/2011/11/rooms-with-a-view-finale/" target="_blank">via</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/37014028157816859_K0A1APD6_f.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lonny<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/130815564145765382_KZyixWJG_f.jpg" /><br />Atlanta Homes</div><br />If you're lucky, you can find vintage etageres in thrift stores or on craigslist. Sometimes <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=brass%20etagere&_sop=15" target="_blank">eBay</a> comes through. But buying new will set you back at the very least $1200 and up into the thousands. That's when I was surprised to see in this pretty room by Ana Antunes (via <a href="http://vtinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/06/perfect-mix.html" target="_blank">VT Interiors</a>) that <a href="http://home-styling.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/catalogo-e-sugestoes-store-resources.html" target="_blank">these pretty brass-looking etageres</a> were actually IKEA shelves painted gold!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_1514.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Each of these <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20213312/" target="_blank">Vittsjo units</a> was only $70, which is a steal!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/ScreenShot2012-06-12at82845PM.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_1454.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I sort of like the original black version, I'm sure the finish is less nice in person. And I'm really loving the brassy tone Ana painted the frame. You could try gold leafing for a really natural, mottled look, but Rustoleum's Metallic spray paint in brass would work really well too (and would save you about 10 hours of labor).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/AnaAntunesQMC1805_1455.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And can you even handle <a href="http://www.arboretto.com/sofas-cadeiroes-e-bergeres-artigos/1965-cadeirao-cinza" target="_blank">those chairs</a>? So pretty! Wishing they shipped to the states. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_1522.jpg" /></div>

Brass Etagere IKEA Hack

I love good, clean-lined etageres for displaying just a few pretty things. They're not the most functional pieces of furniture (I wouldn...

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Spotted Bench in the Works

A little while back I bought this cool bench along with a couple other things from one of my favorite vintage dealers just outside the city. Later I realized the bench is actually from Worlds Away (ha!) but no harm done because there were no claims to age on the bench and I didn't pay much ($50-$75, I think).<br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/002-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love the square base!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/003.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The seat was covered in a chocolate velvet that bugged me. I never loved the shade (it was a very pinky brown) and somehow it showed every little finger smudge from my kids. I've been planning on picking up some leather to reupholster the bench but hadn't had a chance to swing into <a href="http://www.globalleathers.com/" target="_blank">Global Leathers</a> yet. So last week when I stopped by my upholsterer's shop and I saw this leopard printed cowhide in the remnant bin, I jumped all over it. Won't this be great for the bench? I think the dots and the gold of the base will be so pretty together next to <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-lr-rug-progess.html" target="_blank">my new rugs</a> and layered under <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/05/upholstering-parsons-console-table.html" target="_blank">this parsons console</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5170-1.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The pattern reminds me of one of my favorite wallpapers, Thibaut's <a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?productID=7286&patternID=1170" target="_blank">Tanzania Animal Spots</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/ScreenShot2012-06-11at85940PM.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Meredith Heron used the pattern in her office <a href="http://www.meredithheron.com/blog/entry/a_little_of_this..._a_little_of_that" target="_blank">here</a>. So, so good! I love this space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/118008452705983228_KpnDQtvw_f.jpg" /></div>

Spotted Bench in the Works

A little while back I bought this cool bench along with a couple other things from one of my favorite vintage dealers just outside the city....

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Give Away: NYC or LA Globe from Furbish

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/" target="_blank">Jamie Meares</a> is a color and pattern genius. Her work is so chic and happy (did you see her recent spread in <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/35-may-2012/pages/78#p77" target="_blank">Lonny</a>?). For those of us not lucky enough to live near her store, Furbish, in Raleigh, NC, we can hop online and see a beautifully <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/StoreFront" target="_blank">curated collection of furniture, accessories and even jewelry</a>. These are a few of my favorite things.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/furbish1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1318/Fiddle-Fig-Leaf-Pillow/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">1</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-619/Pink-Moroccan-Tea-Glasses/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1277/The-Katniss-Cuff/Detail?category=Jewelry" target="_blank">3</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1123/Pink-Leopard-Lumbar/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">4</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1114/Prepster-Playing-Cards/Detail?category=Stationery" target="_blank">5</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1335/Ombre-Ribbon-Bracelet-dsh--Pink/Detail?category=Jewelry" target="_blank">6</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Furbish2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-685/Apple-Green-Double-Gourd/Detail?category=Home+Accessories%3ADecor" target="_blank">7</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1272/Black-Tie-Dye-Pillow/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">8</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-903/Orange-and-Navy-Pillow/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">9</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1250/Pink-Poodle-Bookends/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">10</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-616/Spotted-Porcelain-Tray--dsh-/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">11</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1108/Paule-Marrot-Guest-Towels/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">12</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Furbish3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1243/Margot-Earrings-dsh--Turquoise/Detail?category=Jewelry" target="_blank">13</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-871/Ikat-Throw--dsh--Pink/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">14</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1416/Greek-Key-Duvet-dsh--Purple/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">15</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1470/Chevron-Clutch/Detail?category=Bags" target="_blank">16</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-993/Colorful-Dragon-Pillow/Detail?category=Home+Accessories" target="_blank">17</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1480/Mint-Geo-Studs/Detail?category=Jewelry" target="_blank">18</a></div><br />Jamie was sweet enough to send me a few goodies as a thank you recently, including this adorable <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/Categories" target="_blank">NYC globe</a> (there's also an <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/Categories" target="_blank">LA</a> version!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/3DSC_0006.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The girls love finding parts of the city they recognize. Here's our neighborhood downtown:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/3DSC_0015.jpg" /></div><br />And then midtown and central park:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/3DSC_0020.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8303.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And, good news - we're giving away another <a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/Categories" target="_blank">globe</a> today! To enter just leave a comment on this post saying whether you'd like the NYC or LA version. Give away ends this Friday, June 15 at midnight. Good luck!</div><br />

Give Away: NYC or LA Globe from Furbish

Jamie Meares is a color and pattern genius. Her work is so chic and happy (did you see her recent spread in Lonny ?). For those of us not l...

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