It's the Weekend!

HEY! It's the weekend again somehow!! What are you up to? We have been sick with colds all week, so all I want to do it clean and disinfect the house. We might try to run up to Jane's Carousel (Evelyn's favorite) since the weather looks like it will be on our side.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2IMG_8342copy.jpg" /></div><br />Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I was <i>super </i>spoiled by Michael and our families (his was actually in town visiting).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_8392.jpg" /></div><br />I usually feel really, very guilty when I receive gifts (I know, weird - are you like that?), but this was the big 3-0 for me, so I welcomed the presents in the hope they would help drown out my sorrows. J/K. I was like, Peace out 20s! I will sound a little less crazy for having three kids now. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2IMG_8387.jpg" /></div><br />PS We always secretly hope that when family visits we'll run into some cool celebrities on the street - it's so fun for everyone. Well, my inlaws didn't spy any Meryl Streep or Robert De Niro types during their trip, but luckily this guy came through for us. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_8347.jpg" /></div><br />Happy weekend, doggz. See you here Monday.

It's the Weekend!

HEY! It's the weekend again somehow!! What are you up to? We have been sick with colds all week, so all I want to do it clean and disinf...

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Art for the Girls' Room

<i>Thanks to <a href="http://art.com/" target="_blank">Art.com</a> for sponsoring this <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-are-art.html" target="_blank">post series</a>. In the next few days, there will be a $500 give away on the Art.com Pinterest page. Follow them <a href="http://pinterest.com/artdotcom/" target="_blank">here</a>, where all the details will be announced!</i><br /><i><br /></i>When I was shopping for art for the room my girls share here at the brownstone, I knew I wanted something feminine, but modern. And I wanted it BIG! Something to work with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/09/question-of-week-is.html" target="_blank">this</a> vintage french poster from their <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/11/sponsored-post-how-to-upholster-framed.html" target="_blank">last</a> <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-inlay-dresser.html" target="_blank">room</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0086.jpg" /></div><br />Art.com has a <i>ton</i> of <a href="http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a76/andy-warhol-posters.htm?ui=D301257F176C4F728A3FBBD9EC081A0B&WT.cg_n=Search+Ahead&WT.oss=Andy+Warhol&SSK=Andy+Warhol" target="_blank">Warhol prints</a>, several from his Flower series. I thought <a href="http://www.art.com/products/p10285739-sa-i887948/andy-warhol-flowers-1970.htm?ui=d301257f176c4f728a3fbbd9ec081a0b&iid=ad93b6e879a143bfbda18ec7ca027197&podconfigid=0">this color way</a> would be perfect on the pale lilac walls. And the black background helps keep things from going too sweet.<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2012-10-18at63534PM.png" /></i></div><i><br /></i>Then I used their "View In Room" program to see the actual scale of this huge print.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2IMG_6404.jpg" width="477" /></div><br />I uploaded a couple photos of different walls in the room, which ended up being really helpful, because it looked horrible in the first place I had in mind. I loved how it looked next to the windows where I planned to put the play table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/art.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other cool part of the View In Room program is you can do multiple prints on one wall (in your saved gallery, use their room photos, or upload your own like I did). It's a SUPER easy way to map out a gallery wall! The hardest part is figuring out your favorite prints - there are so many good ones to choose from. You can see my saved galleries <a href="http://www.art.com/me/jenny_komenda/gallery/color-and-pattern/?vt=gv">here</a>, <a href="http://www.art.com/me/jenny_komenda/gallery/jenny-ii/?vt=gv">here</a> and <a href="http://www.art.com/me/jenny_komenda/gallery/natural/?vt=gv">here</a>. (And I just noticed they are having a 20% off sale this weekend! Awesome - I've been saving a special print in my cart.)<br /><br />Here's the Warhol print hanging in the girls' room. It feels so bright and happy in there! They love it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0107.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS The frame truly looks like something I would have paid $500 for here in Manhattan. Want to know what it cost to frame this 40x40" piece? Just $150 - a complete steal for something this large. You can tell the work was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj6Ol6jXsww&feature=relmfu">done by craftsmen</a> (I sort of choke up in their videos! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcEoK9relZA&feature=relmfu">This one</a> is awesome too. Man, art is so cool.)</div>

Art for the Girls' Room

Thanks to Art.com for sponsoring this post series . In the next few days, there will be a $500 give away on the Art.com Pinterest page. Fol...

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How to Bind Two Natural Fiber Rugs

I'm working on a really fun rug DIY right now that I'm excited to share with you next week. It's a rug that will be layered on top of my <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-lr-rug-progess.html" target="_blank">two braided jute rugs</a> from the ABC clearance basement, originally made by FibreWorks. I thought today I'd report back to you on how those rugs are holding up (since we've been using them for about two months now in our main living space).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_6766.jpg" /></div><br />Long-time readers will remember when I had a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/04/problems-with-jute.html" target="_blank">BIG problem</a> with a jute rug way back in the day. This rug I've been a lot happier with. I know now to only use a dry rag or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CCZQ4G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000CCZQ4G&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">this powder</a> to clean up messes (though I've only had to use the powder once). For good or for bad, this rug hides a multitude of stains and crumbs. I give it two thumbs way up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_7289.jpg" /></div><br />If I had to give any teeny tiny complaints, it would be that the rug sheds just a little bit. But pretty much every rug does in the beginning. It's really not bad, and if anything, just encourages me to vacuum up all the hidden dirt I'm not seeing! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_7278.jpg" /></div><br />Since the living room is long, I was able to buy two 8x11's and save a ton of money over going with a custom size. I used upholstery thread to bind to two rugs together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_7275.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/IMG_7283.jpg" /></div><br />I started with the part of the rug that goes under the sofa, and after getting the hang of it, I found it was best to stitch mostly in the middle and the underside of the rugs' edges, so the thread wouldn't be visible, and then I pulled very tight on the thread every foot or so. It's almost impossible to tell where the seam is in person! The weave makes it so the two edges fit together like puzzle pieces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_7285.jpg" /></div><br />If you need an odd-sized, large natural fiber, and don't want to break the bank, try binding together the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60050172/" target="_blank">IKEA Tarnby</a> (or <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/flat-braid-jute-rug/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn's Jute</a>). Also, I think the ABC clearance basement still has some of the FibreWorks jutes left? They have sales often, so wait until they are 30-50% off.

How to Bind Two Natural Fiber Rugs

I'm working on a really fun rug DIY right now that I'm excited to share with you next week. It's a rug that will be layered on t...

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Vintage Mushroom Lamp

I found this adorable little vintage mushroom lamp at the thrift store recently. I love it next to the girls room! I like that it feels a little bit whimsical but not too cheesy - and the girls <i>love</i> it. It casts the perfect soft light so we leave it on for them at night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_8432.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a big fan of quirky little lamps, and these feel fun and not too serious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/MUSHROOMLAMPS.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/109806891/vintage-mushroom-lamp-vintage-orange?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=mushroom+lamp&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">1</a>  //  <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/100240119/panton-era-lightolier-mushroom-lamp?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=mushroom+lamp&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">2</a>  //  <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40195500/#/20195501" target="_blank">3</a>  //  <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Century-Modern-Yellow-Enamel-Metal-Mushroom-Desk-Table-Lamp-/330808284163?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d05b5d403" target="_blank">4</a>  //  <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Retro-70s-Metal-MUSHROOM-LAMP-Light-TABLE-DESK-/120998399307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2c110d4b" target="_blank">5</a>  //  <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/111071036/vintage-white-and-red-softlite-mushroom?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=mushroom+lamp&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">6</a>  //  <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42619323/mid-century-mushroom-lamp?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=mushroom+lamp&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">7</a>  //  <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Vintage-Danish-Mushroom-light-pendant-lamp-fog-morup-panton-retro-/290792247270?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Lamps&hash=item43b4918fe6" target="_blank">8</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i><i>PS These lamps look great in grown-up rooms too!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/6a00d83539e9ed69e200e551f4fed98833-800wi.jpg" /></div></div></div><br /><br />

Vintage Mushroom Lamp

I found this adorable little vintage mushroom lamp at the thrift store recently. I love it next to the girls room! I like that it feels a li...

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Searching for a Round Dining Table

Now that our kitchen is almost done, my eyes have been wandering over to the dining room. We have way too much furniture crammed in the 13x13 room, that's it's high time we downsize.  I'm looking for a round or oval table around 60-65" wide. I'd love to be able to have six chairs and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/05/host-and-high-chairs.html" target="_blank">Evie's tripp trapp</a> all fit comfortably.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2IMG_6281copy.jpg" /></div><br />I've been thinking about <a href="http://bit.ly/Rypa29" target="_blank">this</a> 60" round arch table from West Elm (which is 15% off right now!). It looks nice in person, though I'd probably end up painting it or faux liming the finish to work better with my new chairs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2012-10-16at113600AM.png" /></div><br />I am going to check out this vintage Saarinen style oval table today. I would love to buy a real vintage Saarinen, but the rounds are too small and the oval tops are way too long. This one has the perfect dimensions (60x45"), but I'm a little nervous about the thickness of the table top. I want sleek here, like the original. I'll let you guys know how it goes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3G93Ie3N55I25K25Mccabe3b55d31db361b0c.jpg" /></div><br />And in the DREAM table category, I would give anything for one of these Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb arch tables.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/gasl_you_went_nuts08_03.jpg" /></div><br />The dimensions are spot-on perfect and I could not love the design more (arches and octagons!?). If you see one at auction, please please please let me know!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2012-10-16at114115AM.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2012-10-16at114524AM.png" /></div><br />Do you know of any other amazing round tables on the market right now? I'm itching to make some process here and would be willing to just buy something as a place holder. Not my favorite design approach, but I'm going a little crazy here. :)

Searching for a Round Dining Table

Now that our kitchen is almost done, my eyes have been wandering over to the dining room. We have way too much furniture crammed in the 13x1...

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