Faux Brick Hardboard Wall Panels

<div style="text-align: left;">I took a trip to IKEA recently and noticed the badly patched seam in this brick wall on one of their displays and thought, "oh, that's not brick then. duh."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1553.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1553.jpg" /></div><br />Looks like they could have filled the gaps a little better? But I did like the effect of the texture from the "bricks."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1552.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1552.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later I did some digging around the web and I discovered these <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_13964-46498-288_0__?productId=1015475&Ntt=faux+brick+panel&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dfaux%2Bbrick%2Bpanel&facetInfo=" target="_blank">faux brick hardboard sheets</a> at Lowes. I wonder why I've never noticed these before in the lumber aisle? About $26 for a 4x8' sheet is so affordable! And the reviews are all really positive.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2013-03-21at15950PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/ScreenShot2013-03-21at15950PM.png" /></div><br />I think with a little effort and some plaster you could make the walls of your bathroom or laundry room look crusty and old like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo hallieburtonbath.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/hallieburtonbath.jpg" /></div><br />Or if you're on a super-tight budget, I bet you could use the sheets in your kitchen even (painted flat black or white like the IKEA room above, but seamed better, of course!). Have you ever tried the faux brick hardboards? I'm dying to use them somewhere now!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 700_lambeth-kitchen-aga-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/700_lambeth-kitchen-aga-1.jpg" /></div>(<i>WHOA</i>, FLOORS! ^^^)

Faux Brick Hardboard Wall Panels

I took a trip to IKEA recently and noticed the badly patched seam in this brick wall on one of their displays and thought, "oh, that...

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My Kitchen Pendants and a Circa Goodman Substitute

Along with what seems like every other decorator on the planet, I love <a href="http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=2222" target="_blank">Circa Lighting's Goodman cone pendants</a>. The prices rance from about $400 to $900 each depending on the finish. They are so gorgeous:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2013-02-27at111328PM.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/286330488779078777_93Z6QLrA_c.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/133982157634817785_1yLIAmyQ_c.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/circalightingblogTOB5014HAB-AW-Goodman-Hanging-Lights1-600x600.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/circalightingblogaleciastevens.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(all images via <a href="http://www.circalighting.com/applications/Webblogmanager/index.asp?ItemID=61&CategoryID=139&show=detail" target="_blank">Circa's Blog</a>)</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When I was deciding on pendants for our <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html" target="_blank">little kitchen remodel</a> (both in size and in budget), I really wanted something like those from Circa. If only these <a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/oversized-cone-shade_pendant-6-colors.html" target="_blank">paper shade cone pendants</a> from Shades of Light existed at the time! Maybe for our next house :)</div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/ScreenShot2013-02-27at111029PM.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/ScreenShot2013-02-27at111045PM.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html" target="_blank">our kitchen</a> though we ended up with these black/oil-rubbed bronze pendants from Home Depot (of all places!). I wasn't even looking for pendants that trip to the HD, but they sang out to me from across the light bulb aisle.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_8675.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_8678.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I bought three on the spot for about $75 each, which is a pretty great deal, I think.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/pendantsLGN.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We love how they look with the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html" target="_blank">newly painted cabinets</a> and they work great - so no regrets here for going the inexpensive route this time.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/pendantslgn4.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/pendantslgn3.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Where did you buy your kitchen sconces?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

My Kitchen Pendants and a Circa Goodman Substitute

Along with what seems like every other decorator on the planet, I love Circa Lighting's Goodman cone pendants . The prices rance from ab...

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Marble Floors

Today is the last day of summer vacation for my girls. I am full of all the mixed emotions moms usually have on this day. Part of me is saying "YEAH!" and part of me is heartbroken. It's been a good summer, but also it's been a bit of a whirlwind. Can't we have just one more week?<br /><br />Also, it's pouring outside and I love the rain in early autumn. It makes the streets a little cleaner and the breeze is so nice and cool. We have the back doors and windows all open, and coloring books and puzzles all over the floors. It's been a lovely, lazy morning. And now I'm putzing around on <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennykomenda/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> looking into kitchen floors, trying to figure out which direction I want to go there. I really need to decide soon.<br /><br />So far, I'm most drawn to these <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2012/02/readers-houses-series-2.html" target="_blank">these marble floors</a>. Wouldn't they be perfect in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-direction-for-kitchen.html" target="_blank">my small kitchen</a>? At this point, I'm open to most anything though and would love to hear what you used in your kitchens. Also, what would you never use again?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/cotedetexasimage_thumb122copy.png" /></div>

Marble Floors

Today is the last day of summer vacation for my girls. I am full of all the mixed emotions moms usually have on this day. Part of me is sayi...

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Cabbage White

I have paint colors on the brain today. The landlord is paying to have the whole brownstone professionally painted, which is awesome (and was a bit unexpected to be honest). I'm just so, so glad I don't have to paint the 20' high stairwell on the parlor floor myself (YIKES!).<br /><br />I'm probably going to go with a very pale gray for all the common area walls (I LOVE Benjamin Moore's Pale Oak), but I'm super-duper tempted by <a href="http://us.farrow-ball.com/cabbage-white/colours//fcp-product/100269" target="_blank">Farrow and Ball's Cabbage White</a>. It's this really bright, clear greeny-bluey white. I think it would be so <i>fresh</i>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/cabbagewhite2.jpg" /><br />image from Lonny</div><br />Off to grab some sample pots to throw up on the wall this morning before the painter needs my final choices. I'll be sure to share on instagram (my handle is @jennykomenda).

Cabbage White

I have paint colors on the brain today. The landlord is paying to have the whole brownstone professionally painted, which is awesome (and wa...

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Bedroom Planning

Thanks for your patience with my light posting this week. It's been a rough one, but we're on the mend and I think this weekend we'll be ready to get out and get some desperately needed fresh air! <br /><div><br /></div><div>I loved reading your feedback on the dresser handles. I think I'm going to try salvaging the zigzag handles and see how I like them when they are nice and shiny again. Lots of people commented that they're sick of seeing ring pulls everywhere, which surprised me! I think they are such a classic design element I doubt I could ever get sick of seeing them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing I won't get sick of? Tufted headboards! :) I've been working on my bedroom redo. We have <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-folding-screen.html">this bed</a> still, but really our bedroom is too small for a footboard. I'd rather trade that floor space in for a narrow bench this one (DIY on the way!). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/247698048224896615_aEGiUnvf_f.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House and Home</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I'm trading in our bed frame for just a headboard I think I want to do a tufted version here. I'm debating between lots of small tufting...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/1206a4ed3f24.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>domino</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Or more spaced out tufting with a rounded shape. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Domino_bedroom_100.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>domino</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Either way I'm planning on doing velvet. Maybe leather on the bench?</div><div><br /></div><div>I spied this green headboard on Pinterest yesterday (follow me <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennykomenda/">here</a>). I'm in love! Wouldn't this color be amazing?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/213217363578195515_Z3061mqP_f.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>this month's House Beautiful</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's hoping today is our last sick day! Lots to get done!</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have a great one! xoxo</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Like LGN on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Green-Notebook/307982329249091">Facebook</a></i></div><div><i>Follow Jenny on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jennykomenda">Twitter</a></i></div>

Bedroom Planning

Thanks for your patience with my light posting this week. It's been a rough one, but we're on the mend and I think this weekend we...

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Dreamy Art

I am so drawn to the art in these images from <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/10/chic-in-high-point-oly-studio.html">Habitually Chic</a> taken on Heather's visit to the Oly Studios showroom at High Point...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/7highpointoct2011habituallychic.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/6olyhighpointoct2011habituallychic.jpg" /></div><br />It reminded me of these big (and completely affordable!) posters available in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/debbiecarlos">Debbie Carlos' Etsy shop</a>. Here are a few of my favorites that have the same dreamy landscape feel. I love them all so much!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN152300272.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN244410071.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN247379783.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN184682251.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN164020491.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN264800020.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN193633602.jpg" /></div>

Dreamy Art

I am so drawn to the art in these images from Habitually Chic taken on Heather's visit to the Oly Studios showroom at High Point... It ...

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House Tour: Emily and Todd's Kitchen

We already got an In-Progress peek of Todd and Emily's kitchen <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/04/fabric-as-wallpaper-in-kitchen.html">HERE</a>, but now we get the full version! Here's Emily:<br /><br />The day after we closed on our house we had Bull Restoration in Raleigh come and paint our kitchen. They did more than paint, however. They added molding above and below the cabinets, new sides to the exposed cabinets, and new doors. I wasn’t up for living through a kitchen renovation at the time so we opted to have them painted and they were done in about 1.5 days.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-34.jpg" /></div><br />While they look beautiful and they did a great job, I regret not taking more time to decide. I had never painted anything before (at the time this was happening) so the thought of painting them myself and having it look professional seemed impossible. But if I had waited 6 months I probably would have had them just add the molding and doors and then we would have done the painting. They used a special kind of paint which makes it look professionally done (like we bought them white) but it’s not an easy paint to work with when you need to do touch-ups, and a white kitchen needs lots of touch-ups.<br /><br />(kitchen before)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_3407.jpg" /></div><br />We went with a black granite that has a little bit of texture so it doesn’t show crumbs and fingerprints as much as a jet black granite.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-24.jpg" /></div><br />For lighting, Todd removed the huge neon light and installed canned lights. He also hung a pendant from Pottery Barn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-35.jpg" /></div><br />The aqua knobs are from Anthropologie and the pulls are Restoration Hardware. While I love shiny pulls, I had no idea they would show every single little finger print.<br /><br />To add some color and pattern we fabric wall-papered the backs of the glass front cabinets. The fabric is a Joel Dewberry home décor. Jenny posted <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/04/fabric-as-wallpaper-in-kitchen.html">this project</a> almost a year and a half ago (time flies!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-32.jpg" /></div><br />We recently continued the hardwood floors in the kitchen (yea!), it looks so much better and now the floor isn’t so cold. Plus, that tile showed everything! Very frustrating from a cleaning perspective. Although I’m a pretty decisive person in general, I cannot decide on whether to do a rug in here or not. I love the look of the Persian rug in a kitchen <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-rug.html">like what Jenny has</a>, but this area gets trashed and I’m afraid I would get sick of trying to keep the rug clean and free of debris. Maybe just a small one in front of the sink area?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-22.jpg" /></div><br />The blue milk glass on the ledge holds all of our little odds and ends that seem to always pile up at the kitchen sink like water color brushes and baby medicine syringes. The basket to the left of the sink is for bottles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-37.jpg" /></div><br />On the other side of the kitchen (the side you see when you walk into the room) we have two hanging wire baskets for miscellaneous items like coupons, magazines, baby monitor, bug repellent, chalk, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-41.jpg" /></div><br />Across the hallway is the fabric-covered cork board. We used a mirror that was a gift from my MIL and turned it into this corkboard. This was the first cork board I ever did and I didn’t research it very well thinking it looked pretty straightforward. But after putting it all together the tacks didn’t stay in, so in my ignorance I bought more cork board thinking it just needed another layer. They stay in a little bit better but not great. I definitely recommend cutting a piece of cardboard to put behind cork boards like we did in the office.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-45.jpg" /></div><br />On the other side of the fridge are our spices attached to the side of the fridge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-40.jpg" /></div><br />I thought we would eventually get a magnet board for these but there just isn’t room and I like that they are hidden away.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-38.jpg" /></div><br />The glass containers of flour, oats, and sugar are from Wal-Mart and the vintage scale is from Anthropologie from years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-29.jpg" /></div><br />Last winter we discovered that our back sliding door was broken and had to get it replaced. I really love the French doors. I had a piece of sisal cut at a local rug store to fit the French door and run under the boot tray (Smith and Hawken for Target). A traditional runner was too long. The bench is from my room growing up and holds all of our work clothes, and the pillow is from Anthropologie from 10 or so years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-44.jpg" /></div><br />I love my row of hooks. The hooks are Anthropologie and the wood is an old piece of black walnut that a family friend had in his work room. We just stained it darker. He had the hardest time understanding why I wanted an “ugly” piece of wood and kept offering to cut it and make it even. :) We turned our coat closet into a pantry so this row of hooks is where we have all of our daily coats, sweatshirts, and my aprons.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-46.jpg" style="height: 412px; width: 574px;" /></div><br />Recently (since taking these pictures) we added a large wire basket to hold all of the outdoor balls. It definitely crowds the space but we really needed something to hold all of the balls for Parker. Plus, I like that it’s wire so it coordinates with the wire baskets next to the fridge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6233.jpg" /></div><br />The process of turning our kitchen into what it is now versus what it used to be has been a really good learning experience for us. Mostly, I’ve realized that I don’t need a huge kitchen like the ones we always see in the magazines. While I would have preferred for this kitchen to be more open, the number of drawers and cupboard space is just about perfect for us. I think I would get lost in a huge kitchen and not remember where everything is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-23.jpg" /></div><br />Sources<br />Paint color: Benjamin Moore, Abalone<br />Bench: from childhood bedroom<br />Pillow on bench: Anthropologie<br />Wire basket for outdoor balls: Atticus, Spokane, WA<br />Knobs: Anthropologie<br />Pulls: Restoration Hardware<br />Fabric in back of cabinets: Joel Dewberry<br />Spice containers: Bed, Bath, and Beyond<br />Boot tray: Smith and Hawken for Target<br />Sisal runner: Eatman’s Carpets, Raleigh, NC<br />Fabric covered cork board: gifted mirror turned into cork board using Amy Butler fabric<br />Wire baskets next to fridge: Gatehouse, Orem, Utah – I’ve seen similar ones at Home Goods<br />Blue milk glass: flea market, ebay, etsy<br />Pendant above sink: Pottery Barn<br />Paper Towel Holder: Papaya and Company, Orem, Utah<br />Wooden tray (right of stove): World Market<br />Vintage style scale: Anthropologie<br />Glass containers: Wal-Mart<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-48.jpg" /></div>

House Tour: Emily and Todd's Kitchen

We already got an In-Progress peek of Todd and Emily's kitchen HERE , but now we get the full version! Here's Emily: The day after w...

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House Tour: Emily and Todd's Bedroom

The goal of my blog is to help readers feel like they can be their own decorator. This is probably a subject for another post, but I truly believe not everyone needs to hire a professional decorator to have a beautiful home they are proud of. This blog is great advertising for my interiors business, but I mostly do it because I'm an over-sharer. I like to talk about the ideas I've got brewing, what's worked for me (and what hasn't), and hopefully share some ideas that educate and instill confidence about tackling the decoration of your home. Emily, who is in the PR field and is a busy mother of two boys, is the perfect success story!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-148.jpg" /></div><br />Emily lived in the dorm across the hall from me our freshman year of college. A few years later, she ended up marrying one of the really great guys in our group of friends, Todd. We only get together every couple years, but we definitely have one of those friendships that picks up right where we left it. I love hanging out with Emily!<br /><br />She and Todd moved to North Carolina recently and it's been fun to hear about their projects in their new home. I pop in over the phone or email with ideas every now and then, but mostly this beautiful house, which I'm super excited to share with you this week, is a result of Emily's blog and magazine reading and her and Todd's hard work.<br /><br />First up is the master bedroom! Come back in a couple hours today for Emily's home office. <span style="font-style: italic;">This is going to be such a fun week!</span><br /><br />(and a huge thanks to NC-based photographer Jessica of <a href="http://www.jjhortonphotography.com/">JJ Horton Photography</a> for the beautiful images!)<br /><br />From Emily:<br /><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"The master bedroom was the hardest room in the house to decorate. We wanted a retreat that didn't have to bend to the rules of decorating with little kids like the rest of our house. I also had no idea what color scheme to go with.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"Lucky for us, <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/12/dear-clients.html">Jenny posted</a> about this <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=17759418&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping">Barbara Barry bedding</a> right after we moved in and that gave us a starting point. From there, we chose a pretty mint coverlet and sham from Restoration Hardware similar to what they show with the BB bedding collection. We bought it when RH was getting rid of all the old stuff to make way for the company's recent facelift so it was a huge discount (I think around $75 for both the sham and quilt), especially since the quilt they sell with the original bedding is $300.<br /><br />"I liked the pop of color that the yellow flower pillow gives. This pillow is everywhere so if you're reading this and own this pillow, I highly recommend putting a new pillow form inside.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">The one that comes with the pillow is way too small and doesn't have any oomph. Another trick I learned from a professional seamstress to make shams look like the professional pictures was to wrap the inserts with batting and then put additional pillow stuffing between the insert and the batting (the batting just keeps it looking smooth). I also sewed twill strips to the back of my shams and tied them together to keep the shams tight around the insert.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-871.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"The layout of our room is awkward with a vaulted ceiling and slanted walls. When the bed was against the wall like the owner did before us it threw everything off and made it impossible for any other furniture to look right. Nothing seemed to work.<br /><br />(before, from the previous owners)</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_3349.jpg" /></span></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />"When Jenny posted about what to do when you need to put a bed in front of a window, I knew that was the solution. Next, we needed nightstands. I really would have preferred to do a small desk on one side and a nightstand on the other but there isn't enough room. In order to keep us organized and clutter free I wanted nightstands with a lot of storage (we even added baskets underneath because we filled up the drawers!). After checking Craigslist religiously, finally on Christmas Eve a pair of vintage Baker nightstands came up for $140. If you've ever searched for a pair of matching nightstands you know how hard it is to find, especially on their own without an eight-piece bedroom set to go with them. We painted the nightstands Benjamin Moore White Dove and replaced the hardware (not original) with these wonderful knobs I found on ebay for $8 with shipping. They're unique and little on the tacky side but I love them.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-941.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><span style="color: #666666;">"To accessorize the nightstands (and the rest of our house) I went to Home Goods almost every Friday night after the kids were in bed. It became a ritual and if my husband could he will make sure that our next house it at least 60 miles from a Home Goods. The lamps are from Home Goods. The only problem was they came with a silver base which I thought clashed too much with the hardware on the nightstands. We ordered </span><a href="http://www.edplastics.com/products_lampbases.html" style="color: #666666;">acrylic bases from here</a><span style="color: #666666;">. However, if you ever try this just beware it is a lot harder than it looks. You basically have to unglue the balls and</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">then get them to fit back perfectly and glue them together again. Luckily I was about 8.5 months pregnant when my husband tackled this project so he couldn't get frustrated at me.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-92.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"I struggled with decorating these nightstands and I'm still not sure I love the arrangement. I really like having personal things out but I also like to keep it simple. My nightstand (the one on the right) has a mirror, a couple of favorite Jane Austin books, and a small set of French Limoges boxes that are part of a bigger collection (my mom started a collection for my sister and I almost 20 years ago when they took us to France) hidden away where my three-year old can't find them.</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-951.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />Parker loves these boxes. Every morning when he comes to wake me up he opens and closes these boxes. I'm always surprised what he can fit in them. For a while a fireman lego was in the glass box (he was hiding from the fire?).</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-94.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"On my husbands' side is a python tray from the wonderful <a href="http://store03.prostores.com/servlet/furbishstudioonline/StoreFront">Furbish</a>, a plant, and a picture of us when we were engaged.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-89.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"<a href="http://store03.prostores.com/servlet/furbishstudioonline/StoreFront">Furbish</a> opened around the time we were moving in and when I saw the picture of the blue armoire with all the pillows I knew I had to have it. I had always wanted an armoire and this one is perfect. On top is a canvas by James C. Christensen (my favorite artist) called Touching the Hem of God. In front, is a glass jar from Home Goods and a restored antique tool box from the flea market.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-851.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"Next to the armoire is an antique quilt rack I got for $8 from the flea market that I use to put my clothes on at the end of the day because who puts their clothes away every day?? I like to let them build up and when it's about to finally fall over I put them away.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-991.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"The chair is a garage sale find that we painted the same color as the nightstands. The fabric is made by Lee Jofa (you can buy it at Ethan Allen for around $60/yard) but lucky for me I found it at a local fabric warehouse for $12/yard. I bought the fabric before I had a project in mind knowing it would work somewhere. So when I found the chair and ottoman it was the perfect fit. I had big plans to reupholster it all myself but after researching I realized this was one specialty I was not really</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">up for.<br /><br />(chair before)</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_4764.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />So off they went to Agello's Interiors in Raleigh, NC. They were wonderful to work with. Nito's work is beautiful and the turnaround time is only two weeks! They do upholstery for Hunt & Gather and Antiques at Five Points.</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-821.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />The lamp is a flea market find for $10 that my husband rewired for about $2. A while back my husband had told me to find a storage piece that we could put against the wall between the doors to our bathroom and closet. The plan was to mount a small T.V. where the painting is and the piece would hold the cable box and other equipment.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">I found this little piece at Home Goods for about $60 but it was an awful color with painted flowers all over it.<br /><br />(before)</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_4061.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />I painted it a pale mint to go with the bedding and replaced the hardware. But when we got the chair back this piece didn't look right on that wall anymore and it made it really hard to get to the closet. So it got moved to the other side of the chair and I decided to create a small vanity-style area for all my jewelry.</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-1021.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />The little pedestal table from Z Gallerie used to be downstairs in the living room but got replaced with something else (you'll see in the living room</span><span style="color: #666666;"> post) but it's so cute that I just had to make it work somewhere. We'll see though. I may need to retire it for a while. My eight month old is about to start crawling and he already tipped it over once.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-841.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"The vintage travel posters are from ebay </span><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Art-and-Posters?_trksid=p4340.l2563" style="color: #666666;">from this seller</a><span style="color: #666666;">. I got them for $4 each (looks like his prices have gone up a little) and the frames are ikea.</span><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-1011.jpg" /></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />At the local flea market is a discount framers that took the existing mattes and re-cut them for free! In researching this I found out that a lot of framers have the ability to open up mattes, it's a lot cheaper than buying a new custom matte, usually around $4-5 depending on the size. These are some of the</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">places we want to visit someday. We originally got the idea of this series from Jenny but <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/07/vintage-poster-prints.html">her post</a> was about putting them in the entryway. I would have loved to put them in our entry but our room needed some big art to fill the high walls and this was the best, cheapest, and most colorful way to do that.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2LB-811.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">"Finally, the windows. We decided to go with </span><a href="http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/more+fabric+collections/%20dwellstudio/vintage+plumes+-+dwell+studio+fabrics+-+birch.do" style="color: #666666;">this fabric from Dwell</a><span style="color: #666666;"> for the panels and </span><a href="http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/%20more+fabric+collections/thom+filicia/burnet+-+thom+filicia+fabric+-+ocean.do" style="color: #666666;">this one for the roman shade</a><span style="color: #666666;">. The fabrics speak for themselves so I really don't have anything to say about them. When I told my husband we would be doing blackout lined panels and a roman shade I wasn't sure of the reaction I would get. His response was "you mean, it will be like a hotel in here all day?" He was on board. So I got to work on sewing the panels and learning how to make roman shades. By the way, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Decor-Sewing-Technique-Bible/dp/0896898024/ref=sr_1_1?%20ie=UTF8&qid=1317604396&sr=8-1" style="color: #666666;">this book</a><span style="color: #666666;"> is an awesome resource if you're interested in learning how to sew home décor. I have a good friend who is a seamstress and has been so kind to help me with questions. This book is my back up for when I don't want to bother her.</span><span style="color: #666666;">"</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-991.jpg" /></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Sources</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Bed: Pottery Barn, Valencia (husband bought it for me at a PB outlet for our first Christmas married)</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Nightstands: Craigslist, vintage Baker</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Knobs on nightstands: ebay, vintage</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Armoire: Furbish</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Jewellery cabinet: Home Goods</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Hardware on cabinet: Anthropologie</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Mirror above cabinet: Target</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Bedding: Barbara Barry poetical</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Coverlet and Sham: Restoration Hardware</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Yellow flower pillow: Target</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Pedestal table: Z Gallerie</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Lamps: Home Goods</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Mirror on nightstand: Gifted</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Limoges and glass box: from childhood</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Python tray: Furbish</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Basket under nightstands: Home Goods</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Jewelry tree: Urban Outfitters</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Beaded Jewelry Box: Anthropologie, about 10 years old</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Miscellaneous vintage trays and dishes: flea market</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Glass jar on top of armoire: Home Goods</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Wooden Tool Box: Flea Market</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Wooden quilt rack: Flea Market</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Touching the Hem of God painting by James C. Christensen, can be found at art galleries</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">The Lost Sheep by Minerva Teichert painting, can be found at art galleries.</span>

House Tour: Emily and Todd's Bedroom

The goal of my blog is to help readers feel like they can be their own decorator. This is probably a subject for another post, but I truly b...

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