Adding Trim to Closet Doors

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0674.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0674.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There are two closets in my office that hold a lot of good stuff - fabric and trim and wallpaper samples. Since I use these closets often, I decided to make them prettier and I gave the doors a little facelift recently. Here's what the boring hollow core doors looked like on move-in day.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6373.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_6373.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The painters our landlord insisted on using didn't prime any of the doors before painting them black (with latex paint??), so I've been going back one by one and re-coating with primer and oil-based paint. Here's what the doors looked like after removing the old hardware and giving them a light sanding. This was also after I took down <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-whiteboard-calendar.html" target="_blank">the blue wallpaper</a>. (We had a little photoshoot in the space a couple months ago and the wallpaper needed to be removed. It's a long story, but I was fine with it.)</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0245.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0245.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At one point I had installed a big brass knob on the far right door, thinking I had four knobs, but I actually only had three (you can see one of them <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-wire-console-table-or-how-i-got.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>). Bummer. The knobs were a little big for the closet doors anyway, so I started looking around for a good, but mostly inexpensive alternative. I found these solid brass knobs at Home Depot for $5 each and they fit the bill just fine. A little on the small side compared to the others, but probably a more appropriate size for closet doors.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9171.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_9171.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I sanded the doors down by hand, which was a mistake. I should have pulled out my palm sander or even stripped the doors with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-strip-vintage-furniture.html" target="_blank">my beloved Citristrip</a>. There was definitely a texture left that I hoped wouldn't showed through the new paint, but it did a bit. It's not all that horrible in person, but learn from my mistakes and don't take the shortcuts here like I did. :) Hopefully your doors are smoother than mine were and the whole problem can be avoided.</div><br /><img alt=" photo 2DSC_0207.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/2DSC_0207.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had a bunch of pre-cut trim from a few old projects that I decided to use on the closet doors. Since all of it was pre-cut, all my long pieces were ready to be installed on the door with my brad gun and this project was a cinch. I only had to cut the short pieces and the pieces for the small boxes in the center of each door.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0303.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0303.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made things really easy on myself and made it so every border was 3" wide. This way I could just eyeball the placement of the trim, hold it up, verify with a ruler that the trim edge was 3" away from the door edge (or the next piece of trim) and then put in a nail with my brad gun. No marking out, no levels. Fast and easy.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0327.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0327.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once all the molding was nailed up, I sealed all the seams with paintable caulking and gave that a light sanding when it had dried.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0360.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0360.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The old hardware holes were patched too and then the doors were ready to be painted.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0390.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0390.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The only dark-tint primer I had on hand was a cheap brand that I'm not a big fan of, but I used it anyway to prime the new trim. Not surprisingly, it didn't do a great job of sealing the raw wood. So the trim took the oil-based paint differently than the old door did. C'est la vie, I guess. (Note to self: Only buy Zinsser!)</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0426.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0426.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to photograph super glossy walls and doors, so you'll just have to trust me that it looks prettier in person. :) But I'm happy with how the project turned out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0501.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0501.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0684.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0684.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love the shine and the bit of dimension that the new trim adds. And I love the new wall color (BM Chelsea Gray) with the black doors too. The masculine neutrals help tone down some of the brighter colors I have in the space (like <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-wire-console-table-or-how-i-got.html" target="_blank">the neon tetanus console</a>). :)</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0653.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0653.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One step closer to finishing this room that still needs a lot of work!</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0535copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0535copy.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">PS Here's the door in our old loft to my girls room that I <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/progress-on-yellow-door.html" target="_blank">trimmed out</a> (without any power tools!) and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/b-n-n-s.html" target="_blank">painted a bright yellow</a>. And another, better shot <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-shade-for-gg-sconces.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you trimmed out any of your interior doors? I love how it can really elevate those hollow core doors so many of us are cursed with! :)</div></div>

Adding Trim to Closet Doors

There are two closets in my office that hold a lot of good stuff - fabric and trim and wallpaper samples. Since I use these closets often, I...

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Editing My Make-Up Bag

<div style="text-align: left;">I've been on an editing mission lately! I decided it's ridiculous to give up precious real estate in our house for things that I don't ever use (or even for the rarely used things). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I used to keep my make-up in a huge zippered case. It was large and awkward and I only used a small fraction of the products that I was keeping in there. I did this for years! So silly! Case in point: Somehow I had two of the exact same green eyeshadow in that bag. I mean, what? I can't even remember wearing sparkly green eyeshadow post high school.<br /><br />Then a couple weeks ago, around the same time we decided to <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/painting-laminate-bathroom-cabinets.html" target="_blank">paint the laminate cabinets</a>, I found this <a href="http://store.americanapparel.net/product/?productId=rsalh523cb" target="_blank">pretty leather pouch</a> at American Apparel and it inspired me to simplify.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0340.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After going through and tossing all the stuff I didn't actually use, I was left with a small collection of make-up that I really do love.  One of my latest favorites is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I5HJ2Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000I5HJ2Y&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">Beautyblender</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=littgreenote-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000I5HJ2Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (the pink sponge in the corner of my bag here) - it was a bit of a life-changer for me. Have you tried it? I use it to apply my favorite <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FAOV26/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007FAOV26&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">tinted moisturizer</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=littgreenote-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007FAOV26" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and I use the flat bottom of the sponge to smooth out my blush when I wear it. I've been trying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P6RN0Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003P6RN0Q&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">BB cream</a> too, but I think I like the <i>feel</i> of my tinted moisturizer better than the BB cream. I do like how the BB gives you an airbrushed look though, and I was pretty shocked the first time I tried it! It's really amazing stuff. I ran out a couple weeks ago and decided to try the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0084A5PVM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0084A5PVM&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">l'oreal version</a> from the pharmacy and I like it just as much as the fancier brands.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0382.jpg" /></div><br />Anyway, I still have a small drawer of cosmetics that I use less often, but it's nice to have my daily make-up bag edited down to the basics. I'm annoyed that I waited so long to make this happen, but now I am pumped and feeling ready to attack the rest of my house this weekend. Clutter, be gone! My closet will be hit especially hard and I'm determined to get it more edited and organized for spring.<br /><br />Speaking of spring, I wish the weather outside right now would cooperate and help me get more into the spring cleaning spirit, but it's snowing again, so... mostly we're just combating cabin fever at this point. I hope you have a fun, warm weekend ahead of you! xo</div>

Editing My Make-Up Bag

I've been on an editing mission lately! I decided it's ridiculous to give up precious real estate in our house for things that I don...

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Make-Shift Dining Room Hutch

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0168.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Our kitchen</a> is so teeny tiny that right after we moved in I realized that most of our kitchen items would need to be stored in the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-painting-brass-chandelier.html" target="_blank">dining room</a>. I planned on using the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/10/office.html" target="_blank">red credenza</a> in there and I thought about painting it a really dark plum color.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/inspirationboards2.jpg" /></div><br />Also, I didn't have a place in the brownstone to put the HUGE bookshelf from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-pantry-and-500-give-away.html" target="_blank">the loft's laundry room</a> and it didn't fit down the stairs to the basement, so we had put it out on the curb, but only for about 15 minutes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8272.jpg" /></div><br />As I unpacked all of our kitchen stuff, it was pretty clear that my plates and bowls and servingware weren't all going to fit in the red credenza. So we hauled the giant (heavy) bookshelf back up the stoop and set it up on top of the credenza.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="777" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hutchbefore.jpg" width="580" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were shocked and thrilled that it actually fit, but the ketchup/mustard color combo was not so appetizing to me. :) I thought about still doing the plum idea for the whole piece, but really, it is such a huge, huge piece and the room is so small, I thought a big block of dark color would overpower the space. So I decided just to try gloss white. But before I painted it, we secure the shelves to the wall and I added two pieces of wood to the base of the bookshelf to make the whole thing look less disjointed and more like a single piece of furniture. (We did a similar trick with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/making-billy-bookshelves-look-like_7.html" target="_blank">our Billy bookshelves</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="777" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hutchduring.jpg" width="580" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used a 2x4 for the bottom of the base and a 2x6 for the tall part. I made a couple of 45 degree angle cuts with my miter saw, screwed the pieces together and caulked and filled the holes and gaps. </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/hutchcorners.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I painted it all out with Rustoleum's white gloss enamel and I used a bit of my favorite Penetrol to help reduce the brush marks (this stuff really does work - as long as you use the recommended amount!).</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="671" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/penetrol.jpg" width="580" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I decided to leave the insides of the shelves the navy color from before and I like the contrast. I know it's busy - there are so many dishes in there! I've since edited and taken some of the things out, but really this space needed to be about practicality (isn't every small space?). I've considered adding doors, but you don't really see the contents of the shelves from any other angle in the room (and not at all from the entry). Mostly, it is SO nice to have easy access to all of this servingware and I love that my girls can easily grab the dinner plates from the bottom shelf to help set the table by themselves.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0181.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0269.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I like that the white sort of blends into the pale walls and helps to make the small room not feel even smaller. Though, some days (usually during breakfast, when the light is so pretty in here) I start to daydream again of painting the whole thing dark, dark, almost black, plum. We'll see if my better judgement holds out. :)<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0188.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0168.jpg" /></div><br />It's a fun challenge for me to figure out ways to make furniture from previous homes work in (very different) spaces. I'm usually tempted to get rid of everything each time we move, but it never really happens that way and I usually can find a way to make our old stuff work (which is probably for the best) :)<br /><br />What have you done to make your old furniture work in new spaces?

Make-Shift Dining Room Hutch

Our kitchen is so teeny tiny that right after we moved in I realized that most of our kitchen items would need to be stored in the dining r...

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Waxed Cotton and How to Upholster an Antique Side Chair

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of you asked about the little antique black chair in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/03/neon-and-lucite-vanity-desk.html" target="_blank">Heather's room</a>. I got it at the flea a couple months ago for $10! It's super old and the floral fabric was kind of cool as is, but it was pretty sun bleached. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="777" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/chairbefore.jpg" width="580" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(You can tell how long ago I bought this chair - <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-strip-vintage-furniture.html" target="_blank">the console hadn't been refinished yet</a>) :)</span></div><br />I pulled off the top layers of fabric without much effort - the fabric basically disintegrated. But it  was so thick that the inside was pretty pristine and wouldn't need to be replaced (which was lucky because this chair had springwork and I didn't want to deal with that!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/chairpullabout.jpg" /></div><br />For the new fabric, I wanted something with a sheen to it, but I didn't want any color or pattern because there is already a lot going on in that room with the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/03/neon-and-lucite-vanity-desk.html" target="_blank">neon desk</a> and the patterned green rug.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/chair2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a pretty <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/weekend-give-away-james-jeans_2.html" target="_blank">big fan of waxed jeans</a>, so when I stumbled across this black waxed cotton at Graylines in the garment district, I thought it would be cool on the antique chair. It actually kind of looks like leather a bit.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/fabric.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used the old padding as a pattern for cutting out the new fabric. (the padding was a little stretched out, so it didn't end up working as well as this approach normally does, but at least I didn't cut the piece too small)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/fabriccutout.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I cut out notches so the fabric would sit around the back pieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/backcutouts.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then I started stapling. I always start upholstery projects in the most difficult area, which was the back in this case. I swear by <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/best-staple-guns-for-upholstery.html" target="_blank">this inexpensive stapler</a>, especially if you use the same brand of staplers. The staples I had on hand were too long and that's why they're sticking out a little, but it's no big deal at all to tap those in with an upholstery mallet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/backstaples2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the back part of the chair fabric was secured, I started on the front of the seat and pulled the fabric as taut as I could. It was a little tricky to pull the fabric enough while also getting the scallop shapes right, but that's the great news about upholstery projects. It's hard to really screw things up. If you put a staple in a the wrong place, you just pull it out and try again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/scallopedstaples.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sides and then the corners of the chair are stapled last, again, pulling tight and smoothing with your hand the whole time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="741" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/corners.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="580" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I trimmed the excess fabric and then tapped in the staples that were sticking out a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/snipping.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was going to do a self welt for the trim, but I fount some of this really cool vintage woven leather for sale at JEM fabrics in Tribeca. It felt all Chanel-y to me with the alternating black and white flowers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/trim.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I started the trim in the back (it's a good idea to start your trim in the least conspicuous place) and used a not-too-thick line of <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html" target="_blank">my beloved Magnatac</a> to secure the trim and cover the staples.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/glueingtrim.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love how the trim adds just a little bit of texture and interest to the desk area. The black on black upholstery could have been a little stale without it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/chair.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And doesn't the waxed cotton look a bit like leather? I'm thinking it would be a great choice for dining chair upholstery since it's water and stain-resistant, but looks way better than vinyl in person. I'll have to poke around online to see if I can find any more colors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity9.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Waxed Cotton and How to Upholster an Antique Side Chair

Some of you asked about the little antique black chair in Heather's room . I got it at the flea a couple months ago for $10! It's su...

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Reader DIY: Stenciled Kitchen Floors

I'm a big fan of old <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=encaustic+tile&aq=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=TKE1Ufy5OMrO0wHqxYGwCw&biw=1079&bih=518&sei=UaE1UbzYNsXT0wH064CQCA#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=encaustic+tile+kitchen&oq=encaustic+tile+kitchen&gs_l=img.3...72474.74687.0.75014.8.8.0.0.0.0.52.338.8.8.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.wVAsPGqLixw&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43148975,d.dmQ&fp=cbe0bcafdef6fb69&biw=1079&bih=518" target="_blank">encaustic tile</a> used in kitchens (I'm using a repro version in a laundry room project). This kitchen from Kristen Buckingham that features the prettiest encaustic floor tiles, will always be a favorite of mine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/KristenBuckinghamInteriorsviaElleDecor.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />So I was excited when Jessica from the <a href="http://www.nesteaglerock.com/2013/01/the-kitchen-floor-finally.html" target="_blank">Eagle's Nest blog</a> (and the woman behind <a href="http://nest-studio.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">this amazing hardware line</a>) emailed to share this cool project she tackled in her kitchen. The brave woman glazed her concrete floors:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC01330.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />And stenciled on a geometric pattern (with several layers to the pattern!) and then gave the whole thing a glossy seal. Jessica gives <a href="http://www.nesteaglerock.com/2013/01/the-kitchen-floor-finally.html" target="_blank">the full rundown on her blog here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC01339.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I love the after photo and think the pattern on the floors really brings that space to life. Great job, Jessica!  :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img height="640" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/eaglesnestafter.jpg" width="478" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>If you have a project you'd like to submit to be featured on LGN, <a href="mailto:jenny@jennykomenda.com" target="_blank">email us</a>.</i>

Reader DIY: Stenciled Kitchen Floors

I'm a big fan of old encaustic tile used in kitchens (I'm using a repro version in a laundry room project). This kitchen from Krist...

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Neon and Lucite Vanity Desk

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity8.jpg" /></div><br />One of the things I was excited to pick up for <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/bavarian-forest-walls-and-wall-mounted.html" target="_blank">Heather's room redo surprise</a> was this vintage lucite vanity desk from the Chelsea flea market. I loved its cool shape and I liked that the hinged mirror top could fold all the way down.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_5108.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The laminate desktop underneath the hinged mirror was not in the best shape though and it was a dingy-looking cream color. So, inspired by the side table <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/black-walls-in-our-bedroom.html" target="_blank">in this image</a>, I picked up a little tub of neon orange paint at my local hardware store...<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /></div></div><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0256.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I ended up adding a little Penetrol to the paint to make sure there would be no brush marks.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/orangeneonpaintcopy.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">It's hard to photograph neon, but the color is great in here - it's punchy and perfect for Heather's room.</center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity4.jpg" /></div><br />I picked up the brass cube floor lamp at the flea market too. And Heather and I picked out the art together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity9.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We both thought something in the purple-blue-indigo family would be pretty in here, so when we stumbled across <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VivianandBeverly" target="_blank">these gorgeous (and affordable!) screenprints</a> from the Vivian and Beverly etsy shop, we knew our search was over. (PS I think I need the flamingos print too and maybe the zebra?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/art-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love the print and think it's a great color combo with the desk color.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/art2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, I like how the bright orange is a more intense version of the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/coral-velvet-bed.html" target="_blank">orangey coral velvet bedframe</a>. I think the "tone on tone for a cohesive room" approach works even with neons! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/vanity7.jpg" /></div><br />I know it's a bold look, but this is a pretty contained application. Plus, how easy will it be to change up when we tire of the color? It's usually a good idea to do more neutral/classic colors on expensive upholstery, but paint is such an easy way to try out color trends without making a huge commitment  <br /><br />So, what's the craziest painted piece you have in your home?<br /><br /><i>(PS If you're struggling to find a good balance of painted pieces to stained wood pieces in your home, I usually suggest a 1:1 ratio. A little too heavy either way feels unbalanced to me. What do you think?)</i>

Neon and Lucite Vanity Desk

One of the things I was excited to pick up for Heather's room redo surprise was this vintage lucite vanity desk from the Chelsea flea m...

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$500 Shopping Spree from Beso

Do you know what I'm still trying to figure out? Online clothes shopping. I sort of hem and haw over an item, then accidentally close the tab or forget about it, and then I'm devastated when I realize I missed out on something special that I really did want. It's a bummer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/JENNYBESO1.jpg" /></div><br />Then I met <a href="http://bit.ly/ZM80Ho" target="_blank">Elise Loehnen</a>, the editor-in-chief of <a href="http://bit.ly/ZM88X8" target="_blank">Beso</a> at Alt. We have some mutual friends, so I had heard about her a few times. Let me tell you - these people at Beso know their fashion stuff. Elise and her crew are chic and effortless and I wanted them to tell me all their fashion secrets and what to fill my closet with. Then I checked out Beso's site and realized that's exactly what they do - they make chic suggestions and then give you a place <a href="http://bit.ly/Y7Ix77" target="_blank">to collect your finds</a> from (literally) thousands of online sources.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/JENNYBESO2.jpg" /></div><br />Elise was super generous and asked if I wanted to give away a $500 collection ("um, yes"). So here's the deal - you <a href="http://bit.ly/12dXzO6" target="_blank">make a collection</a> of your own (can be worth any dollar value) and leave a link to you collection in a comment here after you've started. You get an extra entry for a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beso.fan" target="_blank">Facebook like</a>, too, so go ahead and like it up. Add to that collection all week if you want. And then next weekend a lucky winner will be chosen and gifted their entire collection, valued up to $500.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/JENNYBESO3.jpg" /></div><br />So for <a href="http://bit.ly/Z3dAjT" target="_blank">my collection here</a>, I focused on spring pieces. Who else is SO sick of winter clothes? I love my <a href="http://www.beso.com/4516446710/detail" target="_blank">short</a> <a href="http://www.beso.com/4817155614/detail" target="_blank">boots</a> as much as the next girl, but I'm pretty ready for a good pair <a href="http://www.beso.com/4804386089/detail" target="_blank">of</a> <a href="http://www.beso.com/4792929399/detail" target="_blank">strappy</a> <a href="http://www.beso.com/4803924255/detail" target="_blank">heels</a>. Oh, and here's a little suggestion for when you're putting together your collection: Use the <a href="http://bit.ly/13pZYVD" target="_blank">editor's guides</a> and the <a href="http://bit.ly/XJ1R8L" target="_blank">Beso blog</a> for all those great fashion tips I was talking about earlier. They've done a lot of the leg work of searching for us.<br /><br /><i>Contest ends Sunday March 10 at midnight. Winner will be chosen randomly and emailed (so be sure to log in or leave your email address). Good luck!</i>

$500 Shopping Spree from Beso

Do you know what I'm still trying to figure out? Online clothes shopping. I sort of hem and haw over an item, then accidentally close th...

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