Brass-Plated Industrial Shelving

<div style="text-align: left;">How amazing are these brass-plated industrial shelves?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1774.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1774.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://wsroominabox.com/" target="_blank">Windsor Smith</a> had these run-of-the-mill hardware store metal shelves plated for <a href="http://wsroominabox.com/blog/2013/04/all-gold-everything-tracy-andersons-new-flagship-brentwood-studio/" target="_blank">Tracy Anderson's new flagship studio</a> (the whole place is incredible).  It looks like she used something similar to <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Office-Supplies/Iron-Horse-Riveted-Steel-5-shelf-Shelving-Unit/5853283/product.html" target="_blank">these $90 shelves</a> and replaced the MDF with marble and added casters. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1645.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1645.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I'd definitely get my laundry done more often with a pair of these next to my washer/dryer. :)</div>

Brass-Plated Industrial Shelving

How amazing are these brass-plated industrial shelves? Windsor Smith had these run-of-the-mill hardware store metal shelves plated for Trac...

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How to Paint Perfectly Crisp and Straight Lines on Walls

<center style="text-align: left;">After <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/cleaning-up-my-recycling-closet.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, some of you emailed for tips on painting really crisp and straight lines on walls. I have a simple approach, but it works every time for me! One little disclaimer though - stripes don't work well on highly textured walls. The lines just never look perfect, which would bug me a bit. So, best to attempt stripes only if you have smooth or close to smooth walls.</center><center style="text-align: left;">(Oooh! An update from the comments section: If you have textured walls, use caulking to seal the tape and you lines will be straight!!) </center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/stripes.jpg" /></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">To start, use a ruler to make your registration marks. My stripes are 8" wide, so I made a little mark with a pencil 8" above the floor board, every 18" or so around the wall of the closet, making sure to mark at the corners and turns especially. Then just measure and mark 8" above every one of those marks, going all the way up the wall.</center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1293.jpg" /></div><br />Then use painters tape to connect the marks. Try hard to not bend the tape. If you pull the tape out gently and straight, you can trust that your lines will also be straight.<br /><br />You can see here that the stripes don't look evenly spaced (because they're not). You'll need to tape above the registration mark and then below the registration mark to block out the full 8" for the stripe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1295.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then go back over the tape with your thumb and really smooth out and lay down the tape, just on the edges you'll be painting.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1301.jpg" /></div><br />Here's the real trick for perfectly crisp lines: seal the edges of the painters tape with some of the base wall color before painting on the contrasting color. Don't paint the whole width of the tape. Just a bit along the edge of the tape on the side where the stripe will be painted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1304.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let that dry before you paint on the stripe color.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1307.jpg" /></div><br />For my stripe color, I wanted to do a gray that sort of coordinated with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/powder-bath-updates.html" target="_blank">the gray I just painted in my powder bath</a>, since the doors are across the hall, only about three feet apart from each other. I didn't want to do the exact same color and I wanted something much lighter, so I mixed about one part BM Chelsea Gray with two parts White Dove.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1313.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can roll or brush on the stripe color, and then I like to pull the tape off while the paint is still wet. I don't think it matters either way though, if you prefer waiting til it's dry. (#impatient)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1317.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out those lines! Not a <i>bit</i> of paint bled through because that extra little strep of sealing the edges with the base coat paint. I've used all brands of painters tape before too, and none of them give me the same results without doing the sealing step.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1324.jpg" /></div><br />It's one of those completely satisfying projects that moves pretty fast. I busted out this closet in about two hours.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0379.jpg" /></div><br />PS Some of you asked about the citron boxes I have on the shelf here. They're shoe boxes from Crewcuts! Ha! J. Crew is having an additional 40% off sale items plus free shipping, so how could I resist picking up some new spring kicks for the girls? The cute, sturdy boxes were a little bonus though, for sure. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/crewcutsshoes.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/12EPoda" target="_blank">dot oxfords</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/ZbYRUi" target="_blank">neon t-strap ballet flats</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/WJ5HAm" target="_blank">neon zipper boots</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/12EPDF1" target="_blank">sven clogs</a></div>

How to Paint Perfectly Crisp and Straight Lines on Walls

After this post , some of you emailed for tips on painting really crisp and straight lines on walls. I have a simple approach, but it works ...

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Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always <i>tried</i> to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. We were never all that diligent about sorting... until we moved to Brooklyn Heights. People <i>really</i> care about recycling here (including and maybe especially the people that live next to us).  :) There might have been a situation where they tattled on us for not sorting good enough (whoopsies).<br /><br />I have to say though, I'm actually sort of grateful we got busted. We were pushed to figure out a solution where we carved out some space to quickly and easily sort out our plastics, glass and paper. And now, recycling is a breeze, truly, and I feel less guilt-ridden. Like we are doing our part.<br /><br />Here's how we did 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_0210.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We have a little closet right by the front door on the parlor level. It's across from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fpowder-bath-updates.html&ei=tJMcUZnuBqfg0QGduYH4Aw&usg=AFQjCNGxAj6vcJLrVQagKrQuUR1tO2vFHA&sig2=GTeMUBCQv6kP_w2i5Hpuig&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">powder bath</a> and around the corner from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Fdiy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html&ei=kZMcUbPZPIqy0AGZxYHgCg&usg=AFQjCNF_4kam5zqX3h1eC_twk7EEiey2Tw&sig2=EjniMYfV9_Hc3rOyhSBL8A&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">the kitchen</a>. I think it was meant to be a coat closet or maybe even a pantry at one time. Mostly it was just disgusting. (seriously)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0215.jpg" /></div><br />The painters the landlord hired to paint the brownstone before we moved in did a pretty shoddy job. They didn't paint the insides of <i>any</i> of the closets. I mean, what? Weird. So slowly I've been tackling one closet at a time to fix the situation, but I hadn't had a chance to do the recycling closet until recently. See that gross cream color? That was the color of the entire house before we moved in and it just looked<i> </i>dirty. (doesn't the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fcabbage-white.html&ei=T5QcUcfUNsiU0QHQiIHIAQ&usg=AFQjCNFq7fYkO009USf8p9qQJ_jw0c6wcw&sig2=f82B0V_9WsDo229izJdaHg&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">Cabbage White</a> look much more fresh?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0225.jpg" /></div><br />Gross. I'm am totally disgusted by the state of this closet and I live here. Apologies. No wonder I was no good at recycling! Who would want to open the door for this view:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0246.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/12DSC_0251.jpg" /></div><br />30+ years of cream paint in a garbage closet is bound to look bad, even after a few scrubbings! So a new coat of paint in the closet was added to the to-do list. But probably the biggest issue we've had with the recycling situation is the girls had trouble figuring out how to sort items in the identical bins we had in the closet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0261.jpg" /></div><br />So on the fly I primed and painted just the outsides of the bins with chalkboard paint. Then I went outside to the recycling bins in front of our house and snapped photos of the two sorting guides.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1277.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1275.jpg" /></div><br />I'd been dying to put my chalkboard pen to use <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fdinner-party-at-my-place.html&ei=2pQcUZ-gCMWI0QHcloGoBQ&usg=AFQjCNEoa7m7EfwTy1EAP4W5F0Qxe-mJ4A&sig2=6vtL6E5CXbFJSifG1trnBA&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">again</a> (they are so cool - totally recommend picking one up at an art supply store or you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003360RFG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003360RFG&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">buy one here</a>). Gracie and I chose a couple of items to display on each of the bins and talked about layout and then she got to work with the chalkboard pen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1344.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1348.jpg" /></div><br />Claire was a little bummed she missed out on the illustrating action this time, but that's the good news about chalkboard (pen) recycling bins - the pen wipes off with a wet rag, so she can have a turn as often as she likes. Whatever helps them to learn their sorting, right? :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0263.jpg" /></div><br />Also, don't the walls look about a million times better? They got a fresh coat of white paint, which  was a huge improvement on its own, but horizontal stripes make every space more fun. Especially in tiny little secret spaces, where the stripes surprise you every time you need the broom or go to throw away an empty olive oil bottle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0356.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0297-1.jpg" /></div><br />And I'm happy to report that the mini-makeover and the new recycling bins have totally improved our recycling habits, and by a lot. The girls are just about pro-level recyclers now and it's so cool to see them excitedly taking ownership over what used to be a chore for us all. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0278.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to hear what you guys do to make recycling (or anything to live a more green lifestyle) an easy habit for you and your family. I'm working on adding more eco-friendly cleaning products into my housekeeping routine. My sister in law is a budgeting super-star and an all-around phenomenal housekeeper. When I mentioned this post to her, she says she uses and completely loves <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>, and I'm excited to take her word for it and try it myself.<br /><br /><!-- BANNER #1 --> <script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/550827?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- BANNER #1 --><i><br /></i><i>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>. You don't have to compromise to be clean when you use hard working, plant-based cleaners by The Clorox Company.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Check out <a href="http://youtu.be/EUE5a-k1quk" target="_blank">this quick video</a> to learn more. :)</i></div>

Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always  tried  to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxe...

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Pretty in Park Slope

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Today I am SO excited to share a brand new project from my friends Suzanne and Lauren McGrath from </span><a href="http://goodbonesgreatpieces.com/" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Good Bones, Great Pieces</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. (Did you check out their </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584799579/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1584799579&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">amazing book</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> yet? I wrote about it </span><a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/09/give-away-x5-good-bones-great-pieces.html" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.) I love how fresh this Brooklyn space feels! </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Here's Lauren:</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"This apartment is of a lovely young couple that found us through <a href="http://www.goodbonesgreatpieces.com/" target="_blank">our blog</a>. They live in an old brownstone apartment building turned co-op in Park Slope facing Prospect Park. Their apartment is small but Natalie (the wife) who is a real estate agent and often works from home, really wanted a space that felt cozy and chic. Natalie and her husband, a lawyer, are both from the Midwest, and they're still discovering the wonders of living in New York City. They love living here. It is so refreshing to see their enthusiasm! </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/nr2.jpg" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"They chose to live near the park so that they could be able to walk their beloved and ginormous dog :) The dog was in the apartment when we were installing all the furniture and artwork, and it was hysterical trying to navigate around him! Fortunately for us, Natalie and her husband truly wanted to hand over the design of this new place, so with a fresh start, they actually brought almost nothing to their new place. Most of the hodgepodge of merged furniture pieces was sold off on Craig's List. We were happy because we got to work with a clean slate- every decorators dream. It also helped that Natalie is such a delightful young woman.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_5208.jpg" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"We wanted Natalie's apartment to feel young and fresh and fun, like her! The first thing we purchased was the sofa at the Lilian August warehouse in Norwalk, CT. Once we had the main seating piece down, we were off and running! In terms of the color palette, we used the framed bird prints above the sofa as inspiration.These were taken from an old copy of "Audubon Birds of America" we found on a dusty shelf at a flea market. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_5208-1.jpg" /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"We kept the largest upholstered piece neutral, as well as the rug, and injected pops of blue, red, green and pink with art, lighting, pillows, and other accessories. The show stopper was probably the amazing bird's egg blue lacquered Chippendale style chair Lauren found at Circa Who in Palm Beach, Florida. We chose to reupholster the seat cushion in one of our favorite Sister Parish inspired red and white prints. The combination jumps off the wall and makes us smile. Of course, we had to add cherry red tape to embellish the white roman shade on the window. It's so happy! </div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_5191.jpg" /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"The lamp on the West Elm Parson's desk is quite oversized, and we like it that way. It's important to have some pieces in the room that are of different scale, particularly in small spaces. The LOVE artwork was a small stroke of genius. We fell in love with this textile from Lu Lu DK's latest collection at Schumacher. We decided to buy a yard and had it strung to a canvas. Apparently this technique was all the rage in college dorm rooms in the 1980's. We're bringing it back, with whimsy.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white;">     </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_5214-2.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"The bedroom is actually a very small room, but we made it look grand by walllpapering the wall behind the bed- they insisted on a King! We found an amazing headboard at an antique emporium, tucked behind many others. Upholstering it in a cotton velvet just made it look so luxe. Inexpensive swing arm lamps save room when there isn't any for bedside tables. In the end, it looks quite fancy, but it's not. Their dog sleeps at the foot of the bed, we think! Whatever, we know they're happy with their first nest, and so are we.</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/nr5.jpg" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"This kitchen is very long and narrow but it was important to Natalie to have a place to sit and eat (since there is no dining room). We came up with a design for a built-in breakfast nook space which would utilize every square foot of space, and look like it was always there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen2-1.jpg" style="font-size: small;" /></div><br />"We chose an adorable print fabric to make a custom seat cushion with, and it immediately looked welcoming and comfortable. The client found this table top at a thrift shop, then had a custom pedestal made to allow for leg room."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/kitchen1-1.jpg" /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">SOURCE LIST</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kitchen:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Custom banquette cushion fabric: Pindler and Pindler</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pillow: Pier 1 </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Table (client's own)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Art: Stolen ;) from a Rothko book and framed in Ikea shadow box frames </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Roman shade: custom designed by us, Bright Apple Green Tape for Accent, Samuel and Sons</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Living Room:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sofa: Lilian August found at the warehouse store in Norwalk, CT</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pillows: custom pillows designed by us in a Brunschwig & Fils paisley </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Coffee table: Found at the Salvation Army in Mount Vernon, NY for $15 </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Scallop-edge side tables: found at Braswell in Westport, CT , We lacquered them in a Ralph Lauren dark navy blue </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Rug: Overstock.com</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lamps: Apple green, from Dovecoat, Westport Ct.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bird prints above sofa: Taken out of the pages of "Audubon Birds of America"and framed in inexpensive frames found at A.I Friedman </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pink upholstered chair: found at Brimfield, from an estate in Maine</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Art above chair: we created this large scale piece of art from one of our favorite Lu Lu DK fabrics for Schumacher. When the budget is tight we like to make our own art by framing a large canvas with a dramatic fabric. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Desk: West Elm Parsons desk </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Stools: Found at Circa Who in Palm Beach, FL and upholstered in a Duralee ikat fabric </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lamp: Wisteria </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Art: From the 1970's, Found at Consign It in Greenwich, CT </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Turquoise boxes: Wisteria </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Occasional chair: Found at Circa Who in Palm Beach, FL and upholstered in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Duck prints above chair: Found at Brimfield, reframed</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bedroom: </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Headboard: This is an antique French king size headboard that came out of an estate with lots of very old French pieces. We found this piece at one of our favorite auction houses called Braswell (unfortunately it no longer exists) and we had it reupholstered in a soft velvet. The headboard cost us $450. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wallpaper: The wallpaper is from Duralee</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Side tables: Wisteria</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sconces: House of Troy</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bed pillow: custom made by us from a Schumacher ikat fabric </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>A huge thanks the Lauren and Suzanne for sharing this lovely project!</i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>All photos by Matt McGrath.</i></div></div>

Pretty in Park Slope

Today I am SO excited to share a brand new project from my friends Suzanne and Lauren McGrath from Good Bones, Great Pieces . (Did you check...

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My Pantry and a $500 Give Away

<script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/489087?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <i>This post is sponsored by the makers of <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B255138129%3B78530611%3Bg&k4=3605&k5=489087" target="_blank">Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes</a>, the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect your home!</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div>My pantry serves as our laundry room, storage room, cleaning closet, china hutch and tool shed. It can get a little crazy up in here. There's lots going on. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8251.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We have two huge bookshelves (twice the width you see here) for holding everything, as well as the big filing cabinet, which holds all of our bigger tools.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8272.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8277.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A while back we installed two pegboard panels above the tool cabinet. I usually say that everything should be put away for a clean, uncluttered look. But sometimes, especially in a small space, things can get buried quickly. Making this pegboard has made my life so much more efficient.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8265.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Since the pantry door is usually open I wanted the pegboard wall to be as clean and simple-looking as possible. I thought about painting the pegboard a cool color at first, but I didn't want it to stick out more than it already does, so I left the white. But I did spray paint all the organizational hardware the same rose gold color.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5727.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's subtle, but I like the little bit of shine.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8283.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I also use about a dozen clear tupperware bins. I bought them at Home Depot for a dollar each. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8274.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have them labeled with these cute chalkboard labels from Martha Stewart's label line for Avery. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5719.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Each bin holds something small and specific, like upholstery staples or tape or wall anchors.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8278.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing that helps keep this room running smoothly is my little whiteboard. I jot down things on this board that we're running out. They're usually things I wouldn't remember while making a shopping list (like laundry detergent or light bulbs). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8266.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Other things that make the room special to me- the persian rug I bought in Belgium for just a few euros (I think it was only three!) and the pair of porcelain animal hooks I got in Delaware at the Amish flea market. We usually hang aprons from these and the girls adore them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8284-1.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8288.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The pantry is sort of like the command center of our home. It's been surprisingly good to us these past two years (not that I won't be excited for a little more space when we move!). I think this room was a great learning experience for me and reminded me how well a space can function when it is well-organized.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/500-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, I'd love to hear about your best organizing tip. What do you do to keep your challenge spaces tidy and running smoothly? Share your tip in the comments section for a chance to win a whopping $500 in gift cards! <b>$250 to Target AND $250 to the Container Store!</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Contest ends June 24. <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ep_5fVOBcVUXv4Hv5TL2aCjF7mNupEJdCbeHKrXXj0Q/edit" target="_blank">Rules can be read in full here</a>. Good luck!</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div>

My Pantry and a $500 Give Away

This post is sponsored by the makers of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes , the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect your home! My pantry se...

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House Tour: Emily and Todd's Entry and Laundry Room

Hi friends! I hope you had a great weekend! We're wrapping up Todd and Emily's house tour today, starting with their entry (I'm still cracking up over their chalk board message) and laundry room (so bright and FUN!). Come back a little later today for their new play room. Enjoy!<br /><br />The Entry<br /><br />"We have a very small entry. As soon as you enter the front door, you can either go straight up the stairs, to the left and down the hallway to the kitchen, or to the right into the living room. All that would fit in our little entry was something small like a bench. I found a little antique spindle bench on CL for $80. It was originally painted black which we promptly changed to Martha Stewart Vintage Map (this color is from her old line of paint at Lowes, but ACE Hardware still had the codes in the computer).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-26.jpg" /></div><br />"The peach pillow is Anthropologie from about 10 years ago. I found the beachcomber basket at Home Goods for $20! A similar one is at Pottery Barn for more than a $100. We use it for umbrellas and Parker’s baseball bats. We’ve gone back and forth on whether to add baskets under the bench but ultimately we decided that we like the shoes lined up, makes it look like a real home. Todd is probably just agreeing with me on this one because he’s sick of me bringing home baskets and storage containers. I have a slight obsession with both.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-60.jpg" /></div><br />"Other than the hooks in our kitchen, we didn’t have any black and white in the house so I made this bench pad using a 3 inch black and white stripe material from Premier Prints. I recently bought some laminated fabric though to make a new pad cover because every time we use the chalk board, chalk dust falls all over the pad. I’ve washed it a couple of times and every time I do the cover gets looser and sloops. But seeing <a href="http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=56478df3-29ad-4a75-b27d-b62c68b734da">this laminated fabric</a> makes me think that I may need to re-paint the bench all together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-147.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>"After seeing and loving <a href="http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/2009/02/tale-of-my-diy-daddy-operation-make.html">Christina’s frame turned chalkboard</a>, I set out to do the same. We found the antique mirror on CL and spray painted it white. Before painting the mirror with chalkboard paint we put on a coat of BIN primer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-281.jpg" /></div><br />"I LOVE our ceiling light! I'm all about vintage crystal lights, plus we needed something that didn’t hang down very far so it wouldn’t hit the door when it opened. This one was perfect.<br /><br />"The banister and hand rail going up the stairs used to be that awful gold oak from the 90’s, but my sweet dad painted them with white oil paint so they match the rest of the trim. (Jenny here. I'm going to sneak in this photo Emily sent me right after a gallon of paint exploded all over her at the check out at Home Depot. The paint guy forgot to hammer down the lid after mixing! Eeps! :) You can also see the before in the background here)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_39981.jpg" /></div><br />"To the right of the front door, as you walk into the living room, is a little piece I bought at Home Goods.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-581.jpg" /></div><br />"We were looking everywhere on CL and at the flea market to find a narrow piece with storage that could go in this spot. When I saw this at Home Goods it was perfect only it had painted flowers all over it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_4061.jpg" /></div><br />"We painted it Benjamin Moore Wolf Gray and added bone white knobs from Anthropologie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6219.jpg" /></div><br />"I’ve had the hardest time decorating the top. Those darn light switches get in the way of everything. Thank you Jen for posting about <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/framed-butterflies.html">framed butterflies</a>. I got on ebay and found this set of small framed butterflies. The antique brass lamp is from my parents and the flower pot is from Home Goods.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6220.jpg" /></div><br />Sources<br />Chalkboard: Frame found on CL, turned into chalkboard<br />Bench: CL<br />Bench cover: Fabric from Premier Prints<br />Pillow: Anthropologie<br />Basket: Home Goods<br />Vintage crystal light: ebay<br />Entry console: Home Goods, painted Benjamin Moore Wolf Gray<br />Knobs on entry console: Anthropologie<br />Books: Amazon<br />Framed butterflies: ebay<br />Flower pot: Home Goods<br />Blue milk glass dish: flea market<br />Antique brass lamp: gifted<br />Hydrangea’s: garden (all of the flowers in these posts have been from our garden)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6221.jpg" /></div><br />On to the laundry room!!<br /><br />"Funny story about this room. It’s probably TMI, but the night before I was going to paint this room Todd and I had a little tiff (I have no idea what it was about). Anyway, when I woke up in the morning he had painted the ceiling, taped everything off, and cut in all the lines. Basically, all I had to do was roll it. And he left me a sweet note on the wall.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_4953.jpg" /></div><br />"When it came to planning the laundry room we decided to go bold. I always want to use these kinds of colors but I usually chicken out. The laundry room seemed like the best place to have fun. The fabric on the roman shade is by Anna Maria Horner. To hide all of the storage above the washer and dryer I made two lined curtain panels, this fabric is Heather Bailey.<br /><br />"We needed a place to hang clothes that couldn’t go in the dryer and to dry wet rags and dish towels before throwing them into the laundry basket. I love the drying racks at Ballards but we didn’t want to spend that much money. So Todd built this simple drying rack for about $5 and we painted it a shade lighter than the walls, though you can’t really tell. We opted to get the stands for the washer and dryer for extra storage which meant there isn’t really a surface area for setting clothes down while you switch out the loads. The <a href="http://www.target.com/p/Household-Essentials-Triple-Sorter-Seagrass/-/A-10573480">hamper from Target</a> fills that role. I originally wanted something <a href="http://www.target.com/p/Heavy-Duty-3-Section-Sorter/-/A-11677951?reco=Rec_pdp_11677951_ClickCP_Adjacency">like this</a> but it was too big. I use the hamper for rags, dish towels, and bath towels, basically things that I don’t wash until we are out. It’s nice to hide them away in a covered hamper and since we dry them on the drying rack before putting in the hamper they don’t get stinky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2LB-130.jpg" /></div><br />"My favorite part about this laundry room other than the color is the art. I first heard about Leslie Graff when <a href="http://www.caitlincreer.com/2010/08/beautiful-art-by-leslie-graff.html">Caitlin Creer</a> blogged about her. I ordered a set of 5 post cards and framed my favorites in Target frames. I think she’s come out with a few more prints since we ordered these. These would be so fun in my future office/sewing room too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-131.jpg" /></div><br />"For the red light we bought a $10 brass light fixture from Habitat and spray painted it. The ironing board is mounted on the back of the door and a big linen closet is on the left just as you walk in. Someday I would love to tile this room.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-133.jpg" style="height: 418px; width: 277px;" /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-134.jpg" style="height: 416px; width: 277px;" /></div><br />Sources<br />Wall Color: Peacock Blue, Benjamin Moore<br />Hamper: Target<br />Art: Leslie Graff, frames from Target<br />Rug: Eatman’s Carpets, Raleigh, NC<br />Light fixture: Brass light from Habitat, spray painted red<br />Drying rack: homemade<br />Roman Shade fabric: Anna Maria Horner<br />Curtain fabric: Heather Bailey

House Tour: Emily and Todd's Entry and Laundry Room

Hi friends! I hope you had a great weekend! We're wrapping up Todd and Emily's house tour today, starting with their entry (I'm ...

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