living room decorating

Hands

Aren't hands fascinating? You can tell a lot about a person's journey in life by looking at their hands. And isn't it interesting that we all have such unique hands? I can recall the look of my grandparents' and parents' hands almost as well as their faces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/3fredericmallearchitecturaldigestmay2011.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>I was so struck with this simple black and white photograph of a hand (a self portrait by John Coplans). I would love to try something similar. Wouldn't this be an especially cool art series? Maybe photograph your child's hand every year on their birthday or something? I'm trying to figure out a good way to photograph Evie's hand before she loses all that gorgeous baby chub. What's better than wrist and knuckle fat rolls?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/6fredericmallemensvoguefrancoishalard.jpg" /></div><br />(Images via <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/04/youve-got-malle.html">this great post</a> at Habitually Chic on Fredrick Malle's apartments. I am CRAZY over his style.)

Hands

31May2011

New Office Chairs

I'm working on getting pictures of my office to share, but I thought you might like to see the desk chairs we decided on in the meantime?<br /><br />Our new desk is really long (long enough for two large work stations), so I wanted to buy a pair of matching desk chairs. I wanted them to be good looking and super comfortable, so I figured I needed to buy vintage. I scoured craigslist and eBay for a month or two looking for a pair of reasonably priced <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=eames+group+chairs&_sacat=0&_odkw=eames+group&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313">Miller/Eames aluminum group management chairs</a>. But since I needed two, and I didn't want to buy a new knock-off version, I struck out a lot in my pretty specific search. Most pairs were going to cost at least $1000 or more (no bueno).<br /><br />Then I saw this gorgeous chair on the <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/JennicaKomenda">One Kings Lane</a> Windsor Smith sale.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture49.png" /></div><br />It was about $1000 I think, but it had been newly reupholstered (I LOVE the lavender linen!!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture48.png" /></div><br />Anyway, it got me to broaden my search parameters to just simply 'vintage office chairs' and that same day I found the perfect chairs for my office space.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture51.png" /></div><br />They were made mid-century by company called Jansko. They are super comfortable (though I'm sure not as comfortable as the Eames chairs would have been) .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture55-1.png" /></div><br />And the price? Only $135 for the pair! I got them from <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Midcentury-Retro-Furniture">this great eBay seller</a>, who has lots of fun retro/vintage furniture. He shipped them well and fast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture50.png" /></div><br />I love the bright blue color! Sort of reminds me of Kate Spade's (much more beautiful) blue leather desk chair.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/9katespadeden-2.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Memorial Day!! See you next week. xx</div>

New Office Chairs

I'm working on getting pictures of my office to share, but I thought you might like to see the desk chairs we decided on in the meantime?Our new desk is really long (long enough for two large work stations), so I wanted to buy a pair of matching desk chairs. I wanted them to be good looking and supe…

27May2011

Sophisticated Nursery

Sophisticated Nursery

I get lots of emails asking for boys' room/nursery inspiration. In case you didn't notice, we're sort of lacking in the little boys department at the Komenda household. But if I were to have a little guy, this nursery would definitely be in the inspiration file. I love how sophisticated it is! You c…

26May2011

Gold Hangers

Our closets are getting reorganized this month too. Is it strange that I want all new hangers? The interior of my closet is getting painted a bold color, so I really  want hangers in a brass or gold tone, but they need to be slim.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/SDC11993.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lamaisonfou.blogspot.com/2009/03/rundown-to-gracious-cica-2000.html">image</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I almost bought these gold hangers from Gracious Home <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F7V3NG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000F7V3NG">(here's another source)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000F7V3NG&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. They are heavy gauge aluminum wire - not cheesy dry cleaners hangers. While I'm sure I'd love these forever, they are pricey at about $2 each. Do you know of any good subs?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7687.jpg" /></div></div></div><br />My friend here in the city swears by the huggable hangers line and says her blouses never slip and she has much more room in her tiny closet now. I like that<a href="http://www.hsn.com/joy-mangano/joy-mangano-huggable-hangers-clean-it-up-set-72-pack_m-10056560_xp.aspx?webp_id=6337179&web_id=6337179&attr=192&ocm=192&prev=hp%21sf%21192&ccm=192"> these ones</a> are in a brass finish.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/goldgrayhsnhangers.jpg" /></div>

Gold Hangers

25May2011

Lateral File Tool Storage

Living in an apartment again, with no garage or basement, has reminded me how important it is to have a place for everything. I have a bad habit of small scale organizing - where I organize things sort of wherever they happen to be, rather than designing an organization plan.<br /><br />We have two areas in our loft mostly dedicated to storage - the pantry and Evie's room. Right after we moved in, I painted out an old bookcase and stuck it in the pantry/laundry room and sort of filled it with whatever had been put in the room during the move.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/after1.jpg" /></div><br />Somehow all of our tools got put in Evie's room, which is super annoying because I usually need the tools when Evie is napping! I don't know how I lasted this long, but I'm finally get our house really, really organized. I made a game plan last week:<br /><br />Evie's Room:<br />Sewing machine and supplies<br />Crafts<br />Linens<br />Bedding<br />Musical instruments<br />Suitcases<br /><br />Pantry:<br />Tools<br />Paint<br />Laundry supplies<br />Stroller<br />Cleaning supplies<br />Accessory kitchen appliances<br /><br />I want the pantry to sort of act like our garage. I considered getting a big tool box to organize everything, but space is pretty tight. I found a 36" wide lateral file cabinet on Craigslist that I think will work perfectly for tool storage with very easy access. And I like that I can lock the drawers to keep the girls out of the sharp stuff.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/photo3php.jpg" /></div><br />Buying a tall file cabinet reminded me of this project from Mary McDonald's office featured in Domino years ago. She photocopied a sample of her favorite wallpaper and had kinkos blow up the image to fit the drawer fronts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/MaryMcDonaldScanDomino.jpg" /></div><br />A version of this project could be fun for my cabinet, but I'd maybe go a little more subtle with the pattern.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/MaryMcDonaldScanDomino2.jpg" /></div>

Lateral File Tool Storage

24May2011

DIY Sputnik Chandelier

I've always dreamed of having a gorgeous <a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=482636">sputnik chandelier</a>, but they are usually on the smaller side and in the many thousands of dollars. I had planned on investing a little bit more of the house budget on the dining area's light fixture because it would be basically the first thing you'd see when walking into our apartment. I wanted big and beautiful.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/XXX_8987_129469159.jpg" /></div><br />After deciding to buy the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/04/gossip-girl-sconces.html">Gossip Girl sconces</a>, I had sort of eaten up my lighting budget and needed to figure out something very inexpensive for the dining room. I thought the ubiquitous <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465">IKEA Maskros</a> (which means dandelion in Swedish) might be a good base for a DIY sputnik.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture79-1.png" /></div><br />I had some help from my Mom and Dad, who were in town visiting at the time. We busted out the entire project in a night and had the thing hung in the morning. I love projects like that!! (THANKS Mom and Dad! xo)<br /><br />It's a pretty simple project, with not a lot of tools required. I went with the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465">32" diameter fixture</a> because we have a big open space, but I would recommend the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70190450">22" fixture</a> (which is only $49!) for more traditional rooms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0180.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Like almost all IKEA products, the Maskros comes disassembled. There are, I think, 124 white flowers to attach to long metal rods.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/maskroos-box6.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">image via </span><a href="http://roomrefiner.wordpress.com/page/2/" style="font-style: italic;">HERE</a></div><br />The white, plasticy paper flowers are about 5" wide. This is totally personal preference, but the thing I don't love the most about the Maskros in it's original state is all the shadows the flowers create and I needed this fixture to be a functional light source first and foremost. So I played around a bit with the proportions to shorten the petals and decided I like a 2.5" diameter best.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0183.jpg" /></div><br />I used a clear (making it easy to find the center) plastic cup with a 2.5" base to trace a circle on each of the flowers. A little tip: I find that projects with many steps of many multiples are done best and fastest by focusing on one step at a time. I traced all the flowers first. Then I cut all the flowers, etc. Don't get ahead of yourself in the steps for the sake of accuracy and efficiency.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0185.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once the tracing was all finished, I cut down the flowers. Then I pulled out my trusty old quart of Ralph Lauren Regency Metallics in '<a href="http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/products/paint/finishes/items.aspx?haid=116">Parlor Gold</a>' to paint out the florettes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0191.jpg" /></div><br />If the weather had been better and if I didn't live in NYC, I totally would have spray painted the whole thing using Rustoleum's metallic line in the Brass finish. But, I am actually really happy with the look of the hand painting. It didn't take that long, and I think the end look is a little less flat than spray paint - more mottled, like real gilded metal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7952.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />While one side of the florettes was drying, we painted the rest of the fixture, including the arms (below), the cord and the ceiling mount.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7949.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once both sides of the florettes had been painted and the fixture frame had two good coats of paint, we started gluing these adorable little <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049JTVR6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0049JTVR6">amuse bouche plates</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0049JTVR6&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on the florettes. I used two boxes for the larger size Maskros.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture81-2.png" /></div>Fabritac is hands down my favorite adhesive and it worked really well for this project. Super tight hold and a fast drying time. I needed only a small dollop on the bottom of each plate to attach the flower.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7964.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We let the glue set up for an hour or so and then we attached the florettes to the stems as they were designed to be attached. There are little prongs (the button looking pieces in the center) that snap the flowers in place on the arms. Grace was in charge of most of the snapping.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7966.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We used a fabric roll on two chairs for holding the arms, which worked really well for letting the paint and glue dry.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0197.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My super handy dad took care of the electrical aspects and then we all worked together to attach the huge arms to the frame. It was fun to step down from the ladder and take it all in at once!<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0238.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The large size was just what my dining space needed. And it's so great to have an additional light source above the table. I was surprised at how much it brightened the space - even with just the one bulb.</div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0253-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love that the plastic plates have that hint of green! I think they really look like glass and the painted paper/plastic actually kind of passes for brass.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0247-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It has that Sputnik vibe, but it's definitely doing it's own thing. Not bad, for about $100 in supplies!</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0239.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm so glad we cut down the flowers. It doesn't scream IKEA Maskros this way and the little shadows are actually quite pretty. Sort of like polka dots (I keep thinking of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041FDD2C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0041FDD2C">Kate Spade Twirl</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0041FDD2C&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> bottle!)<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0206.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0221.jpg" /></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0218.jpg" /></div>

DIY Sputnik Chandelier

I've always dreamed of having a gorgeous sputnik chandelier, but they are usually on the smaller side and in the many thousands of dollars. I had planned on investing a little bit more of the house budget on the dining area's light fixture because it would be basically the first thing you'd see when…

23May2011

Kitchen Rug

I got the pink and red Persian rug in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/painted-detail-on-my-kitchen-island.html">my kitchen</a> from <a href="http://esalerugs.com/">eSale rugs</a> a couple months ago. I bought it on sale for about $150 (with free shipping!), which I think is a steal.<br /><br />It's Iranian, only about 60 years old and is in great condition. I love the hot pink and red with the navy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/kitchenrug.jpg" /></div><br />I've used eSale Rugs a couple times now and I'm a big fan. I think their prices are very fair and the site is easy to navigate. And I love that they include tons of photos with each rug listing, so you really have a sense of what you're buying before it arrives.<br /><br />Their inventory is VAST, but here are a few rugs that caught my eye today. I usually look for something with at least one pop of usual color. A bonus would be something with great contrast (both black/navy and white/cream):<br /><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22122823">1</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/rustred-hamedan-area-rug__n-2122823-_image_3-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22119035">2</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/red-koliaei-area-rug__n-2119035-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22109292">3</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/red-bidjar-area-rug__n-2109292-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22107165">4</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/rustred-viss-area-rug__n-2107165-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22101208">5</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/navyblue-botemir-area-rug__n-2101208-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22097669"><br />6</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/brown-sumak-area-rug__n-2097669-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22119039">7</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/red-farahan-area-rug__n-2119039-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div><a href="http://esalerugs.com/22113707"><br />8</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/red-hamedan-area-rug__n-2113707-_main-0-0-1.jpg" /></div>

Kitchen Rug

I got the pink and red Persian rug in my kitchen from eSale rugs a couple months ago. I bought it on sale for about $150 (with free shipping!), which I think is a steal.It's Iranian, only about 60 years old and is in great condition. I love the hot pink and red with the navy!I've used eSale Rugs a c…

20May2011

Amy Butler's Chandelier

I just finished the coolest DIY project using the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465">IKEA Maskros</a>. I can't wait to share the photos and tutorial with you very soon (probably Monday)!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture79-1.png" /></div><br />In the meantime, isn't <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/amy-and-davids-creative-textile-labhouse-tour-145530">Amy Butler's</a> gold spray painted version so great? Apartment Therapy did a pretty amazing whole-house tour <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/amy-and-davids-creative-textile-labhouse-tour-145530">here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/042911AmyButlerHouseTour_16_rect640.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/042911AmyButlerHouseTour_17_rect640.jpg" /></div>

Amy Butler's Chandelier

I just finished the coolest DIY project using the IKEA Maskros. I can't wait to share the photos and tutorial with you very soon (probably Monday)!In the meantime, isn't Amy Butler's gold spray painted version so great? Apartment Therapy did a pretty amazing whole-house tour here.…

18May2011