Holiday Decorating Plans

My husband has worked basically non-stop for the past three weeks. Thankfully, his project wrapped up yesterday and he's taking the rest of the weekend off. Yay! We're going to take advantage of this extra day with Michael to get our Christmas tree and decorate the apartment for the holidays.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/canhouseandhome3_holidays.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Canadian House and Home</span></span></div><br />We're keeping it pretty simple this year, partly because I sold 99% of our Christmas decorations before the move (regret!!).<br /><br />On the list to do: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/christmas-decorating-ideas?xsc=eml_msl_2010_12_02#slide_8">Kissing balls</a> to hang in doorways<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/a99050_1201_ball_xl.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Martha Stewart Living<br /></span></span></div>A wreath to hang on the entry mirror. I saw this huge wreath at Bloomingdales and I liked the tiny little bows all over.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/photo-4.jpg" /></div><br />I'm thinking about trying this in my (very normal size) evergreen wreath with 1/4" grosgrain. Probably mustard yellow?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2photo.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>Also we're doing a smaller, potted Christmas tree. (For a great post on this subject, <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2010/11/ask-design-mom-potted-christmas-trees/">check out Design Mom</a>)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ka10168_win05_yarntree_xl.jpg" /></div><br />Evelyn is getting into everything these days, so I figure having a smaller tree up on a table is a really smart idea. Plus we can put the gifts under and around the table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/countrylivingCLX120108_088_1_0-de-88646486.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Country Living<br /></span></span></div>Bonus: I have plans to trim up the tree topiary-style post holidays and either keeping it in our apartment (do you think it would survive?) or taking it up to our rooftop garden.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/6-sendus-1208-xlg-82294169.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">House Beautiful</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Happy weekend!</div></div>

Holiday Decorating Plans

My husband has worked basically non-stop for the past three weeks. Thankfully, his project wrapped up yesterday and he's taking the rest...

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Book Art

I think this print by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/alannacavanagh.com">Alanna Cavanagh</a> is really cool. I mean, who doesn't love a good Penguin classic? And in this world of Kindles and audio books, I sort of like a reminder of how good it feels to hold a real book in your hands.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/covetgarden4.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">image via a really fun online mag, <a href="http://covetgarden.com/">Covet Garden</a>.</div><br />I'm thinking about using <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-art-from-small-items.html">this technique</a> to blow up the cover of an old copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Raise-High-Roof-Carpenters-Seymour/dp/B000NQ7D6A" style="font-style: italic;">Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenters</a>, which is one of our family's very favorite books. The cover is a great shade of goldenrod yellow (reminds me a bit of a yellow <a href="http://www.popartuk.com/art/joseph-albers/yellow-climate-homage-to-the-square-6510412-mini-art-print.asp">Albers square study print</a>), and I love the quirky font Salinger always used.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/41Ho4yQjGmL_SS500_.jpg" /></div>

Book Art

I think this print by Alanna Cavanagh is really cool. I mean, who doesn't love a good Penguin classic? And in this world of Kindles and...

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Floral Play Chairs

I fell head over heals for these fabric-covered children's chairs in the kids section at <a href="http://www.abchome.com/store/store/pc/baby-kids-c107.htm">ABC</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_5946.jpg" /></div><br />At $170 each though, I'm thinking this would be a good piece to DIY.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_5945.jpg" /></div><br />The backs are obviously different, but I'm pretty sure my favorite kids chairs from <a href="http://www.conranusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=795989&cid=FurnitureChildren&language=en-US">the Conran shop</a> would work really well for this project. (On sale for $30.60 each, available in pink, blue and white). The legs and the seat are very similar to the inspiration chair.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture34.png" /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">EDIT: Thanks to your comments everyone! The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50139127">IKEA Minnen chair</a> is the exact same frame! $16.99 each!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/0086145_PE214619_S4.jpg" /></div><br />I'd just use a two-inch brush to paint on some Mod Podge or watered down Elmers glue on top of pretty quilting cotton that was cut to fit generously. (PS my favorite cotton prints are available at <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/12-sewing-patchwork-fabric">Purl SOHO</a> - including <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/12-sewing-patchwork-fabric?company=179">Liberty of London Tana Lawns</a> and adorable <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/12-sewing-patchwork-fabric?filters[]=520">Japanese fabrics</a>). Once the fabric has dried (and fully shrunk) after a day or two, trim the edges with a razor blade and then seal it all up with <a href="http://www.minwax.com/products/interior_clear_protective_finishes/polycrylic_protective_finish.html">Polycrylic</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_5944.jpg" /></div><br />Sounds fun and easy, right!? I think I'm going to order a pair of <a href="http://www.conranusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=795989&cid=FurnitureChildren&language=en-US">chairs</a> today.

Floral Play Chairs

I fell head over heals for these fabric-covered children's chairs in the kids section at ABC . At $170 each though, I'm thinking thi...

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20x200 on OKL

I am such a huge fan of <a href="http://www.20x200.com/">20x200</a>, a really great and affordable online art gallery. <a href="http://www.onekingslane.com/invite/JennicaKomenda">One Kings Lane</a> is having a <a href="http://www.onekingslane.com/Product.aspx?l=00010920065500000000&p=2X201230">sale on gift cards</a> to the site right now. $59 for a $100 gift card. I know I would be thrilled to get one or two of these for Christmas! I might just pick up a couple for myself before the sale ends on December 2. (And if you need a One Kings Lane account, <a href="http://www.onekingslane.com/invite/JennicaKomenda">click here</a> to hook a sister up.)<br /><br />Here are some of my favorites on <a href="http://www.20x200.com/">20x200</a> right now. I like to <a href="http://www.20x200.com/browse/artist/">search by artist</a>. It gives you little thumbnails of all the prints available on the site.<br /><br />Very pretty day on <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/05/kite-hill.html">Kite Hill</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2417_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/05/jump.html">Perfect</a> for that teenaged boy in your life! Love that inky blue.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2397_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I love cheeky art. This one is called <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/04/untitled-sad-vader.html">Sad Vader</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2305_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br />The best art sucks you in and tells a story. Love this one called <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/06/ringside.html">Ringside</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2432_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2008/07/recollection-of-the-battles-fought-maintaining-the-home-front.html">Cool</a>? Or maybe a little creepy? Like, I'm thinking that looks a little too LOST smoke monster at first glance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/452_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I really love <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/08/rift-26-heimaey-houses.html">this one</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>of a volcanic land fissure in Iceland. The natural disaster swallowed up 360 houses in the 70's. Can you imagine living in that house on the end there? I think they probably felt pretty lucky.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2585_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>Subtle <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2007/10/untitled-geese-london.html">nature shot</a>. Love the color here.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/48_artworkimage.jpg" /><br /></div><br />And of course the <a href="http://www.20x200.com/art/2009/12/praia-piquinia-270809-15h17.html">Christian Chaize</a> that I've been eying for a while now...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/1909_artworkimage-1.jpg" /><br /></div>

20x200 on OKL

I am such a huge fan of 20x200 , a really great and affordable online art gallery. One Kings Lane is having a sale on gift cards to the si...

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From the Inspiration Folder again...

Looking into my not so distant future is see wallpapered rooms with doors and trim painted to match.<br /><br />This is so lovely.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/chriscourt30.jpg" /></div><br />image via <a href="http://chriscourt.com/">Chris Court</a>, found on <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2010/7/19/chris-court.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Desire to Inspire</span></a>.

From the Inspiration Folder again...

Looking into my not so distant future is see wallpapered rooms with doors and trim painted to match. This is so lovely. image via Chris Cour...

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Now Accepting Holiday Sponsors

<div align="left">Do you have a design-related business that you would like to share with tens of thousands of stylish readers just in time for the gift-giving season?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/adbannerholiday.jpg" /><br /></div><div align="left"><br />LGN has a few spots open for advertisers beginning December 1. Please email me for pricing options at jenny @jennykomenda.com</div>

Now Accepting Holiday Sponsors

Do you have a design-related business that you would like to share with tens of thousands of stylish readers just in time for the gift-givin...

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