ABC Carpet Clearance Basement

I have been trying to find the right living room rug for ages. I needed something really huge (I was hoping for about 12x14), which is almost impossible to find in stores or online. And antique rugs get astronomically expensive when they are that big. I've purchased carpet remnants for odd-sized rooms in the past and thought I would just do that again and maybe save up for an antique rug down the road.<br /><br />I'm not going to go into detail here, but I had two very negative customer service experiences with two different Home Depot carpet departments here in the NYC area that really put me off. I was all ready to order a rug in this great diamond pattern, but it didn't happen either time because of incompetent/rude employees. And I'm pretty laid back, so you know it must have been bad if it upset me!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_3514.jpg" /></div><br />The carpet is by Stainmaster and is a great deal at about $2.50 per square foot and then $2 per linear foot for the binding. You guys all know that I love Home Depot - I am a loyal customer there usually, so I don't mind sharing these photos in case you're also looking for a large area rug or wall to wall. Hopefully you have a better ordering experience than I did.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_3506.jpg" /></div><br />Before I tried for a THIRD time to order the diamond carpet from Home Depot, I decided to stop into the clearance section in the basement at <a href="http://www.abccarpet.com/store/">ABC Carpet and Home</a> (a big thanks to <a href="http://www.designscouting.com/">Abbey</a> for the tip!). They are having a 50% off sale right now on unfinished remnants.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6731.jpg" /></div><br />I ended up getting this 12x15 gold and cream striped <a href="http://www.karastan.com/">Karastan</a> remnant (in the middle) for just a couple hundred dollars -- about what the Home Depot rug would have cost.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6728.jpg" /></div><br />It's getting delivered this morning and I can't wait to roll it out in my living room! Rugs are probably my least favorite thing to shop for (they're SO expensive!!), but they really make a big difference in the feel of a space.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6734.jpg" /></div><br />A HUGE thanks to <a href="http://www.abccarpet.com/store/">ABC</a> for their incredible customer service. Special shout out to Rick, who has worked there for 28 years! If you're in the New York area, I highly recommend stopping by to check out the huge clearance basement. Grab a <a href="http://www.madelineweinrib.com/">Madeline Weinrib</a> rug or pillow for half off while you're there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6735.jpg" /></div><br />PS Someone should buy this beauty. I think it was 8x10 (too small for my LR), and I was still sooo tempted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6732.jpg" /></div>

ABC Carpet Clearance Basement

I have been trying to find the right living room rug for ages. I needed something really huge (I was hoping for about 12x14), which is almos...

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Simple Carpentry

My Grandpa Russell was a really talented woodworker. I used to love to go out to his workshop and watch him measure (and remeasure) before cutting each piece of wood. It makes me endlessly happy to think of him and how he approached life and work - he was so precise, methodical, and dedicated. He used to always say "Anything worth doing is worth doing right."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/2008-03-28-70snursery.jpg" /></div><br />Grandpa liked modern and clean-lined houses and furniture, so most everything he built was simple but well-designed. He would have liked the shelves in this nursery and this banquette.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/1129Limatplatssmall.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Desire to Inspire</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It wouldn't take more than a trip to the lumber yard and a $35 hand saw to make these pieces in a weekend.<br /><br />Have you ventured into the world of wood working? I've done only little projects, but some day I'd love to try something on a larger scale - like a big coffee table or a desk.</div></div>

Simple Carpentry

My Grandpa Russell was a really talented woodworker. I used to love to go out to his workshop and watch him measure (and remeasure) before c...

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Star Sconces

It's Friday! I can't remember the last time I slept in a little and I think tomorrow is going to be the day. I am welcoming this slower-paced weekend with open arms!<br /><br />Grace has a birthday party on Saturday and then Sunday we'll get together with some friends to watch the Super bowl and let our kids play. I think we ladies will try to squeeze in a little craft project in between the commercials. :)<br /><br />I do have a house project on my to do list though. I bought <a href="http://www.affordablelamps.com/hot-ws751.html">these wall lamps</a> last week and they just arrived in the mail. They look so great in real life! I especially love the star detail on the base.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture4-10.png" /></div><br />The shades remind me of these amazing custom shades that I've always been obsessed with:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/sas_roomset_550.jpg" /></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Thibaut</div><br />The wall lamps will hopefully be hung this weekend. I'm going to have them flank this mirror that I bought at an antique store for $40.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture5-11.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.massuccowarnermiller.com/residential/sanfran-residence.php"><span style="font-style: italic;">Massucco Warner Miller</span></a></div><br />The mirror and lamps will go above this tall vintage bookshelf (it's about 50"), which is getting painted and trimmed out this weekend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_4398.jpg" /></div><br />I bought a couple of pieces of this funky moulding at Michaels for about $2 each and they're just right for the bookshelf I think.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_6559.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Do you have any fun projects planned for the weekend? Are you throwing a Superbowl party?<br /><br />PS If you liked the silhouettes in my last post, <a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/carter-kustera-san-gabriel?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu1751006">check out Groupon</a> for an AMAZING deal (today only)</div></div>

Star Sconces

It's Friday! I can't remember the last time I slept in a little and I think tomorrow is going to be the day. I am welcoming this slo...

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Color Silhouettes

I still love silhouettes and think they are classic. But if you're sort of over the look, one way to make it fresh again is to use color rather than black for the portraits, a la artist <a href="http://blog.carterkustera.com/">Carter Kustera.</a> Mr. Kustera is pretty much the king of the modern silhouette. He has painted <a href="http://blog.carterkustera.com/2009/08/michelle-obama.html">Michelle Obama's portait</a> and he does lots of work for <a href="http://blog.carterkustera.com/search/label/Jonathan%20Adler">Jonathan Adler</a> and his partner Simon Doonan (so also <a href="http://blog.carterkustera.com/search/label/Barneys%20New%20York">Barneys</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/carter_bottom.jpg" /><br /><br />Not positive, but the silhouettes in <a href="http://www.angiehranowsky.com/interior/1-Interior-Design/33-lakeshore-drive/417/">Angie Hranowsky's kitchen</a> look like Carter Kustera portraits.<br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/AdlersilhouettesHranowsky-Modern-Kitchen-2.jpg" /></div><br />This installation was at the D&D here in New York. So cool, right?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/29.jpg" /></div><br />I come from a big family and think it would be amazing to make a wall like this in my parents house one year for Christmas. And then every Christmas thereafter we would spend a day updating the silhouettes. I like the idea that everyone could pick their own color.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/5-1.jpg" /></div><br />I'm sure Grace would want to be purple and Claire would be pink. I think I would be bright red and Michael would be a deep green. Evie would make a lovely yellow - that baby is pure sunshine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/8.jpg" /></div><br />It's actually really fun to assign family members colors and then try to guess what they would choose for themselves. It's hard not to make it about personality! What's your color?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All images courtesy of <a href="http://blog.carterkustera.com/">Carter Kustera</a> except for the Angie Hranowsky image.</span></span></div>

Color Silhouettes

I still love silhouettes and think they are classic. But if you're sort of over the look, one way to make it fresh again is to use color...

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High Gloss Mag + Tia Zoldan

I went to the <a href="http://www.highglossmagazine.com/read">High Gloss Mag</a> launch party last night and it was so fun to see some of my favorite blog friends. The <a href="http://www.highglossmagazine.com/read">premiere issue</a> launched yesterday and I loved it. Of course <a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/">Jamie's</a> house is unbelievably gorgeous and I loved the bachelorette pad <a href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/">Erin</a> designed!<br /><br />It was also so fun to see <a href="http://theroofovermyhead.blogspot.com/">Tia Zoldan's</a> house featured in this issue. Her home was a favorite among bloggers when it was featured in Cottage Living years ago. It was a treat to check out what Tia has kept over the years and what has changed. Shall we do a little comparison?<br /><br />Tia's old living room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/1147586_blue-ottoman_xl.jpg" /></div><br />New living room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture4-9.png" /></div><br />Looks like pretty much everything is new in the living room. She might have reupholstered the chair in that amazing print. The arm looks the same. I like the furniture lay out in the newer version, with everything laid out on a 90 degree angle. Love the new art and the rug.<br /><br />Old dining room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/tiazoldan-1.jpg" /></div><br />New dining room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture7-6.png" /></div><br />Tia kept her farmhouse table and painted the armoire white. I miss those stripey end chairs!<br /><br />Daughter's old room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/1147586_daughter-bedroom_xl.jpg" /></div><br />Daughter's new room:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/HighGlossTiaZoldanPicture6.png" /></div><br />I like both of these rooms for different reasons. It's fun to see how this room has grown up with Tia's daughter. The bed was painted white. The moulding was gilded. The curtains are more tailored, but the hardware is the same. I LOVE the suzani on the bed and the wall sconce.<br /><br />Old kitchen:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/1147586_expanded-kitchen_xl.jpg" /></div><br />New kitchen:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Picture5-10.png" /></div><br />I love the <a href="http://www.neenaslighting.com/product.aspx?FR=1&model=2203-02-00199&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">new lighting</a> and the new rug (though the old rug was really great too). I am head over heels for the chairs in the new version of the kitchen. And the herringbone patterned tile floors? So great. My very favorite change in here was probably the least expensive. That design genius, Tia, painted her back door a show-stopping blueish charcoal color.<br /><br />It's fun to see how a decorator's tastes evolve, right? I think Tia's home is lovely in all it's phases.<br /><br />**Also, did you know that Tia has a <a href="http://theroofovermyhead.blogspot.com/">GREAT blog</a>? She updates it often with images and products that inspire her. A must-read!**

High Gloss Mag + Tia Zoldan

I went to the High Gloss Mag launch party last night and it was so fun to see some of my favorite blog friends. The premiere issue launche...

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Cards and Chairs

Two quick things:<br /><br />Firstly, <a href="http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/2011/01/oh-happy-day-letterpress-open-for.html">Jordan</a> rocks my world. She delivered a big ol' stack of freshly pressed business cards to me at Alt and it was like Christmas, except Santa was a gorgeous and witty brunette in a cute floral dress.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_2103.png" /><br /></div><br />You can't really tell in these photos, but the edges are a really bright persimmon red. I love them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_2097_2.png" /><br /></div><br />Jordan's <a href="http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/p/oh-happy-day-letterpress.html">letterpress business</a> will be going strong while she lives abroad this year. She'll be doing the designs herself and her talented business partner, Alexis, will do the printing. I couldn't be happier with the quality of my cards.<br /><br />Also, I had help designing my card layout and my new logo (see the JK blind emboss behind my new business name?). My professional site is finally going to launch soon. I'll post more about that later, but I have been so incredibly happy with my designer, Eileen. If you need help with your site, <a href="mailto:etwhelan@gmail.com">shoot her an email here</a>.<br /><br />Second item of business:<br /><br />Craigslist has been so good to me the past few weeks. Check out one of the pairs of chairs I got for almost nothing recently.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/004.jpg" /><br /></div><br />PS Want to be the happiest person for an hour or two? Type the word "pair" in your craigslist search box (either the furniture or antiques section) and all kinds of goodness shows up. It's true. Everything is better in pairs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/001-1.jpg" /><br /></div><br />These are going to be our host chairs for the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-old-dining-set.html">DR table</a>. They need some work, for sure. But a little paint and fabric will go a long way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/003.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I'm thinking white frames and something in a bold but small-scale pattern for the fabric. Or maybe like acid yellow paint on the frames and solid black Sunbrella for the fabric? Maybe still a fun pattern on the chair backs...

Cards and Chairs

Two quick things: Firstly, Jordan rocks my world. She delivered a big ol' stack of freshly pressed business cards to me at Alt and it w...

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