One Way to Reduce Paint Fumes

I like to use oil-based paint on moulding, cabinets and doors. It just wears better. But, boy, is it stinky stuff! We used Benjamin Moore's oil-based paint for the closet/built-in portion of the girls' bedroom walls. Luckily the weather has been nicer this week, so we've kept the windows open quite a bit for ventilation. But did you know that burning a candle can reduce paint fumes? I've been (very carefully) burning a candle up on a high shelf while the paint dries, and I've noticed a HUGE difference in the smell situation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2photo-1.jpg" /></div><br />Just a little Tuesday night tip from me to you. :)<br /><br />Do you have any other tips for reducing paint fumes/smells? I've heard leaving out a quartered onion works. But that seems weird. Like it would only add to the smell factor, right?

One Way to Reduce Paint Fumes

I like to use oil-based paint on moulding, cabinets and doors. It just wears better. But, boy, is it stinky stuff! We used Benjamin Moore...

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According to my phone...

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? We have house guests coming and some exciting work projects too, so things are bustling around here! My iPhone says this is what I've been up to since last Friday:<br /><br />This weekend I went to CB2 to pick up another set of <a href="http://www.cb2.com/barware/dining/marta-barware/f1249">Marta glasses</a> and some picture frames. They had these cute little mini chairs that I think are supposed to be tree ornaments, but they are perfect for the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/09/im-giant-dollhouse-challenge.html">Dollhouse Challenge</a>! <span style="font-style: italic;">(PS all the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/10/fresh-off-mini-shopping-spree.html">vintage pieces</a> I posted about came in last week. They are crazy-good! Can't wait to share)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/65c47b40090b11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" /></div><br />When the weather started to turn colder a couple weeks ago, I threw an internal mini-fit. But the Halloween festivities changed my mind and I'm suddenly excited about the upcoming holidays. We made Butterscotch Pumpkin cookies on Saturday morning and we started planning out our Thanksgiving menu (my husband's very favorite meal of the year). The girls are talking about Christmas and Santa again. And excitement levels were through the roof (literally. I think our upstairs neighbors heard the shrieking) when the girls discovered Tommy, our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XR6MBQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000XR6MBQ">Elf on the Shelf</a>, came back to New York City all the way from the North Pole! That clever little guy sees ever good and bad deed and reports back to Santa each night. I swear, I wish Tommy lived here all year! My girls have been on their best behavior all week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/f499af72090911e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />You never know where Tommy will be sitting in the morning. Sometimes he gets sassy with his seated posture.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/c27b0c1c096c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" /></div><br />Speaking of Christmas, I would seriously consider applying for a seasonal job at Anthropologie if only to justify two or three dozen of these glass ornaments. I mean, look at that COLOR!! (I would also want a <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21179999&catId=HOME-FURNITURE-LIVING&pushId=HOME-FURNITURE-LIVING&popId=HOME-FURNITURE&navCount=30&color=004&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D">pair of these chairs</a>)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/a06646d0090a11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" /></div><br />Jenny the Carpenter made an appearance this weekend as well. We're making some little changes to the built-ins in the girls rooms. It's all done now and the paint is drying today. I'll share the afters with you once we can put all the books and other 'stuff' back on the shelves and photograph the room.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/79b3723e090911e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Grace made her first diorama! Her school is new and amazing, so their class study is on buildings and the new spaces in their school. She made a diorama of the library and wrote the cutest little interview-style report to go with it. She's so in to interviews now and walks around with her notepad, asking questions all day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/28161378090911e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I took down the drapes in our living room because I thought I would like the room better without curtains, but now I am sort of missing the finished feeling curtains bring to a space. I'm thinking maybe white with a ruffle trim edge. I love this charcoal gray cotton:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/db0b1d10090a11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And also this pleated grosgrain:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/38b5b3bc090b11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also organized my computer desktop off this weekend. No easy feat, I assure you. Hundreds of images. When I came across this one, I lamented the passing of summer again with it's soft warm glow, glorious fruits and vegetables and the pretty FLOWERS!!! That might be my favorite flower arrangement ever. If I could do my wedding reception over, all the flowers would be just like these. Straight-from-the-garden looking.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/6a01156e5d7bde970c0115714e782c970b-450wi.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of flowers, look what I was sent over from my lovely friends <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/">Joanna</a> and Alex (and I like to think <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/search/label/toby">Toby</a> was in on the decision too. Have I told you that that little guy has my heart under lock and key? We're buds.). Fresh flowers are my very favorite thank you gifts. UPDATE: the flower shop just brought over a second arrangement by accident. Bonus!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/01447fb0097611e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also this weekend I went to <a href="http://www.mgbwhome.com/">Mitchell Gold Bob Williams</a> to check out the <a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/product.php?productid=7293">Zondra slipper chair</a> in person for a client's living room. Turns out there isn't a showroom in the tri-state area with a Zondra chair in store. So lame, MGBW! I was also a little bummed the sales guy wouldn't tell me who makes this fabric. Can any of you save me a trip to the D&D and tell me who makes it? Usual suspects are Robert Allen, Kravet and Duralee.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/8d185950090b11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ladies. Do you ever get sick of doing your makeup? It's eye makeup that especially kills it all for me. So lately I've been just using a little tinted moisturizer, a swipe of mascara and red lipstick. I call it the 45 second makeover. Perfect for when you are running late (which happens to be most days for me). My secret weapon in the lipstick department is this <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P244104&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5809">red chapstick</a> from Laura Mercier in Crimson Tint. You can put it on easily without a mirror and it doesn't get on your teeth. I think that means it probably doesn't last as long as regular lipsticks, but you know. You win some you lose some.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/52a663ec090c11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2Picture69.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My kids are begging for a puppy for Christmas. Do you think they mean a dog of the Staffordshire variety? My love affair with these porcelain pretties continues. Read all about it <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/?p=6299">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Screen-shot-2011-04-20-at-83712-AM-498x550.png" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">image via Absolutely Beautiful Things</span></div><br />Off to take some photos of the girls room! xx</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

According to my phone...

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? We have house guests coming and some exciting work projects too, so things are bustling around here! My ...

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Acrylic Frames

I love the look of acrylic frames with metal fasteners (especially brass) in the corners. It's such a unique way to display art, but still neutral enough to let your art be the star.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/elledecornov09ScannedImage-3.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was excited to find a really affordable collection of these frames at <a href="http://www.muji.us/store/interior-decor/picture-frames/acrylic-picture-frame-small.html">MUJI</a> (which is a beautiful store - feels sort of like the Japanese version of IKEA).</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/photo.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The largest size is about 12x16, so not huge, but still pretty good size. Perfect for an 8x10 or even a little bigger. If you have some tips on REALLY big acrylic frames, I'm all ears. I have a series of hand-painted panels that I'd love to frame this way. I found some huge sheets at Home Depot that I'm going to go investigate.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great weekend everyone!!</div></div>

Acrylic Frames

I love the look of acrylic frames with metal fasteners (especially brass) in the corners. It's such a unique way to display art, but sti...

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PSA - Cheap Chiang Mai Dragon

For those of you still wild and crazy for Chiang Mai, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/cushinumbers/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">this eBay seller</a> in the UK is selling <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-Fabric-Cushion-Cover-Chiang-Mai-Dragon-Linen-/110767596671?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Cushions_Throws_LE&hash=item19ca43647f">pillows for a whopping $40</a>, which is absolutely unheard of. (Only 25 pounds for you UK readers) Available in both the aquamarine and the alabaster colorways.<br /><br />RUN. They'll sell out fast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture66-1.png" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture67-1.png" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">PS you might try asking the seller if they could make the pillow w/o the dragon front and center. I don't mind the little guy, but really, my favorite part of the pattern is the color in the florals. Might as well try to maximize the best parts, especially when pillows are concerned.</span></div></div>

PSA - Cheap Chiang Mai Dragon

For those of you still wild and crazy for Chiang Mai, this eBay seller in the UK is selling pillows for a whopping $40 , which is absolutel...

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Diamond Tufted Ottoman

I upholstered two diamond tufted headboards this year for clients and I'm about to start on my third and fourth for my girls' room. Here's a little sneak peek of the first (definitely not perfect, but still pretty) headboard I made. Room reveals and tutorials are on the way!<br /><br />I <3 metallic linen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0818.jpg" /></div><br />So now that I have a little bit of diamond-tufting practice under my belt, would you call me crazy to want to attempt one of these?...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/1Lounge.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture4-2.png" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/248812460_tVoOsCKx_c.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/10/block-printing.html">settee fabric designing</a> took a turn for the better (thank goodness) and I think I'll be ready to bang out that project this weekend. So now it's time to start ordering fabric/gathering supplies if I'm really going to make this ottoman. Might as well bang it all out while I'm the upholstering zone.<br /><br />I've been surprised by how much we miss having a big ottoman for the kids to roll around and play on. And wouldn't this be so pretty in our place?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Also, today's </span><a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/?p=5991" style="font-style: italic;">Babble post</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> shares couple of ideas (some old, some new) for 'wallpapering' a wall, without really wallpapering.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/ohjoy6a00d8341c6a0853ef0147e3bd86c9970b-800wi.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/08--1.jpg" /></div></div></div>

Diamond Tufted Ottoman

I upholstered two diamond tufted headboards this year for clients and I'm about to start on my third and fourth for my girls' room. ...

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Dreamy Art

I am so drawn to the art in these images from <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/10/chic-in-high-point-oly-studio.html">Habitually Chic</a> taken on Heather's visit to the Oly Studios showroom at High Point...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/7highpointoct2011habituallychic.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/6olyhighpointoct2011habituallychic.jpg" /></div><br />It reminded me of these big (and completely affordable!) posters available in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/debbiecarlos">Debbie Carlos' Etsy shop</a>. Here are a few of my favorites that have the same dreamy landscape feel. I love them all so much!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN152300272.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN244410071.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN247379783.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN184682251.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN164020491.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN264800020.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/il_570xN193633602.jpg" /></div>

Dreamy Art

I am so drawn to the art in these images from Habitually Chic taken on Heather's visit to the Oly Studios showroom at High Point... It ...

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