living room decorating

Ikat Table Cloth DIY

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7517.jpg" style="height: 391px; width: 575px;" /></div><br />Ikat patterns are trendy and can be expensive, but because the  patterns are very organic and loose, it's an easy DIY. There are  endless ikat patterns to recreate, but I love Lee Jofa's Ikat de Lin in  Brick and <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/163223/Ikat-De-Lin-24-Fabric-by-Lee-Jofa-mediterranean-upholstery-fabric-" target="_blank">used this image</a> for my inspiration. I used four yards of ivory linen (available at Joann's or <a href="http://www.graylinelinen.com/home/linen/warsa-linen/warsa-linen-49-colors-2.html" target="_blank">Gray Lines Linen</a>) and <a href="http://www.tnartsupply.com/browse.cfm/procion-dyes-brilliant-scarlet-2-3oz-028/4,5415.html" target="_blank">Procion MX fabric dye</a> in Bright Scarlet.<br /><br />To mix the dye (it comes in powder form), add 1/8 tsp of powder with 16 oz of cold water. This is for a very pale result. If you want a richer, deeper red closer to the colors in the inspiration fabric, double or triple the amount of powder.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8150.jpg" style="height: 671px; width: 500px;" /></a></div><br />Mark the center of the 60" wide fabric and then free hand paint the base design using a thick, soft paint brush.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8155.jpg" style="height: 668px; width: 500px;" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8160.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8160.jpg" style="height: 370px; width: 574px;" /></a><br /><br />Once  the base patten was finished, mix a stronger concentration of the  fabric dye in a small squeeze bottle. Use about 1/8 tsp again for only  about 1 oz of cold water. Then use the squeeze bottle to add lines to  the ikat pattern. The idea is for the darker lines to line up with each  other as if part of the weft of the fabric. It is easiest to work from  top to bottom for the straightest lines, rather that right to left.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8164.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8165.jpg" style="height: 721px; width: 540px;" /></a></div><br />The  pattern will look more like real ikat if there are layers of dye, where everything sort of bleeds into each other. So  once the lines are added with the squeeze bottle, go over the design  again with the soft brush.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8164.jpg" style="height: 718px; width: 535px;" /></div><br />The entire process moves very quickly. This portion was finished in only 15 minutes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8170.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8170.jpg" style="height: 722px; width: 540px;" /></a></div><br />The  dye dries on the lighter side, so if you want the pattern darker, maybe  try using more powder in the dye solution. You can stitch the two  2-yard pieces of DIY ikat together to make a long  table cloth, but it would be just as easy to overlap the pieces  on the table and call it good.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_7533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7533.jpg" style="height: 433px; width: 569px;" /></a></div><br />I was obviously painting pretty fast and loose here, but if you were a little more careful (and actually marked out some registration marks with tailor's chalk), you could make the pattern exact enough for a big project like curtains or a duvet cover.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=DSC_0016-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/DSC_0016-1.jpg" style="height: 360px; width: 525px;" /></a></div><br />PS I did a round up of really cool projects that involve fabric dye <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/17/22-fabric-dye-projects/">HERE</a>.

Ikat Table Cloth DIY

Ikat patterns are trendy and can be expensive, but because the patterns are very organic and loose, it's an easy DIY. There are endles...

2:30 AM

Elsewhere

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">TGIF! I hope you have a great weekend planned! I'm hoping to take a little break from work and to spend some time with my family. My apartment is in desperate need of a deep clean, so that's on the agenda too.<br /><br />Here are a few things you might have missed this week:<br /><br />I was one of the bloggers featured in the latest edition of Adore Magazine (dedicated to all things NYC)! Read all about it out <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/13/10-favorites-from-octobers-adore-home-magazine/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /></div><span id="sample-permalink"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture26.png" /></span></div><span id="sample-permalink"><br /><a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/04/rustoleum-enamel-paints-now-tintable/" target="_blank">Big, exciting news</a> about my favorite Rustoleum Oil-based Enamel! LOTS more colors!!!<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/DSCN9842.jpg" style="height: 430px; width: 575px;" /></div><span id="sample-permalink"><br />I bought this book a couple weeks ago. It's a GREAT resource for botanical prints with black backgrounds. So, so pretty and dramatic! Get a a little sneak peek of some pretty pages <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/13/black-botanicals-for-framing/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="sample-permalink"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/the-art-of-instruction-chronicle-books.png" /></span></div><span id="sample-permalink"><br />It feels dramatic to dedicate <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/03/my-favorite-cleaning-tool/" target="_blank">a whole post</a> on these little blue towels, but they are MAGICAL.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="sample-permalink"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture14-3.png" /></span></div><span id="sample-permalink">Have you used magnetic paint before? How did it work for you? <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/09/20/magnetic-paint/" target="_blank">Thoughts and inspiration HERE</a>.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="sample-permalink"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/magnetic-paint.jpg" /></span></div><span id="sample-permalink"><br />And finally, here's the source I always recommend for buying trade fabrics and a <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/12/25-fabulous-fabrics-and-wallpapers/" target="_blank">few favorite picks</a> that I'm loving right now.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="sample-permalink"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/26734-006.jpg" /></span><span id="sample-permalink"><br /></span></div>

Elsewhere

TGIF! I hope you have a great weekend planned! I'm hoping to take a little break from work and to spend some time with my family. My apa...

2:30 AM

Summer is Gone

I know it's officially been fall for a few weeks now, but I am still mourning the passing of summer. I blinked and it was over! I didn't even have a chance to get sick of the heat. It came and went so fast I didn't really even put away my winter clothes! This week there is definitely a chill in the air and we've started wearing layers again. Sigh. :(<br /><br />I was daydreaming about all the things I love about warm weather and I remembered these photos from a party we had on our rooftop.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7517.jpg" style="height: 390px; width: 574px;" /></span></div><br />Balloons are such a cheap and easy way to decorate, and they're even cheaper if you don't have them filled with helium! Party  stores usually sell balloons flat for about  10 cents each. I picked up six  of each in ivory, peach, baby pink, medium  pink, neon pink, dark  pink and maroon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8184.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8184.jpg" style="height: 409px; width: 548px;" /></a></div><br />I blew up the balloons myself (and almost passed out in the process - scary feeling on top of a roof, btw) and then I poked a hole with a knife in the   leftover portion below the knot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8188.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8188.jpg" style="height: 732px; width: 547px;" /></a></div><br />Then I threaded a 5-foot piece of twine through the new hole and knotted the twine to   secure the balloon. Then just repeated with 4-6 balloons of   the same color per string, spaced about 8" apart.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_8189.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_8189.jpg" style="height: 612px; width: 552px;" /></a></div><br />Then I hung the strings of balloons in an ombre pattern on our gazebo/trellis thing. It would be just as easy to string another  piece of  twine between two trees, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/?action=view&current=IMG_7506.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/IMG_7506.jpg" style="height: 713px; width: 475px;" /></a></div><br />Fun, cheap and easy! It made a thrown-together dinner party feel really special.

Summer is Gone

I know it's officially been fall for a few weeks now, but I am still mourning the passing of summer. I blinked and it was over! I didn...

2:30 AM

Touching Up a Vintage Painting

I love painting and wish I had more time to dedicate to it. It's really relaxing, and there's something so refreshing about going into that pure creation mode. It's a nice counterbalance to all the over-thinking and drawn out time lines that happen with interior design. :) I usually paint flowers or landscapes, just for family and friends, but I would really love to take a portraiture class this year. I'd love to paint portraits of my own kids and I think it would be cool to make portraits for really special gifts. If anyone has any leads on great painting classes here in the city, I'm all ears!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0867.jpg" /><br /></div><br />On a related subject, collecting vintage portraits is sort of a trendy thing that I never really got on board with. Maybe I'm too sentimental and it seems a little strange to hang paintings of strangers. Then a couple weeks ago this beautiful vintage portrait caught my eye as I was leaving the Chelsea flea. Isn't she pretty? I love the colors and I like her thoughtful expression.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0857.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had already spent almost all my cash that day so I almost didn't ask the dealer for a price. I thought for sure she would want at least $100 or $200,  even though the painting needed some restoration. She wanted $15! SOLD!</div><br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0862.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />When I got home I pulled out some oil paints in the colors that had flaked off on her dress.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0869.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a pretty easy fix. You sort of just lightly mix the colors you need with a palette knife and then place the colors down.<br /></div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0871.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I added the swipe down the middle here. Because I didn't overmix there are highlights and lowlights that give the fabric of her dress some depth.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0876.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The next step was to sort of feather the new paint into the old.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0878.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />And the painting was fixed in about 5 minutes! Easy!<br /></div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0881.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Obviously I wouldn't have tried this with an expensive painting. Valuable art that needs repair should go to a professional restorer. But since I only spent a few dollars on this painting, I didn't mind trying to fix her myself.<br /><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_0885.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />She might be a stranger, but she makes me smile, so she's welcome to hang out on our walls.  :)<br /></div></div>

Touching Up a Vintage Painting

I love painting and wish I had more time to dedicate to it. It's really relaxing, and there's something so refreshing about going in...

2:30 AM

Kohler Contest - SPONSORED POST

<span style="font-style: italic;">Hi friends! This is the second installment of a sponsored post  written by my friends at Kohler, a company I'm genuinely proud to be working with. Thanks for being supportive of the sponsors  that help me keep things running here at LGN! xx</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/432105?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design Inspiration and a Contest from Kohler</span><br /><br />Kohler, known for its bold kitchen and bath fixtures, is running a contest to showcase its <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B245601420%3B70515971%3By%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=2665&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Tresham collection</a> through the idea of the past inspiring the present.<br /><br />Designers will appreciate the way Kohler challenged four of its own designers to create rooms with small budgets using <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B245601420%3B70515971%3By%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=2665&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Kohler’s Tresham collection</a>. The experiment resulted in four unique visions that were equally stunning.<br /><br />Rachel Gremminger incorporated a theatrical flair in her space, which was the polar opposite of Niels Eilmus’ very masculine, rustic bathroom. Travis Rotelli called his room “Instant  Professional,” and that’s just the vibe you pick up when you see the leather seating and bearskin rug juxtaposed with stark white pedestal sinks. Katie Begalke’s warm and inviting area is complete with classic literature on the bookshelves. Check out their rooms on <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKohler&k4=2666&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Kohler’s Facebook page</a>.<br /><br />While you’re there, get ready to put your designer’s eye to the test in Kohler’s Tresham Keepsake contest, which runs through October 31. Upload a photo of a treasured keepsake that brings out your inner designer, and submit a short statement (300 characters or less) that explains why your heirloom is the perfect piece to use with <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B245601420%3B70515971%3By%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=2665&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Kohler's Tresham collection</a>. One grand-prize winner, as chosen by judges, will win a trip for two to New York City, a professional design consultation, and Kohler products. Three first prize recipients will also win Kohler products.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B245601420%3B70515971%3By%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=2665&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Kohler.com/tresham</a> to check out the collection.

Kohler Contest - SPONSORED POST

Hi friends! This is the second installment of a sponsored post written by my friends at Kohler, a company I'm genuinely proud to be wor...

7:01 AM

House Tour: Play Room Under the Stairs!

I'm sad this is the last post from Todd and Emily's house! It's been so fun to get the inside scoop on their decorating adventures! And thank you to Jessica from <a href="http://www.jjhortonphotography.com/">JJ Horton Photography</a> for all the photos, except for the ones below that Todd and Emily just sent me here. This adorable play room is a recent addition to their home and I think the idea is genius! I would have LOVED a little play room under the stairs when I was a kid. It's wasted space anyway, why not make it useful and fun? I'm definitely storing this idea away for the future!<br /><br />Here's Emily:<br /><br />"When my father in law first visited us in our new home he suggested that we see what was under the stairs and build a play room. After two years of taking on other projects we never thought we could do ourselves, Todd felt ready to tackle a playroom under the stairs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/a-PlayRoomBefore2.jpg" /></div><br />"He removed the outlet and stuck our camera through the opening to get an idea of what was under there.   From what we could tell there was nothing, other than contractor debris and garbage from over 10 years ago.  So we cut a hole in the wall and set in on removing a stud, installing the proper support for a load-bearing wall and began to plan the details.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/a-PlayRoomBefore.jpg" /></div><br />"Knowing that a small door would be too tempting for little boys and their friends to play with (i.e. slam over and over again), we opted not to put a door on this little playroom.  That decision also meant that we needed to extend the hardwoods instead of using carpet.  This wasn’t too hard to do since we recently put hardwoods in our kitchen to match the rest of the house and already knew what kind and color we needed.  It only took one box to cover this room.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6241.jpg" /></div><br />"We decided to build a cubby at the foot of the room as it slopes down into such a narrow space and we wanted to have a place to store toys and keep it organized since it is open to the hallway. We installed two small recessed lights, got all of the electrical work in place and hung the drywall.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6265.jpg" /></div><br />"Imagine my excitement when Todd was the first to mention that we should wall paper the room (he’s usually against wallpaper in any capacity, but liked the idea of hiding drywall imperfections).  While Todd got busy building the room, I was busy looking at wallpapers.  We considered a few and since it is such a small room and would only take one roll we looked at some pricier options.  We ultimately decided on <a href="http://www.ferm-living.com/kids-wallpaper/ferris">this wallpaper</a> from Ferm Living.  We painted the ceiling Benjamin Moore Sweatshirt Gray to break up the wallpaper and used this same gray inside the cubby.<br /><br />"Before installing the wallpaper we primed the walls with a water based primer which is recommended.  Since Home Depot got rid of their wallpaper section they didn’t have the exact primer that we saw online so we went with a gallon of <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202039591/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">this one</a>.   Parker was able to help with this part which he was more than happy to do.  I went to Sherwin-Williams after we primed the walls to buy the supplies we would need to hang wall paper.  While there I found out that Sherwin-Williams makes their own water-based primer for wall paper and it comes in a quart size for about $15.  I wish we had gone there first, oh well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6149.jpg" /></div><br />"Installing the wallpaper was an interesting experience.  The first 10 minutes were frustrating as we tried to figure out the straight line of the wall.  Walls and ceilings are never perfectly straight so you have to use a plumb (basically a weight you hang from a string attached to the ceiling) to find the perfect vertical line.  You use this to make sure the first sheet is straight and then line each other piece up based on the first one.  Corners are tricky (you can’t just wrap a sheet around or inside the corner) and there is a pretty detailed process involved. Thanks to some youtube videos we figured out one technique that made sense for the pattern in our paper and it worked pretty well. Of course, we picked a very hard room to wallpaper especially for our first try.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6287.jpg" /></div><br />"We were surprised at how resilient the paper is.  We chose a high quality paper so I’m assuming that helps but we would make creases in the smoothing out process that looked like they would never come out, but with a little reworking they always did.  Overall, it turned out wonderful and I smile every time I walk by this little room which is probably 20 times a day.  Parker loves showing it off to his friends and I like that it’s so close to the kitchen that I can hear the things they say when I'm in there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6284.jpg" /></div><br />"We originally planned on hanging a chalkboard that Todd built but when we put it against the wall I was surprised at how much I loved the wallpaper and didn’t want to cover it up with a big chalk board.  Now, we’re thinking of making one of <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/272907/making-childrens-bookshelves">these</a> so it won’t cover up the wall paper as much and doesn’t stick out in an already very small room."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_6311.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Adorable right? I love that wallpaper so much. A HUGE thanks to Todd and Emily for letting us tour their house and for sharing the process of renovating and decorating a home! I think these two are a great example of how you can get a gorgeous home by spending money where it counts and saving on the other stuff.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/LB-154.jpg" /></div></div></div>

House Tour: Play Room Under the Stairs!

I'm sad this is the last post from Todd and Emily's house! It's been so fun to get the inside scoop on their decorating adventur...

2:30 AM

living room decorating

Ikat Table Cloth DIY

Elsewhere

Summer is Gone

Touching Up a Vintage Painting

Kohler Contest - SPONSORED POST

House Tour: Play Room Under the Stairs!

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