Room Tour: Anne's Living and Dining Room

<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;">I am so excited about today's room tour! Reader <a href="http://gaddere.com/" target="_blank">Anne</a> enlisted the help of my lovely and super-talented friend <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpurestylehome.blogspot.com%2F&ei=V_66T4mgIcOqgwe6y7S1Cw&usg=AFQjCNGGEF2HWM1yaitqMp3j0qOocQkwOA&sig2=xsc-ATXWOSpQPm7uDSKHCg" target="_blank">Lauren</a> (who is due with her third baby any second now!) for some eDecorating advice. I LOVE how these two collaborated to make Anne's home bright and cheery and polished. It's a nice mix of modern and traditional and I think they did a beautiful job of putting money where it counted. Here's Anne... </span><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71270020.jpg" /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;">Being a <a href="http://gaddere.com/" target="_blank">graphic designer</a> is a blessing when it comes to creating a look on paper, but translating our style into home decor proved to be, well, challenging.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71250033.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;">So when I stumbled across Lauren Liess from <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpurestylehome.blogspot.com%2F&ei=V_66T4mgIcOqgwe6y7S1Cw&usg=AFQjCNGGEF2HWM1yaitqMp3j0qOocQkwOA&sig2=xsc-ATXWOSpQPm7uDSKHCg" target="_blank">Pure Style Home</a>, I knew I wanted her to help me. With a brief over-the-phone consultation, she was able to give me direction on the larger paralyzing decisions...like "Buy something modern for the second buffet," or "Fill this wall to the ceiling with art." She's a genius! </span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71270011.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;">I then spent the next ten months collecting furniture and art (Lauren also helped us with our master bedroom) and putting the pieces together to create a look that truly reflected our style. My husband is traditional and I like a bit of quirk. Voila!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71270025.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71280022.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">When we started this transformation, many of the larger items were in place, but the rooms felt unfinished and off balance. Lauren's advice to create symmetry (around the picture window and couch) and filling the space with 'pretties' proved to be the key to making it feel cozy and inviting. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71330004.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">My husband was afraid that filling the walls with art would make the space feel smaller, but in fact your eye is now drawn up and around the rooms, creating the illusion of more space. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71250025.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">And adopting the mindset that 'it might get broken, but it's worth having out and not hidden for the next ten years' helped with creating table tops suitable for a toddler (we have since moved the cactus-ha!). As long as we have a few things out that our two year old son </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>can</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"> touch, he is happy to leave the breakables alone.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71250013.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Another key piece to pulling things together was a color 'theme'. I wanted the rooms to connect, but I didn't want to be matchy-matchy. The pillow on the sofa (which I just LOVE) was a gift from missionary friends in Bosnia and it became my 'go to' when I was tempted to purchase something. If it didn't jive with the pillow ... I had to pass. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71250015.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The conversation starter in the room is definitely the large black and white image in the dining room. It's an image of my dad as a boy and we just love it! I sat for months on the couch wondering what do with that space and now having it filled with a little piece of family history is a treat. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71330003.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">In fact, if you look around, animals play a theme in most of the vignettes. A happy accident I guess, but we love the subtle 'lodge' feel. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71330006.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Well, there you have it. Our living and dining rooms. Thanks for looking! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I will list sources below. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">All images by </span></span><a href="http://amymajorsphotography.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">amymajorsphotography.com</a></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">P.S. I added a photo of our nursery here too. It was finished when I spoke with Lauren and I told her 'THIS is our style'. Amazing how nesting will kick you into gear to get a nursery ready while the rest of the house sits undone. :)</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/71260022.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Resources: </span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Sofa -  Ethan Allen</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Rug - West Elm</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Drapery - JCPenny</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Club Chairs - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Round End Table - Overstock</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Campaign Side Table - Urban Outfitters</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Three Drawer End Table - Antique</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Coffee Table - Overstock</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Lamps - Target/JCPenny</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Living Room Art - Collected over the years</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Sofa Pillow - Bosnian rug turned pillow (gift)</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Pink Throws - West Elm</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Coffee Table Baskets - Target</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Coffee Table Tray - Target</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Elephant - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Floor Lamp - Antique</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Chandelier - Antique</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Dining Table - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Dining Chairs - Ikea</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Wood Buffet - Antique</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">White Buffet - Ikea</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Buffet Lamps - JCPenny base with Target shades</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Books - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Art - Collected over the years</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Large Print - Photo printed at Canvas On Demand</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Vases - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Dog - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Buffet Tray - Target</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Bar Glasses - Williams-Sonoma</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Silver Cheese Server - Thrifted</span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Cigar Boxes - Local Cigar Shop</span></span></div>

Room Tour: Anne's Living and Dining Room

I am so excited about today's room tour! Reader Anne enlisted the help of my lovely and super-talented friend Lauren  (who is due with ...

Read more »

Every room needs a pop of red

There's a tiny little open-air flea market in a lot on 25th st just east of the Chelsea Flea/Antiques Garage (my favorite!). It's easy to miss if you don't know where to look for it. The offerings are super shabby compared to the vendors in the antiques garage, and there's almost no furniture, but it's a fun place to look for cheap accessories. This guy's stand usually has one or two little vases or bowls that are perfect for styling rooms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5240.jpg" /></div><br />What do you think I was drawn to here?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5239.jpg" /></div><br />I love a pair of anything, but the color of these vintage persimmon splatter vases was just perfect. And the shape of these was ever so slightly off, which I think is so great.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5241.jpg" /></div><br />I thought for a minute they might be old Jonathan Adler vases because of the initials on the bottom, but I think these are too old to be his. The vases are midcentury (I think) and he started working in the 80s. Anyway, I still really liked them though and $25 for the pair was more than fair, so I took them home.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5242.jpg" /></div><br />I love how they look on my bookshelves. A little red in every room goes a long way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5263.jpg" /></div><br /><br />

Every room needs a pop of red

There's a tiny little open-air flea market in a lot on 25th st just east of the Chelsea Flea/Antiques Garage (my favorite!). It's ea...

Read more »

Sign of a good weekend ahead?

I had little stroke of good luck yesterday afternoon. I was walking home from a meeting with a favorite client at Oly Studio, where we were both admiring these amazing doors.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5222.jpg" /></div><br />Note to future self: you want doors like these! So cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5224.jpg" /></div><br />Anyway, on the way home I popped into Housing Works thrift and saw a BRAND NEW (still on the leg stabilizers!) <a href="http://bungalow5.com/products-harlow-coffee-table-taupe-1--HAR-50-04.php" target="_blank">Bungalow 5 Harlow coffee table</a> in all it's lacquered charcoal gray glory. Price tag? $50.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5230.jpg" /></div><br />I bought the table as fast as possible (don't you do that at thrift stores when you find something good? also I practically threw my body across the table when I caught someone else giving it a side glance :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/HAR-50-09June.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/ScreenShot2012-05-17at103559PM.png" /></div><br />There is a little knick on the edge of one side, but I think I can patch it without a problem. You know what was a HUGE problem though? I paid for the thing and as I was walking it out the door I realized<br />A) No wonder this coffee table retails for about $1k, it is really well built and it weighs a LOT more than you'd think, and<br />B) It was 4:30 pm, aka the witching hour when all the city is cabless while the taxi drivers switch shifts. NOOooooo<span style="font-size: x-small;">oooo.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/c81c64f8a05d11e1be6a12313820455d_7.jpg" /></div><br />So lucky me got to awkwardly waddle all the way home with a deceivingly heavy, but oh so pretty coffee table, soon to be united this summer with the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/04/if-youre-scared-of-diy-upholstery.html" target="_blank">stripey settee</a> in my new big office. I decided I could skip the gym last night since my feet and arms were tingly/shaky for hours after the fact! So worth it.

Sign of a good weekend ahead?

I had little stroke of good luck yesterday afternoon. I was walking home from a meeting with a favorite client at Oly Studio, where we were ...

Read more »