Linen Curtains in the Library (and a Loom Decor Give Away!)

We get very bright, full sun in the library for the first half of the day, so I've know for a while that we were going to need to invest in black out curtains and shades for the front rooms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo nIMG_7603.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/nIMG_7603.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_7702.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_7702.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I've held off and held off (because I knew they were going to be an investment and I wanted to be really, really happy with the color and fabric). Then I started to notice a little bit of sun damage on the mohair sofa and that was enough to get me moving. Plus, I felt like I had made enough other decisions for the adjoining rooms (new paint color for the music room, new rug for the library and music room) that I knew what color direction to go in for the curtains.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7418.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7418.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I ordered the curtains from <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/" target="_blank">Loom Decor</a> and I seriously could not be more happy with how they turned out. The fabric I chose (<a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/pale-seafoam-slubby-linen-custom-euro-pleat-drape-oh24" target="_blank">the Lush Pure Linen in Dew</a>) was an in-stock fabric, so it only took TWO WEEKS for the custom curtains to ship (and shipping was free!), which was such a huge help with the Domino shoot deadline looming. My local seamstress had quoted me five weeks (which seemed pretty ridiculous - it meant I basically I would have picked them up, like, today! yikes.) I told the Loom Decor people I was in a rush and they were so, so happy to get me everything asap. So nice of them! It was pretty much like Christmas morning when I opened up the carefully packaged curtains. The panels were perfectly constructed and the fabric has a really great color, weave and weight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5481.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5481.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I decided to go with black out lining and <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/custom-european-pinch-pleat-curtain-panel" target="_blank">two-finger Euro pleats</a> for the curtains. I like fan and Euro pleats the best - I think they are formal looking without being too fussy, and they help the fabric fold beautifully.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7604.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7604.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It is so nice to be able to close the curtains at night so we have privacy and then sun protection in the early morning. We hung the curtains on these brass Restoration Hardware rods that I got on sale a few weeks ago at the outlets. I love how simple they are.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7681.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7681.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7623.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7623.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I alway have curtains made at least an inch or two too long, so they puddle just a bit. I wanted these to be a little more puddled, so I went with a 2.5" addition to the finished length.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7614.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7614.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It's crazy how much the curtains help this room feel finished! I loved the open look of the windows before but now I can't imagine living without these curtains! Big game changer.<br /><br />Loom Decor, which offers up all sorts of beautiful soft goods like pillows, poufs, bedding and window treatments in all sorts of gorgeous fabrics usually only available to the trade, was really excited to offer up TWO $100 gift certificates for LGN readers today! <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/little-green-notebook-giveaway" target="_blank">Just click here to enter</a>. Good luck! (and thanks, <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/" target="_blank">Loom Decor</a>!)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo image003.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/image003.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Linen Curtains in the Library (and a Loom Decor Give Away!)

We get very bright, full sun in the library for the first half of the day, so I've know for a while that we were going to need to invest...

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DIY Leather-Wrapped Console Table (and a Milk Paint Mirror!)

<center></center>Remember <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-strip-vintage-furniture.html" target="_blank">this citron yellow console table</a>? I accidentally sawed a big line in it with my circular saw when we were doing the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-wide-plank-floors-made-from-plywood.html" target="_blank">plywood floors</a> in the studio (whoops!). Rather than toss the table, I felt like it could be salvaged with a little thinking outside the box.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-35.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-35.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />There is a place in Phoenix called the Fabric Depot (it's in Cave Creek) and they have what looks like the best price and selection of leather hides in the Valley. Half hides are usually about $60, which is just about as cheap as <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-new-leather-source.html" target="_blank">my leather place in Brooklyn</a>! Yay!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3086.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_3086.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><a name="more"></a><br />I picked up this black half hide there and when I got it home I saw this little brand or something with JM initials. Meant to be ours. ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3088.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_3088.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The first step is to make a pattern of all the sides of your console table by flipping the hide over and tracing each piece out. (PS the old IKEA Malm console table would work really well for this project or the current <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50228034/" target="_blank">Lack sofa tables</a> seem like they could work well also.) Oh, and I spray painted the table black first in case there were any little gaps between the leather pieces in the end, hopefully they would be less noticeable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1885.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1885.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1899.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1899.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I cut out the pieces and then used Fabritac to secure each of the pieces to the table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1905.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1905.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It helps to use a glue brush to make sure there's an even layer of glue and no too-thick parts that will show under the leather.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1915.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1915.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's most important to get glue right at the edge of the leather, so the edges lay flat.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1916.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1916.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used these small brass escutcheon brads as nail head trim. I wanted the brads to be more subtle than traditional nail heads and these worked great.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3090.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3090.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We marked out the first row, but it was pretty easy to eyeball the right spacing (about an inch) after I got in a rhythm.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3093.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3093.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After all the nails were in, I could see that some of the leather had pulled a little bit and the edges needed to be trimmed with an X-Acto knife, which was pretty easy to do. (see the JM here?)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3118.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_3118.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I LOVE how this one turned out. We were able to salvage a table that wouldn't have been otherwise usable with a big old saw mark right in the middle of it. The texture is so pretty and the little sparkle from the nails is just enough.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-29.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-29.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo bIMG_3133.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/bIMG_3133.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-39.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-39.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">It's not perfectly perfect, but I think that makes it look unique and handmade.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3122.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_3122.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love how it looks with the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-upholstered-bench-from-coffee-table.html" target="_blank">DIY upholstered bench project</a>.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-36.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-36.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-341.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-341.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and some of you recognized <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-bigger-mirror.html" target="_blank">the old mirror</a> we had hanging in the brownstone over the fireplace. I never loved the old finish and I've been itching to try milk paint for years and this seemed like the perfect application.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1849.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1849.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We picked up a bag of milk paint at a local antique store (Merchant Square) and added water to make the paint. I chose a creamy white color called Linen.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1863.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1863.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1865.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_1865.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The paint is (not surprisingly) super watery, but it covers really well. The old finish on the mirror made the paint flake up a little, but I actually loved the effect. I didn't want the mirror to look newly painted anyway.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3124.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_3124.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-38.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-38.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I think it's easy to get nervous about painting something, but this mirror was not precious to me and I didn't love it as it was in the wood stain. There wasn't much to lose, and I feel like the risk totally paid off here. I love it now.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-30.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Jenny_DIYimages-30.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How was your weekend? We had a family reunion and it felt really great to switch gears for a couple of days! Also, it was amazing to catch up on a little sleep. :)<br /><br /><i>PS Pretty photos above were taken by <a href="http://www.michelleherrick.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Herrick</a>. </i></div></div>

DIY Leather-Wrapped Console Table (and a Milk Paint Mirror!)

Remember this citron yellow console table ? I accidentally sawed a big line in it with my circular saw when we were doing the plywood floors...

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DIY Branch Light

<center></center>This afternoon we finished the Domino shoot! I'm so excited to share all the projects we did to get the house ready for this spread. We did a few DIY lighting projects and I love how they turned out. And actually, for Phoenix locals, I've partnered with the Home Depot to make this project and to host a DIY lighting workshop on July 12 from 10-11:30am. <a href="http://thd.co/1lsXpcb" target="_blank">You can register for a spot at the TEMPE (Baseline) location here</a>. I hope you can come! I've attended a couple of DIY Workshops before (the one on tile was SO helpful!) and they're always a good time. I'm excited to help lead this one where we'll be talking about lighting trends - it will be super casual and hopefully a lot of fun. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_7576.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_7576.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />So for this lighting DIY, I desperately needed a new fixture for the upstairs landing. The old one was a big bummer, and after splurging on a new Arteriors chandelier for the entry, I didn't want to spend hardly anything on this light. I remembered posting <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-branch-chandelier.html" target="_blank">this idea years</a> ago and it felt like the perfect quick solution for our landing light!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7560.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7560.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><a name="more"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7554.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7554.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I picked up 12 socket splitters at Home Depot. They were about a buck each, in the electrical aisle by all the outlet and switches. In the same aisle, you can find a simple porcelain canopy socket for about two dollars.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7521.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7521.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After taking all the stickers off, I screwed in the sockets and figured out the overall shape I wanted for the light. What I love about this project is you can shape the light however you want. You can make it more organic and branch-like or you can keep it pretty compact like I did. The ceiling on our landing is not super high, so I needed to keep the fixture short. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7532.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7532.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spray painted the canopy and the assembled fixture (which is easier to spray when it's put together) and I used a little painters tape to protect all the electrical parts. After two good coats and drying time, the light was ready to install.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7544.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7544.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also ended up buying a ceiling medallion from Home Depot. I like the way it finishes off the fixture and makes it look a little more fancy. I think it's so pretty to mix really traditional things with more modern ones.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7592.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7592.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Twelve of the splitters makes a pretty good-sized fixture that produces quite a bit of light. I used I think fourteen 25-watt bulbs. It's so sparkly! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7566.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7566.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7577.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7577.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And I LOVE how it looks with our new wallpaper! Such a quick and cheap project, but I am so happy with how it turned out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7588.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7588.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS The people at The Home Depot who invited me to host this upcoming DIY workshop sent me <a href="http://bit.ly/1fZYzgg" target="_blank">a link to a lighting contest</a> they did with Instructables.com. The winning project was this pretty <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Reclaimed-Wood-Lamp-with-Himmeli-Shade/" target="_blank">reclaimed wood lamp</a>. That geometric shade is made from straws! Very cool!</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"></span></span><br /><center><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"></span></span></center><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><img alt=" photo F4PZLW6HVQWEYACMEDIUM.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/F4PZLW6HVQWEYACMEDIUM.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"></span></span></div></div>

DIY Branch Light

This afternoon we finished the Domino shoot! I'm so excited to share all the projects we did to get the house ready for this spread. We ...

Read more »