Olive Obsession (and a Bathroom Sneak Peek!)

<div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I get really excited about a color or a fabric or a style of furniture mostly because it feels really fresh, or at least not too played out. I've been really drawn to shades of olive lately because they look new again to me! And I'm especially loving olive paired with pale blues. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Olive9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/Olive9.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a post coming up where I'll share all the details on the millwork we added to the bathroom here, but I wanted to put up a few peeks now of the finished guest bathroom. I am SO happy with the room and the fresh color on the walls!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Olive7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/Olive7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think it's so important to find a good color temperature balance in a space. The light in this bathroom is very cool - approaching blue. The tile I chose for the floors was also pretty cool, so I knew we could go very warm on the walls and it wouldn't feel off balance.<br /><a name="more"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Olive6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/Olive6.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The brass fixtures also help to add back some warmth in the sink and tub areas. Oh, you guys - the sink turned out so well! I can't wait to share this with you soon! We are getting a new wide angle lens since the shot is almost impossible to get without one. Such a tight space!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Olive3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/Olive3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The wall color is Farrow & Ball's Olive and the ceiling is Pale Powder, a barely there blue, and I love the combo together! The blue is so subtle, and the olive color has plenty of gray in it, so it's not too Army green and not too dark, which I was a little worried about. I was able to round up some inspiration images beforehand that helped me feel better about just going for it. This one, from the (seriously great) book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030798530X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=030798530X&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20&linkId=EYECDYZPOLL4UENR" target="_blank">French Accents</a>, really sealed the deal for me though.<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=littgreenote-20&l=as2&o=1&a=030798530X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I love that all the moulding floor to ceiling is the same color! So striking!<br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5132.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/IMG_5132.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And remember this total classic from Domino? So good.</div><br /><img alt=" photo 627116d80956cbf23b5ced39db248bb5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/627116d80956cbf23b5ced39db248bb5.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo Dominomagseafoambluebookcase.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/Dominomagseafoambluebookcase.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">And further proof that soft blue and olive are BFF:</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 87baffe2bb5720161fd50f47960e5ee4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/87baffe2bb5720161fd50f47960e5ee4.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-color-combo-olive-green-light-blue-kitchen-inspiration-182325" target="_blank"> <i>source</i></a><br /><i><br /></i><img alt=" photo cb06ed813a9159a22aab846bd5f5f907.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/cb06ed813a9159a22aab846bd5f5f907.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo 89c253ff9b5c9b415a343a319cd96796.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/89c253ff9b5c9b415a343a319cd96796.jpg" /><br /><i><a href="http://www.bellinterhouse.com/" target="_blank">source</a></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And remember <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/a-harlem-brownstones-vivid-transformation#slide-1" target="_blank">this amazing Harlem home</a>? Gah! So, so pretty, warm and inviting!</div><br /><img alt=" photo harlem-apartment-0511-03-lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/harlem-apartment-0511-03-lgn.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo harlem-apartment-0511-06-lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/harlem-apartment-0511-06-lgn.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo harlem-apartment-0511-02-lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/harlem-apartment-0511-02-lgn.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo harlem-apartment-0511-01-lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda011/harlem-apartment-0511-01-lgn.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The great thing about paint is it's a pretty inexpensive commitment. So if I tire of the olive at any time it would be easy to switch it out. But for now, I love it even more than I thought I would! :)</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Olive Obsession (and a Bathroom Sneak Peek!)

Sometimes I get really excited about a color or a fabric or a style of furniture mostly because it feels really fresh, or at least not too p...

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Onyx X-Base Side Tables

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7632.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7632.jpg" /></div><br />Years ago, at the ABC Outlet in the Bronx, I fell in love with this antique onyx-topped side table. But even on sale the table was about $700, so I just took a few photos of it and filed away the idea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3620.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3620.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3622.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3622.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When I was figuring out the floor plan for the library, I knew I would likely have to design my own side tables for the roll-arm sofa, since the bay windows made the space a little awkward for furniture. I needed long and skinny tables that were the right height for the low sofa arms. (Don't mind my dresses hanging in the window here - I was just trying to figure out what color I liked for curtains.) :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4247.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_4247.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">About the same time, I totally fell in love with the legs of these side tables that were for sale on <a href="http://www.chairish.com/" target="_blank">Chairish</a>. The dimensions weren't right for my space though and the color of the stone was too similar to my floors, but the design was just about perfect!</div><a name="more"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4731.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4731.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I had found a welder who I was also using to make my <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/06/guest-bathroom-sink.html" target="_blank">bathroom sink base</a>. His name is Dave and his business is called Custom Metal Concepts. He's a really, really nice guy and was careful with all the things I cared the most about (the diameter of the rods and the sturdiness of the bases). He is not all that comfortable with painted finishes as far as I could tell though, so I offered to handle that part myself. I am so thrilled with his work on both of the projects I had him do. I knew the tables would look different from the photos I gave Dave since my dimensions were about half the size of the inspiration tables, but I think he did a wonderful job of maintaining the feel and the proportion of the originals. And they are as sturdy as can be! No wobbles here.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5463.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5463.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5462.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5462.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For the table tops, I stopped in to Allpride Marble again to see what their remnant section had to offer. I found this (very dusty) small piece of onyx that was only $30! Fabrication costs were about $50 though, just to have the tops cut to size with polished edges and then to have the surfaces honed. But I guess $80 for the stone wasn't such a bad deal.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4903.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_4903.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4904.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4904.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_4905.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4905.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I measured and marked out the cuts before leaving the stone yard so I could maximize what I thought were the prettiest parts of the slab. They dropped off the finished tabletops with the sink a couple weeks ago. I LOVE how the light shines through the stone. It just glows in full sun!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_7819.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/vIMG_7819.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Before I epoxied the onyx to the table bases, I cleaned up some of the rust off the steel legs.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5551.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5551.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used my fingers and a rag to add some Gold Leaf Rub'N Buff to the legs in just selective spots. I didn't want the finish to look uniform at all.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_5555.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_5555.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The steel took the Rub'N Buff really well and after it had dried the finish was pretty solid and wasn't going anywhere. It dried almost like paint.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7822.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7822.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7791.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7791.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I really, really love the tables. I love how they look, but I mostly love how unique they are! Lots of people indirectly came together to create these tables - from inspiration to fabrication. It was such a satisfying creative process for me.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo bIMG_7845.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/bIMG_7845.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_7884.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7884.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to say exactly how much each table came out to in the end because the welder gave me a bundled price for the sink base and the two tables, but with the stone fabrication and everything I think these came out to about $200 each. Not exactly thrift store prices, but I know I will love these forever and ever. They are worth every penny and more to me.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_7806.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_7806.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7834.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7834.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7700.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7700.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7624.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7624.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Onyx X-Base Side Tables

Years ago, at the ABC Outlet in the Bronx, I fell in love with this antique onyx-topped side table. But even on sale the table was about $70...

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Reader DIY: Fireworks Wall Stencil

Hi guys! - Just a quick update for the locals planning to come to the <a href="http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/do-it-yourself-workshops?cm_mmc=socialmedia-_-Blogger-_-DIY-_-DIY-Workshops-Registration-Link" target="_blank">Home Depot DIY Workshop</a> tomorrow. I wanted to clarify that we won't be making the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/07/diy-branch-light.html" target="_blank">lighting DIY</a> I shared last week, although I'd be more than happy to help you find and even make the structure tomorrow at the Tempe store on Baseline. The lighting workshop, which starts at 10:00 am, will be lead by the store's DIY workshop leader and I'll just be there to talk a little bit and mostly just hang out with you all! :) We'll be talking about using different types of lighting and bulbs in your home and sharing tips on how to switch out old lights for more energy-efficient ones. <a href="http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/do-it-yourself-workshops?cm_mmc=socialmedia-_-Blogger-_-DIY-_-DIY-Workshops-Registration-Link" target="_blank">Hope you can come</a>!<br /><br />________________<br /><br />I really love getting emails with links to your projects. <a href="http://www.meghanmarymorrow.blogspot.com/2014/06/fireworks-family-room.html" target="_blank">Meghan Morrow</a> sent me this stenciling project she did in her home and I LOVE how it turned out! Her husband is in the Army and they live on base, so they move a lot. She had been dying to use Albert Hadley's Fireworks wallpaper (made by Hinson, distributed by Donghia) in her home for years, but it didn't make any sense for them to invest in that kind of installation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Hinson-Fireworks-Wallpaper.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/Hinson-Fireworks-Wallpaper.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><a href="http://laybabylay.com/thundercat" target="_blank">image</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo bedding-albert-hadley-fireworks.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/bedding-albert-hadley-fireworks.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">House Beautiful</div><br />Meghan bought a quilting stencil at a craft store and made her own version of the pattern with a sharpie and an X-acto knife!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0265.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_0265.jpeg" 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_2407.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_2407.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She mentioned to me it was a little time-consuming, but aren't the results worth it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo TVRoom.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/TVRoom.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We've been working on a stenciling project here at my house and I can attest that it can be a little tricky to get crisp lines on every repeat. It seems like the secret though is to not use too much paint and to keep both the stencil and the brush very clean.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo TV_1.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/TV_1.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Remember that mirror project above? Meghan <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-sunburst-mirrors-using-shims.html" target="_blank">used this tutorial</a> to make her own sunburst mirror. So many great DIYs in one place! I'm obsessed with her green curtains, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_6667.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/DSC_6667.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Check out <a href="http://www.meghanmarymorrow.blogspot.com/2014/06/fireworks-family-room.html" target="_blank">Meghan's post</a> for all the details!

Reader DIY: Fireworks Wall Stencil

Hi guys! - Just a quick update for the locals planning to come to the Home Depot DIY Workshop tomorrow. I wanted to clarify that we won...

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