My First Domino Article!

I'm packing up to head back home from NYC, but first wanted to share with you a link to <a href="http://domino.com/an-ode-to-the-pax" target="_blank">my article</a> for <a href="http://domino.com/" target="_blank">Domino</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0487.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0487.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I added three Pax units to our bedroom to better store our shoes and folded clothes. My favorite part is the little vanity area in the center unit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0706.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0706.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0665.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0665.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I have a few DIY project posts coming up from the behind the scenes. Can't wait to share this week!

My First Domino Article!

I'm packing up to head back home from NYC, but first wanted to share with you a link to my article for Domino ! I added three Pax units...

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Painting the Fireplace Black

<center></center>I'm in New York this week for a really cool project and event that I'm excited to share with you all. Before I left for the airport this weekend I got the itch to paint the fireplace, just to see what it would look like in black, so I rolled on a quick coat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8578.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_8578.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It will need a couple coats of paint with sanding sessions in between, but so far I'm loving it!<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8577.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_8577.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I also found a remnant slab of honed black granite at a local stone yard that I think will be perfect for the fireplace surround. The stone will be cut to fit all the area on the inside of the mantle, surrounding the firebox.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7665.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7665.jpg" /></div><br />I love the texture of this stone! Isn't it pretty? It's a little bumpy, which I really like for an application like this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7667.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7667.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />When I get back home I'm going to paint the walls in the living room before finishing the fireplace. I think lightening the walls with a pale gray and a coat of bright white on the beamed ceiling will make for such a pretty contrast in the space with the all-black fireplace. I'm so, so excited to get this space done and functional!<br /><br />Here are a few of my inspiration images:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 69b9bfbcccbb8dd94f91d991afca9073.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/69b9bfbcccbb8dd94f91d991afca9073.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/339318153144444578/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 1262310f22236c7d9783d2706189da75.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/1262310f22236c7d9783d2706189da75.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149252175120826551/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo d20ea2194ddbe2c6ef4d558179f94717.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/d20ea2194ddbe2c6ef4d558179f94717.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://georgianadesign.tumblr.com/post/42932259746/lucy-interior-design-minneapolis" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 0167889b3aa071bbb67ad2f47bb2369e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/0167889b3aa071bbb67ad2f47bb2369e.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thecrossdesign.com/blog/page/2/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo housebeautiful51bd34b26b602bb2b9aa7ce800437e24.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/housebeautiful51bd34b26b602bb2b9aa7ce800437e24.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House Beautiful</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo screen-shot-2012-01-15-at-8-07-21-pm1.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/screen-shot-2012-01-15-at-8-07-21-pm1.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/277393658272095879/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div>

Painting the Fireplace Black

I'm in New York this week for a really cool project and event that I'm excited to share with you all. Before I left for the airport ...

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Serpentine Secretary

I can't stop/won't stop with the Craigslist shopping lately. There are so many great finds here and most everything is so incredibly affordable that it's hard to pass a lot of it by. Some things need more work than others though and part of me wonders if it's worth it in those cases.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qqDSC_0550.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qqDSC_0550.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Like this secretary I recently picked up from a Craigslist seller. I am so in love with the scalloped, serpentine drawer, but man, does it need some work!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0561.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0561.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br />When I came by the seller's house to look at it, I was a little disappointed with the condition of the wood. From the photos, it looked like it was in original condition, but I could see right away in person that it had been painted and then (mostly) stripped and that it needed some love. The wood is pretty dry. The seller gave me really great deal on it though and it was hard to pass by since the shape is so unique.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0566.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0566.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0531.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think with some cleaning the solid brass flower pulls could be cute. Though maybe on a different piece?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0534.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0534.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Check out the carved curve of the drawer<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0573.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0573.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0570.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0570.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also love the unique leg shape that's so slim from the front and much wider from the side view.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo wDSC_0557.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/wDSC_0557.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0559.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0559.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I <i>love </i>tiger oak, but I think this piece would look better painted. If the wood was in better shape, I'd totally fix it up more and keep the wood stain (you know I'm all for wood furniture), but I think this would look better in a painted finish - either a gloss or a chalk paint.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaaDSC_0548.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aaaDSC_0548.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I thought I would like it here in the entry, but the curve of the stairs sticks out too much. There's still several feet of clearance, but I think I'll keep my eye out for something with a slimmer profile for here - maybe wall-mounted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo zIMG_8679.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/zIMG_8679.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I've actually been thinking it would look really cool in the landing upstairs by the girls rooms, especially if it was painted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qIMG_8695.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qIMG_8695.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8699.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_8699.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I imagine the girls leaving each other fun little notes inside and storing their treasures in the drawers. We've been collecting seashells for a few years now from our different travels (and my parents have been bringing some to the girls too - they went to Ireland and Scotland this month and they brought back some beauties for us) and this little secretary seems like a perfect place to keep the shells.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I'll be glad I bought it when I do get around to refinishing the secretary. My threshold lately has been "will I regret not buying this a year from now?" and if I can honestly say yes, I go for it (and then cram it into the garage! ha!). What is your rule?</div>

Serpentine Secretary

I can't stop/won't stop with the Craigslist shopping lately. There are so many great finds here and most everything is so incredibly...

Read more »