Peek into My Guest Room...(Via Made By Girl)

Friday is finally here!! What will you be up to this weekend? Anything planned? As for me, my family will be in town. Very exciting because I finally finished the guest bedroom, (well, it's 98% finished) but still needs a piece of ART behind the bed I think. No? Maybe? Yes?

My upholsterer delivered my WING Back last night, & I'm super HAPPY with the way it turned out! It makes the room look so chic! What do you think? 

Some of you may recall when I bought that DARN wingback chair at Pier1 Imports a few years ago. It was actually a black & white flowery fabric....which NOW looks old FARTY!!  Hmmm guess that's why they no longer sell this chair! Anyhow, I'm glad I thought to get it re-upholstered & give it a new look instead of listing it on CRAIGSLIST. Definitely something I recommend instead of spending more money buying something new! 

I really think my MOM will be impressed with the guest room + I did it with her in mind....

The GORGEOUS 108" black velvet panels are from Curtain Works. They were kind enough to send these to me as a gift & they were perfect for my guest bedroom! 

 

(click on pics for larger image)

For those of you interested in HOW TO measure appropriately when hanging curtain panels, here are some great TIPS provided by Curtain Works.

1). Hardware should be mounted one to three inches above the top of the window frame.

2). To achieve fullness, curtains & draperies should be 1 1/2-3times the finial measured width of the window.

3). Decide how long you want your curtains. Common lengths are above the sill, below the sill & floor length. 

4). Always measure your curtains from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the panel.

5). Don't forget to add the one to three inches to the mounted hardware, or a few extra inches to floor if you want a pool effect!

Mirrored night stands: Target

Zebra Hide : Ebay

Headboard: Target

Curtains: Curtain Works

Black & White IKAT pillows: Fabricadabra

Aluminum Horn Table: Seventh Avenue

Chair: Originally Pier 1 -(now custom reupholstered).


 

My Office Bookshelf...(Via Made By Girl)

One of the things I worked on this past weekend was my office bookshelf.  My husband suggested we paint the back of the bookshelf in 'black beauty' by Benjamin Moore... I agreed & TA DAAA!! He was tired of all the white in the home office & I guess I was too.... To see what the shelves looked like BEFORE, go here.

I've also been working on some paintings, which I'll be REVEALING soon.... for sale!  

Painting can be HAZARDOUS to pretty hands, I need a MANICURE bad!

How cute is my BIBLE wrapped in Python??

 

-image by jen

New At Neiman Marcus...(Via Made By Girl)

What's HOT at Neiman Marcus?!!? I nearly choked when I saw this headboard. Is it just me or does zebra print super stylish? I mean, it's like TIMELESS.  I love that these are in other colors & not the standard black and white, perhaps that's what makes these so eye-catching and chic. How about the brass nail heads?  I think they definitely add a bit of interest.

Hmmm, why am I thinking DIY.....??

Anyhow, back to Neiman Marcus, these are some of the newest & hottest items in their shop and if money was NO object, I'd buy everything below. It would all cost me around $5000 - as I said, if MONEY was no object. 

Staying Home for the Holidays...(Via Made by Girl)

This is my 2nd to last post before I take some time off & enjoy Christmas (without snow) with my guy! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it down to NY to see my family this year, maybe next time. 

However, I wanted to take this moment to WISH EVERYONE who comes by to visit my blog (even if you DON'T comment) a very HAPPY HOLIDAY! May God bless you all this New Year 2011.

Here's a glimpse of my home within the last couple days....be inspired & enjoy!

(click on pics for larger images)

We still need to place hardware on the cabinets....should be done first week of January. I REALLY think the kitchen will come alive when those are on, don't you think??

images by jen

Update on My Day......(Via Made by Girl)

Hey everyone, how's your DAY going so far?? 

As for me, I've been dealing with this kitchen RENOVATION for a few days now, I feel exhausted. Today the door installer is here, and I admit he's actually doing a pretty decent job. Thank God. Unlike the other contractors who were a bit of a mess! WOW, I now have a white kitchen!  

All we need next is: 

• Back splash
• Panel around the island 
• Hardware

Well, I ordered the hardware from some company online on December 4th, and they still haven't shipped! That's not nice is it?? Well, you can be sure I'll be on the phone after this post looking to ask where the hardware is. If they haven't shipped, I'm just going to ask for a REFUND & go elsewhere to buy them. Anyway, more pics coming soon!

In the meanwhile, I filled up the plain wall behind my desk with another painting I did!  It's a smaller version of the LARGE ART piece I did for our living room. What do you think? Adds a bit of PRETTY to my work space no??

image by jen

Friday Morning At My Place....(Via Made By Girl)

It's Friday.....the CONTRACTORS ARE HERE & they're starting to tape things off in the kitchen as well as ALL the bathrooms. Looks like it'll be sanding today & spraying tomorrow morning! I'm really NOT looking forward to the sanding part! Hmmmm, I'm so STARVED right now, all the food is packed & nothing solid to eat!! Ugh.

My guy stayed home from work today (but he's still working from home) & I'm thinking I'm going to STEAL HIM away & go grab a bite outside! I'll be taking pics of the KITCHEN RENOVATION as we go along, so you'll get to see all the changes.....so exciting!!!!
 

In the meanwhile, here's a new PAINTING I did a few days ago. I was so INSPIRED after going to the Getty, I pulled out the paintbrush. As you can see it's pretty darn BIG!  I'm very much into WHITE these days, so this painting definitely brings a splash of COLOR & happiness to my home! The way I applied the paint reminds me of LIPSTICK. 

Anyway, I DO need to frame it STILL, any ideas what kind of frame??

images by jen

Glimpse into My Weekend....(Via Made By Girl)

It's Monday again....and and what remains is a BIG mess in our kitchen. The contractor took all the cabinet doors/drawers from the kitchen as well as all the bathrooms. BUT, it should be done & painted this week! Woo hoo!  Then they'll be back for sanding & spraying this coming weekend...the part I'm dreading!

There will be DUST all over...LUCKILY, they said they'll be taping off the entire area. So, I guess it's take-out for a couple days....! Anyhow, I'm anxious to see how it will all turn out! For those of you wondering...my selection was Benjamin Moore's 'simply white' - I think it'll go pretty well with the other whites!

(click pics for larger images)

above: kitchen cabinets removed and taken by contractors to be lacquered. 

above: the Ballard chandelier hung by my guy, he did pretty darn good job because that thing was HEAVY!  Also, I was informed that Ballard is NO LONGER carrying this chandelier...I wonder why?!?! Anyhow, this is supposed to be the main dining area, but the ZGallerie table we ordered hasn't arrived yet!

below: I decided to hang the Jeannie Mills painting at the 2nd floor landing. I love looking at it every time I go up the stairs. 

 below: a little bit of BEAUTY in the midst of the mess in the kitchen.

below: a much needed break with Blintzes from Trader Joe's - ever had these before? They're DAIRY FREE and super good! I have them with melted dark chocolate and sometimes strawberries!

below: this is going to be our Christmas tree this year... we decided that we'll keep it SIMPLE. Of course, we'll be elevating it a bit and adding some ornaments!

below: a few decor items in the first floor powder room

images by jen

LOVE...Neiman Marcus Home....(Via Made By Girl)

Have you ever shopped at Neiman Marcus online? I checked out their home furnishings section and was pretty impressed with the selections. 

What have I been looking for lately?? A buffet. I'm currently shopping for a buffet-style table for my dining area and I came across more than JUST tables! Here are some items that could make me wanna buy THEM....See anything you like??