Pretty Details

We’re adjusting back into small space living here at Chez Komenda. As I’ve been making decorating choices and purchases, I keep thinking about form and function and about surprises in design. Dresser by the New Traditionalists Really, there’s nothing all that mind-bending about an idea like this – to paint the insides of a drawer…

We’re adjusting back into small space living here at Chez Komenda. As I’ve been making decorating choices and purchases, I keep thinking about form and function and about surprises in design.

Dresser by the New Traditionalists

Really, there’s nothing all that mind-bending about an idea like this – to paint the insides of a drawer in an unexpected color. But when there are only a couple of large pieces in our apartment, and when furniture has to do double/triple/quadruple duty, it’s little extra steps like this that will keep things fresh. It might just be the crazy decorator in me, but design is in the details and I know I’d smile at the sight of that red after opening a drawer for the 100th time in a given day.

What details in your home make you smile?

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Bathroom

B&W Kitchen Floors

A few years ago we lived in a townhouse with really unfortunate kitchen floors. One day I reached my limit and couldn’t take the ugly floors any more. Even though it was a rental I bought two boxes each of black and white peel and stick laminate tiles, and put down a classic checkerboard pattern….

(not my kitchen, sadly I can’t find any photos) image via D*S

While I love a good checkerboard, there are some really ideas out there for twists on the classic black and white kitchen or bath floors.

Kelley Proxmire

Domino

Peel and stick tiles are pretty easy to cut and I think it would be cool to try an intricate pattern some time.

via At Home in Arkansas

Peak of Chic

In unrelated news, Happy Halloween! It’s taken all of my willpower to prevent my kids from wearing their costumes early! Have a wonderful and safe weekend. xx

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Bathroom

B&W Kitchen Floors

(not my kitchen, sadly I can’t find any photos) image via D*S

While I love a good checkerboard, there are some really ideas out there for twists on the classic black and white kitchen or bath floors.

Kelley Proxmire

Domino

Peel and stick tiles are pretty easy to cut and I think it would be cool to try an intricate pattern some time.

via At Home in Arkansas

Peak of Chic

In unrelated news, Happy Halloween! It’s taken all of my willpower to prevent my kids from wearing their costumes early! Have a wonderful and safe weekend. xx

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Kids Room

Gallery Walls: Another Method

So, you want to hang a gallery wall, you say? But you don’t want to put a million holes in your wall through trial and error. And you don’t have eight years to cut out kraft paper templates, ala Martha. Maybe you want something a little more… technical than my approach? You’re in luck! The…

You’re in luck! The adorable Marissa from Roost Home figured out a quick, easy and exact method for hanging a gallery wall. Go here for in-depth instructions, but the gist is…

1. Trace your arrangement on wax paper, making sure to mark the hanging mechanism.

2. Tape the wax paper template on the wall and tap in your nails.

3. Hang up your art and tear down your wax paper (which ever you feel comfortable doing first)

Voila! Easy and exact! Thanks, Marissa!

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Bedrooms

I want to be friends with Kate Schintzius

Please tell me you guys enjoyed this Sneak Peek as much as I did. This woman is the absolute QUEEN of color and pattern! I love it all. PS Did you enter this week’s Give Away for $100 of L&S fabrics? cause you totally should.

Please tell me you guys enjoyed this Sneak Peek as much as I did. This woman is the absolute QUEEN of color and pattern! I love it all.

PS Did you enter this week’s Give Away for $100 of L&S fabrics? cause you totally should.

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Art

Reader DIY: Another HappyTape Entry

Do you remember this post, were I used colorful masking tape to make a pattern on the walls of my rental’s entry? Eileen tried this too, but with the peacock blue color. I love the results! Do you have a project you want to share on LGN? Email me!

Do you remember this post, were I used colorful masking tape to make a pattern on the walls of my rental’s entry?

Eileen tried this too, but with the peacock blue color. I love the results!

Do you have a project you want to share on LGN? Email me!

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Inspiration

Give Away: L&S Fabrics

Happy Monday! How about a give away to kick off the work week? Up for grabs is a $100 gift certificate to my favorite fabric resource, L&S. Here are some of my picks: Spotswood is my latest obsession! Love this print. Bengal! Tiger is welcome in any of my rooms. Namaste – I really love…

Happy Monday! How about a give away to kick off the work week? Up for grabs is a $100 gift certificate to my favorite fabric resource, L&S.

Here are some of my picks:

Spotswood is my latest obsession! Love this print.

Bengal! Tiger is welcome in any of my rooms.

Namaste – I really love this ikat.

Plaid and check patterns are hot right now, but really, it’s hard to get more classic than check. I love it when trends are timeless!

Wouldn’t this colorful polkadot be so cute for a window shade in a nursery!

This would be cute for drapes in the same nursery. I like mixing patterns.

Considering this subtle linen stripe for an upholstery project

I’ve never seen this pattern before, but I’m loving the colors! I think I’ll order a sample.

Same here

(by the way, I’ve ordered lots of swatches from L&S before and then always mail them out super quickly!)

Cornwall is so fun for pillows

And this print is new to me too!

This fretwork print might make it’s way into my girls room…

And this might be my new inspiration for Evie’s room (well, I already had a purple fabric, and this one might be a good addition)

And this absolutely lovely marilgold oversized paisley is making it’s way on to a client’s living room drapes.

Aren’t you dying to get your hands on these fabrics! If you’d like $100 to spend at L&S, please leave a comment on this post before Friday, October 29 at midnight, and include your favorite fabric on the L&S site. If you’d like your name to be counted twice, simply add L&S as a Facebook friend, here, and leave another comment about it.

Good luck!!

(psst…here are my picks from the last L&S give away)

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Inspiration

Give Away: L&S Fabrics

Happy Monday! How about a give away to kick off the work week? Up for grabs is a $100 gift certificate to my favorite fabric resource, L&S.

Here are some of my picks:

Spotswood is my latest obsession! Love this print.

Bengal! Tiger is welcome in any of my rooms.

Namaste – I really love this ikat.

Plaid and check patterns are hot right now, but really, it’s hard to get more classic than check. I love it when trends are timeless!

Wouldn’t this colorful polkadot be so cute for a window shade in a nursery!

This would be cute for drapes in the same nursery. I like mixing patterns.

Considering this subtle linen stripe for an upholstery project

I’ve never seen this pattern before, but I’m loving the colors! I think I’ll order a sample.

Same here

(by the way, I’ve ordered lots of swatches from L&S before and then always mail them out super quickly!)

Cornwall is so fun for pillows

And this print is new to me too!

This fretwork print might make it’s way into my girls room…

And this might be my new inspiration for Evie’s room (well, I already had a purple fabric, and this one might be a good addition)

And this absolutely lovely marilgold oversized paisley is making it’s way on to a client’s living room drapes.

Good luck!!

(psst…here are my picks from the last L&S give away)

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Musings

HURRY!! The Commission Project

Jordan’s amazingly talented husband, artist Paul Ferney, is accepting a limited number of commissions at about half price. And they come with a frame! The first 100 spots sold out in a matter of hours, but Jordan just announced they will be accepting a few more commissions. Want to see what I’m getting? It’s Red…

Want to see what I’m getting? It’s Red Mountain in Arizona, near where where Michael and I both grew up. I can’t wait to see the painting in person some time next week! And I’m even more excited to hang it on our wall. It will be a nice reminder of home…

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Musings

Good Design, Kids in Mind

I’d be a wealthy lady if I had a dime for all the times, when I was pregnant with my first, other moms told me to “Have fun now because your life will never be the same!” Our three girls are the spice in life for me and Michael. They are adorable, sweet and endlessly…

I’d be a wealthy lady if I had a dime for all the times, when I was pregnant with my first, other moms told me to “Have fun now because your life will never be the same!”

Our three girls are the spice in life for me and Michael. They are adorable, sweet and endlessly witty. Some days I want a dozen more! (some days I want to hide in the closet) But it’s naive to think life isn’t different, for good or for bad, with our children in the mix.

Having kids often changes the way we think about our careers, how we spend our money, how and where we travel, how much we sleep, what we eat, what we wear, and (ahem) how our bodies look. It’s an all-encompassing life change. And a part of adjusting our lives for children includes consideration when decorating our homes. We talked a little about that here.

This week, Kirsten from 6th Street Design School interviewed a few mommy bloggers in a series call Good Design, Kids in Mind. You should go check it out and see what we all have to say about being design-minded moms. Find out what I was like in junior high (poor Mom!) and how I keep this almost-walking 10 month-old from destroying every lamp, jar, vase, bowl, and accessory in our apartment.

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Bedrooms

A New Kind of Family Photo

I’ve heard more than one decorator say you should never display photos of yourself or your family in your own home. I say do what you want to do. I think it’s so cool to blow up a fun family photo to hang as art. Bonus points for using shots that are a little off…

Cottage Living

Lulu DK for Lonny

Desire to Inspire

Palmer Weiss for Lonny

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Musings

Custom Lantern Chandelier For Sale

For all of you Boston or New England readers, my client (from the previous post) is selling this amazing custom chandelier. It was made to look like this stunner: The chandelier was custom ordered by my client through the Boston Design Center about two years ago, before we started working together. It is absolutely gorgeous…

For all of you Boston or New England readers, my client (from the previous post) is selling this amazing custom chandelier.

It was made to look like this stunner:

The chandelier was custom ordered by my client through the Boston Design Center about two years ago, before we started working together. It is absolutely gorgeous and is in perfect condition. Here are the measurements:

The piece was a bit of an investment at $2300, but it just didn’t ever feel right in the space to her, so my client has decided to part with it. If you are local and would like to make a reasonable offer, email me at jenny @jennykomenda.com. Thanks!

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