MONACO Interiors

Best of MI...Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Richard Smith...

2013-05-17T16:47:00.002-07:00

Well, its my last Friday in my seaside cottage and I've gone for my last walk...its bittersweet for me, but on to bigger and better things now. I thought in true fashion for a Friday, I would post one of my favorite columns about one of my favorite places in the world: England. My mother was born in Scotland and I lived in England so it has a very special place in my heart. Not to mention

Best of MI...Fabulous Fabric Fridays...Saffron Marigold

2013-05-14T16:28:00.003-07:00

I have so many great posts from the past, I thought it was rather inspiring!! I used to do this column every Friday and this company has some seriously gorgeous fabrics that are STILL so in demand. I love all of these, but the 'Morning Dew' really catches my eye. Which is your favorite?? Enjoy! SAFFRON MARIGOLD - FROM JULY 2010 Welcome to the world of Saffron Marigold...

On the beach...

2013-05-13T18:12:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have been a terrible blogger this week. I have so much going on and so many balls in the air, blogging is unfortunately an effort I just don't feel like I have time for right now. I am moving from the beach, just down the road a bit but not across the street from the beach (boo hoo). I have also become a landlord, so this is new and a little scary but exciting for me. I am taking this

Mother's Day gift ideas...from NOVICA...

2013-05-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Sunday! I have a special treat for you from Novica, which is a new site to shop for goods made around the world in association with National Geographic When I was little, I used to love reading National Geographic because it gave me insight into other cultures and people around the world. This was where I first learned about Mt. Everest and the Himalayas. Where I learned about

Did you know I have a shop?

2013-05-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers out there in blogland. Happy Friday! I didn't know whether anyone out there knows I have a rather modest shop on my blog, aptly called 'The Shop' - I know, very creative! Well, I have some items that you might find interesting including a couple of pillows and some clothing that is virtually brand new. I am moving soon and need to clean out stuff and as you know,

Deep greens and blues...

2013-04-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

(image by Sarah) '...are the colors I choose, won't you let me go down in my dream...' - who remembers the James Taylor song 'Sweet Baby James?' That line always stuck with me and creating this post, its going through my head! Feast your eyes on this beautiful color combo combining blue sky with nature's color, green. What is your favorite? Do you decorate with blues and greens? Happy

Thinking outside the...house...

2013-04-27T06:52:00.001-07:00

My posts are so sporadic these days, I must apologize. I wish I could post every day, but, I just don't find the inspiration lately. Does this happen to you? Well, let's start the weekend here with some thoughts for the patio, backyard, front porch etc...we are always talking and posting about interior design, but how about exterior design for a change? I am still on the hunt for a sweet and

What's not to love about...WHITE?

2013-04-21T07:13:00.002-07:00

For any skeptics out there who are hesitant about using white in design, here are some examples to prove just how versatile and truly neutral white is. White will make any color pop, white can add texture and add sheer chic to any design. I love looking at these, I find it very calming and soothing as well - great to come home to after a busy day of work. What do you love or dislike about white

It's never too late...

2013-04-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

What a week - I don't really know what to post. Everyday life becomes so trivial when you read about death and carnage that is all so unnecessary. Instead of interiors, I thought I would post a good old quote: It's never too late -in fiction or in life- to revise. Nancy Thayer Food for thought? 2012 was a year of profound changes for me. As I get older I realize that you can always revise

Adding color to the home...

2013-04-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

I apologize my posts are so sporadic but life gets in the way and so do taxes!! I came across Olioboard and their colorful shop that offers rugs, wallpaper, pillows, decorative accessories...well, just about anything for the home. Pillows, rugs and accessories are such a great way to add color to your decor. On this Sunday that will hopefully warm up a bit, here are some of my choices to add

The color transformation files...

2013-04-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

As I get ready to sell off my furniture which is housed in an expensive storage unit, I was able to look through the pictures and see my projects I loved doing. I must part with some of my pieces now. I love buying a table for less than $20 and painting it a fun color to mix with my other furniture. I gave my coffee table and matching side tables to a friend and will be getting rid of pretty

The view from my backyard...

2013-04-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

Thought I would do something a little different today. I live across from the beach in Downeast Maine (that's local speak for this part of the coast) and want to post a video of my view. It was clear, sunny and a balmy 43 degrees, so I was bundled up with layers! Have a great rest of the weekend! (video by me) Check out my Shop under my blog header - I have some items still

Fashion inspiration...Vera Wang...

2013-03-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

I recently bought a Vera Wang top and I was thrilled as I've been looking to buy something from her petite collection at Kohl's for ages! It is a multi-colored top with an asymmetrical neckline which gives it a unique and slightly edgy design. One of the things I love about it is the mix of colors, which got me thinking about how it would influence the colors in a room. I'm sure we have all

The richer palette part 2...

2013-03-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Following my post yesterday highlighting a beautiful and more glamorous palette for the home with deep blue, green and hot pink, I have found furniture and accessories in the same colors to go in the home, so its sort of a 'Gotta have these' kind of day - enjoy your Sunday and tell me which piece and color you want to include in your next project or home! All images above Maine

A richer palette...

2013-03-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

I know everyone has been talking pastels this spring, but let's take a look at a richer, more saturated palette for the home that can bring out the best in what a room has to offer. I love the deep blues, greens and pinks that paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have to offer, but, my inspiration comes from Pinterest this morning. Where else can you find such beautiful

Yellow + white = Gorgeous Bedroom

2013-03-17T12:31:00.001-07:00

I have been remiss in posting this week as I have a few things going on and I'm taking a blogging class! But, because its so cold here in Downeast Maine, I thought it would be a good idea to post this gorgeous yellow in a dreamy bedroom to remind you that spring is, in fact, coming very soon...when, who knows? But until then, I want to look at bright colors. Enough of the black, grey, maroons and

Saturday in the kitchen...

2013-03-09T08:23:00.001-08:00

What do you love about this kitchen? What don't you love? The sun is finally shining here in Maine so I will be out and about today. After all the snow, its going to be refreshing to feel warmer air and sunshine, I am so ready to kick old man winter to the curb! I want to know what you might do differently in this kitchen or if you would leave it as is. What do I love? The blue color is

What do you love about this kitchen?

2013-03-03T11:13:00.001-08:00

Hello blog world, its Sunday and I'm resting at home trying to get rid of this nasty old cold. I thought I would pose a question today for this picture of a lovely kitchen. What do you like about it? What draws you to it, if anything? What is the first thing you notice? What words would you use to describe it? Just some things to think about as you decide what you may or may like about this

Gotta have these!...spring trend edition...

2013-03-01T11:12:00.003-08:00

So you've all seen the new trends in color for the spring right? Black + white, floral, green, yellow, pastels and white among others so I thought I would highlight some of these with items you can add to your home or a client's home for new the season. Which is your favorite? Floral chair - the Victoria Wingback from World Market Black + white from West Elm Green lamps from

5 Room Details You Can Live With...

2013-02-24T09:46:00.001-08:00

Hello blog world! Its a blizzard outside and I am sitting comfortably under my electric blanket blogging, drinking tea and getting inspiration from Pinterest, how about you? What are you up to today? As the snow continues to fall here in Downeast Maine I thought I would give you something to ponder with my top 5 room details that you can add to your home, a client's home or to a future project.

Saturday in the kitchen...

2013-02-23T06:32:00.001-08:00

Waiting for spring will take awhile as we are waiting for yet another snowstorm here on the East Coast tomorrow...when I see anything yellow, I love it because its such a happy color, not to mention it makes me think of spring! So, here's to a happy Saturday and Sunday. Anyone else looking forward to the Red Carpet at tomorrow's Academy Awards?? I will be watching! (image by Max Kim-Bee) (

Just for fun...before the Oscars...

2013-02-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to post this fabulous photo before the Oscars on Sunday- Hollywood the way it was - 1962 Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood at the Academy Awards - (image Hulton Archive/Getty) Who will you be looking for at the Oscars this Sunday?

Gotta have these!!

2013-02-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Sunday! After some snow here in Downeast Maine, it seems to have stopped now so I will head out for a walk on the beach soon. I have been seeing a lot of blue in the magazines, in fashion, art and inspiration, so I chose three items that can easily blend into your decor with almost any color scheme. What are you up to today? This is a gorgeous Navajo throw from Pendleton - the

Saturday in the kitchen...and more faucets...

2013-02-16T08:32:00.001-08:00

Here we are, another weekend, more snow - but mostly in New York and Boston. We have had some flurries here in Downeast Maine, but that's about it. I'm back to my regular post today but because the photo is a farmhouse sink, I thought I would add some more ideas for faucets for this grand old sink. Since I just got back from Kohler, all the faucets are of course, Kohler... image

What a difference a week makes...;-)

2013-02-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

This was the scene of my buried car last weekend! I was so worried because I had to fly to Kohler, Wisconsin on Monday and this was what I was looking at late Saturday. Luckily, I got out and made the trip and it was a great - lots of exciting new products coming out soon - it was great to be among the first to see them and meet the product designers. Check out my car! BEFORE: Yes, that