this, that & the other thing

well yes, where have i been?  busy that's where.  busy is something i usually don't do but lately i have been helping a friend organize and simplify her house on a teeny tiny budget.  it has been a great deal of fun for me but b/c we are on a tight budget, it does take a lot of time looking for deals and losing my hardrive has made it worse because i lost all the pictures i had taken of her house.  luckily i had downloaded most of the befores onto blogger so they were saved.

also, i will not be cooking this thanksgiving so i thought i'd give you this definitive list of things for creating a compassionate thanksgiving in your home.  or here is my menu from last year.  and if you are overwhelmed by the idea of a complicated table setting, don't be, you can see mine from last year, right here.  and if the stress of the holidays is mounting, you can read this and know you are not alone.


so here is a peek inside karen's living room and also a peek at one of the outfits i'm putting together for the holiday season.

enjoy your weekend, you know i will.  have a happy, peaceful thanksgiving and lets all do the next right thing, shall we?

xo
janet


karens living room before




after









karen has 2 sons and one just graduated from princeton and the other from yale.
i know.



sequins and chambray
i know.
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38 comments

  1. Sulky kittenNovember 18, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    The Janet Magic touch at work. It looks great, much brighter and more welcoming. I'm a true carnivore, but even I thought your menu from last year sounded delicious. x

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  2. LynneNovember 18, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Janet . . . Very nice! Much improved from the before picture. I really like the mirror, sconces, fireplace . . . and the Yale and Princeton books with the sea shell.

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  3. Karen @ Aurelia InteriorsNovember 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    You are an expert at simplifying but also making things classic, appealing, open and airy, and interesting! This ability is quite special. Love the chambray and sequins, with leopard print no less!

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  4. Jane and Lance HattattNovember 18, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Hello Janet:
    Approaching something with a fresh set of eyes, no particular prejudices and a tight budget is often very successful and so it has been with Karen's room. The small but significant changes have really opened up the room and given it a more furnished look without overwhelming the space. We are sure that she was delighted with the end result.

    Rock chick meets wild animal in your outfit, Janet, now what are we to make of that?!!!

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  5. LANANovember 18, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    It is amazing how such simple changes can make a room go from blah to elegant. You can come over to my house anytime!

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  6. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Nicely done. Love it.

    I would love to have a decorating on a budget business. What a fun challenge.

    ~~Bliss

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  7. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Hi Janet, your friend is fortunate to have a pretty home with good basic bones--and a wood floor! Your sequins and chambray made me think that a touch of leopard--pillow, throw, whatever--would be a nice addition to the living room decor. When do we get to see the rest of the house? I love your style. Allegra

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  8. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Hi Janet--me again. Forgot to ask about the sofa--is it Ikea? I'm thinking of getting one when we move up north and would love to get opinions on that. Does it come with it's own slipcover??? Allegra

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  9. LRS4AMANDANovember 18, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Oh Janet, I love what you did with Karen's living room! Especially the vignette on that beautiful table.

    I had a skirt that was very similar to yours about 20 years ago that I bought at Nordstrom Rack. Cute Cute!

    Linda

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  10. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    What lovely touches you've brought to that home, those books are just so beautiful, I think I need to pay more attention to my random piles, they are a mess.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    And you are indeed, a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll in that outfit.

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  12. Cindi MyersNovember 18, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    please come to my house.
    :)

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  13. An Urban CottageNovember 18, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    I love the blue and white. Are you starting a decorating business?

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  14. Susan TinerNovember 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Very nice. I especially like the white couch with blue pillows better than the blue couch. That change alone makes the room look a lot bigger. And I like the extra details on the coffee table and the gorgeous side chair.

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  15. A Perfect GrayNovember 18, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    adore both. what a difference the vertical mirror makes. and the outfit? wonderful. happy thanksgiving. donna

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  16. DaniBPNovember 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I agree that decorating is your next business!
    And you know how I feel about sequins and chambray, it's fabulous.

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  17. Julie of Monkey Grass HillNovember 18, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    great job janet! A neighbor just asked me if I would come help her figure some stuff out in her house - I can't wait to give someone my unprofessional opinion and possibly go shopping for someone else!

    Go get em gurrrl in the denim, sequins AND animal print!

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  18. DebNovember 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    A gorgeous change! I love this room. I know. Sequins!!!

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  19. Sue/the view from great islandNovember 18, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Your friend is lucky to have you advising...you're a true creative soul!

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  20. J.W.November 18, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Nice job with the interior design redo. And - IMO - the chambray and sequins is definitely you.

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  21. Nita StacyNovember 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Oh...I can see your touch in the room for sure. Just lovely.

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  22. tNovember 18, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Oh, Janet! When are you coming to my house?

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  23. ClaudiaNovember 18, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    What lovely bones that room has. You've done wonders my friend - it has your stamp on it. We will be having a compassionate Thanksgiving, as always. No turkey here. Just tasty, wonderful side dishes, which, quite frankly, are my favorite things anyway!

    xo
    Claudia

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  24. annie@mostlovelythingsNovember 18, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Oh Janet...what can I say? The changes you made just took my breath away...simple and yet so much thought...really really pretty.

    And of course I love your holiday look...gorgeous!

    xo
    annie

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  25. hostess of the humble bungalowNovember 18, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Wow what a lovely transformation!
    I love how the room has come alive and the colour palette is soothing and serene...no one would know that this was done on a budget.

    Can you come to my house next?

    Enjoy your weekend Janet!

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  26. flwrjaneNovember 18, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    No wonder she has a tiny budget.... those are some serious college tuitions she's paying there.

    I am cooking this year and long for compassion from my guests.

    And an extra 12 hours in the week. To relax not to freak.

    xo jane

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  27. MichelleNovember 18, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    I love this room! You did a fantastic job. Very much to my taste. Where did that mirror and sconces over the fireplace come from?

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  28. the girl is crafteeNovember 18, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    You really know how to make a budget work! Great transformation. So simple, but big impact.

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  29. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Happy Thanksgiving! One year ago I came across The Gardener's Cottage--What a happy and splendid treat for me! I don't even bother subscribing to magazines anymore--YOU are my magazine to keep me updated concerning fashion, home decorating, and a healthy, simple lifestyle...Everyone needs to visit The Gardener's Cottage...best of the best.
    LOVE THIS POST--your friend is so lucky to have your touch--and the holiday outfit...awesome.
    -Suzanne in Illinois

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  30. JoanneNovember 18, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Just lovely - the room just calls to me. And you are having an impact as here in Australia I'm really starting to think hard about my dairy intake as well as trying to cut way back on meat - I'm a bit of a failed vegetarian but I keep trying!

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  31. pve designNovember 19, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Janet,
    ...and where prey tell did you earn your degree in so many areas of expertise or is it all just natural born wild instinct. Next time you find yourself in my neck of the woods....please come in and let your instinct move my furniture, clear out a cabinet, select 10 pieces in my wardrobe and make a multitude of ensembles....and after all that, whip up some vegan delight.
    You are too much, I know.
    pve

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  32. UnknownNovember 19, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    " so Janet" has just entered my vocabulary!! Beautifully curated furnishings, pale walls and dark wood and WHITE SLIPCOVERS!! Love your style and share much of your taste in interiors. Just need your editing/simplifying savvy. Bxx

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  33. Princess and the PeaceNovember 19, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    I love it. White and blue is such a crisp, classic combo - it looks very rich. Nice job!

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  34. LPCNovember 19, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Total Janet Magic. That's one hell of an afterwards. Lovely. And congrats on her kids, here's to old Nassau:).

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  35. shellNovember 19, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Janet - wow I LOVE how you simplified and improved your friend's living room.
    Janet your soup from last year's thanksgiving looks fabulous-! I am going to try it.

    Years ago hubby & I decided to simplify ALL
    holidays. Last year we took a cruise with friends from out of state for Thanksgiving week. What a restful & fun time.
    One year - several years ago - we walked on the beach on the Big Island of Hawaii drinking fresh pineapple juice on Thanksgiving Day. Another year we flew to Oregon to visit friends. I think it's best to be kind to yourself and enjoy life. And not be eating flesh off an old dead bird--ANY day of the year!

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  36. VixNovember 20, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    You have such a great eye for detail, the rooms look beautiful now, much more established and pulled together.
    Your vegan Thanksgiving menu sounds delicious. If I'm still in the UK for Xmas I think I'm going to make it for Jon and I and toast you.
    Sequins and chambray? Love it! x

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  37. The Vintique ObjectNovember 20, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    One word: Wow!

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  38. PaigeNovember 20, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Beautiful & beautiful!

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kindness is never out of style.

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