Introducing The Winn.
That is what I have dubbed my new digs, partly having to do with the building's official name and partly an homage to any of the fabulous and dramatic hotels built by Las Vegas entrepreneur Steven Wynn. So the Winn has been painted and the colors are fabulous!
It took me a while to find the living room color; I spied it in a magazine and couldn't find a good match. I finally found it in an obscure little pamphlet from Sherwin Williams—the Interior Color Preservation Palette Victorian collection.
The main room's color is Peacock Plume, a greenish-turquoise. Very vintage, very pretty! Well, at least I think so.
The accent colors for the foyer and adjacent hall are Cabbage Rose, a light brownie pink.
Frank helped me paint, he's a pro. We got the main room, foyer and hall all done in about five hours! While Frank was amazingly helpful and really did paint the whole main room like a pro, the biggest help was Ms. Honey....she acted as painting supervisor.
And really... when all was done, it became pretty obvious Honey and I both look fabulous with a Peacock Plume backdrop!
Peacock Plume
Keen on Keane
You know you've seen them: big eyes; big, sad eyes; giant, depressed, sad eyes on sweet little girls, puppies, and kitties. I am speaking of the paintings of Margaret Keane. Popular in the 60s and 70s, Keane's paintings often adorned many young girls' bedrooms.
Funny thing is Keane's paintings were credited to her second husband Walter Keane. As the Wikipedia site stated, under the name Margaret Keane, "Many reasons might be put forward to explain this, but it was also one of the reasons they divorced."
The site also says that Keane did not want to relinquish the rights to the artwork when they divorced. Thank God! So the divorce went all the way to Federal court. At the hearing, to prove she was the artist of the Keane paintings, Margaret painted in front of the judge, which showed her obvious talent. Of course Walter couldn't do this and deniied the chance to paint. In 1965, the courts sided with her, enabling her to paint under her own name.
Why I am speaking of Keane is because her paintings certainly had an impact on Jolene's World... of course! While I did not have Keane's work adorn my childhood walls, two of her prints decorated a wall in my Grandparent's guest bathroom in Monett, Missouri. To this day I can still visualize nearly every detail of that bathroom. I loved it because it was very pink and very girly!
There was the mauve and light pink shower curtain tied back with decorative pinks ropes. In the corner of the bathtub rested a bottle of hot pink bubble bath emblazoned with a pink rhinestone brooch. Across from the toilet was a tiny bench with a deep mauve velvet bench cover.
And of course there were the Keane prints.
My father bought them in 1962 while visiting San Francisco and gave them to his mother. When I was little, visting Granny and Gramps, I'd ogle the prints and think that someday they’d make a great addition to my home.
After both my grandparents passed I received the prints and have had them hung in my home ever since. Not only are these prints reflective of my tastes, but they also have much sentimental value.
Above they are shown in the old EP suites. Now that I am getting ready to decorate my new apartment, I am reminded of how I love these prints and I am excited to see which wall will request their presence today... to find out stay tuned for more posts!
Candy-Coated Creativity
Are you a candy freak? Do you have canisters full of the sweetest treats, chocolate morsels and sugary confections, so much so that just thinking about it makes your teeth ache? Consider turning your candy obsession into more than just a treat for the taste buds, but rather a feast for your eyes as you transform your kitchen into candy heaven.
To start, stash your candy in kitschy canisters like the ones shown here. The dotted set is from Ikea; Roger Le Borde designed the striped canisters. Vintage Old Fashioned Hard candies are from F.B. Washburn Candy Corp.
If you have the extra room add favorite Pez Dispensers to the mix! Pez Dispensers will always remain to be a favorite kitschy collectible item.
To decorate the walls, pick up some simple Ikea 5” x 7” frames and get ready to paint them in fun, crazy candy colors. Fill them with various candy imagery, or frame vintage candy wrappers. Check out Candy Favorites for all your candy needs—just think you’ll get to eat the goods while you work!
Another option for decorating the walls is with Wallies wall decals. Shown here are DottiLicious Wallcandy Arts Peel and Stick Designs. 
Similar to a wallpaper, but much easier to adhere and remove, there are 80 dots ranging from 1" to 10" in numerous candy-coated colors.
To really commit to the candy haven, paint your walls and cabinets the sweetest candy colors you can find. Sherwin Williams has an online color visualizer that helps you choose the perfect match for your project. The color visualizer program allows you to paint a room online, keep a color file, and will provide you with the exact color numbers to bring to your nearest Sherwin Williams location for easy ordering. Consider choosing fun contrasting colors such as a bright Cotton Candy Pink with a Robin’s Egg Blue. Or, for a more elegant appeal, choose Chocolate Brown and match it up with any candy colored pastel.
Functionally Cute!
This uber cute toaster provides just the right amount of kitschy candy color while remaining to be a useful and much-needed appliance. Toaster by French designer Créa Créa for Pylones products for The Sarut Group
Don’t forget about transferring the candy theme to the kitchen linens. 
Just check out these tea towels, quilted potholder, and oven glove from Klippan of Sweden. The glove is heat resistant. All items made of 50% linen/50% cotton.
Of course what is a kitchen without a proper candy dish? Options in styles include the traditional vintage tiered candy dishes. These regularly have three tier plates stacked allowing for plenty of room to display many store-bought or homemade candy confections. Look for vintage candy tiers on such auction sites as EBay.
Another option is a traditional crystal or glass bowl. For something truly luxurious check out the candy dishes from Juliska. These ornate pieces are fluted, mouth-blown glass, and encompass whimsical designs. Shown here is the Amalia Grande Design. Two pounds of pastel colored M&M's, or any Brach's candy would look too pretty in this creation! I suspect the candy wouldn't last too long though!
Three Must Haves for Summer
Make sure your summer sizzles with these three home décor must haves!
Fresh cut flowers are an absolute must in the summertime, so it's only proper to keep them in a beautiful and eye-catching vase. From renowned potter Frances Palmer are the pretty designs from the Frances Palmer Pearl Collection.
Pressed from molds, the vitreous China pieces are taken from original Palmer pottery vases and exude Palmer’s eclectic style and whimsical lines—the perfect container for peonies, daisies, or lilacs.
The designs are so simple and elegant the flowers will be sure to pop. An average price for a Frances Palmer vase is $150.
For a vase that will offer a vestibule for water without breaking the bank—and will still lend a truly stylish flair for the summer home—is the Victoria Hagan Daffodil Vase in Grass Green from Target. This pear shaped vase is 8.38” high and is only $14.99!
Enjoying a summer meal on the patio is the ultimate in summer enjoyment, but one must be careful with the appropriate dinnerware.
To avoid accidents involving glass, opt for plates made of Melamine, a high-heat resistant plastic best suited for outdoor use. French Bull offers an array of designs that scream summer fun. Platters below are 11” dinner plate size. Melamine plates range in price from $10 to $25.
Equally stylish, and safe, is the Hot Off The Grill paper dinner plate from C.R. Gibson. These super cute paper plates are the ideal option for serving up corn on the cob and brats at any summer gathering. Eight 11.5" plates go for $5.50. 
Lounge in style this summer with a super comfy rocker or lounge chair that is not only ideal for book reading, but can also withstand summer weather changes. The Hammock Source Collection (800/334-1078) has this deluxe Signature DuraCord Double Rocker. Constructed of 100% DuraCord woven rope and Brazillian hardwood, the rocker is weather-, stain-, and fade-resistant. The rocker retails for $598. 
For a more affordable option check out the outdoor furniture sale happening at World Market. This Candy Apple Red lounger will not only look fabulous on your patio it will provide for some definite lazy summer Saturdays. 
The adjustable chair was $59.99 but is now $39.99 and is crafted of a weather-resistant, plantation-grown Acacia wood. The chair has a natural finish and an oil-base stain. Bright red canvas is machine-washable.
Quick Tip!
To organize a crammed den full of books and paperwork, find an old bookcase at your local Salvation Army, decorate as you see fit, with either paint or paper! Then simple organize what needs to to be saved and what can be pitched. If paper work is over a year old, shred it before tossing—no need for identity theft when trying to create a cute space! To hide ugly papers seek out old hat boxes or vintage shoes boxes. Such pieces will add personal flair to your space while performing a function!
Happy Organizing.
Lady Head Vases
While they initially were sold for just a couple dollars, today such vases are worth anywhere from $75 to well into the thousands. To seek out vases start perusing your local antique shops and flea markets. Also be sure to note the difference between authentic vases and fakes. An article from American Antiques gives you a good start on the history of the Lady Head Vases as well as clues on authenticity.
Do you love the look of the vases, but don't have the dough for the pricey items? You can still enjoy head vases with head vase wrapping paper from PopInk. Frame it for a fun wall decor piece.
Paper titled Glazed and Confused. available in 19.5" x 27" rolls, and in text weight flat sheets and cover weight flat sheets.
Preparing a Beauty Collage
Personalize a dressing room or bathroom with a DIY beauty collage!
Tools needed: old magazines, 18" x 24" tag board, glue stick, glue gun, gems, glitter glue, Ikea 18" x 24" plain wood frame, metallic spray paint.
1. To get started page through old magazines and tear out inspirational photos of favorite handbags, jewelry, models, clothes, etc. Intricately cut around the objects to create an appealing aesthetic.
2. Use the glue stick to adhere the images to the tag board. Board can be any color of choice, we prefer black as it really makes the images pop! When adhering the images, you can either plan out the layout, or be spontaneous and glue as you go watching for various shapes to come to life before your eyes.
3. Once the tag board is full of your desired images, there is no limit of how many can be placed, let the board dry and turn your attention to the frame.
4. In a well ventilated area spray paint the frame's edges. We recommend a metallic paint for a truly glamorous effect. Another option is seeking out a vintage frame at a thrift store or rummage sale.
5. While the frame dries, return to your tag board art and begin to decorate the images as you a see fit. You can use gems that can be glued on with the glue gun, or glitter glue to outline models, shoes, or other bits of inspiration.
6. Once the board and frame are fully dry insert tag board in the frame and hang appropriately in either a dressing room, bathroom, or bedroom.
7. While primping enjoy being inspired by your favorite images, not to mention feeling proud of your own creative handiwork!
Designer- Ruthie Sommers
Hailing from North Carolina, Ruthie Sommers doles out her stylish and creative twist on traditional design aesthetics to her clients from her West Hollywood design firm, Chapman Radcliff Home. Sommers' style consists of a girly chic with flair for the contemporary mixed with old world appeal. Often marrying modern-day décor with vintage steals, Sommers is not afraid of color, texture, or making a serious statement. 
Why I am personally drawn to Sommers’ design sense is because her spaces are truly evocative of the owner’s personalities; she is fearless in her choices; and her spaces are not only inviting visually, but they also maintain an air of comfortability. With such a combination and straight raw talent, it is no wonder why Sommers is one of the most sought after designers of today.
This bold study shows off Sommers fearless approach, and I so want to curl up in that chair and read a book!
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