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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

Hey Guys! The last three weeks have been a whirlwind- I launched my new brand Game of Love (check it out if you haven’t yet!), I was in Salt Lake City for a blogging conference, and have had a bunch of other hush, hush projects going on behind the scenes!  I was thinking of you guys (my blog readers AKA my loyal peeps from the very beginning) this morning, and it occurred to me that you might not know that I share FREE interior design advice and offer a FREE monthly makeover design to my newsletter subscribers!

See, when we wrapped “Knock It Off” back in September, the various networks across the country kept airing old episodes, which is great, but also tricky because I get 100s of emails a week asking for design help and people hoping to get on the show.  Since we’re done with KIO, I offered them the next best thing, emails from me with projects ideas, design trends, budget design tips, and one free monthly room design plan per month.  I call them my VIPs (p stands for peeps duh!) and  they’ve been loving the emails and ideas.

I wanted to let you know that you can sign up  to join in on the fun too!

Get Design Advice & Makeover Plans from ME!

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And to give you an idea of what I’m sharing in my updates, here’s a peek into an email I’ve sent… It’s worth a read, even if just to watch the video at the end where I make a complete fool out of myself! You’re Welcome!

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Hey Friend!

Monica Here!!  I hope you’re having a good week! I want to say thanks again for joining this group- I love that it gives me a way to keep sharing creative ideas with you AND that it’s a way you can get in touch with me! Did you know you can actually reply to this email and I’ll get it!  Yup, no robot “do not reply” for my VIP peeps!You’re probably wondering what’s up with all the A-Team “pity” going on at the top of this email… well, I was going through some old emails and found something that had me losing it laughing.  One of my producers on “Knock it Off” liked to put together little mini videos when we’d do things on set that were ridiculous… he’d just pop ’em in an email to us and it would always be equal parts hysterical and mortifying.  I will 100% regret letting you know what I big nerd I am, but since we’re pals now, I thought I share one goofy video with you at the bottom of this email. Remember, I’m a dork, and this means we’ve taken things to the next level of our friendship!!The crazy video clip came from outtakes during our Modern Farmhouse Kitchen episode, which was one of my favs! Red +Aqua = YUM!!   I thought it would be fun to share a few projects and behind the scenes tidbits from that makeover.

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And because we all love a good before & after…

Here’s the BEFORE

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One my our favorite budget accessories for kitchens is melamine dinnerware.  If you’re not familiar with melamine, it’s really just a fancy word for plastic AKA: my kids can’t break it & it’s inexpensive!Stack some bowls on your counter for a pop of color, or build a DIY plate rack like we did in this makeover, and you’ve added a fun pop of color and style for just a few bucks!Target is my favorite source for fun, patterned melamine plates.  Here are a few of my favorites that are available at Target now.

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View all of these sets online by clicking HERE

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Turn a Kitchen Colander into a Pendant Light! This is a project you might have noticed in the episode makeover, but we never had enough time to show you ALL of the DIY projects from each space.  Lighting can be expensive, especially cool, unique lighting, so we did what we do best…  Make our own!

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To make a colander light, just pick up a metal colander and spray paint it the color of your choice.  You’ll also need a simple pendant light kit, which you can get at IKEA or any home improvement store really inexpensively!  Take a drill with a bit about the size of your light’s cord and drill a hole in the bottom of the colander.  Thread the wire through, fasten it with a washer and nut (usually included in the light kit), and you’re done!

Doesn’t it look great in this kitchen?

It’s fun, a little quirky, and inexpensive!

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Instagram is where the party’s at people! It’s my favorite social media and I’d love to hang out with you there!!
@EastCoastCreative

AS PROMISED…“I pity the fool, kitchen-chichen- duh” embarrassing video!

Enjoy!

-Mon

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Game of Love

The comments +

  1. Maggie says:

    Hey Monica,

    LOVE your show, KIO, although I recently realized it’s actually off the air. I was SO hoping that you’d come to New Jersey some day – I’m desperate for ideas on how to decorate my basement.

    If I were to send photos could you make some suggestions?

    Please, please, please.

    Best regards,
    Maggie

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