Showing posts with label Ikea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ikea. Show all posts

31 August, 2011

Get Organised with your Paper Clutter!

 Message Center
Keep clutter at bay with a multi-purpose work station. This communication haven is built from a patchwork of magnet, dry-erase, chalkboard, cork, and pegboard squares behind the built-in desktop. The combination of materials ensures that messages and papers can be stored in versatile ways. Use magnetic boards to hold papers you need only temporarily, dry-erase boards and chalkboards to jot down quick messages, cork boards to stick more permanent papers on (favorite take-out menus, emergency phone numbers), and pegboard squares to mount containers for desk supplies
  Office Out Box
With meetings, school, practice, and pets, it's easy to lose track of time on busy mornings. A drop zone is a foolproof way to manage mail that needs to go out the door. Designate two trays -- one for bills to pay and one for outgoing letters -- near the entryway of your home to make sure nothing is missed.
 Eye-Catching Display
If you like to stash photos, invitations, and memos in sight, why not show them off a bit? An attractive, easy-to-use metal wall hanging helps you keep track of papers. Its decorative geometric design adds interest and keeps everything on hand for when you need it

  
I love all the organisational, stationary & [Sydney based] storage stores... I rarely can go past Howard's Storage World, Smiggle, Kikki K, Typo, or Ikea without getting the latest catalogue for ideas or that 'odd little something that will change my workd'! Well here's some great ideas I found whilst purusing the web that I thought you too would love and maybe like to project yourself... We all need a litte de-clutter, or organisation tips here and there. My pet hate is that daily pile of papers on the kitchen counter bench near the phone - where mail, nail files, hair clips, cards, pens etc... so I think there are few ideas I might put into action too!
Enjoy,

 File in Style
A right-sized magazine holder keeps reading materials in check and clutter free. This bold design was perfect for its punchy surroundings, and it's big enough to hold plenty of catalogs without being overwhelming. Remember to purge old or untouched items on a regular basis to avoid a paper pileup



 Just Drop It
Take charge of underused kitchen items that could be repurposed for organization. This vintage toast rack becomes an elegant in-box on an entry table. Use the slots to keep postage stamps handy for outgoing mail and to sort what comes in.


Style-Setting Role
By keeping papers on hand and off the desk, this wall-mounted file helps corral paper clutter. Use each compartment to organize items by category, such as bills, schoolwork, and notepads. Affix metal hooks to outer panels for keys or grab-and-go items

  Out to Dry
Create a personal filing system that meets your daily needs and makes sense to you, but make it easy to use. Intended for dishes, the slats of this drying rack stand file folders and notebooks at perfect attention. Use the slotted compartment designed for sponges to stash small office supplies.

 
 
images & sub text via bhg; sunset; country living.

31 January, 2011

Drab to Fab...Gorgeous Office Pinboard*

The finished 'Fab-ric Pinboard' - no more boring drab here!

I recently purchased an over sized cork board/ pin board for our [home] office....when looking to hang it on one of our office walls it looked terribly boring & plain. So I decided to spruce it up with some colourful bird & foliage printed fabric and black / white ribbon that I had in my fabric stash, and also made some coordinating floor cushions [for my little girl Isabelle to play when she's in the office] too!  I have just a few finishing touches on our accompanying personalised desk chair cushions to do - so will post pics shortly once I finish a little applique!
So take a look at this little afternoon project - all in the name of colour & design!
Choose colourful printed fabric in stripes, checks, geometric, paisley or a botanical design from your local fabric store [Spotlight or Ikea in Australia are great places to visit] with an inexpensive ready made cork/ pin board from your local variety or craft store [such as the Reject Store, or Hot Dollar discount stores in Australia].
May be you'd like to spruce up a boring old pin board into something gorgeous?
Enjoy,

1. Choosing fabrics, layout & ribbon combinations....playing with your
fabric & trims is important so that you can work out & feel good
about your colour combination choice.

2. Use polyester wadding to create a soft layer between the cork side/ pin board
 & the fabric, this also acts as a stabiliser and creates a better cushion for
 the pins when putting something up. Cut the wadding a little larger than the
board size - this will allow you to fold & stretch back around
 the board with fabric

3. Apply craft glue or adhesive spray onto the cork side - and lay the wadding on top
of this glue and press lightly down so wadding is attached

4. Cut fabric to the same size as your wadding.  I have used an over locker to finish
 & trim my fabric edges to keep it a bit neater as I go.Check that if you are using a
print and it is not multi directional  that the 'direction' is going the correct way.
You don't want to look at your pin board print upside down or across ways!

5. Layer fabric on top of wadding - matching up the cut sides - now staple!

6. Using a heavy duty staple gun, or a cordless staple gun - take the longest sides first
and stretch to pull over and secure the first 2 sides with a couple of staples. then stretch
to pull the two bottom ends and staple to secure. Once this is done you can go
 back over the 'gaps' on all four sides ensuring to stretch taut as you go to
staple the fabric edges. If you want cover the back of the pin board with some
black or white card - to cover the edges.

7. Using a combination of black & white ribbon I staple the
ribbon ends to the back of the board and begin a lattice effect  - with
 equidistant space between each one - with weaving alternate ribbons under
 & over. this will allow me to also place notes and cards onto the
 pin board without tacking them on.

Nearly finished weaving - worth the effort - it gives
the fabric another graphic dimension and is functional!
Once done I pin pearl pins into the centre of each 'X'

Coordinating floor cushions make for a fun, colourful & softer play area
 in the office space for my baby Isabelle.

I just love this print & the coordinating hot candy pink stripe I used.
Definitely my new favourite cushions.

New favourite colour print & stripe combination!

One things is for sure I never like to be 'under cushioned' my office
 & home are always filled with cushion that suit the room or the seasons!


20 April, 2010

Nursery Sneak Peak...

I covet my [our] Eames [Replica] RAR Rocker from Matt Blatt - it is so comfortable and terribly stylish, teamed with UK brand 'Nature's Purest' - 'Bird' applique Pillow... ready for nursing.
A collection of sweet friends - left to right - 'D-lux' knitted Bunny from my Aunt & cousin, Harrods' 'My First Puppy' I picked this adorable plush puppy up when I was in London last year visiting my sister - just before I arrived we found out I was pregnant with Baby Verity - as a little girl I had a 'puppy' that I adored & I wanted to carry on the tradition.
Next to 'Puppy' is the knitted soft rattle 'Safari Elephant' from Nature's Purest - an adorable gift from a good friend & work colleague who loved the recent birth of the baby elephant at Sydney's Taronga Zoo and thought to commemorate it for our baby! Lastly - 'Noukies' Teddy Bear rattle plush slippers I saw these in a baby wear store in Lucerne Switzerland on my travels late last year and thought they were perfect!

I love this Cath Kidston 'Knitted Bunny' that I picked up in the Cath Kidston signature store in Covent Garden London when visiting my sister last year - I really love that store, coupled with another 'rabbit' with the wonderful story book 'Guess How Much I Love You' sweetheart edition by Sam McBrateny & Illustrated by Anita Jeram.

A fun display - Eric Carle's 'Very Special Baby Book' , Dr Suess' Miniature Library, Cath Kidson's 'Knitted Rabbit', & 'Guess How Much I Love You' story book.

[Above] A very special friend has been waiting for a few years now... we named 'Sinclair', who is Harrods' Signature Teddy Bear that my husband surprised with me when in London, heading though Europe for Christmas & New Year's, a couple months after we were married in 2004, he bought it for our first baby that he knew we'd have some time down the track!
[Above]'Peter Rabbit & Wedgewood Dinner Plate' & Mug; a gift from Verity Grandparents-to-be, my mother-in-law gave us this sweet set, which I have displayed with perspex plate holder, when we announced we were pregnant - I love that she told me she had bought it, as in -waiting gift, shortly after we were married and kept it for this announcement! A lovely friend & work colleague gave us Baby Verity's first couture - a 'Baby Dior' by Christian Dior bottle, complete with silver mesh carrier!

Starting the library... you know my fondness of books, and it's never to early to start. Since taking this photo the collection has grown again, as has the Amazon wish list in Baby Verity's name!


I got restless & did some 'nesting' end of last week and through the weekend in the nursery... and also picked up our Eames [Replica] RAR Rocker - Yay! Here are a few images of the Neutral Canvas I have created for our much anticipated 'Baby Verity'... due in approx. 2/2.5 wks time! My husband thinks it's hilarious that I love to 'merchandise' the books & toys in the bookcase & room... maybe some of me is rubbing off on him - as he found the white baskets, and is quite proud of his 'design' mark made!
Hope you like them... accented colours & more decor pieces to follow - stay tuned! S xxx


07 April, 2010

Nursery Styling & Decor Ideas...

Since Baby Verity is due anywhere between the next 2 weeks & 4.5 weeks, I have been asked frequently by all who know me - '...how's the nursery decorating going...'! After being in hospital for false labour on Wednesday evening last week [a great test run for darling husband and family!]. I was at least calm in the knowledge that I have already created a fabulous neutral canvas that will be a solid design foundation on which to build more gender specific decor themes around & upon...

Above - Neutral Canvas, a solid colour & design foundation to build upon.

Above - Colour & Design accent ideas for a little man... White, Sand with Navy, Pale Blue, Cherry Red, teamed with Stripes & Nautical influences.
As we decided not to find out what we're having - a little boy or girl, here's a few mood boards I have popped together for our potential baby boy or baby girl! Hope you like them too! I have painted the room walls in Dulux 'Scallywag' Full tint, the trim & door is 'White Canvas' and the furniture is all 'White' - we repainted a timber bookcase that I have had for a number of years in Dulux 'Vivid White' aqua enamel [I don't know why I didn't do it sooner] it looks fabulous! And the rest of the decor is accented with similar hues, with dotted applique, mirco stripes & plains to create a solid colour & design foundation on which to build upon for our impending delivery - a little man or for a little lady!

Above: Colour & Design accents for a little lady...hues of Raspberry, Floss Pink, Pistachio Green with forest friends of stylised owls & squirrels in blossom branches to ticking stripe & gingham bunting.

So when we have settled back home with our Baby, in several weeks time, and we accent the room to his or her decor style, I will post pics of the room to share with you! Hope you like the ideas so far!


Images by Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions.
Included in collage - Fabric from No Chintz, Boori Furniture, Nature's Purest UK - bedlinen & decor, Eames RAR Rocker, Ikea - Lamp & Basket, My Sweet Prints via Etsy.com - 'World Map',' Room t Grow' & 'Nautical' Bedroom Collage from Shop4Kids magazine, WallArt - decals, Bosco Bear - Decals.

11 January, 2010

Part II - Trends in Decor/ Design & Furniture for 2010


Following on from my last post 'Update...Trends in Decor/ Design & Furniture for 2010'.
Here are further identified theme for Tends Decor/ Design & Furniture for 2010: Part II - 3.Handcrafted Details & 4. Honeycomb Patterns.
Trend: Honeycomb Patterns
The caged light has emerged as a trend in recent months, but here the focus is more on the geometry of the skeletal shade. Featured at 100% Design, Julian Mayor's quirky fractal Frame light was manufactured from spruce and plywood and made in an edition of 20.
JulianMayor.com.

Trend: Honeycomb Patterns
The Quilt Collection chair, sofa and ottoman designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are upholstered in an honeycomb upholstery stretched over a fiberglass shell. The effect takes tufted to a new level of plush.
EstablishedAndSons.com



Trend: Honeycomb Patterns
The honeycomb trend was echoed throughout the Cesarie tile fair, though Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen's D.R.Y. (Don't Repeat Yourself) tile rose above the crowd. Inspired by the irregular cracks found in plaster, dry paint and earth, this uniquely shaped tile gains uniformity when grouted with hexagonal tiles.
BrixWeb.com


Trend: Honeycomb Patterns
The Zero 4 porcelain wall tile designed by Francesca De Simone for Marazzi brings a softness and shimmer to the grid, while the metallic finish adds depth to the intricate lines.
MarazziTile.com.


Trend: Handcrafted Details
Paola Navone, Gervasoni's artistic director, is famous for crossing boundaries, both stylistic and geographic. On a trip to Buenos Aires, she found young fashion designer Martin Churba, who has a real talent for dressing articles of furniture. His knitted pouf feels like a favorite sweater.
Gervasoni1882.com.

Trend: Handcrafted Details
The PS HÄLLAR stool is designed by Maria Vinka and handwoven from banana fiber, sea grass and cotton and covered in a clear lacquer. Even global retailers like Ikea are taking heed of individualistic detail.
Ikea.com.

Trend: Handcrafted Details
The tree of life was the inspiration for Cowtan and Tout's Wexford fabric, which combines fine chain-stitch embroidery with lacework detail. The woven linen with a cotton ground, shown here in yellow, was one of many embroidered fabric lines at Decorex.
Cowtan.com.

Trend: Handcrafted Details
Michele de Lucchi's Vegan table, shown here in walnut, is an ode to craftsmanship and nature. Its legs resemble everything from branches wrapped around a tree to animal bones. For its manufacture, the factory revived artisanal techniques that hadn't been used for years.
Riva1920.it.



Images & Text / Article from Elle Decor [U.S magazine] January 2010 issue

06 January, 2010

Fast Fashion Home Wares...

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Having worked in the fashion industry for over 11 years, there has always been the concept of 'fast fashion' - hot, stylish items made at low cost and sold at a low price, with not always the 'best' of quality - make or fabrics. But serves the trend purpose for a short time - hence disposable fashion. Well lately, over the past several years, fashion for the home [home wares] are now no exception to the aforementioned...
With the likes of big Fashion power houses - Zara and H&M reeling in the consumer need for inexpensive trendy home wares that match their customer's taste for the on-trend too-hot have-to-have-it-now looks that fly off the catwalks into their stores within a 4-6 week production to store floor turnaround. I am no exception - I love that consumers have a buyer's choice with home wares. I have coveted pieces in Zara Home - when traipsing Sloane Square [London] but I suppose I am also in some ways a purist as I still regard bespoke pieces & craftsmanship the epitome of what furniture & home wares should really be, blame this on being a Design /Applied Arts CoFA (College of Fine Arts) graduate.

This is not to say that I don't think there's a place for fast fashionable home wares - there is... Ikea has successfully shown this through savvy design in low cost materials, and smart packing for shipping & customer assembly. Be it my own opinion - and I may stand alone - sometimes the best use of inexpensive homewares - just like when shopping for fashion or putting a look together - is often smartly mixing the bespoke with cheap & cheerful. I often choose my accessories to provide this exact purpose.


Here's an article [and images] I have just received from the Trend Hunter newsletter...
The concept of “fast fashion” has gone from the clothing racks of stores like H&M to home furnishings and interior designs by the same brands.
H&M and Zara are now offering home collections for those who want trendy homes on a budget, giving them the ability to change their interior decor with the seasons, just like they do with their always-in-style wardrobes. They’re sewing together everything from pillows to duvets and even setting up small furniture, like lamps, next to their jeans and stilettos.
Other fashion designers catering to the growing interior decor obsession include Esprit, Diesel, Joop!, Versace, Etro and Armani.
------------------------------------------
Images & Article from Trend Hunter; Other Links Ikea, Zara Home, and H&M

For Beautiful bespoke & hand crafted items be sure to visit Etsy.com, Hard to Find, Inside Out magazine's review on Canberra's [A.C.T Australia] Hand Made Markets

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