Ikea Bedroom

I’m not a frequent visitor to Ikea as the stores, which get bigger and bigger every couple of years, are not usually that close to me geographically. But I was keen to visit the new store in Tempe to check out the size of the shop and to see what’s new.

Ikea Entertainment Unit

When I lived in Hong Kong, Ikea was a staple destination for setting up house. The store was located in Causeway Bay and as most of the residences in Hong Kong were small, one had to be really clever about storage which is something Ikea do really well. Also, most expats were in Hong Kong for a two or three year initial contract, so Ikea products were selected as they were relatively cheap and it wouldn’t matter if they didn’t last more than five years.

Ikea Kitchen with Mirrored Splashback

My recent trip to Ikea, confirmed that this is pretty much still the case. They do great looking items at good prices but I find the quality is just not there. If you’re looking for something that will last for many years, like my sofa, then Ikea is not the most ideal retailer for you.

Ikea Wall Unit

However, I do like the way they set up the rooms so you can see all the components and it’s a great place to visit if you are looking for ideas. It’s also great for kids furniture if you are wanting something to tie you over until they get to the next stage and require (deserve) something a little more sturdy.

Ikea Bunk Bed

And then of course there’s all those decorator pieces at the end of the Ikea stores. Tea Lights, glass vases, photo frames, plates, trays and glassware are all well priced and can add a touch of colour to your home.

Ikea Desk and Stationery Folders

Like all furniture, I think it looks best when mixed with items from different places to give a personal look to your interior decor rather than buying everything from the one place.

Ikea Iron Bed

Enjoy your week.

If you would like assistance creating a unique family home with a mixture of furniture and decor pieces, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

1. Showroom Shopping
2. Build A Room From Scratch
3. Green Shoes and Buttoned Seats – Saturday in Design

First, there is the HIA Sydney Home Show at Darling Harbour which starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday. It’s a great place to wander around and gather some ideas and see what products are available.

via www.sydneyhomeshow.com.au

Or if you are in the midst of renovating or building and need some tiles or stone slabs, Aeria Country Floors is holding a Warehouse Sale at their factory in Frenchs Forest. The sale will get under way at 8.30am tomorrow morning at 2 Aquatic Drive, French’s Forest and will be open each day between 8.30 and 3.30 finishing on Sunday.

Stone Basin and Tiles form Aeria Country Floors

Read and Bell are having a Trunk Sale at Newtown. If you are looking for a touch of ethnicism for your wardrobe or decor, you must take a look.

Quilts from recycled saris via Read and Bell

Markets? Finders Keepers is on again in Sydney at Eveleigh on Friday night and all day Saturday.

Click Image for Source

Need new bedding? KAS Australia is holding a Warehouse Sale at their factory, 78 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria from 9 – 5 on Sautrday and Sunday. Items start from $5.

KAS Australia Faraday Bedding

If art is more your thang and you are in Melbourne, head over to the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton for Art Melbourne. Over 80 galleries and 600 artists will be displaying their work and you could pick up a new piece for your home starting from $500.

via Art Melbourne website

And if you’re a US reader and happen to be in New York this weekend, Jonathan Adler is holding a Warehouse Sale at 513 Irving Ave, Bushwick, Brooklyn. You can expect 70% off furniture, rugs, lighting and homewares. Wish I was there. I just love his OTT style.

Jonathan Adler Interior Design

And if you are about to build or renovate but are overwhelmed with all the choices available and decisions to make, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

1. Build A Room From Scratch
2. Green Shoes and Buttoned Seats – Saturday in Design
3. I See Red

I thought I’d show you one more instalment into my daughter’s very gradual bedroom makeover.

Remember I found these gorgeous pink ceramic pieces a couple of months ago.

Pink Ceramics

And this fabulous new fabric from Crowson.

Equinox

I put the two together and came up with this fabulous new lamp.

Custom Made Lamp

She loves it!

If you are having difficulty trying to find lamps or other accessories, contact us and take advantage of our extensive list of suppliers or visit The Store Room to see the two I have for sale there.

Related posts:

1. Lily the pink
2. Strike me Pink……and Aqua
3. What do you think of wallpaper?

Live House Bathroom

Did you manage to venture over to the Hordern Pavilion during the past week? The Live House of the 30 Days of Home, Food and Entertaining was there for 7 days.

Live House Dining Room

I managed to squeeze in a couple of visits and took these photos of the “rooms” to show you.

Live House Family Dining Table

Girl's Bedroom

Boy's Bedroom

The lounge room came to life before my very eyes as I attended the Build A Room From Scratch workshop with Real Living Magazine Editor Deb Bibby and Senior Stylist Sarah Ellison.

Deb Bibby and Sarah Ellison before the transformations

They put together two rooms with completely different looks using all items from Freedom Furniture. As Deb said, ordinarily she wouldn’t recommend purchasing everything from the one place as it can end up looking too matchy, matchy with not much personality. However, Freedom have extended their range considerably over the years and now stock items from many different styles including industrial, provincial, modern, retro, and contemporary. Putting a little bit of everything into one room is challenging but does create a unique space.

Metropolitan Sofa from Freedom

Starting with a black leather sofa and 2 white leather swivel chairs, Sarah created a comfortable living room for adults.

Completed Room

The “other” room was to become the children’s TV room or fun family area. The swivel chairs were turned around to sit adjacent to the limited edition Digital Sofa which would become the main furniture piece in the room. The end result was a bright, fun space for relaxing and watching television or playing games.

Digital Sofa and side tables

Sarah layered items into the room keeping in mind proportion, colour and height of objects to give an interesting result.

Completed Fun Family Room

There’s still time to check out the remaining events of 30 Days of Home, Food and Entertaining before the end of the month.

If you would like assistance, building a room from scratch, or just layering some more pieces to give it that unique look, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

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2. Buying Quality
3. An Eclectic Room

Band Stripe Rug

Sally Potharst and Jodie Fried founded rug company Armadillo & Co when they were working together on a rug for Jodie’s Bholu collection.

Sas Lena from Bholu

Made by artisans who are cared for under the Fair Trade practices, these rugs are Armadillo’s first adventure into colour.

I love the combination of strong stripes and bold colour and made from 100% wool, they are soft underfoot. Perfect for winter.

Ribbon Stripe Rug

What about you? Would you like some colour on your floor?

Contact us for pricing and delivery.

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Littlest Pet Shop Party

They all have names and she keeps a book of their personalities and traits. She will set them up in various locations and groups and they all “chat” away to each other for hours.

It wasn’t until they all sat side by side on my office window sill that I realised we needed a permanent home for them.

I wanted a shadow box but something a little more “girly” than this one I saw on Desire To Inspire.

via Desire To Inspire

Then I found this image over at Decorology. But as she had over 100, this was far too small. So we enlisted Dad’s help.

via Decorology

I worked out how many rows and how many dividers we would need and a box was built. We enquired about framing but couldn’t find the right frame. Finally we bought some framing lengths and a frame was made.

Then we chose a paint colour and after numerous coats to cover the gilt, a shiny pink framed box appeared.

She had so much fun putting all the little guys into their new home.

It’s currently in animal order – you know, all the dogs in one compartment, the cats in another, etc.

But I can see that hours will be spent rearranging them in perhaps height order, or colour order, or accessory order, or…….

If you would like assistance decorating your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person appointment.

Related posts:

1. Strike me Pink……and Aqua

I’m now hunting for some fabric to make a shade for the lamp for my daughter’s room. We’re about to redecorate her bedoom and she has chosen pink and aqua.

If you would like assistance decorating your home, contact us for an on-line or in-person appointment.

Related posts:

1. Strike me Pink……and Aqua
2. Pink Ribbon Day
3. New Lamp

Now I know HPM have brought out a colourful range but I was having difficulty in seeing a reason to highlight the light switch.

Bright range from HPM

This more subdued colour range I can understand, especially if the wall colour was nearly the same and the light switch just blended into the wall.

Earth Range from HPM

But look at these cuties.

Skulls by Neo

Ballet by Neo

Princess by Neo

What a great idea for kids rooms or child friendly spaces in clubs and day care centres.

Shells by Neo

Hot Air Balloon by Neo

With over 110 different images, there’s one to suit every possible theme and even you can install them. They just clip over your existing HPM or Clipsal light switches.

Frangipani by Neo

Mini Masterchef by Neo

If you would like assistance in decorating your child-friendly space, contact us for on on-line or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

1. Lily the pink
2. New Lamp
3. Furniture, Decoration and Kathryn Ireland

It’s not really celebrated much in our house. But I thought I’d post some things I love. Hope you have a great start to the week.

Chocolate - any kind, any size, any time

Massage - any type, any time

Tropical Escapes - if I'm not on one, I'm planning one

Spending time with family and friends - usually over a meal

My dogs

Books on Colour and Design

Creating beautiful interiors

If you would like assistance in creating a beautiful interior for the things and people you love, contact us for on-line or in-person consultation.

Related posts:

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2. Things To Know
3. The scheme of things

As you know, it was my daughter’s birthday recently and she has aspirations of being a fashion designer. She is also ready to redecorate her bedroom and has decided that her new colour scheme will be pink and aqua.

We found this image at Better Homes and Gardens and will be taking our colour inspiration from it.

via Better Homes and Gardens

So when I came across the works of Laura Trevey I knew it would be a welcome addition to the room – aqua, pink and fashion.

Chic in Pink by Laura Trevey

Girlie Girl by Laura Trevey

I bought four prints the same size and had them all framed together in one large white frame.I must admit I was a little worried the colours wouldn’t be as bright in the flesh as they were on my computer screen. But I had no cause for concern as they were exactly as I had expected.

Framed artwork

I love all of Laura’s watercolours for their bright colours and her whimsical style. She writes a fabulous blog on art, photography, fashion, design and entertainment.

Chesapeake Bay Crab by Laura Trevey

They would look great in any room in any home.

Caribbean Time by Laura Trevey

What do you think?

Dresses on the Rack by Laura Trevey

If you would like assistance sourcing the perfect artwork for your home, contact us to arrange an appointment either online or in person.

To become a fan of Inside Out Colour and Design on Facebook, click here.

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