“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Posts Tagged ‘Storage’
My take on shopping at Ikea
Last month I visited the brand new Ikea store in Sydney.
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.
JenniferIf 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.
Littlest Pet Shops
My daughter is a collector. For the past three years she has been collecting little plastic animals called Littlest Pet Shops.
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.
Window Seats
I keep on finding myself drawn to rooms with window seats.
Emily Gilbert Photography via VT Interiors
Many of the houses around my area have them and they are such versatile little spots.
via BHG.com
Great for sitting and reading or chatting on the phone.
Just as useful in a bedroom from here
They serve as extra storage and extra seating and always look inviting.
Frank Roop via Flickr
I love the wall mounted reading lights in the image above.
Even the dogs love the window seat
Do you have a window seat in your home? If you would like assistance in creating somewhere quiet in your home, contact us to enquire about our colour and design services.
On the inside
Lately I’ve been noticing a number of cupboards with colour on the inside.
This is a great way to add a touch of colour to your home without feeling that the colour may be too overwhelming.
via Luxury iHouse Design
It also creates a great backdrop for the items you are putting in the cupboard or on the shelves.
via DIY Ideas
Australian Architect, Scott Weston is a master of hidden colour and uses it in nearly all of his homes.
Internal Carcass by Scott Weston
An easy DIY project, you could add some colour or wallpaper to the back of one of your cupboards.
via Living etc
If you would like assistance in creating YOUR harmonious environment, contact us for details of our design services.
Clever Storage
I don’t think we can ever have enough storage in our homes. I know, we all have too much stuff but some of it’s good, or important or has sentimental value and we shouldn’t just toss it away because we can’t find somewhere to keep it.
Messy House via Paintermommy.com
I love finding clever storage solutions for my clients and I keep a file of things I come across in magazines. I thought I’d share them with you. I don’t have credits on many of these as I’ve ripped them out of magazines long before I started blogging.
Often under stairs can be left as “dead” space, but these clever ideas are worth considering.
via bhg.com
Sorry, I haven't kept the Source.
Another one from pre-blogging days
How clever to have CD and DVD storage in the walls of the stairs via Home Beautiful
Moving into the bedroom, one always needs plenty of storage.
Ties - equivalent to women's shoes. Makes an eye catching display and he doesn't have to look too hard
Died and gone to heaven
Then there’s the kitchen!
Nice and spicy
My ultimate pantry
Unsightly dish cloths handy yet away
And after all that storing, somewhere to relax and read your magazines which are close at hand.
Window Seat with drawers instead of a lift up lid
Happy New Year
Can I say that on the 11th January? I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year and 2010 is a wonderful year for us all.
Awaken The Spirit via www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2009
I’ve had a lovely break from work and my blog since Christmas Eve. I did manage to read the backlog of magazines that had been collecting dust on my coffee table. The only problem is that I had no sooner finished when the next months’ issues started to arrive. Oh well, reading magazines is one of the perks of the job!
December and January Magazines awaiting reading
I also finally got around to properly filing all the brochures, booklets and samples I had collected at various Trade Fairs I had visited throughout the year. Do you realise how much “stuff” we decorators need to store? Paint swatches and fandecks from all the paint companies, tile samples, carpet samples, samples of Caesarstone and Corian, furniture catalogues, fabric samples and oodles of brochures on all manner of house related products. It takes a lot of room. I needed to purchase another cabinet and a filing cabinet so my storage room now has some order. Being a Virgo this is something that delights me.
All Sorted
Brochures, carpet samples and other bits and pieces
Fabric Samples
I’ve also been having fun in the kitchen. I love to cook or rather, I used to. In a previous life I even gave cooking classes! However, since being a mother, running a house as well as my Interior Decorating and Colour Consulting business there has been little time for cooking. I’ve tended to stick to the same tried and tested, 9 year old friendly recipes, week in, week out. But this past few weeks has allowed me to try out some new ones and the 9 year old has decided we should have a couple of them more often. Amazing!
Not this one but something like it - Satay Chicken Flan
So sometimes its good to holiday at home. As Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.”
from Flickr via Mommylolly's Photostream
Let the year begin. I’m ready.
Slim Shelving
Slim Shelving
I’ve just been reading my favourite blogs and thought I’d also let you know about Slim Shelving. Decor8 has written about a great new product called Slim Shelving. What a fabulous idea. A great way to show off your beautiful books and yet keep them within easy reach.
Slim Shelving for the Kitchen
I like the idea of putting it in the kitchen to keep your favourite recipe books at hand.
Slim Shelving for the kids
Or in the kid’s bedroom to entice them to read more often.
Slim Shelving in the Master Bedroom
Or in the master bedroom to make more space on the bedside tables and help cull the clutter.
These shelves are a stylish way to store and display your books and also creates some wall art at a nominal outlay. You can check out the website and order online.
