DIY IKEA, or how to make the standard – unique

I can’t believe what some people are able to do with some of IKEA classics. If you’re up to it, try this out; some of the projects aren’t that difficult (more time-consuming and nerve-racking) but SO amazing! All of them have been found on the IKEA hacker blog.

• Malma mirrors made into wall art

From this:

IKEA Malma mirror

To this:

Malma mirrors made into wall art

• (Broken) Emmabo rocking chair into stylish deck lounge chair

From this:

(Broken) IKEA Emmabo chair

To this:

Stylish Emmabo deck chairs

• Now this is really simple but so stylish! Lack / Vika Fintorp chic entry way / hall table

From this:

IKEA Lack wall shelf

To this:

Chic and sexy entry way table

• How ’bout this really simple but prettily customized set of Malm tables aka TV bench?

From this:

IKEA malm bedside table

To this:

Malm twin TV bench with grass 🙂

• And one for the arty types out there: A heavenly wall art / tree mural done with scrappings of IKEA fabrics:

From this:

IKEA fabric scrappings

To this:

Tree mural made from IKEA fabrics

• Finally, the best in my opinion: Retro FIRA jewelry cabinet …AND… a shabby chic bedside table
  

From this:

IKEA Fira mini chest of drawers

To this…

Fira retro jewelry cabinet

To this!! The Absolutely Gorgeous shabby chic bedside or side table is a smashing HIT! Congratulatins on imagination and craftiness!

Shabby chic Fira bedside table

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New season in IKEA Part 2

OK – so I’m finally back from my day of window-shopping (well, not exactly – I actually bought some side plates, two books on design and color, and hand cream!). First, let me share with you the furniture side of my IKEA findings.

– a space-saving solution for small kitchens. Also, table top is bought separately so one can get a bigger one if space permits:

Ikea Billsta table and Sebastian bar stools

– one of the more stylish double desks I have seen on the high street (and it is not easy to find a desk for two…)

Ikea BESTA BURS double desk

– an interesting dining table ‘for surfers’ as my husband called it :). Not sure what the name is though…

Ikea oval dining table

– …and that’s how the Bernhard chair looks in reality – was very comfy as well!

Ikea Bernhard leather chair

– nice idea for kitchen fronts – in wide-and-glossy units-dominated kitchens, this vertical beech set provides a welcome change:

Ikea Solar kitchen units

– Now the tricky part – what the hell is this wallpaper / material on the wall? I thought I’ll find it in the online catalogue but there are no matches to ‘wallpaper’ and I am pretty sure it is one, as it reflected light when photographed with flash. Really pretty French country style, with roses and birds… anyone knows?? I attach a magnified view of the design as well. HELP! I see it in my mother’s bedroom and I need it desperately and why oh why have I not asked anyone of the staff?!

Ikea wallpaper / fabric?

Ikea wallpaper closer look

– …and finally to lamps / shades. I have chosen three of the new designs that seemed most interesting:

Ikea Knubbig table lamp

Ikea Tallvik table lamp

Ikea Klavsta lamp shade

That’s it for now. To follow – some nice fabrics I found, as well as a few finds from another shop 🙂

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New season in IKEA

Got an e-mail last night that IKEA has just issued their new catalogue which you can see here.

Here are the first of my personal favorites among the new additions:

– lovely hand-made glasses which will add a wow factor to any kitchen for little money:

Ikea PS Kalla glasses. Designer: Gunnel Sahlin.

– sleek and modern leather chairs which emulate the designer look very well, costing under a hundred pounds! Also it seems they are stackable…

Bernhard leather chair. Designer: Ola Wihlborg.

– amazing design adds glamour to this very cute crown-like basket:

Ikea PS Krona basket. Designer: Maria Vinka.

…more to follow (probably) as I am just on my way to IKEA to check out other new items.

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Vox Classic – timeless elegance with a twist

A Polish furniture company Vox has just released its new collection called simply Classic.

Classic it may be (inspired by classical style), but in a very sleek and stylish way. A few highlights are:

– a very functional headboard – not only looks lovely when lit up, but also provides much needed storage for all those books around your bed!

Vox Classic bedroom

– one of my favourites – a sleek and airy looking dressing table with stool. It could also work as a spare laptop table if you are only working at home occasionally. Check out the table lamps, too!

Vox Classic dressing table

– and some detailed finish..

Vox Classic detail

Unfortunately one cannot choose the finish – dark oak veneer is beautiful, but a creamy option would look great as well for a more romantic and ‘homely’ feel – a little DIY perhaps?

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