IKEA Hackers: Expedit Single Bed

IKEA Hackers: Expedit Single Bed: Materials : 2 EXPEDIT shelf units 5x1, 1x Sultan Lade 90cm, 3 purple SKUBB boxes, non-slip under carpet material.


Mmmm ... I like this idea, and if you had your bed positioned so that you can walk either side, then you could access the storage from either side too. Of course, you do have to use storage containers that fit the shelf units.

Maybe when I'm thinking about changing my bed I could consider this, although then what would I do with my existing storage boxes?

IKEA Hackers: Hot Air Balloon Decoration

IKEA Hackers: Hot Air Balloon Decoration: Materials: DUKTIG and VATE Description: I used items from Ikea to create gorgeous hot air balloon decorations for a baby shower.

I love these!! Now when can I use them?!

IKEA Hackers: Billy/Benno Cubby Unit

IKEA Hackers: Billy/Benno Cubby Unit: Materials: 6 Billy Bookcases, 2 Benno TV Benches, 18 coat hooks Description: Build the Benno TV benches, leaving out the drawers. Build the Billies, flipping all shelves and the top/bottom upside down as you go.

I chose to omit the back panel too. Do not use the shelves in what is now the bottom half of the unit.

Place 3 upside-down Billies on each Benno, anchoring them to the wall. Screw coat hooks into the sides and back wall of each cubby.

~ Melanie Ward, Muskoka, Ontario



This is a great idea. You could even put doors on it for a tidy entry way!

Quilter's Table

Ok, so I found this amazing quilter's table on Ikea Hackers.
I am a little worried that I would bump my ankles on the bottom part, and I would need the room to put it in.
Another thing for my wish list, I guess.

IKEA Hackers: Benno-Over-Bed

I've thought about doing something like this myself with a Benno CD/DVD shelf. I think I worked out that it would fit in the space I have, but the books I want to store in it were about a centimeter too tall. I could put them on their side, I suppose, but I don't really want to do it that way.

So for me, it's "back to the drawing board" for my never-ending need for more book storage.

Speaking of book storage, I recently found a very interesting book on that very subject. It is 'Books Make a Home' by Damian Thompson

There are some really interesting ideas in this book. And two quotes that I love.

"When I have a little money I buy books. And if any is left, I buy food and clothing." - Erasmus

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookcases." - Anna Quindlen

Craft Table with Storage

Guess where I've been looking again! Yes, Ikea Hacker!
This time the whole article was found on the original blog.

So, now I just need a craft room and this would be great. There is one thing though, this craft table is designed for someone to be standing up, while I prefer to sit while crafting. At least you can get to all your supplies easily.

On the original blog, they said that the shelves didn't fit their scrapbooking storage containers, so it may need some tweaking for your specific needs.

Great Use of Space

Once again I have been inspired by something at Ikea Hacker. (Click on the photo to see the whole story.)
I love how they have totally used the space. Now I just wonder what the view is like out the window!

A "Novel" Idea!

Ok, so bookshelves are one of my things because I have so many books. And then my sister thinks I'm going through a white furniture phase. Yes, I do often post pictures of bookshelves.

So when this one caught my eye I just had to post it here. It's a litte unusual and a lot of fun. Can't you just imagine spinning it around to choose a book?

I found this one over at Small Space Style. And if you want to make it, you will find instructions at DIY Home Decor Crafts

Butterflies on the Wall

I like the idea of this bench, but what I like the most are the butterflies on the wall. I wouldn't go for the pink wall, but I do love the butterflies.

New Year Clean and Declutter

What is it about the new year that makes people suddenly have a desire to clean and sort through everything?
Is it the desire to declutter things from the previous year in preparation for re cluttering this year?
Is it that you have no room for the gifts you received at Christmas and need to find a spot for them? I have a friend who has her kids get rid of the same number of toys as they received.

I have to admit that I am doing the same. Part of it is because I have purchased a couple of things for my room - a new desk, desk chair and another bookshelf. I've also removed the armchair that has been in my room. It was taking up space and removing it has made room for my new bookshelf.

I still have some things to organise, but this gives you an idea.

I needed accessible shelf space for folders and larger books, and my new bookshelf does just that. Yes, it is another Billy from Ikea.

I've also been filling bags to go to the Op Shop and have a nearly filled up garbage bag.

Part of sorting has me going through magazines that I've bought/collected. I'm cutting out the pages I want to keep and the rest of the magazine is headed for the recycle bin.

I think I'm getting rid of at least one thing for every day of the year so far, probably more.

With regard to my new desk, it's not perfect. I wish I had been able to see it made up before I purchased it (I got it at Aldi). The drawers aren't as deep as I wanted, only taking up about half the actual depth of the desk. And they don't come out as far as I need - especially the file draw. But I'm working on other things to make up for these deficiencies.

And I'm certain to be making another trip to Ikea because there are some things I saw on my recent trip but didn't purchase and I forgot to use the gift card I had been given for Christmas.

Book Nook

A good friend of mine posted this on Facebook, and tagged me saying that I should have this. I'm not sure, but I think this was built in under a staircase. I love the idea and it would make a very cosy spot to read, think, or just sit.

Using the Space

First, just let me say I want this in my room!!
Once again I have been looking at Ikea Hackers and found inspiration.
I love the way they put the unit between the wardrobes.

If I was doing this, I'd put a cushion on the bench and make it into a window seat.

Tight Space Office

I found this desk made from Akrum kitchen cabinets on Ikea Hacker and I think it's a wonderful idea.

It got me thinking about my desk and how I haven't been happy with it for a while. Now I'm wondering what I could do in a similar vein.

Hmmm ... the cogs are turning.

IKEA Hacker: Upscale Wood Cubbies

I love what has been done with this. In fact, I would love to have something similar on the wall above my desk for all those little things that I need handy, but don't have room for anywhere else. Plus it looks amazing.
For full details of the hack, check out the IKEA Hacker link below.

IKEA Hackers: Upscale Wood Cubbies: Materials: Moppe or Fira Wooden Box Set Description: I base coated the cabinet and drawers with a spray paint. Then I taped all of the ...

A Matter of Perspective

I thought my book wall was pretty good, and everyone who has seen it says, "WOW!", but this place blows my mind!
I recommend looking at the whole post, but I am putting in a picture for you to see if you don't have time to check it out right now.

IKEA Hackers: French Country House Library: "Materials: 60 Billy / Benno Bookcases Description: Faced with a 11m x 4m landing which had been curtained off at either end as bedroom..."

Parasol Light Shades

I read about these in 'Sisterchicks Down Under' by Robin Jones Gunn.
One of her characters puts one up in her bedroom.

Since then I have wanted to try it for myself because, well there are two reasons - firstly it would fit with the style of my bedroom and secondly my current light shade is extremely boring and the same as all the others in the house.

So I've been looking online to see if I could find some good instructions of how to do it. I have been somewhat successful, but not entirely. The first link has a different style of light than I do - they have a centre screw point for their old shade and two bulbs, one on either side. But they do give great instructions of how to do it, including pictures.

Oh the Cuteness!: I Love Lamp!: "First of all, this is my 100th post which is some sort of milestone, so yay! And secondly, I've got another tutorial for a parasol light fix..."

Parasol Light Fixture : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

This second link fixes the problem of just one central light bulb but I don't like the idea of cutting the parasol and I can't figure out how you would get to the light bulb to change it when it blows (as they definately do).

So the question is, does anyone else have any ideas of how to do it?
I tried a home magazine, but they haven't included my question in their magazine yet (and it's been nearly 12 months since I asked the question).

They Say ...

... a change is as good as a holiday! Whoever 'They' are?! Well, I'm not sure I entirely agree, but the rearranging of my bedroom this past week was a good change.
And I finally have an armchair in my bedroom, which I am sitting in as I type this!

We needed to get an armchair out of the family room to make room for some other things, and my room was the only place where it would fit. But that meant I had to almost totally rearrange the other furniture in my room to accommodate it.

I didn't mind all that much. I'd been thinking about rearranging things anyway, but I hadn't come up with a plan I really liked. Even after doing my plan on paper I wasn't convinced that it would work, but it had to be done. Plus I've wanted an armchair in my room for ages.

The first 3 photos are the 'before' shots.

To move the larger furniture, like the bed and desk, I had to move a lot of the smaller items out of the room completely, then move them back in again.

Even though I'd put the plan down, I still changed it from the original idea. Not much, but I like the final outcome better. I still have some things to find new homes for, but all the major things are done now.

The next 3 photos are the 'after' shots. I tried to take them from the same position as the 'before' shots.

As you can see, the bed and desk have switched sides of the room. I'm a little disappointed about losing some of the natural light at my desk, but I wasn't going to move the bookshelves. Some of them act as a bit of a sound barrier because the wall is shared by that small, but very necessary room - you know the one I mean!

I'm going to try to get a cover for the arm chair. I'm not so keen on the fabric choice (it used to belong to my grandparents) and it is a little thread-bare in places.

Not bad for a few hours work.

Teaser Tuesdays - October 26

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week comes from a book that I decided to read again when I finished my last new book. It's book 2 in the 'Deadly Decor Mystery' series. I love this series because it combines a couple of my favourite things - interior design and a mystery!

Decorating Schemes by Ginny Aiken

'Then, with a twist of her delicate, acrylic-nailed, pink-manicured hand, Deedee turned the doorknob. "Let's go outside so you can see our killer view -"

Her blood-curdling shriek put an end to her words.

The Marshalls have a killer view, all right. But the killer view had nothing to do with the girl who lay sprawled in the middle of said patio's concrete floor, her body's lower half drenched in bright red blood.

I screamed too.'

A little bit gory, I know, but now you're intrigued, aren't you?

Design Restrictions

Some of you may know that I am in the middle of an interior design course. That has been challenging, but the most challenging thing is working with my own space.

Money, or lack thereof, is one restriction.

But the biggest for me at present is working with the furniture I have, and of course the space in which to put it.

For years I have played around with room designs. I draw scaled rooms and furniture pieces that are blue tacked on so that I can move them around. But even in that I can only move them around within the contraints of the room and what the furniture itself is.

This is my current layout design. It's probably a bit hard to see, but you should get the general idea. The main problem is that this is all 2D, but I have yet to come up with an easy way to make the furniture 3D.

I've been toying with rearranging the furniture, but some things can't change, and the placement of structural an built-in elements are really limiting. The wardrobe and window limit things quite a bit, as does the fact that one wall backs on to the toilet.

Sometimes people really don't think when they design houses. Why, would you plan to have a toilet back onto a bedroom - seriously!? But that's one of the dilemmas that I have to deal with. So that's why I have one whole wall filled with bookshelves. I'm trying to use the books to block out some of the sounds from that small, but necessary room.

But it also means that is something I won't even consider moving when I think about rearranging the room.

Sorry about my rambling. I never was that great at getting my thoughts down on paper. And this is kind of paper - the electronic kind!

Design Discoveries

Now that I've started my interior design course I've started buying home decorating magazines for inspiration (and to help with assignments).

They give snippits from a variety of suppliers and then provide a very helpful list of who they used at the back of the magazine.

I love it when I see things from Ikea - especially since I love going there and have a few things from Ikea in my home.

Today I've been inspired by a few items from Equator Homewares.

As a general rule I'm not a fan of woven furniture and wicker baskets (they accumulate too much dust and I'm just not that inspired by it), however among these items are some gorgeous wood and bamboo pieces. I wish I could put some pictures here, but you'll just have to have a look for yourself.

My favorite is the Montego folding writing desk.