ORC week 3. hardware + software

(this is week 3 of the one room challenge, hosted by linda at calling it home! this is the second time i have linked up, and i am grateful to have a deadline again!)

well, it may not look like much has happened, but things are getting done. promise.

the room is painted, the bed is put together, and pretty much everything that needs to get purchased has been bought.







so---hardware and software...?

the hardware in the room is literally the hardware, but also all of those items that are wood and, well...hard. the bed, nightstands, desk, bookcase and dresser.

software are the items that are soft.
pillows, bedding, the seat cushion, and the canopy.


hardware:
the daybed:
good news, the ikea brimnes daybed is put together. my two daughters and i did it ourselves, which is pretty much a miracle.


i am going to replace the existing boring wood hardware. you can see in the pictures that i was testing out one of the vintage crystal knobs...i didn't like the way they looked.
the distance between the holes is an odd measurement...something like 6 1/4". i am sure this is some nice, round normal number in millimeters, but in the metric system it equals "good luck trying to find hardware with this measurement".
i am sure that somewhere in sweden, someone is laughing.

my best (and possibly only?) option was to go with some adjustable hardware. there aren't too many options available in that genre, but i managed to find some i liked.
i opted to order these:

the dresser:
of course updating the dresser is going to involve some paint. but replacing the hardware is also going to help transform it!

i have a *small (ahem. ok, maybe its not all that small.) stash of hardware. i checked out what options i had on hand to see if any knobs would work with the dresser.
here are three that i tried:






charlotte liked this one the best. it was a clearance purchase from anthropologie a few years ago, and i am super happy that i am finally getting to use them!

i wanted something simple to pair the more ornate knobs with, so i decided on these:

that is, until they arrived in the mail, and i removed the old hardware and realized that there are TWO sets of holes....one set at 3", and another at 3.5".  why??!

NICE. *ugh.
keeping these knobs would require some serious filling and patching and sanding, and with all of the other projects i have to complete, i just decided my time would be better spent elsewhere.
so, i ordered these, which have a 3.5" center to center measurement, and should cover up the 3" holes as well:



the desk:

oh boy.
i have been around and around in my head about the desk. i wanted something that was small, and had some storage. ideally, i would want something that has this vibe:

at first i was going to have something made, but i need to be careful with my time and money, so what i think i am going to do is order this console table:

the proportions are perfect for what i want, and it is cheap!


and possibly replace the legs with these?

still pondering this....


software:
these pillows have been ordered for the bed:

 i am having 3 pillows similar to these made, but with a peach colored grosgrain that coordinates with the linen that i will be using on the canopy.

the canopy:
i am using this picture for inspiration for the canopy:

my canopy with have box pleating at the top, and the side panels will be a little more full.

i drew up a sketch and dropped off the trim and the peach linen to the fabricators yesterday.

hopefully next week, i will have at least one of my projects completed so that i can share.
i swear, the time goes so quickly during this challenge! how is it already week 3?

for more:
week 1

week 2

adding trim to ikea panels (custom shower curtain project)

another simple project that is cheap, easy and has enormous "design payoff"!

i personally love the look of extra long shower curtains. a standard shower curtains is 72" x 72", which can look really squatty in a room with high ceilings.
i used a pair of regular 84" curtains that i purchased at marshalls (that are dead ringers for west elms ogee panels) in my sons bathroom, and i loved the effect:

i decided to do the same thing in my girls bathroom with some inexpensive panels from ikea:

here is what i started with:

* pair of ikea ritva panels (a favorite of mine. i recommend them ALL. THE. TIME to clients!)
* extra long fabric shower curtain. i bought mine at bed bath and beyond.
*trim

to add the trim, i used a fabric glue.

i bought my trim for about $2.50 a yard on ebay, which i think is a huge bargain. if you have ever shopped for trim, you know that most run in the range of $8-15 per yard. do yourself a favor and check out ebay!


to attach the trim, i just put a bead of glue on the edge of my panel, and pressed the trim onto it.

at the ends, i folded it under carefully and secured it with a binder clip. i also put a clip about every 18" or so up the panel.

 i used two different rods to hang the real/functional shower curtain and the decorative panels, but you could also use a double rod, which i used in my sons bathroom.

have a great monday!

ikea bookcase window seat

this is the easiest project ever, and can make a huge impact in any room. grady's room was the perfect candidate for this "bookcase into window seat" because there was already a jog in the wall directly in front of his window, which happened to be almost the exact size of the ikea expedit bookcase...but you can add this "window seat" to any window...or even to a wall without windows! 

here is what you will need for this project:

an expedit bookcase from ikea. i used black/brown.

4 small bun feet, available at lowes (or any large home improvement store). 

these come unfinished, and i spray painted mine black.

straight top plate, also available at lowes right next to the the feet.

assemble the expedit bookcase according to the directions.

mount the top plates on the corners of the bookcase. be careful not to drill into the hollow portion of the bookcase.

move it into place!
as you can see, i painted the room. no more purple!
i ended up choosing benjamin moore's "blue springs" 1592.
it is a really great blue. it is soft and has enough cool tones in it to relate to the rug.


you don't have to add feet, but there is a supply vent located on the floor in the middle of the jog in the wall, and i needed to raise it up a bit. i also think this dresses it up.

here is a peek at the textiles that will be going in the room.

(and also a peek of the freaky halloween mask that my son refuses to let me pack away.)

to see the design plan for this room, click here.
i am going to have a cushion made for the window seat out of the orange, tan and black striped ikea rug!
* i have dropped the rug off at the upholsterers, and can't wait to get the cushions back!

the black and white plaid curtains will be hung in the next day or two. you can also spot the ikea malou bedding and the ikea vadmal blanket. i think my favorite thing so far are the lands end sheets. they are even better in person than they looked online.

oh, and just in case y'all were wondering...we did NOT blow away sunday night. the windstorm was nowhere near as strong as the one that hit thursday night. all is well. 
:)

ikea favorites

i spent a good portion of my day yesterday strolling around ikea. usually when i go to ikea, i am in and out in less than 30 minutes. impressive, i know. i usually only have a few things i need to get, and i walk in with a list and my game face on as i zip through the aisles.

yesterday, i took my time. went and walked around the showroom for the first time in two years. ikea does a brilliant job of staging their showroom.i found myself wanting to linger and touch everything!

here are a few of my favorite things from ikea:

ektorp upholstery.
the classic, traditional shape of this line is clean and simple, and the slipcovers are available in a lot of colors. you can get a couch, a chair, a love seat and a sectional  in this line.

merete panels. 

at $29.99 for a pack of two, these grommet topped panels are a budget shoppers dream. the texture is great, and the fabric hangs nicely. these are available in bleached, beige, brown and purple.

eivor throw.
i fell head over heels in love when i spotted this! it is already gracing the sofa in a local clients home.
sometimes throws may look great online, but then they feel cheap and scratchy in person...this throw is soft, has a nice weight to it and doesn't feel cheap...and it's only $19.99.

sanela cushion cover.
the oblong shape and velveteen fabric make this a very versatile, affordable ($7)  addition to any pillow arsenal. to dress them up, consider adding greek key trim. it is available in 5 colors.

besta burs desk.

i love the long, lean shape of this desk. it's great for those tight spaces, and fits a laptop or an imac perfectly. available in high gloss red, black, grey and white.

barometer lamp.

i use this classy little task light pretty often in my design plans. it looks much more expensive than it's $49.99 price tag, and the shape is reminiscent of a vintage architects lamp.

foto pendant.

$19.99.

simple. affordable. packs a visual punch. what's not to love?

koldby cow hide rug.

you won't find a more affordable cow hide rug anywhere. trust me, i've looked.

(if you do find one, let me know! please??)

ribba frames.
for real...who doesn't love these things? the price and selection alone are what often bring me to ikea. i know i can count on sturdy, good looking frames in a variety of great shapes and sizes. i picked up 3 yesterday!

plastis dishwashing brush.
i know...weird pick.

but i really love these! they are soft, work well, and wash up nicely in the dishwasher. and at only .99, i don't feel bad when it's time to "retire" one.