Scandinavian Mudrooms

I love the black and white schemes of these mudrooms, especially the checkered floor.  Both were featured in the fabulous Swedish magazine, Skona Hem (I can't read a damn word of it, but that's ok)...

Even Ikea features a similarly styled, modern, black and white mudroom... The circular mats are pretty cute too (via the online catalog).

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99 Cent Ikea Hack

I got a little crafty today. 

At Ikea last night I bought a round mouse pad for 99 cents.  Boring white.  And, really boring on my white desk.  So, I cut a scrap piece of fabric, grabbed my spray adhesive, and spiced it up a bit...

LAGIS mouse pad at Ikea

couldn't decide which fabric to use-- these are two of my all time favorites

(I ended up making both)

traced it out with pencil

cut it out and used spray adhesive on the back of the fabric

(didn't photograph that step, sorry)

And, my 99 cent mouse pad is just a bit cuter than before!

Degree of difficulty: about as easy and cheap as it gets.

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Organizing The Kitchen With IKEA

(so much storage space!)

Moving into the 40 year old kitchen (in my 118 year old house) wasn't exactly a dream come true.  Most of my kitchen stuff will be regulated to large Rubbermaid bins in the basement...  but the stuff that we use everyday will need to stay up here, and somehow find a place to sit.  The only space that will fit our dishes and glassware is in the original dumbwaiter-- a cabinet contraption that would bring stored food from the basement into the kitchen via a pulley system.  Well, nowadays that pulley system is fixed, but the old dumb waiter remains and it is holding our glassware and everyday dishes.  Not ideal.  But, we will renovate someday...  and, we will hopefully have a bit more kitchen space!

Anyway, in desperation I have turned to my favorite discount home store.  Ikea.  They have a wonderful selection of kitchen storage for people like me...

These shelf stackers have been a life saver for me.  I've got about five in the dumbwaiter (to separate large plates from small, etc) and three in the refrigerator (to stack smaller jars without wasting the space).  They are awesome.  Powder coated white too...  very cute.

stackable shelving

Here are some of my other kitchen organizing picks...

wall mounted spice jars

food storage jars

(what a lovely way to keep snacks fresh without displaying the boxes they come in)

wire basket (for storing pots and pans)

wall corner cabinet carousel

These clear acrylic bins and trays are perfect for an office or studio!  But, they can be found within the kitchen organizing section at Ikea.  I would use them to hold cards, labels, stamps, etc...  and once we finish unpacking boxes, I will be buying a few (they are $4.99 and $6.99 each!)...

clear acrylic storage bins

clear acrylic tray

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Desperate times call for... Ikea.

Lately, I have spent a nice amount of time running in and out of Ikea (entering through the Exit, of course, to avoid "the maze") collecting picture frames for my awesome Alicia Bock photographs. In times like these, there is no better friend than an Ikea "Ribba" frame (with mat included) for $12.99. And let's face it, Ikea is one of the go-to stores for low priced home furnishings-- especially if you love Swedish-inspired modern design... you're all set.

And while Ikea's style can seem somewhat limited, don't rule them out! This superstore has some fabulous pieces that can stand on their own. Here are a few of my favorites:


100% wool rug. Love this Indo Gabbeh rug at $199.00.


The Stockholm Rand rug. It is so terrific, I don't think a rug like this will ever get old. It comes in two sizes: 5'7" x7'10" and 8'2" x 11'6" for $179.00 to $299.00.

You love it, I know.

Image from the home of Amanda Peet, Domino Magazine archives.


NEW! Trondheim four-drawer dresser, $249.00


One of my all-time favorites, the Lack bookcase. Plus, it comes in black, black-brown, light blue, light pink, red, and white. For only $129.00

Couldn't this be the Lack bookcase?



The Kulla pendant lamp has a lacquered shade and comes in red(!), white and black for $69.00


The Foto pendant lamp for only $29.99. It's 20" in diameter, and would be great over a small round dining table.

Doesn't this look like the Foto lamp? Similar, huh?



We all know the Expedit bookcase, but check out the new Expedit coffee table with glass top, in birch, black-brown, or white for $69.99


I love this new Engan chest with two drawers, it would make a great nightstand for $99.99