Lofty Dreams for a New Apartment: The Livingroom

So as I mentioned awhile ago, Ikea is killing off their EXPEDIT line of shelving. They are replacing it with a similar model apparently, but I digress: it's time to snap up some EXPEDIT before it's gone for good. I am one of the masses of people who want the shelf for vinyl storage. The interior is the perfect size for it, and I'm just in love with two of the models in particular:

EXPEDIT on casters, 58 5/8x32 5/8"

Honestly, when I see this unit I think more "TV stand" than "home of vinyl", with alternating cubes filled with baskets for storage.

EXPEDIT 17 3/8x72 7/8"

I'm leaning towards this one, only because I have wicked plans for it. Picture it horizontally, set on tall (12"? Higher?) legs, and pistachio green with an off-white interior. Yes.

Alexis Sofa via Sears

I really love with the colour of this sofa, and I dig the shape of it too. It looks great with those floral throw pillows, so I'd probably try to dig out some of my vintage bed sheets to re-purpose into pillows for it. Or else I'd screen print a couple of my own designs on to some plain ones. I'm all about the decorative pillows.

Flannigan Sofa via Sears

Not too crazy about the colour of this guy, but I really love the shape. The rounded arms are awesome, and I adore the back.

Indoor/outdoor Chevron Rugs via Target

Floral, Fretwork, and Rugby Stripe Rugs via Target

Apparently my Target addiction rivals my Ikea addiction, at least when it comes to rugs.They have some pretty fantastic ones though! I want to keep my living room area bright and full of energy (which, I know, is a complete contrast to the look I want in my bedroom) but I'm weary of growing tired of patterned furniture, though I do think it can look pretty amazing. I think the easiest solution is to add in my patterns with items that are removable, like throw rugs. I hope wherever I end up there aren't any carpets. Not only would that kill my fun (ha!) but carpets really do a number on my asthma. Yuck.

"Tray" Chic, Ace, and Lattice accent tables via Urban Barn 

Holy punch of colour batman! I adore all three of these tables from Urban Barn. If I could find a way to stick them all in my living room without it looking ridiculous I totally would. I just adore all three of them. I like the fact that the orange one has a removable tray top, which makes serving snacks and cleaning up after a get-together a breeze. Besides the colour, the yellow one is  really neat looking. I'm a sucker for anything with character. And finally, the lattice on the blue one is super cute. I would probably stuff it with string lights and get a pillow for the top so I could use it as a stool to pull up when more seats are needed.

I never used to like the style of modern furniture, but lately that's been changing. One thing I don;t think will ever change is how I could spend all year pouring over furniture and dreaming up room designs. I actually really enjoy planning things out, and putting together a room. Perhaps I should start looking into interior design, ha!

currently listening to: School's Out by Van Halen

Lofty Dreams for a New Apartment: The Bedroom

Lately I've been getting excited about looking for my own space once again. After the first apartment disaster I've learned a lot, and I honestly just want to put the whole thing behind me and start fresh. One can only couch-surf for so long, so as I begin to save up for a new place I'm dreaming of how I'll decorate. This time around I won't have a roommate to share all the decision making with, which is slightly sad, but still really exciting. For the first time I'll be getting a space that's all my own, eep!

I've been stalking the Ikea website this past weekend since I heard they were discontinuing their Expedit shelving. I'd really like to snag myself one, but more on that in my next post. As everyone I know has learned, once Ikea is brought to my attention I get sucked in and can't stop gazing at all the neat stuff I can't afford and have nowhere to put right now really want to buy for my future living space. I have digital scrapbooks in the works with a lot of their furniture, and I love showing off my favourite items and gushing over everything. That's why most people I know tiptoe around mentioning Ikea with me in earshot, haha!

Today I'm going to focus on the bedroom. While I really wanted a damask print theme throughout the room, my mum bought me a leopard print bed set for my birthday two years ago (when I was younger all I ever wanted was animal print, and she remembered that!) and I can't bear to give it up. It's still brand new, and has been in storage since we moved right after I graduated highschool. I can't wait to dig it (along with my bedroom furniture) out when I finally find a new place to live! I'm planning on focusing on a red and black theme as much as I can since I can mix-and-match those with the leopard print. I suppose my bedroom is where I want to let the little 16 year old Goth that's still tucked away inside me out to play. Here's some linens I've been ogling:

DVALA Sheet Sets in Black and Red

I'd like the black set to go with the duvet set below, and the red set to go with my leopard print duvet set. I'd probably snag extra pillowcases for both and sew on lace or ribbon, or maybe screenprint them for use as deco pillows. I'd love to be one of those people who has a prettily made up bed every morning, and deco pillows would definitely turn me into one of those people super fast.

DVALA Duvet and Pillowcases in Red

I'd love to have a second duvet set for when I'm washing the leopard print one, or when I want to switch up the look of the room. It's so simple but in my experience it makes a big difference.

POLARVIDE Throw Blanket  in Red

EIVOR Throw Blanket

A throw blanket on my bed is a must. I am permanently cold, so having something extra to toss on top of my blankets is always welcome. Besides that, I love how cozy and careless it looks to have a throw perched at the foot of the bed. And how easy it is to flop down on top of the covers midday with a good book and grab the throw to cozy up under. It's one of my essentials.

VIVAN Curtains in Black

TUPPLER Black-out Roller Blinds in Black

RITVA Curtains in Red

BLEKVIVA Curtains in Red

I'd like to pair either the black curtains or the roller blinds with one of the red curtains, depending on how sheer the black ones are. I'd really like black sheers under the red. Otherwise, I'd leave the outer curtains permanently pulled back with a pretty homemade curtain tie and just use the blinds to block the window.

EKBY MÅNS Brackets in Black

EKBY VIKTOR/EKBY MÅNS Shelf in Red

I think these would be really cute for displaying some of my collections, stuffed animals, or candles. I really love the EKBY MÅNS brackets! They're so fun.

EKBY ALEX Shelf

EKBY GRUVAN Shelf

I think I'd like to do a floating shelf instead of a nightstand. I wouldn't mind having a longer one, or one with drawers so I could fit all the crap that tends to accumulate within arm's reach of my bed, like a lamp, the books I'm currently reading, my glasses, medications, a glass of water, box of tissues and so on. I like the airiness floating shelves create, and that would give me floor space for a garbage can and my slippers to live underneath.

LEIRVIK Bed Frame

I already have plans for a custom made bedframe based on nomad-furniture designs so I can store a lot of my stuff under my bed, but I couldn't resist throwing this frame in this post. It's too adorable! The only way I would love it more is if it was a four poster or canopy bed instead. Although I would definitely take a coat of paint to it.

I would definitely go broke if I was unleashed in Ikea, even with a few thousand dollars in hand I'm sure. I don't think I'd ever allow myself to outfit my home in all Ikea, but I'm really loving drawing inspiration from what I'm finding there. I can't wait to start apartment hunting again, especially now that I've seen what Kate and Kaylah have done with their new spaces! Too rad!