A Little Moment in Our Entry

Hello there!  Well, things are definitely slowing down around here.  I'm about 8 weeks out from meeting Baby #4 and needlesstosday, I'm not embarking on any decorating projects these days.  I can hardly get through the day without a nap lately!  Most of my nesting comes in the form of cleaning or organizing as I know if I don't get to it now... who knows when I'll have the time!

For today, I thought I'd share some pictures of our entry way console table.  In my opinion, entry ways are one of the most important areas in a home.  I can't tell you how many times I pass by this table each day and it's such a great place to create a special little moment of items you truly treasure and make you smile.  Remember... elevate the everyday!

This first photo is kind of a "before" photo.  Not a bad arrangement, lots of things that make me smile.  My lovely gourd lamp, my favorite houseplant - maidenhair ferns, a painting by my grandmother that we used for our wedding, and a pair of Foo dogs given to us as a wedding present. 

Here's how it looks right now.

Just removed the fern and added a few family photos.

I love the runner I added.  It gives the table a little more depth.  I love Dwellstudio, but can't afford most of their items.  This "runner" is just 2 napkins (on sale) that I folded in half and place side by side. 

I also love my little ikat bowl from Anthropologie. 

Kind of bummed I didn't buy more as they are now discontinued.  :(

So, not a huge deal.  Just thought I'd share a little moment from our entry.  When the rest of the house is a complete mess, this is a nice place for me to find some peace... if just for a moment.  :) 

How are you capturing the little nooks in your home?  Does it make you smile or make you cringe?  Here's a little article from Lonny with some great tips for styling an entry way table!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Oh and by the way... if anyone is curious.  I had a great time being in a flash mob 2 weeks ago!  It was so much fun.  What I loved about is that it brought so many people together!  About 800!  It was not about any one individual, but a group of people doing something that brings them joy and hopefully the "audience" too.  I loved doing it and disappearing into the sunset.  They called us... dancing ninjas... now you see us, now you don't.  :) 

Click here to watch the youtube video.  I'm at 5:03 and 5:40, for a split second! 

IKEA Fridays - Meet ISALA

This has to be one of my favorite items that IKEA has launched this year.  I'm in love with its classic lines, the charming details of the legs, versatility of the pieces and its interesting pale gray/lavender finish. 



Isala Coffee Table $199



Isala Sideboard $199

  

Isala Cabinet $199



The sideboard and cabinets are especially versatile.  They could easily work in a kitchen, living room, dining room, AND bedroom.  The pieces are wonderful as is, but can you imagine them with updated hardware, painting the trim a contrasting white or black or even applying wallpaper to the door or cabinet fronts? 

We have a full weekend ahead of us filled with soccer games, birthday parties and I might even be able to check out the new West Elm store that just opened in Seattle!

See you Monday!

IKEA FRIDAYS - MEET the STOCKHOLM Side Table

Last week I was at IKEA with my cousin doing some shopping for his Vancouver apartment.  We're going for a a retro/modern vibe.  I'll share his inspiration board with you next week.  That's when we spotted this beauty.

The STOCKHOLM side table.  I love the clean lines of this table and the contrast between the glossy white finish and the wood veneer.  Very cool and current. The top also slides open to reveal storage space for a remote or other small items.  Hidden storage... can't beat that!  All this for $99.

Looks very comparable to some high end looks from Design Within Reach like these:




Adjustable Table E1027,  $1150




Little Friend Fixed Height Table, $892



Makes STOCKHOLM look even better for $99 don't you think?

Have a great weekend!

IKEA FRIDAYS - Happy 4th and Meet NORDEN

Happy 4th of July Weekend everyone!  This week I'm picking the NORDEN dining table for $279.00.  I saw this over at a friend's house and loved it.  They're using it as a craft/game table in the basement.  It is so great for kids (and adults) to have a great big table to spread out games, projects, or crafts.  The NORDEN comes into 2 sizes, the smaller one for $279 which accomodates 4-6 and a larger one for $399 that accomodates 8-10!  Both with removable leaves.  My friend has the larger one and it's huge!  Great if you have the room for it!

This table is a workhorse.  It is so versatile.  The crisp white finish and the clean lines will work in any room and with any decor.  What I would also add is a plexiglass top to protect the tabletop from stains, scratches and spills.  I'm all about getting plexiglass cut at your local hardware store.  Cheap and so practical!




(all images via marthastewart.com)


Before I sign out for the weekend, I had to share some of my favorite ideas from the "queen", Martha Stewart.  Most of these are pretty self explanatory, no recipes or directions needed.  My favorites:

• Bandana Table Runner.  Pick up Bandanas at the party store and lay out on table!
• Colored Sand Votive Holders.  Great one for kids.  Get colored sand at craft store and pour!
• Pretzel "Sparklers".  Dip pretzels in white chocolate and roll in sprinkles.
• 4th of July Sundaes.  Berry sorbet with whipped cream and blueberries.  Sorbet can be prescooped into cups.  :)

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet MICKE

Here's a new line from IKEA that I just saw.  MICKE is a new office series with desks, file cabinets and drawer units.  The desk is my favorite piece.  I love the clean lines and the 2 drawers.  Rather than using it as a traditional office desk, I think this pice would work beautifully in an entry as a console table. This is the type of modern piece that would look fabulous paired with an ornate lamp or a vintage looking mirror.  It's practical and versatile.   Not bad for $79!

MICKE reminds me of one of my favorite desks/tables, the classic Parsons desk.  These are from West Elm and start at $300.

Have a great weekend and see you Monday!

My Vinyl Graphics Give Away ends next Thursday so enter if you're interested!

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet RAMVIK

This is the time of year where many of us will be entertaining and having guests at our home.  This also means that we're going to be looking for places to hide the junk and clutter of everyday life.  :)  I'm always looking for furniture pieces to do double duty. 

This week, meet RAMVIK.  You can have this guy at your home for only $139, and boy is he a workhorse!  This  coffee table has been such a great purchase for us.  I bought this 3 years ago when we moved into our current home.

I actually hadn't done a whole lot of research on different coffee tables but when I saw this one at IKEA, I knew this would work. The drawers pull out on each side, and we have hidden our share of toys, diapers, wipes, coloring books in there!  We actually bought 2 of these and put them together, so that it made one big square coffee table.  Double the storage and I thought it looked great.  It easily looked like one unit.  We're only using 1 right now so that our kids have a little more room to run around. 

Here's RAMVIK at our house. 

(Handsome right?)



(if only you could see inside)  :)


I think they look just as good as the Sliding Coffee Table from West Elm for $399, don't you?



(images from westelm.com)



Have a wonderful weekend!  See you Monday!

More Thanksgiving Ideas

I know, only 2 more days till Thanksgiving.  Most of you probably already have your Thanksgiving dinner planned out, but just in case you're still looking for inspiration, here's a great link!  Oh my goodness... how adorable is that paper turkey leg?!  I had to fit this post in before Thanksgiving! 

Click here for a round up of some ADORABLE Thanksgiving table setting ideas.

Why It Works - Thanksgiving Tables

(from marthastewart.com)

WHY IT WORKS:  For this week, I've gathered some of my favorite table setting images to inspire your Thanksgiving table.

There are a few things that all these images have in common:

INSPIRATION

• White dishware.  I love white, it is so versatile!
• Low centerpieces.  They are easier to create and much better for conversation.
• Natural elements.  Notice all the squashes, nuts, gourds, leaves that are used.  Nothing says fall more beautifully than these natural elements.
•  Linens, notice how creatively linens are placed and used.  You really can find beautiful and inexpensive fabrics at the fabric/craft store and use them as table cloths or runners.  No sewing required!



I love the look of table runners.  You can easily make this with just 1 yard of fabric, cut in 1/2. 
I love how the napkins are placed too.



Great use of natural elements.  Artichokes and pumpkins. 
You can find everything while you're at the grocery store!


 

More pumpkins and I always love using white christmas lights on a mantle. 
Always homey and festive!


 

I love how they laid the runners across the table vertically and the
acorns in the hurricane.  Simple and chic!



IKEA Fridays - Meet DOCKSTA

I love this table and I personally have this at home.  It is inspired by the iconic Saarinen tulip table, but at a fraction of the price. It sells for $179, whereas the original starts at around $600.  It by no means is meant to be a knock off, but simply a piece that took it's inspiration from the clean lines of the original.  Right now, I have it in our office as a work table, but it could easily be used as a dining table or a side table.  Again, it's the versatility that I love.  If you get tired of the modern lines, just add a table cloth and/or a glass top and it could easily fit into a more traditional design.

Here is the original Saarinen tulip table and tulip chairs.  GORGEOUS!

Here is DOCKSTA in a small eating nook.  Equally as gorgeous!

from Canadian House and Home