see be do: ikea’s new math

when it comes to buying uniquely designed furniture the contents of our wallet often are smaller than the price tags of our desired affections. Tight budgets then force us to opt for items that still leave us wanting for more. If you have had this experience, you might try to exhaust all your options to finally realize that purchasing from Ikea will give you the greatest common factor, affordability. Not that I have a problem with Ikea, oh no, I love their products and I am a huge fan of this mega retailer. I think maybe if I was the only person that ever shopped there, I would love it even more. Realizing that there are thousands of people with the same media unit in their living rooms skews my view. But, fear not my furniture friends, with some simple addition and corresponding creativity, I can assure you that 1+1=fabulous!

 + =

The Dombas wardrobe by itself has little design “tude”, but paired with a cool sticker from www.yourdecorshop.com will convince you that money does grow on trees. (idea source: from Livingect March 2010 issue, page 38)

+=

The Besta storage unit has the beginnings of high style in gloss white, turn it up a notch by adding various styles of bun feet from www.tablelegs.com (they will even make custom styles) painted glossy white and you’ll have your own custom creation for a fraction of the cost. (idea source: Multileg cabinet by Jaime Hayon from www.thefutureperfect.com)

+(x4)=

Here’s a simple coffee table idea, one Vika Amon white table top, 4 12” high rubber plate casters from www.castercity.com, exponential industrial cool. (idea source: coffee table from Boconcept)

+=

Re-upholster the two back cushions of this Karlstadt daring red sofa with a vintage floral linen print from www.tonicliving.com for a flower to the power union. (idea source: Mare Sofa from www.hivemodern.com)

+=

Here’s a credenza that’s so cute you might want to start your own line of furniture. Simply find a nice graphic and cut out the shapes from blue vinyl adhesive; stick to the fronts of the Bjursta-Sideboard, voila, geometry was never this easy! (idea source: teak sideboard from www.lucyturner.com)

see so good: tuft love

There’s a new love affair with a timeless favorite - tufted furniture is winning the hearts of modernists and design critics alike. Gone are the days when tufted furniture is reserved for the parlor or feminine styled spaces, these plumped and pillowed confections are more seductive than ever.

Riley Ottoman from Anthropologie – who can resist the charms of this bohemian modern number with a quilted pouf and acrylic base. $2,898.00

Moroso Klara 490 chair from stylepark.com designed by Patricia Urquiola – this piece is a tuft/no tuft balance of quirky sophisticated perfection with mixed textile options and simple lines, it’s a tuft act to follow!

Soho Tufted sofa from Restoration Hardware – I have enjoyed the vintage retro pieces introduced by RH, but this new line leaves me speechless, oh so 80’s inspired with a wink to it’s traditional roots, I am in love! $3995 - $7580

1-2-3 Lounge Chair in Deluxe Leather from Design Within Reach designed by Verner Panton, produced by Verpan. If love makes you do crazy things, than send me to jail right now! So masculine, feminine and vexed with modern timelessness. $4,300

West Elm’s Upholstered Dhurrie Slab is a break out of the box tufted ottoman, low and lean, great for small eclectic seating arrangements and paired with a small side table. Regular $299.00 sale $249.99

The Ava Tufted Sleeper Sofa from Urban Outfitters oozes velvety love, well of course it does, it’s part sofa, part bed, part vintage and uber practical for overnight guests, bah, bye futon! $699.

enjoy s88ing and b8ing!!

see so good: jude’s art in the yard

Scottsdale, AZ - 1970’s palm springs quintessential desert neighborhood

This house tour is all about the backyard - A delightful play of color and art, mixed with dash of quirkiness. It’s really quite amazing what was once a plain unremarkable space is now a low maintenance oasis that boasts a creative blend of zen, desert, cast-awayish wit and chic styling.

Before you set foot into the backyard space you encounter a quaint right of passage, a squeaky arcadia sliding glass door speckled with plastic flowers that bedazzle a view of the cozy covered nook.  Once outdoors, visitors discover indoor flourishes are not for the faint of art. I mean who hangs one-of-a-kind commissioned paintings outside, Jude does. As an art consultant, she assuredly recites, why not?

But it’s just not art on the walls that deliver a feast for the senses, bauble-like birdhouses, concrete planes, artificial turf, water and stone features, and even a blue guitar are all packed into this modest space. The various seating groups and materials work well separately as they do as a whole, doubling not only as a peaceful sanctuary but also as a rockin party yard!

Happy summer seeing!!