Preview of the new IKEA Stockholm collection

May 13, 2013 By 4 Comments

It’s a little way off yet, but IKEA Australia will launch STOCKHOLM, a new collection of products with a focus on living, dining and sleeping solutions, in August.

Ikea stockholm room setting

STOCKHOLM is designed to add a warm and homey feeling through design that embodies both quality and comfort. Organic colour schemes are inspired by nature, like the lush greens and browns of fertile country fields. Organic shapes are paired with straight lines, adding a modern and distinctly Scandinavian touch. Materials like natural walnut woods run through most of the collection, as well as mouth-blown glass, bone china and warm textiles. The result is both contemporary and classic. [Read more...]

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The IKEA sale, from today until 5 June

May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s sale time at IKEA with up to 50 percent off a range of items. It runs today until 5 June. Participating stores are Tempe and Rhodes (NSW), Logan (QLD) and Richmond and Springvale (VIC).

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Pay someone else to put together your flatpack? Yes please!

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I feel like I need to tell you about Airtasker, just in case you don’t already know about it! It’s a free online service that lets you outsource everyday tasks (like putting together your latest Ikea purchase or even collecting it if you don’t happen to have a big enough car/van) at a price you’re prepared to pay.

It’s that simple but SUCH a good idea. You log on, quickly create an account, post details of the task and how much you’re prepared to pay to get the job done and sit back and wait for the bids from ‘runners’.  [Read more...]

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Turning pre-loved secondhand furniture into fabulous one-offs

March 22, 2013 By 4 Comments

Kristin Pfannenschmidt of Revived Furniture believes that upcycling reflects the mood of the moment: people are preferring to save things rather than throw them away, as well as liking the idea of owning a one-off piece. “Something that allows them to express their individuality,” she says.

Revived Furniture gold

Expressing her individuality with interior design is a trait that German-born Kristin has been honing for many years. At the age of 11, she spent hours poring over IKEA catalogues, curating themes for the different rooms in her family home. “I picked furniture and accessories to go with my themes, presented it to my parents and was very disappointed when they refused to buy what I had ‘sourced’!” [Read more...]

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Living with an interiors addict (by my fiancé)

February 18, 2013 By 22 Comments

In a very brave move, today I gave my fiancé Damian the chance to blog about what it’s like living with me. I must be crazy…

damian

I used to have a collection of interiors books which I kept in my Ikea Expedit bookcase in my bedroom. I was quite proud of them, from Terence Conran’s Storage to collections on small spaces. Sydney property prices being what they are, I was realistic about the size of my first property. I felt like I was in touch with interiors. An interest beat out only by Formula 1… and cars… and travel… and planes… OK, it was a distant fifth, but just go with me here.

In the middle of 2010 (I think – the last few years have been a bit of a blur), I moved in with Jen. We lived in a small two-bedroom Mosman apartment next to the local school. Handy if you had kids. We don’t. I had it in my mind that I was going to turn that apartment around and add New York and Paris inspired minimalist touches that would revolutionise what was quite a bland little pad (Jen hadn’t been there long enough to put her mark on it).

How clueless I was (and arguably still am). [Read more...]

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IKEA wedding table styling challenge

February 13, 2013 By 11 Comments

I’m no stylist. I think we all know that…

But when Ikea Australia asked me to take part in its wedding table styling challenge, as a bride-to-be, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun! And it was.

ikeaThe challenge was to create any kind of wedding table setting using nothing but what you can buy in Ikea, apart from large ticket items like the table itself, for under $500. And above is the result, my very pink and floral dessert station. I know it isn’t very good but hey, you can’t take yourself too seriously! Everything there, edibles aside, is from Ikea, right down to the faux flowers (really not that bad, don’t you think?), the frames, the napkins, the table covering, all of it. Tempting as it was to get one of my many stylists friends to do it for me, I think you can probably tell I didn’t! [Read more...]

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My picks from the new IKEA Outdoor collection

October 4, 2012 By 1 Comment

IKEA has unveiled a new Outdoor range which boasts hundreds of new products just in time for the warmer weather. From solar powered lighting to extendable tables, loads of chair options and umbrellas, the new range offers everything Aussies need for a total alfresco overhaul or just a quick revamp. IKEA Outdoor will be available in all IKEA stores from today and features 28 unique and modern ranges and 250 products.

Be it big backyards or small verandahs, the new IKEA Outdoor offering showcases a wide range of hardwearing and low maintenance products that have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are fit for the Australian climate. PR Manager Angela McCann says: “This range is truly exciting, not only because it is so suited to the Australian climate but that IKEA Australia is the first country of the wider IKEA markets to offer the new products to their customers. The ranges cater to every outdoor space, whether that be a sprawling backyard, patio or an inner-city courtyard, our Outdoor range also offers clever storage options and bright and beautiful statement pieces that make the most of outdoor living.”

IKEA’s new Outdoor range will be showcased until 14 November at The Island Bar, Cockatoo Island, Sydney; Cocktail Island on 17 – 18 November; Brisbane Open House, King George Square, on 6 October; and Melbourne Festival Foxtel Hub from 11 to 27 October.

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I heart IKEA rugs

August 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

So while I was at the IKEA catalogue launch earlier this week, I had a quick look around the Tempe store. With limited time on my hands, I had to pick my perusing carefully.  So I headed straight to the rug department. My black and white striped Stockholm Rand is one of the favourite things in my living room and it gets loads of compliments. Over the years, I’ve owned many an IKEA rug. This week, these four caught my eye.

[Read more...]

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The new IKEA catalogue launch

August 17, 2012 By 5 Comments

I have always LOVED new IKEA catalogue time. How exciting is it? It doesn’t matter if you need something new for your home or not, it’s always a great display of smart, innovative, stylish design at affordable prices. From the days when I first discovered IKEA and kitted out my entire apartment with it (yes, it was like an IKEA showroom in the nineties) to these days, when I mix the odd IKEA piece in with vintage and other more expensive items, I love it! The IKEA catalogue, to a design or interiors lover, is like a really good bumper issue of your favourite magazine.

It’s not just the products, it’s all the styling inspiration too. I’m not alone either. They print around 5 million copies in Australia. Wow. It’s also the second biggest publication in the world after the bible. Love that stat.

The new one’s out on Monday but I already have one! Ner-ner-ner-ner-ner! It was launched to media at IKEA Tempe last night, alongside the new textiles collection, which is set to become an even more important part of the brand’s offering.

A large space was wonderfully styled to showcase the new textile designs and the array of possibilities to create with them, from curtains to cushions, napkins, decorations, kids’ play tents and more. This table setup was particularly divine.

[Read more...]

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Sunday Snippets: the best of the week in interiors

July 29, 2012 By 8 Comments

Last week I was super busy and I neglected to write my usual Sunday best of post. I hoped nobody would notice but Greg Natale (of all people!) did, so I thought I’d better up my game this weekend, busy or not (busy, if you’re asking, but what’s new?).

On Tuesday I went to the launch of fashion designer Akira Isogawa’s third collection for Designer Rugs at Simmer on the Bay in Sydney. It was packed. More than 200 people! I didnt have the pleasure of meeting Akira one on one but he gave a lovely speech and seemed like such a genuine, humble and artistic soul, who charmed the crowd. The rugs are stunning, of course. I was so happy to finally meet Shaynna Blaze, my long time online friend, in real life for the first time too!

Thursday I went to the VIP launch of Ikea’s latest PS range where it was great to catch up with fellow bloggers Viv from Ish & Chi and Rebecca from Wee Birdy, and stylists Mr Jason Grant, Glen Proebstel and Erin Michael. The range was displayed at a pop-up gallery in Oxford Street, which was was then open to the public until today. I really loved a few of the pieces, including a cool bamboo dining table. [Read more...]

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