Hygge Nook

Taking a peek at Ikea 2010

I know there are going to be a far few blogs posting about the Ikea 2010 catalogue as it is being released this week. However, with (generally) such good value, it's one of those stores that is a little hard to ignore.

  

With three children between two and 10, my house tends to feel like this picture. Kids everywhere, art supplies out, jumping, singing and a whole lot of boxes to store their stuff.

I see various trends making their way into the catalogue - the button back Karlstad and patchwork Klippan sofas ,for instance, oh, and that globe on the floor. I still have a thing for globes. I want another bigger one with a wooden frame.

I'm not sure if the children's rockers are new (I think I've seen them before?) but aren't they charming. I love the daybed too - again, it's not new but I like the fresh, charm of this picture.

I do like the idea of this chairbed which would be great for occasional guests - I'm not sold on that blue cover though. It looks ripe for a little needle and thread action to make something better - a ticking stripe would be lovely (Lycksele, £149). The glass vase has a repurposed feel about it thanks to the stainless steel trim (PS Brunn, £9.99). Love the 5-piece bedding double bedding set, I keep thinking Orla Kiely but on a budget (Kajsa Blad, £12.99). The children's table and chairs are smart enough to keep in the living room (Leksvik table £29.99, stool £7.99, chairs £10.99)

The catalogue can be previewed online here. What do you think of it?

Jens Fager hand-carved side table

I still haven't found the perfect side table (I currently have a super bargainous Lack table snapped up for a mere £3.99) and wonder if I ever will. This hand-carved wooden side table isn't quite what I'm looking for but I do think it is very charming with it's curvy legs and the yellow is very now. I don't know the price but it's designed by Jens Fager for Muuto.

How to dress up an Ikea Bjursta dining table

Another post inspired my own home here. After two years of having a dining table that was essentially nothing more than a very large birch desk top paired up with cheap round black legs, we realised we simply couldn't fit round it as a family anymore and our £30 cheapy pairing just had to go.

So we went to scout out Ikea to find a new table. I had my eye on the Norden but it was really too long for our average sized dining room. Then I spotted the Bjursta which fitted the bill sizewise and came in at £155. Not only did it come in birch (though we did admire the black option) to match the chairs we were keeping, but it was also big enough to sit six comfortably at its smallest size plus two extra hidden leaves mean we can extend it to pack in more people at the dinner parties we don't have. And as it's too heavy for the children to move, there will be no more finding the table flying askew mid meal. Hurrah!

It doesn't look so great in the little picture above. The black-brown option we saw instore was dressed up with some great crisp whites and vibrant green tableware which gave me the idea of checking out Flickr to see what other people had done with their table. I'm particularly enamoured with the runners.

Flickr: kirstencan

Flickr: design_ski

Flickr: Maliniroy

Flickr: voilamaxine

Melanie Porter's knitted Union Jack chair

I've really gotten back into knitting lately and Iove seeing all the brilliant uses for wool. This Melanie Porter vintage chair really grabbed my eye. Not only does it pay homage to the cool Union Jack flag (iconised in everything from rugs to prints) but it's been made over with a knitted cover too. Isn't the cabling fabulous?

See more pics and other designs here.

Pretty pink bistro table set at Bombay Duck

 

Even if your outside space is very small, it should still be used and this candy pink striped bistro table (measuring a cosy 60x60cm) and two chair set would look very summery perched on a balcony or a patio. It also comes in a stripy blue colourway if you're digging the seaside look (£137.02) The spotty tumblers are lovely too - perfect for picnicing - they're £14.68 for four.

25% off everything at Laura Ashley until Sunday

Quick Laura Ashley fans! There's 25% off everything until March 29th so if you were saving for something, now's the time to dig deep!

Pictured: Provencale bed frame in tatton cerise was £1713.25, on sale for £1284.

Luxe furnishings by Tshuka

Tshuka is a new interior design firm and have just released a small collection of rather exquisite products like this oversized velvet armchair with a button back detailing:

Of course, if you're going to design a velvet lounge chair you absolutely have to make sure the other elements are totally originally. Take a look at the side and those gorgeous peacock foloured feathers:

I can imagine this chair all on its own or as part of a Victorian-style room with lots of ornate wallpaper and heavy furnishings.

There's also a pretty line in cushions made from vintage Hermes scarves for the ultimate luxe. I particularly like this emerald green cushion with a chantily lace overlay. It seems to sparkle:

   

If you're in London any time soon, their store is at 13 Vicarage Gate, London, W8 4AG or online at Tshuka.
 

Make your own lovely library

A library is somewhat of an indulgence but if you have the room, I'm all for it. After all, what is better than hunkering down in a squashy chair with shelves laden with favourite books all around you? Of course, the modern library isn't all dusty leather sofas, artificial lighting and dark walls. Go, light, bright and fill it with tactile prints and colours for the perfect relaxing space.

Clockwise from top left; Picturebook frames, £11.74 at Colloco, Book ends, £27.95 by I Love Retro at notonthehighstreet.com, Harlequin velvet cushion, £24 at John Lewis, Oilcloth bookbag, £14.99 by ellie ellie at notonthehighstreet.com, Ikea Billy bookcase, from £28.38, John Lewis Mayfair chair in Damson, £775.

Makrame Flower table - two for the price of one

Well, okay, at £225 it's probably two for the price of two, but you do get two complementary tables and they are rather gorgeous.

Designed by pulpo and made of powder coated steel, they can be used "together or separately" (which is kind of obvious, isn't it?).

Get them (it?) from lifestylebazaar.

Storage, seating and more from McCord

As I've mentioned before, our house is tiny and seating, along with storage, is always a problem. (In case of visitors, we have to have "emergency chairs" stashed in the under stairs cupboard.)

This coffee table set from McCord could be the answer. Underneath the coffee table fit four stools and the tops come off the stools to reveal storage inside. Itcosts £299 from Kays and is also available with cream stools and/or a walnut table.