Bravo for Brasa! Loving This Floor Lamp!

The Ikea 365+ Brasa lamp has probably been my favorite cheepee find during my ongoing apartment redeux.  I've been endlessly frustrated at how expensive lighting is, especially when looking for something modern and sleek.  I wasn't even looking for lighting during my last Ikea trip, but I thought I'd check out the section to stave off the dreaded warehouse portion of the Ikea shopping experience.  This was pretty close to exactly what I was looking for, and for $70 it was a no-brainer.  I was also pleasantly surprised that it has two light levels...a high-end touch that even some expensive lamps don't have.  I normally have it positioned as a desk lamp, but I can easily swivel it around to use as a reading light for my sofa.  

Ikea 365+ BRASA Floor/reading light
Article Number: 901.488.27
Price: $69.99
Availability: In-store only
Colors: Chrome, Black, White

DIY Foam Board Head Board

I've been working on redecorating my apartment and have loved torturing myself over all the details. But, I recently got a new bed and was really overwhelmed with the cost of an upholstered headboard.  I'd been researching going the DIY route, but everything I found revolved around plywood.  Well guess what...I have zero tools and I'll be damned if a cab will pick you up toting plywood sheets, not to mention the putting together of it all.  I had an 'AH HA' moment while wandering around one day and through FOAM CORE!  Lightweight, cut it with a knife, duct tape, staple gun, I'm in!  So here's how it works:

Materials:
- 1/2" Foam core / foam board - art supplies stores carry this. 
- Fabric - I used two yards of 54" width for a full-sized bed.
- Batting - I got four yards
- Staple gun - I got 1/4" staples, but looking back I should have gotten 1/2"
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Knife or Exacto knife
- Measuring tape

 

Measure the frame of your bed and cut foam board accordingly.  Remember the batting and fabric will add an inch.  I purchased 40x30" board which worked perfectly.  Don't tell any of my cook friends, but I cut the board with a serrated knife.  Haha.  

 

Use a few passes of duct tape on both sides to connect the two foam board sheets.

 Lay down your batting underneath the board.  I used two layers leaving the outermost layer longer for wrapping/stapling.

 

Use the staple gun to staple all around.  I cut out the overlapping fabric at the corners so they wouldn't be thicker than the rest of the board.

 

 Drape your fabric so the pattern is level and centered.  I chose a print that did not have an obvious vertical direction so I could lay the two yards horizontally and not have a seam.

 

 Staple the fabric to the back of the board.  Lesson learned: 1/4" staples were barely long enough to go through the batting and fabric and still stick, so either have the fabric exceed the size of the batting or get longer staples---hence the duct tape for extra protection.

Instructions I found online suggested using 3M Command stickies to adhere the headboard to your wall.  This did not work for me.  The batting made the space between the foam core and the wall too great for good contact.  Still looking for another option, but for now the mattress is holding it in place quite nicely.

 TA DA!

Here's the cost rundown:

Fabric: $60 for two yards (from Mood)

Batting: $32 for four yards (also from Mood)

Foam Board: $30 for two 30x40" sheets (A.I. Freidman)

Staple Gun + Staples: $15

Duct Tape: $4

3M Command Strips: $6

Total: $147 and about an hour and a half of actual work.  SCORE!

Chicest Garage Sale Sign Ever!

Oh, well thank you for the lovely invite to your garage sale.  I would be honored to rummage through your cast-off's dear madame!

Weekend Project: Blackboard Paint

Here's a nifty little weekend project.  I have a wall in my kitchen/living room that needed something.  I could have hung something lovely there, but the front door opens into it, and I was worried it would soon be knocked off.  And, it's a small room, so I'm trying to keep it fairly restrained.  Perfect solution: a painted blackboard wall.  I used Rust-Oleum's version in black, but I found many different colors and brands online.  It's cheap, I can doodle on it or write little notes to myself, and my roommate can draw a choice part of the female anatomy located between the arms (which he said he will most likely always do after he's had a few drinks).  Fair enough.  So, three days and $20 later, here we are.  Note: It takes four hours between the two coats then three days to fully cure, so a little patience is needed for this project.

All you need (+ chalk).

GREAT use for left over Christmas wrapping paper.

My victim.

Measure it out, and tape it off.

Two coats and three days later....

I used three little nails as a chalk ledge.

FYI: My wall is painted Benjamin Moore Jalapeno Pepper, which is unlike any jalapeno I've ever seen, but I love the fresh green just the same.

Fleak Out at the Brooklyn Flea

Do you ever finally get around to doing something or going somewhere and think, "Why wasn't I doing this years ago?"  That is exactly how I feel about the Brooklyn Flea.  The 25th Street Garage flea market in Chelsea (which is for the most part way overpriced for the junk they peddle) doesn't hold a candle to the Flea, in my opinion.  While that market is like a garage sale on crack, the Brooklyn Flea houses some of the coolest little makers of treasures imaginable as well as the furnitury, vintagy, oldy stuff you expect.  Easy to get to by way of Manhattan, the flea is held every Saturday and Sunday in varying locations throughout the year: inside Skylight 1 Hansen in the winter and Dumbo, Williamsburg, and Fort Greene during warmer months.  And, be sure to come hungry because there are six or so vendors serving up delectable delights from artisan grilled cheeses, porchetta sandwiches, lobster rolls, to tacos.  Best weekend afternoon ever!

BrooklynFlea.com  

Lovely light!

Bits and bobs

Help!  I'm trapped in a terrarium!

Pendants made of typewriter keys

Images by Barbara K.

New Site Saturday: The Coveted

TheCoveted.com

Think The Selby for the fashion set.  Explore their closets, wardrobes, nooks and crannies .  I love how all the images have a little story to tell when you mouse over them, and the photography c'est magnifique! 

Enjoy, stay warm, and happy Saturday!

xo

Exhibition A

Looking for art that won't break the bank?  Tired of your ubiquitous Holly Golightly canvas from Ikea?  Did that do-it-yourself Jackson Pollock idea from TLC's Trading Spaces go terribly wrong?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should definitely register for Exhibition A.  Like Gilt Groupe for art, the site curates limited-edition prints by oh-so-now artists like Terence Koh, David LaChapelle, and many more.  Prices range from $100 to $500, and a new artists will be posted every Monday, with pieces staying on sale for two to four weeks.  You can also read blurbs about the specific works and learn about the artist.  This way you can at least sound like you know what you are talking about when your friends ask about that interesting new whatever hanging over your mantle.

Check out Exhibition A here.

Furniture Flip: New Desk

It's been a few years since I moved into my apartment, and I was feeling I had outgrown the space: it just wasn't functioning like I needed it to, something felt off, and it had to be fixed.  What I really needed was a desk--or at least a decent work area where I can sit, surf the web, write notes, and not burn the tops of my thighs with my MacBook.  I had scouted around for desks at all my usual suspects: West Elm, CB2, Ikea, CraigsList, Housing Works, but for my tiny L-shaped room they were all much too deep.  Not to mention I would be plunking down at least $100 and it would require that I ditch my cozy red chair.  What's a girl to do!?  I had an Ah-Ha moment last weekend that my CB2 console table could function just perfectly as a slim writing/computering desk.  I had recently purchased a set of two orange folding seats (that can also function as little tables) from OneKingsLane.com and one works perfectly as a desk chair.  It doesn't take up visual space as a chair with a back would, and I can fold it up and put away if needed.  The next time you find yourself in a furniture freak-out, just think if you can repurpose pieces to fit the bill.  

Before...

(two years ago when I had just moved in)

After...

(obviously possessions have been accumulated) 

 

Images by Barbara K.

A Close Second: SecondDibs.com

Ok, so I have an unhealthy obsession with 1stDibs.com.  You know, the website to search uber expensive antique furniture, estate jewelry, and vintage clothing from across the globe.  1stDibs may be a little too chic for my wallet, so that brings me to SecondDibs.com: a quirky little site for furniture, lighting, wall decor, and everything else.  So instead of thinking Paris antique dealer, think Upstate NY tag sale with cool mid-century pieces.  Located in Chatham, NJ, the Second Dibs warehouse is open on random Saturdays and by appointment.  And, for those outside of the tri-state area, they ship nationwide.  Below are some of the pieces I would snap up if my apartment weren't a glorified shoebox.  Enjoy!

SecondDibs.com

PS - For you Ugly Betty fans mourning the end of the show, the furniture and accessories from the set are available now on Second Dibs!

Mahoganized and nickel-plated dining table - $399

Ebonized ash sling-back club chair - $129 each

 Arteriors side tables (set of 2) - $325

 Contemporary mirrored credenza - $199

 Mid-century dining table - $150

 Wassily Chairs (set of 2) - $398

Images courtesy of SecondDibs.com

Fabulous Finds at Former Furniture.com

Does your furniture need a refresh?  Tired of living in a perpetual state of 'dorm-dom' with your Ikea functional finds?  Or, maybe you just can't stand that (insert leg lamp, lay-z-boy, shag rug, etc. here) for one more bloody second.   While trying to clean out my excessively cluttered inbox this morning, I came across a link to an article from the New York Times website about a very cool online furniture reseller called FormerFurniture.com.

Here's how it works:  Started by interior designer Lindsay Dann Miller, Former Furniture features a great variety of designer and trade pieces that are slightly worn or have come directly from high-end furniture companies.  This includes lighting, furniture, accessories, art, and the list goes on and on. Unlike E-Bay or Craigslist,  all the items have been vetted by Lindsay herself and they only come from the Los Angeles area so she can see them in person and take her own measurements and photographs to post online.  So you may very well find a sofa from the home of a well-known actress, a side table shown in Elle Decor, or throw pillows straight from an uber-exclusive trade only showroom....all for a fraction of the price.  Luckily for those of us outside of LA, Former Furniture ships nationwide.  

FormerFurniture.com

info@formerfurniture.com

310-444-5522

Here are some of my favorite finds:

Barclay Butera - Marble Table lamps

FF Price: $200      Valued at: $2000

A. Rudin Sofa

FF Price: $2340     Valued at: $6,000

Vintage Lucite and Brass Console Table

FF Price: $550     Valued at: $1730

Jonathan Adler - Pear throw pillows pair

FF Price: $198     Valued at: $356

Images courtesy of FormerFurniture.com

Cut the Cord! - Hide Your Cords on the Cheap

While flipping through the pages of your favorite interiors mag, have you noticed that you rarely see any type of cables, cords, wires or outlets showing?  Well, now you will definitely notice.  This fact was made all the more apparent as I saw two of my best interior designer friends work their magic on a friend's new apartment.  An afternoon spend rearranging furniture and accessories (seriously, the place now looks like it is straight out of a magazine or showhouse) was topped off with the hiding of cords and minute tweaks of furniture placement to hide outlets.  Below are my top 5 ways to hide unsightly cords, power strips, and anything else that puts function before form.  It's all in the details.

1.  Clear Scotch tape: Ah, so simple, yet so effective.  Tape lamp electrical cords to the back of table legs, bundle cords together to minimize clutter, and tape wires close to baseboards to keep the cords at bay.

2.  Hide cords and chargers in boxes.  I love this idea from Apartment Therapy.  Use decorative boxes with a hole cut in the back to hide your wires.  The Container Store has tons of boxes perfect for this.  It works best if you need to pull out the big guns to hide a power strip, internet router, etc.  Click here for the full instructions.

3.  Think up.  Living in a tiny space dictated that my cable outlet be located in my kitchen.  Instead of having my wireless internet router, modem, and all the lovely wires that come with it sit on my kitchen counter I looked up.  There is a ledge on top of my cabinetry that has been perfect hiding spot for my internet bits.  Granted I do run one cord down the side of the cabinet, but it is a small price to pay.

4.  Put your chargers away when you aren't using them: in a drawer, in a box, wherever.  Just get them out of sight.  We all know you don't have to charge your phone, iPod, and camera battery continuously, so banish the clutter.

5.  Take a look at your furniture placement.  Can any electrical outlets be hidden by simply moving furniture pieces over a few inches?  This way you also don't have to look at whatever is plugged into it.  It will be well worth the tweak.

Five On The Cheap Decorating Tips

I really look forward to the "On the Cheap" feature in the Home & Garden section of The New York Times.  I have no idea what this looks like in print, but online it is a great interactive tour of the experience between designer and client....client who is on a serious budget like most of us.  They are paired by The Times and really have no say in the design aesthetic a la the TLC show Trading Spaces.  But, instead of Hildi covering your walls with straw or vinyl records, the results are quite stunning, and the designers are always full of great tips for economical decorating.

My favorite...not by style, but by sheer number wallet-friendly ideas....has been the collaboration of John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of John Locke, Inc. on the Brooklyn bedroom of Judith and Robert HoSang.  A budget of $1500 goes fast when redoing a room (especially when furniture, lighting, and accessories needs to be purchased), so I say kudos to this team! 

Before

 After

Top 5 Take Aways from this design project:

1- Create architectural details with paint.  The room was basically a box, but by taping off a trim when painting, it looks like there is molding present.  I am definitely going to utilize this in my ongoing via procrastination kitchen/living room painting project.  Just see what a huge difference it makes below. 

2- Don't overlook Ebay and Craigslist when hunting for furniture.  You have the world, or city, at your fingertips, and if you are looking for something very specific (ie - Louis XV chair) you can hit a gold mine.  For instance, the couple bought the bed unfinished on Ebay for $285 and spray painted it black.  That is a steal.

3- Large rugs can be incredibly expensive, and kind of a bummer if it is going underneath a bed where the majority of it will be hidden.  Tape the underside of two (or four) 5x7 rugs to get the extra large dimension at a reasonable price.  The busier or more graphic the pattern, the better.  Urban Outfitters is a great place to find budget friendly rugs.

4- I love 'salon style' grouping of framed art and photos.  Reminiscent of art salons in Paris, this mish mash style places art in a puzzle-like bundle on the wall instead of in rows or lined up.   I think the room would have benefited from hanging the pictures by the chair instead of using the picture shelves.   It just would have looked more 'finished' don't you think?

5- Don't forget the windows!  This is the icing for any room, and I must say I am guilty of having an unadorned window in my bedroom.  Window treatments don't have to be girly, lacy, fussy, or long and fabricy.  Go with a roman or roller shade for a clean, but polished look.

Definitely check out the entire article for what it all cost and interviews with the homeowners and designers.

Photos courtesy of New York Times (Ruby Washington & Donna Alberico)

Your Shitty-Chic New Year's To-Do List

I always start off the new year with a to-do list. They are mostly things I have been putting off since Thanksgiving when the holidays gear up (like getting my passport renewed) or things I wanted to do in 2009 but never really got around to it (like painting my kitchen/living room in my tenement). The whole idea is to purge your life of things that are cluttering it up and to streamline. Here is the Shitty-Chic January 2010 to-do list for your wardrobe, your home, and your life. Enjoy and here's to gettin' shit done!

Wardrobe to-do's:

1- Try on everything in your closet (except summer items). If it doesn't fit, decide whether it can be made marvelous again by your tailor, should get a new lease on life at the Goodwill, or is headed to the glue factory. You must leave out all emotion and get real with yourself. Brutal honesty is what we are going for, so enlist a real friend if needed. If you headed into a shop today and tried the garment on, would you buy it? If you haven't worn it in a year it's time to clear out the dead wood unless it is something designer, vintage, or fabulous.

2- Find yourself a good tailor. This can bring back garments on the brink of going the the Goodwill and make newer items fit like a glove. Always get jeans hemmed, collared button downs fitted, and dresses morphed to a flattering length. I use GG Cleaners & Tailors at Thompson and Grand. They are marvelous.

3- Take any shoes that are looking worn, need new heels, etc. to the shoe repair shop immediately. I notice that I wait, and wait, and wait some more to get this done until I have one pair of heels left (I'm really not a huge shoe person). Paying $30 to get your shoes rehabbed is much less than buying new ones, and they will look like brand new. I go to Louis Shoes on 77th between 1st and 2nd Ave. Arty's on 8th Ave. between 22nd and 23rd is also amazing.

4- Coordinate your hangers. I think I would jump out the window if I had a mix of hangers, but maybe that is a little OCD peeking out. I like the white plastic ones I get from Kmart (and right now they are on super sale). Just as long as things coordinate.

5- Go through your socks and undies drawer. Trash any undies or bras that you wouldn't want to get caught wearing on a hot date. Socks with holes are no bueno, and there is nothing better than putting on a new pair.

Home to-do's:

1- Install dimmers. This is a no brainer when it comes to lighting. I did this about a year ago with no help of an electrician, and it was really easy and costs roughly $20 per socket. Head to Home Depot where they have the best price and great selection. I saved the old fitting so I can take my dimmer with me when I move out.

2- January is a great time for an uber deep cleaning. This way you get in the habit of doing it every six months. Move the furniture, clean out the sofa cushions, and scrub your tile. Also, go through your fridge and cupboards. Look for things that have expired or look completely unappetizing.

3- Painting is one of my projects this coming month. I have gotten tired of the yellow in my kitchen that makes me want to strangle small children, and I am switching so a lovely blue called "Soft Chinchilla". Yum. Painting is the cheapest way to change a room you have tired of. It will run you about $25 a gallon at Home Depot plus the $10 painter's kit with rollers, brushes, etc. which I always use.

4- This is a bit more extravagant, but installing a soft-close toilet seat is really the ultimate luxury on the home front. Really, if I could live in a soft-close world I would. Home Depot has seats made by Kohler for under $50. How often do you buy a toilet seat? Go for it!

5- Purchase some really nice hand soap for the bathroom. It's the little things that make a difference in life, and this is an affordable luxury for anyone. Anthropologie has great little soaps that always seem to be on sale.

Life to-do's:

1- Start writing thank you notes. Yes, with pen and paper and stamps and envelopes. Shocking, I know. How much do you love getting pieces of mail that aren't bills or magazines? This is fast becoming a lost social grace, and I am determined to not let it die!

2- Schedule all your doctor and dentist check ups in January. Not only does your deductible renew at the first of the year, but scheduling in a certain month every year helps you to not forget. AND, be sure to go to the dermatologist once a year for a skin cancer screening no matter how pale or tan you think you are.

3- Get yourself a planner. I always get the Moleskine day planner in red. I just love writing things down, but do whatever you need to keep organized (blackberry, outlook, etc.).

4- Start working out. I am totally not a gym person. I like to run outside, do yoga, etc., so find whatever works for you. Maybe you want to ride your bike to work or go power walking in Central Park with friends like soccer moms (not that I do that or anything...). Just find something you like and mix it up every now and then. I find that I sleep so much better when I am working out and am an all around happier person.

5- Don't be too hard on yourself! There are a lot of inflated expectations with January 1st like it's some magical day. News flash: you can start doing things any day of the year. Just remember that clutter leads to chaos in your life, a soothing home environment is your getaway from the day, and being organized leads to making time for yourself.

What is on your to-do list to start the new year?

50 Gifts Under $50: For Home (#11-20)

Back again for day #2 and 10 more amazing gift ideas....all under $50. Today is all about gifts for the home: roasty, toasty, and full of holiday cheer.

Remember the rules:

• It can cost no more than $50 before sales tax.
• It must be something fairly luxe and fall into the category of an item that the recipient may wish to have but out of practicality would never spend their own money on.
  
• It must be relatively easy to find (either online, national retailers, or adequate substitutes are available).
• Finally, it has to be something I would love to receive or would personally give to a friend or family member. I would never recommend something I wouldn't pony up for myself.

Make eating in a little fancy.
Madeline Weinrib Chevron Napkins - $48 for four


Forget hippies and crunchy granola types, this incense is sophisticated and chic.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Burning Incense Papers - $25


I don't live in an office, so why would I want a noisy shredder around?
Shredder Scissors - $18


A-Z and everything in between (including skulls, dragons, and flowers).
John Derian Decoupage Round Tray - $48


Hey BFF-- OMFG did you see this gift! Bet those pics are so TMI. LOL!
Text Photo Album - $16 each


A nice way to tell your frienemy you "wash your hands" of them.
Molton Brown Handwash + Lotion - $50 ($25 each)


Lovely Holiday decor devoid of pine cones and red ribbon.
Herb Wreath - $25


My favorite blogger, Rita Konig, always says trays clean up a mess of objects in an instant.
Lucite Tray from CB2 - $35


Amazing scents like Water, Fig, and Jalapeno will make you rethink candles becoming the new "cat lady".
Kobo Candle - $33


How many times have you run out the door without the Netflix envelop or been searching for keys. Enough said.
Light Switch Rack - $25

Day 1: For Her
Day 3: Mixed Bag
Day 4: To Eat & Drink
Day 5: For Him