Corner Headboard

I ended up pushing my bed up against the corner of my bedroom.  I have a platform bed from Ikea, meaning no headboard, so I decided to paint three canvases to create a makeshift one.  I saw this quote in a picture of a pretty cool blog called Grey Blog.  It's the front of the Michelberger Hotel in Berlin, pretty hipster, no?  Anyway I kind of liked this image and the quote for above my bed.  I later learned that it is very similar to a quote in Where the Wild Things Are.  It plays at the beginning of the trailer here.  

I bought 3 30'' by 24'' canvases.  I printed the letters out in Word in a font I liked, then traced the letters on contact paper, cut out the letters, and then laid them out and stuck this to the canvases.  Then I painted the whole canvases a burnt umber color in acrylic and after the paint dried, I peeled away the contact paper to reveal the letters underneath.  It was a very tedious process, but all in all it turned out nicely.  One canvas will hang at the side and two will hang directly above my bed. Here is a picture of one of the canvases, it been a slow process to get them all done, but was way more inexpensive and creative than buying a headboard. When they are all hung, I'll show the finished project. 

Grids & Mid-Century Modern Furniture Prints

I have a large wall across my bed that right now is pretty plain. I took inspiration from these photos from apartment therapy. They took vintage flashcards and hung them up in a grid pattern.  I like how how the hanging incorporates a large portion of one wall and just a little bit of the other, framing the long white console.   

I just purchased these flashcards from Etsy seller belles lettres.  They are a series of cards each with a famous mid century modern design on the front and the designer's name and picture on the back.  They are about postcard size and should fit perfectly into these Ikea Ram frames.  I bought about 20 frames (only $1.99 for 3 (they're pretty simple)).  The flashcards were a bit expensive, but I wasn't going to find them in this size somewhere else. Overall this project cost me less than $45.  When my flashcards arive I'll put pictures up of the finished wall. 

The new apartment!

I finally made the big move to my first apartment.  It in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and is actually quite spacious for the location.  Moving was a hassle to say the least because its a 5th floor walk up.  I've spent the last two days assembling furniture, flattening boxes, unpacking, and dreaming up ways to make my new home feel like a home.  Thanks to my sister and parents for helping in the process.  Posts with pictures to follow.

Ikat Prints

Continuing with my Navajo/Native American print kick, I'm starting to really like Ikat Prints now, eventhough very popular in interior design for awhile.  They're somewhere between the hard lines of some Native American prints and the unrestrained patterns of tye-dye.  Here are a few things I found in my search for Ikat:

1) Antropologie Eventide Ikat Rug

2) Urban Outfitters Indigo Ikat Slipper Chair

3) Target Ikat Comforter Set

4) Etsy Seller ginnette123

5) Jane Wilner Ikat Curtain

6) Indigo Chevron Ikat Beach Towel

Muji Ash Desk/IKEA version

I found this sleek desk in Muji's catalog.  I didn't even know Muji sells furniture, I always thought of them as a stationary/kitchenware/clothing/linen kind of company.  It makes sense to add furniture to their lifestyle concept.  This desk fits perfectly with Muji's asthetic, simple, clean, and contemporary.   The ash tabletop and legs are sold separately (top- $245, legs- $180) for a total of $425 dollars.  Of course this is a little pricey for me.  so I found something similiar at Ikea.  It's not exactly akin to the Muji desk (those ugly castors), but it could do.  Each Vika Runtrop leg is $12.50 and you can choose between various inexpensive tabletops.

Etsy- Alchemy

My roomate and I are very specific about the coffee table we want, we've found a ton we like, but of course they are all out of our budget.  Alchemy could solve our problem.  It connects people who wants things and people who can create those things.  All you do is post a a request on Etsy's website with the exact specifications of what you are looking for whether it be a a coffee table, a dress, custom stationary, etc.  Then people with the cabailities can answer your request, make a bid, you accept, they create the piece, and voila you have what your looking for.  Like Ebay and other Etsy stores, you can leave reviews of the creator. 

Here is an example of a table that was requested. I can't wait to see what it looks like.