All posts filed under: Online Shopping

Growing up with Meble Vox & Wayfair

Published by Karen Knox

Remember Charlie’s room? This time last year, I had this beast built. The wall of storage. Best. Thing. Ever. (read all about that here) Then we upgraded his cot bed to these single stacking beds, perfect for sleepovers (read about those here) Then it was time to find a new wardrobe and chest of drawers… and it’s taken me a year. ONE YEAR to find something that floated my boat. This was the wishlist: White and/or blonde wood Something that didn’t look like kids’ furniture, but would equally be at home in a kids’ room Decent quality, something that would last him until the day he moves out (so, about another 23 years). A wardrobe with full hanging rail. For some reason, a lot of kids’ wardrobes have a half rail and shelves down the side. What’s that about?? Around £600ish for the two I’d done the whole Ikea shlep… endless internet dredging… and what I found was kid’s furniture that was affordable but looked a bit ’90’s naff’, childish or had a half length …

A successful trip to Ikea… and a tiny intro to ‘Scale’ in interiors

Published by Karen Knox

One of the things I try and do at home is to buy furniture that’s in keeping with the period of the property. Our 3 bed, semi is 1960’s, so late mid-century. I’m in no way trying to recreate a 1960’s home, that’s not me, I prefer to mix up design styles and eras as they tend to create the most interesting spaces…. BUT I do think post war houses (generally with lower ceilings and no period features of note) look best with mid-century or Scandinavian style furniture. It’s clean, un-fussy, uses lots of natural materials and the size and scale of that furniture works with the 2.4m ceilings and smaller room sizes of that era… and those that followed. This kind of touches on a whole post i’m still in the process of writing all about ‘Scale’ in interiors. Because some people get it a bit wrong and then wonder why their room feels “off”. It’s very subtle, but a room with the wrong size and scale furniture in just doesn’t work as it …

H&M Home – doing more Home

Published by Karen Knox

Hello!! Yes, I know i’ve been away for a week and left you without so much as a word to read, but we’ve had friends stay with us this week. So i’ve taken some time out, away from the screen to bloody well enjoy myself. And as punishment for said fun, i’ve been struck down with a virus and been like this since Thursday… … just in time for the school holidays. Oh life, you’re a cruel beast! Anyway, less moaning and more writing. Today’s post is about H&M Home. I know most of you will already know about their homeware dept, i’ve written about them before and used their stuff in sooo many projects… .. but there are actually still some peeps that haven’t twigged yet. And for those that don’t pop on there weekly (like I do), then today’s post is just for you. We already know H&M sell cushions, accessories, ceramics and textiles… everything in this pic above (apart from the sofa, books and twig) is from H&M. Standard. But did you know H&M’s …

When is a light not just a light?

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve not done a lighting round up for ages, which is kind of odd as i’ve been researching lighting for several big projects recently. During my recent searches i’ve found some proper gems too, and you know me, when I see designs that excite me as much as these do, I just have to share. Behold! My six favourite designs from Swedish design brand, Markslojd, all available at Wayfair. And the best thing about these six lights, is that they’re doing more than light up. These designs are hard working offering genius solutions for small but perfectly formed spaces. When one of Markslöjd’s designers comes up with a new idea, it takes one year before they have a finished product. The reason for this is because of their high demands for safety and quality. Products should not just look good, they should also have a good length of life. With a combination of investment in design and quality, many of Markslöjd’s products have become classics. Number 1. Tray 3-Light LED Kitchen Island Pendant Upon first glance …

‘Painted’ Wallpaper from Black Parrots Studio

Published by Karen Knox

About 2.5 years ago I wrote a post about how I was looking for just the right wallpaper to hang in our living room. It’s not a big space, so didn’t want a pattern on all four walls, but something to sit behind the sofa. The gallery was ok for a bit, but I knew deep down that there was way too much art in this room. It was time to downsize. Our house is late mid-century, built in the late 60’s so the proportions reflect that. We don’t have high ceilings, or period features, our rooms are pretty average, size wise. This meant finding a wallpaper was actually really difficult as it couldn’t take anything too busy, but it also needed to do “something” design wise in order to live up to the other walls in the room that are covered in some of my favourite pieces of art. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karen Knox – Making Spaces (@makingspacesnet) What i’ve been looking for: A black wallpaper – almost …

The Aquamarine Guest Bedroom – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Oh how i’m going to enjoy writing this post, firstly because I love a final reveal post. And secondly, this one will mostly be a cathartic rant about my self-titled “WORST CLIENT EVER”, with some tiny pieces of info about interiors in and amongst. This was the second bedroom of a generously proportioned 1930’s house. It was being used as a guest bedroom and home office, but as i’m sure you will agree, it needed some work. I’m going to skip the whole process which you can catch up on here and here and just get on with the before and after photos, interspersed with more cathartic ranting. The brief for this room was… let’s say, “fluid”. Needs to be a guest bedroom with double bed Bed needs to have drawers underneath for storage Bed needs to have a comfortable, upholstered headboard Needs a wardrobe for guest hanging space Needs a chest of drawers for storage and a TV on top Needs an office space with lots of storage and all cables hidden away Definitely plants …

SPÄNST collection – Ikea Collaborates with Chris Stamp

Published by Karen Knox

Ikea have released some rather impressive collaborations so far this year, with the SPANST collection due to land this May. So not long to wait. It’s a capsule collection of “lifestyle” influenced furniture, lighting and decor, where the fashion conscious are very much in mind. In collaboration with fashion designer, Chris Stamp, the founder of ‘Stampd‘ a brand known for its meticulous attention to detail with designs that embody modern youth culture. The Stampd brand focuses on quality and the minimal, urban aesthetic. Its flagship store based in the heart of LosAngeles, sells its line of clothes and accessories all over the world. A number of items from the collection were also designed by Maja Ganszyniec, a frequent IKEA collaborator since 2014. Together they explored the changes and needs of young homes today, with a special focus on active, urban lifestyles. Maja has collaborated on several Ikea designs, including the HJÄRTELIG collection which was released last month. Chris and Maja met for the first time in New York to find alot of their design ideas were …

Office Chairs (you wouldn’t mind having at home)

Published by Karen Knox

As you may remember, i’ve been having some trouble with the ole home office set up. My cheap-y Eiffel inspired chair had outgrown its comfort levels for the sheer amount of time I was now finding myself sat at a desk. Thank you to everyone that left super helpful comments on where to find a decent chair that might float my boat, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me and my crook back out. Whilst I wasn’t averse to buying a decent office chair. Ya know, a really good quality one (the amount of physio i’m currently having would have paid for a set of 4 good office chairs, so one really good one would certainly be a very cost effective move), I was loathed to spend £300, £400, £500 upwards on a chair that I hated the look of. Like this guy… I know it’s shallow to choose form over function, but I can’t help it. The way something looks is as equally important to how something performs for me. And …

Debenhams Lighting – My Top 10

Published by Karen Knox

Yes, it’s another round up post and today i’m showing you my top 10 lighting picks from Debenhams. It’s not somewhere I really look for…. well, anything, but their lighting department has been evolving over the past year or so (see this post) and i’d go as far as to say they’re giving BHS a run for their money in the affordable high-street lighting stakes. Yes siree! So in no particular order (but split into styles -ish), here are some corkers all for less than £150. Yippee!! Home Collection – Pixie Pendant – £96.00 This pendant light from The Collection will add a contemporary update to your living space. Sculpted from metal, it features a slick black frame and is ideal for creating a modern ambience. Dimensions (HWD): 69 x 72 x 72cm Absolute bargain 70cm diameter pendant light for less than a hundred squid. It would easily sit in a paired back Scandi scheme as well as a maximalist’s dream digs. The simple, opal glass shades keep glare to a minimum. Home Collection – Carla …

Making Spaces HQ Mini Home Updates

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve not shared any home updates for ages over on the blog and there have been a goings on at chez Making Spaces. So when the sun decided to join us for the first time in January the other day (for 47 minutes), I had to get my camera out and snap away like a lunatic. As most of you guys know, our house is small, normal, average. A 3 bed semi with no high ceilings, no gorgeous period features or lovely large windows. There are still lots of things i’d love to change and update (some of which will be happening later this year) but for now this is where we are with everything…. Let’s start in the entrance hall. At the end of the hallway now resides a chalkboard wall which is used for messing about, drawing floorplans and Charlie’s notes for his current thesis on the world economy. FINALLY we’ve updated the switches and sockets on the ground floor with more goodies from Dowsing & Reynolds. Our ground floor now matches our …