All posts tagged: shopping

The Drawing Room – Shopping List

Published by Karen Knox

As promised, the last time I wrote about the Drawing Room, I mentioned there’d be a blog post coming soon enough, with the shopping list for this room. I think it’s time you guys got to see what we’ve been busy finding (and buying) whilst we’ve been waiting for the new sash windows to go in. Ferm Living Lines Wallpaper from Cloudberry Living I’m sure you all remember this, but just incase you missed the last few posts about this project, this wallpaper is going around the whole room becoming the backdrop to everything inside. It’s going to be sooo good. As soon as the windows are in, it’s time for the wallpaper. Eeee! **does little dance** Euan Floor Lamp from Habitat There’s a yellow/brass theme going on in this room. Lots of little pops of “bright” to contrast against the dark blue wallpaper. Stockholm Glass Door Cabinet from Ikea This will become the drinks cabinet. Crystal glasses galore and obscure spirits are awaiting their new home. Glass and metallics will be used to bounce the light …

MADE.COM Goes Massive – #designupnorth Part I

Published by Karen Knox

WARNING. THIS POST CONTAINS SERIOUS DESIGN EYE CANDY. MAY CAUSE FAINTING, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR SPONTANEOUS ONLINE PURCHASING. One of my favourite, feel good places to shop, find design inspiration and generally waste a bit of time is at Made.com. Their last five year existence has changed the way I find and shop for furniture and home decor. And my expectations too. Their business model, whilst initially having some teething problems in its start up period; long lead times, problems with couriers not delivering and customers perhaps not quite understanding the process, has now found its feet. And they are standing firm and fast on those feet, in very big shoes indeed. MADE’s online presence has grown enormously and rapidly, followed by the move to open two showrooms. One in Soho, London’s West End in 2012 and one up in my beloved West Yorkshire at the end of 2013. Lucky me! MADE are now set to open a third showroom very soon in Liverpool serving the Northwest contingent. This offline presence has no doubt worked wonders …

The Great Haul

Published by Karen Knox

**I shall begin by saying that I wasn’t planning on writing about this trip, so didn’t take my proper camera. Which I should have, as I took LOADS of photos. Balls. Just got back from yet another trip to the motherland. I was the first one in the store. 9.30am. I meant business. Ikea and school holidays don’t mix. Sorry kids, i’m working. I’ve got lamps and sheepskin rugs to buy. No time for the shufflers and the browsers. Get me to that market place! We are about to go…. WILD IN THE AISLES! Two of the ARSTID wall lights to fit over the dressing table in The Blue Room. Boom. In the trolley. The gorgeous BENARP armchair in bright tomato red. Very tempting. But not today Benarp. I’m in a Suzuki Swift. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The long awaited and limited release SINNERLIG collection by Ilse Crawford has started arriving at Leeds Ikea. The cork stools, alas, they were not in stock. Arse. They were really well made, good quality steel legs, nice details such as the gold feet and rivets …

10 Ikea pieces I continually covet… and never buy.

Published by Karen Knox

I visit “The Homeland” pretty regularly. About every fortnight. I’m lucky enough to have one half an hour away, so it’s a good trip out for inspiration. Food. And child entertainment. My little boy loves it there. Running. Eating. Hiding. Playing. And then the tantrum bit when you get to the warehouse….. Always. Every time I go, I make a beeline for my top ten pieces. Whenever I see them online, on websites, blogs, features, magazines, I want them in my home. Now. I always check if they’re in stock. If they’re there, I have a good nosey, I put them in my yellow bag. And then I take them out again. I don’t know why, but they’ve never made it to the check out. As soon as I get home and unload the car, i’m like, “Damn, why didn’t I get the (fill in the blank).” And the cycle begins. Behold. “The 10 Ikea items of temptation” EIVOR – Throw, black/white – £15 HEKTAR – Floor lamp, dark grey – £50 RIGGAD – Work lamp with wireless charging – £50 STOCKHOLM – Cushion, black, white – £12 STOCKHOLM – Rug, flatwoven, black striped …