that's ikea? seriously? thanks apt. therapy - again! (www.ikea.com)

One of the most common complaints we hear about IKEA products is their instantly recognizable and generic appearance — the last thing most of us want is an IKEA showroom for a home. However, searching through our House Tour archives you'll find quite a few ways to put your personal spin on a run-of-the-mill IKEA product. TO BUY FROM IKEA AND FIND YOUR LOCAL STORE VISIT: http://www.ikea.com/!!

• Allison's Playful Chinoiserie Modern showcased a simple and glamorous update to IKEA's $10 VIKA LERBERG trestle legs. Just giving them a coat of gold spray paint made them the perfect base to her elegant vanity.
• VIKA LERBERG trestle legs take on a totally different feel in Erin and Chris's Fantastic Fishtown Fixxer-Upper where they topped the legs with old joists salvaged from their building.
• IKEA's EXPEDIT bookcase seems to be a staple in many an Apartment Therapy home, however Ashley and Robert put a unique twist on the clean-lined workhorse by affixing decorative brackets from Anthropologie in the corners to make it better suit the vibe of their Streamlined Bohemian Home.


Images: 1, 3: Leah Moss of Allison's Playful Chinoiserie Modern and Ashley & Robert's Streamlined Bohemian, 2: Kristen Lubbe of Erin & Chris's Fantastic Fishtown Fixer Upper

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/inspiration/ikea-facelifts-from-midatlantic-house-tours-134765

my home - my halloween decorations!

From Apartment Therapy today! Wine Racks!!!

Best Wine Racks from Apartment Therapy - 2010

design advice: room by room - focal point and floor plans

focal point:
every well-decorated room has a focal point - a place to which the eye is drawn. it may be built into the room, such as a fireplace or a window with a great view. you can also create a focal point with paintings, accessories, mirrors and furniture.

floor plans:
after deciding on a focal point, plan to place furnishings in an arrangement that contribute to and enhance it. keep balance in mind and establish a traffic pattern that allows confortable access to the room and seating. major traffic patterns should be at least 36" wide and flow around the furniture setting.

in a living room, be sure to allow room to access windows, entertainment plugs/setups, and bookcases. avoid routing paths through the middle of the convesation areas or between the tv and viewers.

in the dining room its ideal to have 36" betwen the backs of chairs and perimeter wall or other furniture. *and don't forget to plan and measure for sideboards and consoles BEFORE you place your table and chairs.

in the bedroom, 24" on either side of the bed at the least (most nighstand average 36"). while traditional bed placement is most convienent, consider diagonal placement.