IKEA Hack: DIGNITET as Inspiration Board

A recent exchange with my friend Christine -- who's currently redoing her office -- reminded me of something I meant to post long ago.  I'm also in the (endless) process of updating my home office into a lovely creative zone, and I needed to find a solution for a long wall that my desk faces.  I thought about shelving (too heavy, visually and literally), a mirror (up at 5:30 a.m. to write? no thanks), and a series of prints (I've done that little trick in three other spaces in the house)...but nothing seemed right.  Then as I was cruising IKEA one afternoon, I came across the DIGNITET system in the Textiles department.  Meant to be used as a curtain wire in lieu of a rod, the DIGNITET system had all the right qualities for my wall.  It was super long (up to 197 inches), could be hung from the wall or the ceiling, was lightweight, and was easy on the wallet ($14.99 + $4.99 for each package of clips).  I snagged a kit plus two boxes of clips and a couple of days later (when I finally got around to installing it) I had the foundation for an ever-changing inspiration board.  Love it.

Image credits: IKEA; Paige Lewin and her slammin' photography skills (I'm working on it)

I heart Fred.

We gave these to my stepmom for Christmas.  Aren't they great?  I almost kept them for myself, but decided that would be so un-Christmasy.

I've seen the clever products from Fred&Friends for many years, but this was the first time I bought.  I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Image credit: M-Cups from Fred&Friends (I got mine -- er, my stepmom's -- locally at Paper Source)

Blue and White Storage Ottoman from Target

Had to make a quick trip to Target today, and I couldn't help but mosy over to their home décor section.  I figured their new spring items might be rolling out, and I was right.  Don't you just love this blue and white Jacobean ottoman?   I've been drawn to more modern elements recently, but something about this just drew me in... 

Doesn't seem to be online yet, but maybe soon...

Image credit: Paige Lewin's Blackberry (that seems to take better photographs than her Cybershot)

DIY Nouveau Wreath

Four days to go until Christmas.  Do you still need a little holiday kick to brighten up your house?  Try this easy wreath that I made in an hour, inspired by a recent post on Apartment Therapy.  Get to your local craft store and pick up a styrofoam wreath form and thumbtacks. I used a 12-inch form and 800 tacks {seriously}.

Park yourself in front of A Christmas Story and get to work...

An hour later.  Easy peasy.  

Not your style?  Try this DIY lovely from one of my favorite design blogs...

Via {frolic!}

Holiday Gift Guide: Piggy Banks

One of my favorite gifts to give is a piggy bank.  Not only are piggy banks classic, but fabulously functional, inspiring a trait I wish I had.  If 2009 has taught us anything, it's that you can never go wrong saving your pennies.  So here are my three favorite piggies, at least one of which some luckies on my list will be receiving this year. Sort of creepy and very cool, check out Harry Allen's Bank in the Form of a Pig, made from the cast of an actual pig (no piggies were hurt in the cast-making process).  Available at AREAWARE for $95 in pink; also available in white, chrome, gold, copper, hot pink, mint green and black to fit into nearly any color scheme.

For a piggy that will blend in anywhere, go for Roost's Glass Piggy Bank, available at Velocity starting at $18.  Also, check out similar ones available locally at Hudson.

For the perfect amount of sparkle, and the perfect price tag, hit your local Old Navy for their bling-y piggy.  My shop only had them in gold, but I hear they're available in a disco rainbow.  At a mere $5, you can get this one for folks on your list and yourself.  Y'know...if you needed a bit of inspiration to become budget-minded in 2010.  Not that I know anyone like that.