I find almost everything at Crate and Barrel to be gorgeous. It is like grown-up Ikea. It has the clean mid-century modern vibe but without the dorm-room feel...oh and sadly, without the dorm room price. We went looking for things we still haven't been able to track down, that coffee table, storage, oh and little luxuries, like a dining room table.
They had lots of tables, both coffee and dining, that I think would have looked great. There was only one problem, the price. No surprises there, but it is always nice to look - to get ideas - then to try and find something similar at Ikea later, hehe.
I thought there was nothing we could afford, but low and behold, a super duper sale on just what we needed (storage - although not the kind my mother will be super happy about - sorry mom). This little cutie with the clean modern lines and space saving wall mount was just under twenty dollars - which makes it in my budget.
Chris was able to mount it the same day (a record in this household) in the dining room on the small wall between it and the kitchen. This is perfect because I am not sure what else we possibly could have done with that small, rather awkward space. Chris isn't totally sold on it, saying it looks a bit awkward, but I think it is cool looking - and lets face it, if I like it, it's staying (although that might have more to do with that it would be more work to take down than that I am in charge around here....but we will just go with the later).
So now we have a fancy wine rack (and a mirror) in the dining room - practically finished if you ask me. Oh and it is always nice that the value of the wine exceeds that of the rack (if only by a few dollars), the epitome of living large.
I love the thrift store. Everything is so cheap, and yea, you have to sort through a bunch of crap, but every once in a while you find something really unique. It has been quite busy since we have moved, and it took me almost two months to venture to the one nearest us. While there I saw this table that I really liked. I told myself I was going to wait on it; If it was still there the next time I went I would pick it up.
Well, I ventured back and venture home with this crazy table:
It is so funky (so is the thrifty store floor - but who am I to judge) and cheap (29.95$). I am not quite sure where it will end up, but I am sure we can make it work somewhere. Sadly, it does need a touch up. It currently has a faux marble finish, but it is chipped and has some rings. I am hoping to paint it, but it will need to be sanded first. Stay tuned to find out how it turns out.
Oh, Ikea, how do I count the ways that I love thee...okay, maybe that is a bit much, but I do really enjoy Ikea. I'd like to think that my style is Mid-Century Modern (think Frank Lloyd Wright and West Elm), but that is really yet to be determined because right now my style is cheap...oh and Ikea, my fair one, is cheap. We ventured out last weekend so I could buy my bookshelves (desperately needed, but more on that later) and found so many things I didn't know I needed. I won't share them all, but here are a few of my favorite things that I came home with:
So these definitely weren't on my list. But they are really cute and cheaper than Old Navy's flip-flops at just under 2 dollars. I've only worn them for a bit, so I can't attest to their durability or long term comfort, but still....they are sooo silly. But now to more practical matters:
Before Ikea, this was just a pile of lids, which were awful to dig through, but now, after Ikea, they are all nicely organized and kept off the cabinet floor. (Yes, for those who are asking, that is carpet...I am not sure what they were thinking, but yea...). The pegs are on a set of cross beams which can be expanded or shrunk to fit any lid size (or plates, or skillets, or...maybe I need more than one). I also picked up some cheap jars to hold items for the bathroom (flossers, q-tips, cotton balls), but that isn't very exciting, so I will spare you the pictures. I am a sucker for the Ikea plants and for orchids. She doesn't have a name yet, but I think she might be Swedish:
And look, Lucy already approves. She will live happily on my desk, once I get that together. There is more stuff, but trying to keep up the mystery.
