Tag Archives: wallpaper

Bring the Passion Back into your Ikea Bedroom

At the tender age of 21, I left my mother’s home and went off into the world, moving 250 miles away. As a graduate moving from temporary job to temporary job, the budget for kitting out my new pad was limited. I heard Ikea was affordable and stylish so off I went to have a look. I wasn’t planning on buying, but it’s simple, contemporary Swedish good looks and affordable price tag was too much for me to resist. I spent hours roaming around the showrooms. Knowing I could only look and not touch increased the excitement. I still remember the first time I worked up a sweat in the warehouse section, grunting and panting as I lifted the flat packs off the shelves, placing them gently on the trolley. I remember handing over my credit card without a care in the world. I remember the hours of assembling, and the proud feeling of knowing ‘I did that’. Me and Ikea, no one could touch us.

As the years went by my love for Ikea started to diminish. Walking around the showrooms became frustrating and dull, the furniture was boring and repetitive with no individuality and the price tags were cheap like the quality. I had a pair of bedside cabinets and chest of drawers that followed me around for years. They had stayed with me through my break up with my long term boyfriend and were the only pieces of furniture I left my first apartment with.  They stayed with my through the bad times so I couldn’t possibly part with them once I had found my own apartment two years later.

On moving day, I unpacked them from the back of a van and placed them in my new bedroom with my new white, fresh looking furniture. My apartment was clean and free from arguments about the dishes and whose turn it was to buy toilet rolls. They looked tired, worn out and had no passion or zest for life. I couldn’t bear to buy a new set (mostly because my bank balance wouldn’t allow me) so I decided to get the spark between us back.

I painted them white to give them a brighter, fresher look but they still looked like generic pieces of Ikea furniture. They sat there for months being used only as storage. I was fed up but couldn’t give up on them. Then, I had an idea. I could wallpaper them! Surely, this would make them fun again and bring some passion back into the bedroom.

Just follow these simple steps and you to can revamp your relationship with your old Ikea furniture without breaking the bank:

If you want to change the colour of your furniture you need to sand and sand and then sand again. Getting your hands on an electric sander really helps, but you can do it using regular sand paper too.

  • Prime the furniture using a spray primer. It’s much easier and quicker than painting. Let it dry for about 45 minutes before adding the paint.
  • Pick a good quality paint especially for furniture. I used Dulux satin finish brilliant white. With the primer, I only had to apply two coats of paint.
  • Let the paint dry over night before you wallpaper.
  • As you would with wallpapering a wall, you need to make sure the patterns match up so get out your tape measure and scissors. Cut out all your bits first and make sure they line up before you stick anything down.
  • Stick the wallpaper with a strong adhesive spray. You have a few seconds to move and line up the wallpaper before it dries so don’t panic.
  • Leave it to dry for as long as possible. I put the drawers back together after a few hours but it’s probably best to leave it overnight.
  • Buy handles or knobs to really add your own style. I bought a set of faux crystal and gold knobs from ebay at a really affordable price.
  • Enjoy your new and improved furniture.

 

The process wasn’t easy, and at times I felt like giving up, but now I am happier than ever.  I have been asked whether the paint chips or the wallpaper starts to come away at the sides. The answer is ‘I don’t know, but at the moment I am happy with them’. I am still in the honeymoon phase and love walking into my bedroom and seeing my beautiful, unique pieces of furniture. I hope they stand the test of time, I really do. One thing is for sure, I won’t give up on Ikea that easily.

Get some inspiration from these beautiful pieces by British artisan Bryonie Porter.

Byronie Porter

 

Interior Inspiration: Día de Muertos

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is the Mexican festival that falls on the 31st October and is celebrated over two days. Family and friends gather together to remember and honour those who have deceased – the first day is spent remembering babies and children and the second day is dedicated to adults. Rather than dressing up as a well groomed cat or promiscuous devil, Mexicans spend the holiday celebrating the life of the dead by decorating their homes with shrines, sugar skulls and clay skeletons.

Skulls and skeletons, for most people, have negative connotations and, although common on the catwalk and now the high street, the majority of us would not dare to place them in our homes. However, the spirit of Día de Muertos is not one of sadness as this is considered as insulting to the dead. Instead it is a joyous, happy time dedicated to contemplating the beauty of life rather than tragedy of death.

By using this approach you can re-create the uplifting spirit of Día de Muertos in your home with a colourful gothic edge.

These quirky porcelain floral skulls by Iggy and Lou Lou are the perfect oxymoron.

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Graham Brown’s skull wallpaper by Barbara Hulanicki is ideal for a Día de Muertos inspired feature wall.

This range skull wall art by Magnus Gjoen, a designer for Vivienne Westwood, is available at artrepublic and adds edge to any room.

Magnus Gjoel Skull Print

Celebrate Día de Muertos in the most British way possible with this elegant tea set by Melody Rose.

Melody Rose tea set

Melody Rose tea set

Original 1920s occasional table is the ultimate upcycle piece by Figa & Co.

 Table by Figa & Co

 Table by Figa & Co

*All brands/products mentioned either ship internationally or are available through global distributors.

WishList February 2012

Wish List February 2012
  • The famous Bourgie lamp, created by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell, is presented in limited edition for Christmas 2011 in three new versions: titanium, fuchsia and sky blue. The fuchsia lamp, priced at Dhs2,440, is available at Kartell, 746 Jumeirah Beach Road. Hurry though, the Dubai store only had two sent to them and I’ve already purchased one for myself! Visit KartFurniture.
  • Quirky and fun Coco Clock by Enrico Azzimonti for Diamantini & Domeniconi, prices start at $390. Visit Diamantini & Dominiconi.
  • Who isn’t lusting over Karl Largerfeld’s new collection KARL? KARL Sless denim biker vest $540 and interlock collared stretch-jersey dress $270 both available at Net-A-Porter.
  • This wallpaper, created by Black Crow Studios who specialise in custom wall murals & treatments, is uniquely designed to fit your specific size requirements and can be customized to your choice of colour. Prices are available upon request. Visit Black Crow Studios.
  • Rug Maker has officially been granted a licence by Royal Mail to manufacture this exclusive Stamp Rug Collection which fully captures the iconic design of Machin’s Royal Mail Stamps. Prices start from £765, excluding shipping, available at Stamp Rugs.