The ever-inventive Ikea Trestle

Everyone knows that battling IKEA on the weekends are not for the faint of heart (psst, Friday nights are gold--just make sure everyone is well fed before you drag them there).  But with a deal like the trestle legs for $20, its so worth it.

I've been pretty obsessed with Facebook online garage sales lately (like OBSESSED) and have been accumulating some great DIY projects because of it.  I have 6 enormous vintage window shutters, four of which I made into a headboard for our guest room, but I have two leftover screaming for a spot, perhaps a desk or console?....decisions, decisions.

I put Ikea trestle legs up there with Expedit greatness.  They are pretty fabulous for a quick dining table, desk or side table on a budget and the color possibilities make it truly one of a kind.

Makeup table ladies?

Add a few pieces of reclaimed timber and Voila!  Instant industrial.

Or you could go as far as to use the butcher block counter top from Ikea for a smoother finish.



Any good Ikea hacker knows to think outside the box.  How about install upside down to create a pin-like leg, more legroom, and cleaner storage.

The look can even go a little tradish.

Incorporate multiples for a whole office.

For a fun pop of color, get your spray paint out.  I love the mis-matched chairs.

A little faux brass really glams this up.  I mean looks like a million bucks!

All images via Pinterest

A touch of Teak

In a world full of painted cabinets (which will NEVER go out of style...trust me), I'm starting to wonder where the next trend is going to take us.  Wood cabinetry is bound to make a come back, but I'm thinking in maybe a warmer hue, like Teak.  I just love the idea of a floating teak vanity topped with crisp white quartz counter top and galvanized light fixtures for a casual bathroom....this is what I day dream about folks.

Here are few unexpected teak looks that I find super refreshing.

General Assembly

Love this teak paired with the concrete countertop and that bloated square tile is so unique.  I could totally do without the teak step though- it takes away from the pop of the vanity.

Paso Robles Building Supplies

There is a lot happening in this bathroom, but I love the accent punch for towel rack.

Simple and clean.  If I could change one thing however, there is a lot of rectilinear shapes, I would switch out the matchy matchy mirror for a round metal one.

Zerbey Architecture + Design

This is such a European design no?

Betty Wasserman

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Umm yes!  This screams hip farmhouse, and that black paned window is the perfect touch of black.

This shower almost hit a homerun, the marble and concrete are fab, but that moddled texture looks like a crappy ceramic tile from the bargain bin.  The looks would have been much better if the exterior of the shower matched in the interior.

Not all subway has to be white, and with this amount of natural light, this bath can handle the matte black.

What a Pane

I've been pretty obsessed with metal paned windows lately-  not very energy efficient, I know, but I guess if you live in paradise, who cares.  They pack quite a statement, so elegant and effortless looking. If I ruled the world, I'd swap out my courtyard windows for these bad boys in a heartbeat.

William Hefner

Hanson General Contracting, Inc.

Summerour Architects

Add a metal paned glass door and I don't think anything could be better.

TATUM BROWN CUSTOM HOMES

Robert Nebolon Architects

I love the look of the paned glass as a shower enclosure, very industrial, masculine feel.

Markham Architects

This image above has been in my Dream Folder for quite awhile now...its just so good!  The wood floor, paned glass, hex tiles, that sink!  Collected perfection.

Cement Tile

Have ya'll ever seen the coolness that is cement tile?  Its very popular in Europe and definelty gives a really cool eclectic vibe.  It's like the style and design of a  rug meets the durability of tile and instantly funky cool.

I'd take this Kitchen in a heartbeat!!!

Gorgeous Right????  And here are few available for purchase to the public, keep in mind these are specialty tiles so they may run you arounf $10 sf, but adorable for a special area.

This under construction bath is going to be a showstopper!

Images via Mosiac Del Sur and Villa Lagoon Tile

Pulling the Pulls

So I've been on the hunt for new drawer pulls for the bathroom reno and am having a hard time narrowing down the options.  After I suffered through Home Depot and Lowes and finding nothing (ever noticed how all the remotely cool hardware is all special order? Hate that!) I turned the the World Wide Web, Holla!

Cabinet Hardware can really make or break your space.  It sets the tone in some ways for the room, for example, Classic-

Super timeless and as long as they are quality, they will last the test of time.  Think one color of metal (nickel and chrome will always be in).

To Vintage-

Vintage Pulls are cup pulls, latches, and anything with more details.  These really give an old timey look to the face of the cabinets.

To Trendy/Modern-

I like the play of the mixed bars, that have an ode to the vintage, and the ring pulls.

Instead of ring pulls this is modern twist made into a hexagon, and I bet they don't swing like the ring pulls do.  Classic finish and this one is good for a long time.

When shopping around for hardware, you most likely going to buy a few which means more $$$, so try to stay away from anything too kitschy or cheap like these--

 Leave the grapes to eat, not for the hardware.

Anything with colors is risky, Kelly Green may be the concept, but requires updating when you decide to change schemes later on down the road.

Hearts are cute, but not a classic/universal design.  Also when going for gold, make sure its more of an aged finish like brass that always comes back. Plated gold tends to not wear as well and look cheap.

 So back to what I'm thinking- I love the idea of making my bathroom looking more 1900's vintage (think hexagon mosaics, timeless colors and subway tiles), but my new cabinetry tends to go VERY modern- IKEA Harlig

  I just didn't see the point and putting something super nice when this isn't my "forever bathroom."  So in order to warm these up I finally went with a Hickory Hardware ring pull in Dark Antique Copper to match the sink hardware.

Here

But another part of me really wanted this beauty, but mixing too many metals is not me and I already will have 2-3 in there.  But how about the price?!?!?!?

Here

Completely not the look I'm going for, but loving this trend.  Finally my "outdated" gold door hardware has come back around in style!!!

Here

And if I had money coming out of my ears or I wouldn't be attached to leaving these gorgeousnesses when I moved, I'd spring for these babies-

Here

All images from Decorpad