playroom storage...diy Ikea hack

This is a long overdue update of the playroom storage that we started last year.  We finally decided on a storage combination of Besta cupboards from Ikea, creating lots of easy to reach storage, a place for the TV, topped with a broad display shelf to use as an easy to change gallery.

To hide the sides and tops of the Besta carcasses we created a three sided box for the TV area, and ran the top piece right across all the units.  We used a good quality plyboard which has a lovely layered edge detail, with all the cabinets in high gloss white it needed a bit of detail to lift the whole design.  Very pleased with the result, nobody would guess its a mostly Ikea installation.  

This is what it looked like before and during - a hot mess

Musical instruments finally have a place off the floor, safe but easy to reach.
There is plenty of storage, although we do seem to have filled it all already.  

We may add shelves for books or display, even a few more cabinets, above the display for shelf.
For now I am loving using it for display.

To make your own:
We used Besta 128cm high units and a 120cm wide Besta TV unit as the base.  They are easy to install and reasonable on the pocket, and just the right depth for storage, books and the TV.  All cabinets cost around $700.

Once they were installed we made the 3 sided plywood box the TV sits in.  The sides were joined using my fabulous Kreg Jig, with the holes on the outside of the uprights.  All joins are neatly hidden from view.

Attaching the top shelf was trickier because of the weight and length of the piece.  We ended up placing the 3 sided box on the TV unit and pulling it away from the wall.  Then we positioned the top shelf on the box using the cabinets as a support, see below.  You can see the Kreg predrilled holes facing on the outside of the box.
The sides were then attached to the top with the Kreg, working from the back to the front, and sliding the TV stand back into position as we worked.  I do love my Kreg!

This is our second Ikea hack, see our entrance cupboard here, such fun to do and so satisfying.
We will never be afraid to build our own built in furniture again, I highly recommend you have a go too.

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playroom storage...work in progress

More storage for the playroom has been on my to do list all year, finally with Christmas approaching I have made a start.   The original inspiration was for a long low cabinet that the tv could sit on (see the post here), but I realised this was never going to deliver enough storage.  
The version below has a lot more storage, taller cabinets with a shelf on top creating space for display, books and instruments.   I think it will be far more practical.  We can still add another shelf or narrow cabinet above the shelf if we find we need even more space.

Next step was to remove the old furniture.  The tv was in a lovely but very deep, impractical oriental cabinet (already gone below), and the old Ikea cabinet as you can see below was literally bursting at the seams.  Note to self, taking apart Ikea cabinets seems to take longer than putting them together.  

Then it was off to Ikea for a very bulky shop: three Besta cabinets (128cm high) and a Besta tv cabinet with drawers and space for all the technology and cables.  
An industrious weekend later and we are looking more organised already!

Of course no DIY is ever accomplished without at least one mistake or set back.  This was the first time I have ever had trouble with Ikea, one of the cabinets was faulty and only went together after a LOT of pushing and pulling and many shavings with my Japanese handsaw.
When that hurdle was finally over I attached the right hand cabinet to the wall, forgetting that we have a pocket door behind that wall.  Hmmm, the result the two neatly drilled holes in the door you can see below.  It could have been worse, I could have screwed it permanently open.

So that's how it's looking right now.  Its been a busy week and I haven't managed to do much more.  I will keep you posted on our progress, can't wait to get it all done.

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I like to think Ikea got the idea from me

Spotted this desk and children's work space layout in the hot off the press 2014 Ikea catalogue.
Looks a little familiar, me thinks Ikea stylists might be looking in the pages of this little blog for inspiration.  This is Ikea's directly below, scroll down to see mine or check out the original post Where Miss J & I work which I posted in March 2013. 

The workspace Miss E, Miss J and I share in the family room.  How is that for a similarity! 

Don't worry Ikea, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.  It is possible that I saw a similar layout in a previous catalogue, but I am notching this score up to me.

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Playroom storage solution...could this be the final design?

The playroom is a mess and it drives me crazy!  It probably drives you spare too!!  We just don't have enough storage and at the end of the day toys are crammed into boxes and the single cupboard and the room just can't be properly tidied.  Playroom storage was on my new years to do list and I haven't managed to resolve it yet.  But I may be a step closer, I think I have the final, revised, redesigned, could it really be the final, design at last.
I would love it to look something like the picture below, but really this is not a design for a family with children and all the toys and craft supplies that come with them.  

I like this one too, the TV looks almost decorative but those open shelves would just be too untidy with toys and its a little traditional for our house.

I like the clean and slightly asymmetric lines of this modern version, and the TV is behind doors which is a bonus, but there are books and special objects on display.

I still love this playroom on Weekday Carnival, one of the best Ikea hacks ever (below).  Hard to believe its Ikea kitchen cabinets put together in a giant puzzle. 

And this library style Ikea hack (below) on Apartment Therapy is another favourite.   They are all very simple, very white, and very uncluttered.

So this is what I have come up with at last.  Cupboards will be clean white with no trim or detailing. There is space for books to be on display, a counter top and wall space on the left where we can display art or family photos, and a whole lot of storage, a lot of it out of the reach of Miss J's sticky little fingers.

What do you think?  Could this be the final one?

| Source unknown  |  via Coastal Living  | via Arch Daily  |  Weekday Carnival  |  Apartment Therapy |  drawings by Eva of Build House Home|

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don't you love...a spring clean

Don't laugh, but part of my new years clean up has been reorganising my Pinterest boards.  I have been busy pinning for UrbanBaby (and I think they look great) but mine were looking a little sad and out of date.  Some boards had ideas I no longer need or am tired of, some were inspiration for our build which I want to keep but am not adding to much anymore, and ofcourse the Christmas boards can be put away for another year.  I wanted boards that suit my current goals for house, home and blog.  An inspiration spring clean was just what I needed to make me focus on the projects I want to get underway in this new year.

Storage Storage Storage -  A place for everything and everything in its place

I talked about 2013 being our year to edit, and part of editing is storage.  A place for everything and everything in its place as the old saying goes.  

Top of the list is sorting out the playroom.  I was feeling overwhelmed by the toys before Christmas, now the storage I have is quite simply bursting at the seams.  

I want the toys to be hidden from view when packed away, but easy to get at.  And I would like an open shelf where we can display pretty toys, art and books.  

Riikka Kantinkoski at Weekday Carnival has organised her playroom so well (all images above).  I have lots of these Ikea white boxes in the pantry but I never thought about them for toys.  And that amazing white cupboard - they made it out of different sized Ikea kitchen cabinets.  Super creative.

Next on the list is the garage.  We have made a start but we still need to get a lot of things off the floor.  Easier said than done, yesterday I went out there, looked around, and walked back into the house in defeat.  Not sure where to start.

Finally, the garden shed.  We need to move the potting bench and all the garden equipment out of the garage and into the shed.  But we need a strong friend to pop by and help since I am ten pound weakling.  I am looking forward to that one, its been in my head for months.

Entertaining more

So many lovely ideas on my entertaining board that I want to try.  Lots of little styling tips to make things pretty, like these gorgeous tins with individual drinks and cutlery.  If I do it once they can be reused every time we have an informal get together.  First on my list is going to be courtyard movie nights, the weather has been perfect for sitting outdoors the past few weeks.  Have popcorn, will pop, and lots of other great movie ideas here too.  
(Images from left: fridge tins from a pretty cool life, cutlery tins via Patchwork Harmony, bucket & hose from Martha Stewart

Let me know what projects you are planning, and I will give you updates on mine as they come along. Lets hope that this time next year they are not still on my list.

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in the pink.....again

I didn't have time to buy flowers.  I was to busy pinning.  Did I tell you I am being paid to pin?  Eva Burgess - social media and Pinterest strategist at your service.  How cool is that!
So its pink again.  Peonies with succulents in mercury glass, a vintage pink table via Design Sponge.

Do you ever crave a colour like this too?

Peonies in little buckets with vintage napkins, so lovely for an informal but special dinner.
The prettiest playroom storage I have ever seen - love the animal jars - but I bet it doesn't look like this every day.  Vintage sheets again, and finally a blossom and glass wedding display via

I think I may be all pinked out.  

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