Dilemma

So I finally found a writing desk for our living room after hemming and hawing for 2 months.

Problem its from West Elm.

Why is that a problem?

Because I redeemed a boat load of Amex points for a hefty gift card to Crate and Barrel, swearing we would get a desk from there.

Can you hear me banging my head against the wall right now?

Here is the a pic of the culprit. Now to bite the bullet and buy it.

Ok So what should I get with the CB gift card?

Maybe a chair - but the one I want is from Ballard!

Can't win for trying.

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Have you heard of Bemz?

Have you heard of Bemz?

I hadn't either till a couple of months ago when I read about them on another blog (I forget which one.) But if you own Ikea furniture like millions of us do then listen up.

Have you ever found an upholstered piece from Ikea and loved the shape but hated the fabric choices they had to offer? (I know I have never been a big fan of their fabric selection, and their strategy of offering everything in plain stark white cotton duck is just not practical for everyone.) Or is your upholstered piece discontinued and you can no longer buy different slipcovers? (Like what happened to us with the Ekeskog sofa. Loved, Loved the sofa. However, when I bought it  the slip cover I loved best of all was just discontinued so I had to settle for my second choice.)

Well here is Bemz to the rescue.

They make affordable slipcovers for  a wide range of Ikea furniture (pillows, chairs, arm chairs, and sofas), and they have a huge selection of quality fabrics in a variety of prints and colors. I have been stalking them for a while since getting a new slipcover for our sofa in the family room is high up there on my decorating wish list. I have even ordered samples a couple of times to see the quality and feel of their fabrics and it has just fueled my lust for a revamp even more.

And the fun part is you can play around and see pictures of your furniture piece with their different fabrics.

Here is the fun I had with our  Ekeskog sofa.

All of these are way to busy for my liking but it is fun to play around.

I am leaning towards something more along these lines.

Yes something very neutral (yawn .... boring) but it gives me more versatility in terms of pulling in decorative pillows and fitting in with decor changes.

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Bathroom Redo - We have fixtures

For the past week or so I have been trolling the internet to find a bathroom vanity, sink and fixtures for our bathroom redo. I had already visited our local Lowe's and Home Depot and knew I didn't want a traditional looking vanity. (I say "I" because my husband has given me free reign over this project. I do run everything by him to make sure it's not something he adamantly objects to but for the most part he trusts my choices.) I also experienced severe sticker shock in seeing what a basic vanity with marble top sink could cost.

Luckily Sherry and John from Young House Love came to the rescue of me overpaying for a plain jane standard vanity. They recently redid their main bathroom and had a fab idea for creating a sleek vanity. So I took a page from their book and began to hunt for a nightstand that could be fitted into a bathroom vanity. My biggest hurdle was in finding a nightstand that would fit the look I was going for which was rustic modern and something that was tall enough. We wanted a vanity that is taller than our current one which is 30" high. With Roe being over 6' it just helps that he doesn't have to bend over as much when getting ready. I also appreciate it too with my 5'5" frame. I scoured sites across the internet from Pottery Barn, Amazon, Crate and Barrel and other obscure furniture sites. Eventually I found what I wanted at Overstock. The great thing was I was able to also find a sink and faucet there as well.  And the price was right. I got $10 off  and free shipping with an online coupon plus by joining the O club I got an additional 5% off. The club membership was $20 but it was less than the discount amount off my total. Plus we get 5% off all our orders and free shipping for a year.

So here is what will be going into our bathroom, now off to Lowe's/Home Depot to find a floor. Will also begin to hunt for a new mirror as well.  I am contemplating changing our paint color to Navajo white which matches the color of our powder room in the basement (which I love!). But I think my husband will kill me since we just repainted the bathroom last year. I may be doing that alone ;(

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