The Wonderful Mr. Asker, Mrs. Bygel and Ms. Grundtal

The Ikea kitchen organizers have been the go to space saving solution for years.  If there was a fan club, I'd be the president.  What I love about the systems is that you can configure it the way that suits your needs and can be used just about anywhere.  You can mix and match the systems and they are relatively easy to install.  I've seen people use them as planters (the asker and the gruntal systems), as lid holders, in the kitchen, in the office, as shoe organizers - the lists are endless.  Here's how the Ikea kitchen organizers have helped me:

Kitchen
I lamented at the beginning of the month that my kitchen was looking blah.  In addition to the blah-ness, I was running out of room in my cupboards and needed a solution fast.  I had already installed a wall organizer of bygel shelves and rails and I was pretty pleased with the way that it turned out:

Here's what I used:

Grundtal S-Hooks (medium) x 3

Bygel Wire Basket x 6

Bygel Rail (55 cm) x 7

I had never drilled holes into tile before so I was a bit nervous.  But I found this ehow link that helped me out a great deal.  Also, it was the first installation project I did without the help of my boyfriend.  I also bought this kit to ensure that I didn't mess up my tiles:

Rubi Easy Gres Ceramic Diamond Drill Bits

What you'll need:

• Appropriate screws (ask the hardware personnel to find the right one for you)
• Diamond Drill Bits
• Electrical Drill
• Gloves
• Safety Goggles
• Exact-o Knife
• Masking Tape

It took a while to get my hands steady and there were times when the drill bit would "skate away".  I found it really helped to put tape on the spot where you want to make a hole and, using an exact o knife, mark an x so that the drill bit will stay in place:

Courtesy of Tilers Forum

It gets pretty messy and I felt like I was using a jack hammer (which freaked me out a bit) - but here's the finished product:

These are the products that I used:

Bekvam Spice Rack x 3

Asker Containers (2 large and 3 small)

Bygel S-Hooks x 1 pack

Grundtal S-Hooks (large) x 2 packs

Bygel Rail (100 cm) x 1

The Sewing Room and Office:
The Ikea wall organizers are also popular in the office.  Here's what I did:

I used:

Bygel Basket x 1

Bygel Rail (100 cm)

Bygel Basket x 1

At this point, I just couldn't stop.

As Planters:
I've seen lots of postings from people who have used the Asker containers as planters.

Heavy Petal

Shayna's Kitchen

Knock Knocking

Time to bring out that electrical drill and get working, again.  Here's what I did (okay, I lied - my boyfriend did this):

I chose succulents and a mini fern because they are low maintenance.  It doesn't look like it in the picture because it's raining today, but this spot gets lots of sunlight.  Previously, I had put some plants in my Asker containers in my kitchen but there wasn't enough sun (my boyfriend says "I told you so") and they started to look withered.

I used:
 



So there you have it - the story of how Mr. Asker, Mrs. Bygel, and Ms. Grundtal prettied up my home.

Thanks, Pals!

Small is Cool - Apartment Therapy

This has been a really great year for the Small is Cool contest from the folks at Apartment Therapy.   I already posted about my ambitions to someday participate in this contest but I wanted to post up my top twelve favourites (in no particular order).

Sandy's Crib

Paul's Crib

Lauren's Crib

Daniel's Crib

Eduardo's crib

Jess' Crib

Katie's Crib

Drea's Crib

Brittany and Matt's

Steve's Crib

Bianca's Crib

Kyle's Crib

News flash - Filmgo

Two years ago, while I was trying to sneak into Walmart to buy a $20 ottoman, I stumbled across the most wonderful gem.  Inside that wonderful gem were more twinkling gems.  It has been my secret for years but now it's time for me to share my find and introduce it to you in my first interview.

Filmgo is a "unique resale showroom and features many ‘one of a kind’ Home Furnishings, Movie Props, Jewelry, Art, Collectibles and Accessories." Situated near the Bridge Studios in Vancouver, BC, Filmgo has been my go-too place for the perfect conversation piece. 

 
I chatted with Filmgo manager, Roselle and Fabulous Neil, a much-valued employee (who is as fabulous as his name suggests), and they shared the story of how Filmgo got started, provided me with some insights on current and future trends and explained the history of some of their most unique pieces.

How did you get started?

Roselle:  I am a certified estate appraiser and have been doing it for many years.  One day my business partners approached me with the idea of opening a showroom.  We've been here for 2.5 years.  

Can you tell me about some memorable pieces and people that you have come across over the years?

Neil:  The most interesting people would have to be the set designers.  They bring in such interesting items.  Sometimes, the items look so real and you can't really tell until you actually touch it.  Half of the items that we have are from movie sets but we can't say which productions they're from.  I guess they're worried it will show up on ebay or the risk that another production could copy their set design.

Have you seen the two arm chairs?  When I saw them my jaw just dropped.  I don't really know anything about their history.  The person who owns them is in the movie industry and has a warehouse full of film props and I guess he just needed to make room for more.

Roselle:  How about these side tables?  They're probably from the 1940's and were originally ovens which have been re-purposed into side tables.  You'll never find anything like this, anywhere.  

This side table is really great, too - it's a drinking cart from the 1960's. 

(When I mentioned that I had thought about buying it and using it as a planter she exclaimed "No!!!!!  It's far too valuable for that!")

Have you noticed any trends so far this year?  What are the hot sellers?

Roselle:  Mid Century, without question.  

What would you say contributes to the popularity of that era with interior design?

Neil:  Mad Men

Roselle:  Dark Antiques are at the bottom of the interest scale right now.  That would include darkly stained woods which are usually about 100 years old.  Generally, they run pretty big and people have smaller spaces.  A large dark piece only makes the room look smaller.  People don't live in large homes anymore.  That's why mid century furniture does well - it looks good in a home that would be 500 sq. ft.

Roselle:  We're starting to see some interest in 70's decor and furnishing.  Lots of natural finishes and decorative details like macrame.  Tiki style style is very popular right now, as is industrial steel.  A bit of 80's is sneaking in their too with the brass finishes.

One of the reasons that I come here is because your prices are incredibly reasonable for the items that you carry.  How do you price your items?

Roselle:  We want to promote turnover because it helps our store look fresh by bringing in new items.  I try to get the best price for my consignors but I have to balance that with making it accessible to my customers.

People often find it daunting to go "treasure hunting" in antique stores and consignment stores.  What advice would you give people who don't know where to start?
Roselle:  Start off with one piece.  Put it in different places in the house.  Then you get a feel for what you like and how it fits into your home.


Neil:  I agree.  You start with one piece - that way, it's no so scary.

Here some more pics that I took as I poked my nose around:

Seeing Red

An Ikea Catalog from September 1979 - August 1980

 Furnishings

Filmgo items in my home

1.  South American tapestry re-purposed as a pillow.  2.  I finished the lamp base with chrome spray paint.  
3.  Tack but sunny lamp.  4.  Tennis ball holder rep-purposed as a planter.  5.  Vintage cookie jar

Filmgo is located at:

Unit#1 - 2741 Skeena Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada, 

V5M-4T1

Map

Telephone:  604-456-0515     Fax:    604-456-0514