IKEA HACK - AN INEXPENSIVE CHAISE

This isn't the newest Ikea hack out there, but this is definitely my new favorite. I LOVE a great chaise, but sometimes it feels like the one piece in your living room, extra room, that you don't want to spend a lot of money on, so when I saw this Ikea hack on Pinterest, (originally published in House Beautiful), I had to share. This is also the perfect idea for big city apartment dwellers on a budget.

The owner, Zach Motl, used the Ikea MALM bed frame and simply put the headboard piece at both ends to create the chaise. It's only $89 as shown below, so I'm guessing if you buy 2 headboards instead it might be a little bit more.

Then you need a mattress to create the cushion. I personally would get the Ikea memory foam mattress so it has that nice boxy look like Motl's, but it would be super comfy to sit and sleep on. You could buy one of their spring mattresses for a $100 less too, but I would make sure it wasn't a thin mattress like Ikea used in the photo above.

And then it's time to make a cover for the mattress. I would make one or have one made that wrapped around the entire mattress with a zipper in the center, or velcro that would go underneath. And of course I would love a blue velvet, like the one I used on my sofa.

 Or something a little less serious, like this cotton/linen stripe fabric...

I also think you could get away without a lot of sewing by wrapping the mattress in the fabric and securing it underneath somehow. (I have some ideas in mind using elastic material and sewing strips that secure onto buttons). Other options for covers might be an extra large blanket or even a woven rug - you can get really creative.

Then make some bolster's like he did, or I love this gold dot pillow from Caitlin Wilson that would be amazing with the blue velvet or the stripe.

All in all you would probably be into this chaise around $500. That is WAY less expensive than any chaise I could find that would be comparable in style. And look what Zach Motl's chaise turns into at night...

GENIUS! Like I said, perfect for small-space dwellers! And here is another view of his Ikea hack chaise.

I love the round bolster pillows. I am seriously considering this hack for my own home, but mine would go in my basement family room and I would do a really fun fabric on the cover, because I could in that space. And how great would this be when my kids have a sleepover and need an extra bed! The ideas keep coming :)

If you have an Ikea hack that you've done or you love, please share by commenting or sending us an email. We would love to post it!

BLUE VELVET SOFA FOR SALE!

Do you remember this post that Jamie did on BLUE VELVET? Do you remember this beautiful couch from Jonathan Adler that we are loving?

Well it just so happened that I had a garage sale going on that Saturday up the street from me and I spotted a fantastic mid-century sofa for only $50 and knew it needed me to give it a new life again (even though I didn't need it or have anywhere to put it!) The lines on the sofa were somewhat similar to the Jonathan Adler sofa and I had an idea...

So I called my good friend Brian @ Rocky Mountain Upholstery and had him come pick up the couch to reupholster it, and give it new cushions (because this couch really did live in the mid-century!)

I searched and searched for the perfect blue velvet, that wasn't crazy expensive (velvets tend to be) and found this fantastic Duralee velvet in Ocean. It was tricky finding a blue velvet because they can look a little purple or some were dull. I wanted it to have dimension but be a true deep navy blue velvet and I couldn't be happier with the fabric. It is 100% Cotton, but it will wear fabulously and if you protect it with a Scotch Guard you should be good to go!

SO here is the reupholstered blue velvet sofa! And unfortunately for me I think I need to sell it even though I love it in my office. This beauty is for sale for $1550 (local pick up only, unless we can figure out a way to ship it!)

The velvet color in this photo is a better representation of the color in person.

It sits very comfortably, although probably not the sofa you want to go in your basement for watching football games. It's a perfect front-room/living room/family room/office sofa. Think of the possibilities!

You can create an eclectic graphic look by adding bold patterned pillows mixed with vintage furniture and a large fun print.

Or add a pop of yellow paired with a traditional rug in an office to create a more "Mad Men" look.

I love the idea of putting a vintage velvet sofa in a traditional home with a large graphic print overhead. This has been a long-time favorite of mine. (must add brass accents!)

Or add some silky Asian-inspired pillows and floral prints to give it a girly glam look.

That coral pom pom looks amazing next to the blue velvet - add some coral accents (pillows, vases, a lamp or even a pom like this photo) to make your blue velvet sofa look like a jewel!

How beautiful is this room?! Love the blue velvet sofa with the camel-colored leather chesterfield sofa! (Notice how this blue velvet sofa has the white wood below like my sofa!)

Or style it like Emily Henderson with a very cool graphic canvas and a cow hide rug (Ikea has a great one).

Can you see the many possibilities! Send me an email if you are interested!