The wardrobe of my dreams
Yesterday morning Big-P, Lily, Amelia and I all rushed off to IKEA — taking full advantage of the fact that we had all slept pretty well (and again last night!) and felt we could handle the whole IKEA experience with kids. It was still pretty mad and not something we would want to do every day but we came out with loads of good things.
I had found an IKEA catalogue in amongst all the 2002/2003 Cleo and Cosmo magazines down at the beach house and had spent several hours pouring over it’s pages (like a fool, I hadn’t packed a novel) and made a list of things that we needed. Above you can see the Hemnes wardrobe which doesn’t seem to be on the IKEA Australia site, but is definitely in-store. I love it. It’s being delivered this afternoon for Lily’s room as we still have piles of her stuff and boxes of nappies all over her floor. This is mainly why I haven’t included any photos of the ‘finished’ nursery — because it is far from finished. Pictures and shelves still need to be hung, stuff put away and that quilt is still sitting in my cupboard, half-stitched and mocking me.
But this wardrobe! I LOVE it! I think I said that already, but how cute will some fabric bags look hanging from that side peg? And some cute vintage suitcases piled on top on the luggage rack? And maybe I should even paint something on the doors… I could submit my ideas to IKEA Hacker (via Yvestown).
My copy of Children’s Rooms London arrived from Amazon Japan yesterday, which is fabulous, just as are Children’s Rooms Stockholm (on Amazon JP ) and Children’s Rooms Paris (on Amazon JP) and I am much inspired. The rooms featured in these books are loaded with (sometimes hacked) IKEA goodness, but all are so full of fun and mess and personal expression. Each room is truly a little nest perfect for its inhabitant.
Little note for folks in the U.S. who are interested in the Paumes books. I wasn’t able to order them from Amazon Japan (couldn’t figure it out for the life of me), so I ordered them direct from the publishers. Very nice people to deal with. The books are Oh So Lovely, just as Claire said 🙂
Hi Claire, glad to hear that you’re feeling human aain. Love the wardrobe, we don’t have Ikea in NZ yet but I’ve heard that they are on their way. Yay! I was lusting after a beautiful blue Ikea wardrobe in a 2ndhand shop recently, pulling the drawer out, opening the doors etc. And then doing it again just to make sure. On a safety note, is there any way of securing the back of wardrobe to the wall to remove the risk of it tipping? They can be quite a hazard to children who naturally enough sometimes like to climb up/into them. Sorry to be a killjoy. 🙁
I’ve had this wardrobe for a little over two years and it’s the only Ikea product I’ve kept for that long and continously loved. It’s just the perfect size and funcions wonderfully.
Although, I didn’t install the black bars on top because I wanted it to look a little older and fit in with my “french chic” theme a little more.
But it really does last well. ENjoy!
xo
You were feeling brave going to Ikea with two small children!
Love the wardrobe, it’s going to look wonderful once you dress it up.
Gorgeous wardrobe… I love how versatile it is!
I love Ikea too, you can get great things for a great price. That wardrobe is fabulous! Nice to hear you got out and did some things, have fun playing with the wardrobe.
Ikea makes me always happy!! I hope you enjoy your new wardrobe!!
We’ve had the same wardrobe for Mark for about a year – the cubbies are just perfect for kids clothes.
Our peg holds the next morning’s clothes – theoretically at least preventing any first-thing-in-the-morning scramble. Enjoy yours!
That’s so funny Claire, I was in Ikea on the weekend and saw some lovely new red cabinets with glass doors with flower patterns and was thinking of how you bought similiar ones to store all your crafting gear and fabric!
ACK!!! The books!!! Thank you so much for posting these!!! Not like I need any more kids space design books but actually, I think I NEED these!
Oh I love Ikea! What a great addition to the nursery, hopefully it will help inspire you to get things going towards the finished point again. Right now, it seems like your hands are full, just keep at it and it will happen.
I am insanely jelous of you aussies and your ikea! I spent a morning there about 6 months ago but unforunately our luggage allowance back to nz would no way stretch to flat pack funiture! I picked up a couple of great (small) homeware items though.Glad to hear your sleeping situation is slowly becoming resolved.
I love those books! A question for you: How do you navigate Amazon JP–is there an English option?
i love your new IKEA wardrobe…it’s funny you mentioned those kids books. my daughter just pulled my stockholm book off the shelf this morning. they are oozing with inspiration!
Wow, what a happy post! Energised, creative and excited. Sounds like you have your groove back after getting some sleep…isn’t it incredible how such a simple thing can make such a difference to your life…may it continue!
Oh, I should have mentioned that Yvonne has a great tutorial for ordering from Amazon Japan on her site http://www.yvestown.com/blog/amazonjp.html which will help anyone who wants to order these books!
oh that is glorious!
🙂
Lovely! We already had built-ins but bought the ‘Hemnes’ drawers for our littlie’s room. Had it for two years, no problems, looks as good as new.
An aside about Ikea in Melb: I can never get my daughter to walk away from that slide in the kids department without a drama. Never!
Those books were way too tempting…I love Judith Wilson’s book and is it possible…these look even better? So I think I ordered them. I think. Amazon Japan is definitely a new experience for this seasoned internet shopper. The “Iron Chef” of net shopping challenges!
Thanks for passing along the ikeahacker link!
i love it. too bad our rental house has copiuous and not so charming built in robes.
your sleep stories came to me at a much needed time-my one month old has some weird habits, but at one month i guess it’s allowed!
anyway, this is all in lower case because the other arm is full of baby. during the day isaac
will not sleep unless on my person. a bad habit in the works??? he’s cool with the cot at night. he’s a funny little bean. hope lily is moving into a good run. love your site/s-so great for a new mum and crafty pat. inspiring. my discovery: yes you CAN knit with baby on you!
I live in Sweden (the home of IKEA). We have this exact wardrobe in our hallway – and it is just as great as it looks. Good buy!