

The blogs are a buzz with sharing and chatting about the new IKEA PS collection for 2009. It’s funny to read all the opinions out there, some love IKEA, some discredit it as being for the college crowd only, and others don’t seem to have a set opinion — me, well I really love some of this stuff. I I mean look at their latest additions, what’s not to love?
I’d use the coffee table as a bench for displaying books and art in my office, the stool would be great for stacking towels in the bathroom, and the light would be gorgeous suspended over a circular wood table surrounded by these great chairs also shown above. The vase I’d use for a patio space, several in a row would look nice on a bench. You can even have some fun with this stuff and paint it, the stool would be cute if you decoupaged the top and painted each of the legs in a fun color, for instance. I can see that chair in black leaving the white part white with a black/white patterned cushion on the seat. Fun!
To me at least, IKEA is not just for the college crowd or for people who are broke or in need of some temporary furniture. Sure, some items aren’t made too well just like the stuff you’ll find at Target and other big box stores, but overall I’m very happy with the things I’ve purchased there throughout the years (I shopped IKEA before they came to the east coast, carting stuff over by place from England).
Truth is, I’ve purchased things from designer wares on down to thrift store finds, spending $500 on a single lamp to $20 for a flea market find and in the end I don’t always see price as a sign of quality or craftsmanship. Sad, but true.
What do you think about shopping IKEA and particularly, about this new collection?
(images from IKEA)

I picked up a copy of Better Homes & Gardens special Summer issue “Do It Yourself” over the weekend and was so excited to run into two lovely bloggers there. Victoria from SF Girl By Bay and the cute little couple, Sherry and John, from This Young House. Here’s a peek to whet your appetite for more…
Sherry & John
Victoria shown above in cute clothes (what else would you expect?) blogging away. Psst: You can catch a great interview with this lovely lady over at Shiny Squirrel today with some pretty photos since she’s changed her apartment a bit since BH&G took the photos found in this issue..
Victoria’s uber chic space. This is so exciting, go bloggers, go! If you live in the U.S. make sure you pick up a copy to support these lovely members of our blog community.
P.S. Sorry my photos are a little fuzzy, the lighting in here today is horrid. I did my best. ;)
(images: holly becker for decor8)

I talked about this lady in ‘07 but I couldn’t resist posting about her again after viewing the coolest project she’d posted on Flickr recently. Adriana Bezerra, or Drika.b as her fans know her, is a handbag designer in San Francisco by way of Brazil with the most delicious handbags with her signature jute trim. Check out the little photos of her bags that she so carefully placed on a linen board as a reminder of all the bags she’s designed since launching her collection back in late ‘06. Don’t you just love this idea? I’m swooning here…
I’m a proud owner of a Drika.b bag and whenever I wear it out I always receive a ton of flattering comments about the size and shape of it — people really seem to love (and want) it where ever I go. I almost want to keep a supply in the trunk of my car and be her east coast rep or something, it’s a riot!
Don’t you really love this display board idea though? And her perfectly neat play space? Inspiring…
(images: Adriana Bezerra)

Hello friends! Thank you so much for spending this week with me, as always I’m honored to be in your company and to share my inspirations and in return, your comments and emails inspire me. It’s a great circle we’re a part of, thank you for being so loyal, supportive and well… thanks for being my friends! On the little faux bois vase in my office I’ve tied a tag that says Thank You. I’m so cheesy! But I really mean it!
This weekend we have a nice day off to extend our pleasure as Monday is a holiday (memorial day) so I’ll be back here blogging on Tuesday, May 26th. Until then, I wish you a lovely three days off with your friends and family and I hope that you get some nice weather in your part of the world.
See you on Tuesday, friends!
(image: holly becker for decor8)






























