A Living Room Transformation for the Books!

When I typed "Be in love with my apartment" as one of my goals for 2014, I had no idea what exactly that meant. I knew that my apartment had potential, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect a transformation like this one. With one trip to IKEA and a little TLC, my living room has become a Pinterest-worthy space fit for a queen! Believe me, this transformation is one for the books!

Here I am with my IKEA goodies, after our shopping trip in February.

The following Monday, my Dad and Brother made their way to Boone to put together all of my new furniture. While I was at work, they assembled absolutely everything. It's safe to say that I didn't even recognize my own apartment, when I came home that day!

BEFORE:
Keep in mind that when I first moved in, just over a year ago, I was in a hurry. I had just moved back to Boone for a new job, and though apartment decor was on my mind, I wasn't looking invest a lot of time/money in new furniture.

It was super plain and sadly, super "college."

AFTER: 
Love at first sight!

Now that I've seen what a little re-decorating can do, I'm ready to re-do the entire apartment!

Item Guide:
Couch: IKEA
Love Seat: IKEA
Wall Canvas: IKEA
Curtains: IKEA
Clear Acrylic Chair: IKEA (May only be in store)
White Table: (Old) Walmart
Coffee Table: Target
Quatrefoil Rug: Target
Pillows: (Old) Target
Quatrefoil Pillows: (Old) TJ Maxx
Floral Lamp: (Old) Target
Acrylic Lamp: Gift
Sex and the City Poster: Gift

My Next Project: My Bedroom

After seeing the fabulousness that is my living room, I've already started working on re-decorating my bedroom! I can't wait for you to see the finished product!

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An IKEA Shopping Review!

Last Saturday, my family and I ventured to IKEA in Charlotte for the very first time. Though I didn't know exactly what to expect, I did enough research ahead of time to at least have an idea. Since we were driving a while to get there, we wanted to make sure we had the best experience, and got the furniture I was looking for. That's exactly what we did!

I read all sorts of tips & FAQ's for shopping at IKEA before hitting the road, so hopefully this review of my experience will be beneficial to someone in the same boat! Of course I'll be featuring some of my fab purchases as well!

To our surprise, we arrived at IKEA on Saturday morning right as they were evacuating the building for a fire drill! (Only us right!) This gave us time to decide on a game plan before starting to shop.

When it was time to go inside, we could either go straight to the warehouse area to pick out and purchase our items, or walk through the many IKEA showrooms. Since this was our first time in the store, we chose to walk through and see all the products in action. During my next visit (because I'll definitely be going back,) I'll probably head straight to the self-service furniture area to save time and avoid the crowds.

As we made your way through each room, we were able to look at items for each room of a home. There are separate sections for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and office items, as well as a multitude of others.

Walking through the showrooms gave me the opportunity to see the items that I'd looked at online, and stumble upon some new ones along the way. In order to keep track of items that I hadn't originally picked out, my Dad took notes using the IKEA provided pencil and shopping sheets. These are helpful, especially when an item's tag shows the aisle and bin where you can later pick it up. 

This fabric belongs to a pair of curtains that caught my eye while shopping.

 

After checking out the tag, it let us know the measurements, price and exactly where to find the item later on in the store. 

The tag system worked the same way for this acrylic desk chair. This piece wasn't featured on the IKEA website, but as soon as I saw it, I knew it was what I was looking for! We were able to write down the tag information and pick it up in the self-service furniture area just before checking out.

By sticking to the main path and following the blue arrows (thank goodness for those,) we eventually ended up at the end, where you can either make a pit stop at the IKEA restaurant, or go downstairs to the self-service furniture/checkout area.

Though I didn't try the IKEA cafe this time, I've heard it's definitely worth giving it a try! After two hours of shopping and scooping up our small items, it was time to find the couch and loveseat. These came in two large boxes, and each had to have a cart of their own. We each ended up pushing a metal pallet to get everything to the car.

Here's my Mom with the chair, curtains, wall mural and couch covers!

My Dad was in charge of pushing the couch, while I had the loveseat.

So happy to be in line and finally buying my finds!

Once we got outside, IKEA made it super easy to get everything to the car. They also had friendly staff outside to help load our purchases with ease.

Carts 1, 2, & 3!

Shopping at IKEA was fun, but two hours later, we were tired and starving!

We then headed to Gary's BBQ in China Grove for a great lunch and old-fashioned ice cream!

We went home that day feeling accomplished, and so excited for the update to my living room! Thanks again to my amazing family for going on this little adventure with me! I couldn't have done it without you.

If you're looking for inexpensive furniture that looks great, IKEA is definitely a must-see! Now that I've seen firsthand how it can transform a plain space, I know I'll be back!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see the before/after pictures of my living room. You won't believe your eyes, or at least I couldn't!

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Prepping for IKEA!

In my Let's Go 2014 post, one of my goals for the year was to be in love with my apartment. This weekend, I'm taking a big step in that direction! Bright and early this morning, my Mom, Dad and I are going furniture shopping at IKEA!

This will be my first time ever being in an IKEA store, so to say that I'm excited is an understatement!

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This past fall, I saw a couch that I absolutely loved. It was all white gorgeousness, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head! After finding out it was from IKEA, I added it to my must-have list. I've been saving up ever since and waiting for the perfect time to make a purchase. This weekend is it! 

Wondering what's on my shopping list?

The Extorp sofa in Bleking White

The Extorp loveseat also in Bleking White

The Premiar wall photo of the Flatiron Building in NYC

Details: Sofa//Loveseat//Wall Mural

These three items are the ones that I'm the most set on! If they have them in stock in the store today, and look just as great in person, they'll  hopefully be going home with me. There are also a few items that I'd like to look at, but am still unsure about.

The Aina curtains in pink, as well as a few lamps and decor items fall into that category.

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How am I preparing for this shopping trip?

After some advice from two great bloggers, I'm feeling more ready than ever. Thanks Emily & Allison for the great IKEA tips!

In order to have the best IKEA experience, I've made a list of items that I'm on the lookout for, though if I find something that I absolutely love, I'd be totally open to it!

Since there are three of us going, and not everyone is a diehard shopper (Daddy, cough cough,) I've tried to prepare as best I can, by explaining exactly what we're going into. We'll also be wearing comfy clothes/shoes, and eating breakfast before we go in. Let's pray we're out of there by lunch…seriously though! 

I've heard wonderful things about IKEA, but I also want to be realistic about what I'm buying, and not go crazy out of my budget. Be sure to follow along, so you can be a part of all the fun!

Have any tried and true IKEA tips to share? I'd love to hear them!

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My 2013 Christmas List!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, Everyone!

What better time to post my Christmas list for this year?! Of course, this list simply serves as a guide, but receiving any of these items would just make my day! You can definitely tell I’m getting older by the types of items I’ve asked for this year! Hello, frying pans and furniture!

The IKEA EKTORP Sofa in white

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I had planned on buying this couch for myself in August, but invested in a new MacBook Pro for grad school instead. I'd love to pair it with pink and gold accent pillows!

The IKEA Premiar Flatiron Building Picture

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I am absolutely in love with this mural! It features the Flatiron building near Madison Square Park in Manhattan, just a few blocks from where I stayed at the Appalachian Loft! At 6.5x4.5 feet, this would be an amazing statement piece in my living room!

Target 7x10 Maples Fretwork Area Rug in charcoal gray

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This would go perfectly with the couch and mural that I’ve already picked out. Plus with such a great price, I couldn’t resist!

White Pinch Pleat Bedding

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I was on a roll with the other home products, so I figured why not? If I get this new bedding, I plan on taking the pink lattice duvet that I’m using in my apartment to my bed at home. This would also compliment the couch, rug and mural that I've asked for on my list! I found a duvet in a size full on Ebay, but similar styles are sold at Target and Overstock.com.

Teen Vogue Polka Dot White Party Skirt

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This is extreme wishful thinking on my part, but a girl can't help but dream! I’ve loved this polka dot Party Skirt ever since its release in early December! It's sold out now online, but you just never know!

For a more affordable skirt option, look no further than this Space46Boutique Wendy Tulle Skirt

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I am obsessed with this skirt, and would love to have it in black, white, or BOTH!

Though presents and wish lists are fun, Christmas is truly about giving, and spending time with family and friends, which I plan to do tons of during these next couple days! This morning, I'm off to the mall to finish some last minute Christmas shopping!

What are you asking for this year?!

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