I think we all know I am a big fan of Ikea. There is no denying it’s place in the world of interiors. The brand epitomises the phrase ‘form follows function’ ensuring that everything they produce is both beautiful and functional, not to mention easy on your bank account. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when the furniture giant recently asked me to share some of my favourite Ikea pieces – the ones I #CantPartWith.
Whilst I’m a big advocate for Ikea, I’m certainly not out to make my home look like the store showroom. Not that there’s anything wrong with an Ikea showroom, on the contrary – it’s a place of immense inspiration for many of us, but for me personally, the magic formula relies on mixing things up so that your home becomes a unique reflection of you and your family, rather than a carbon copy of any store catalogue. I recently published a feature on what I call Ikea spotting, which perfectly summarises my theory on this.
For now, let’s do some Ikea spotting in my home.
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Yes, we actually call it that because the headcount in here can fluctuate like a train station. If anyone has the magic formula for making kids stay in their own beds, please share. Like most of the rooms in our house, this one is undergoing changes. Most notably a shift from dark to white or light wood. I can’t seem to get enough lightness and brightness these days. Two things I love in here; the MALM chest of drawers that hides an assortment of the hubby’s ‘stuff’ that would otherwise be left out on display (no, thank you), and the NIPPRIG woven light shade that I’m sorry (but not so sorry) to say was a limited edition that is no longer available.
THE MAKINGS OF A BIG GIRL ROOM
A complete makeover of this room has been on the cards for some time. But, as is often the case when you turn your passion into your job, your own projects take a backseat whilst you focus on delivering work for your clients. It seems to have taken forever, but we are finally getting somewhere.
This space is still a work-in-progress, but it’s already taken on a whole new vibe. There were mixed emotions (not just from me, I might add) when she upgraded from a toddler bed to something far more ‘grown-up’, but we couldn’t part with that little Ikea KOPPANG chest of drawers. Call me sentimental, but it used to keep her baby clothes and I’m just not ready to let go! The HEMNES bookshelf has also managed to survive the makeover.
MOMOCHROME MAGIC
My son’s room got a fresh new look towards the end of summer 2015 and he adores his new space. A big feature in this makeover was the Ikea PS cabinet, which is known in our house as his ‘safe’ because the doors have keys (a very grown-up accessory) that keep his treasures locked away from the prying hands of his little sister. I am pretty certain it will adorn his bedside well into his teens! And with that in mind, I’m having a copy of that key made, as we speak. For now, his world is still filled with superheroes and dinosaurs that are comfortably housed in a KALLAX shelving unit which has also stood the test of time.
GUESTS GALORE
Living in Dubai, one thing is for sure: guests will come! Usually all crammed into the fleeting winter months, with the exception of my mum who’ll endure scorching temperatures to spend time with the smalls. Bless her. And thank heavens for all the visitors. It’s brilliant having family and friends stay, especially when they arrive with treats from home. The least we can do is offer a welcoming space. So I’ve tried to keep this one as neutral as possible – it needs to work for grandparents, young families and singles.
Say hello to another HEMNES classic – the bedside table. I pimped these tables with a some intricate gold knobs, instead of the regular black ones, with a rather lovely result, if I must say so myself.
Images by Natelee Cocks Photography
AND NOW FOR A GIVEAWAY
If you follow me on Instagram, you may know that I just gave away an Ikea gift voucher worth AED 2000 over there. And let’s just say that love is in the air this month because I have another AED 2000 gift voucher up for grabs right here on the blog!
Entering this giveaway is very easy:
Take a look at IKEA UAE’s website and let us know in the comments section below what you would buy if you won the credit. It’s not a requirement to enter, but I would love it if you subscribed to my blog, using the ‘subscribe by email’ function under my profile in the sidebar 🙂
Giveaway Rules: Open to UAE residents. Entrants must register their email address when using the comment section. Giveaway ends on 28 February 2016. Winner will be randomly selected and informed via email.
A big thanks to IKEA UAE for sponsoring these giveaways.
61 Comments
[…] spending a morning with Kathryn in their beautiful home photographing their personal space for an IKEA GIVEAWAY she recently […]
It has just been ended right? 🙁
Hello Aubrey – yes it has. Thank you so much for participating.
Kath
I love shopping at lovely IKEA so much specially kids room I wish to win for my baby
Instgram name – dinahassan86
I feel like Leonardo Di caprio waiting since ages to wait for my first ever win with u:( Give me my Oscar Kathryn. Want to discard my 15 years old sofa and buy a new one. Have fallen in love with Ikeas HEMNES day bed. Following u on Instagram as uaemypride
Hi Nazia, LOL! I love the Leonardo comment 😉 Our winner was selected yesterday – see the announcement post on the blog. Thank you so much for entering. Maybe next time lucky? Regards, kath
Thank you for this opportunity house of hawk and thank you ikea for the giveaway! Appreciate your generosity ?
What will be buy from ikea? : After more than 2 years of marriage and sharing our home with parents , we finally have our own space. We will buy kitchen utensils and other basic things necessary to begin our new life together ! We sure are excited ! ?
Sorry for the typo errors : house of hawkes *
And what will we buy from ikea?: *
Yeah. So again, as I’ve read your blog, It feels.like refreshing. 🙂 The colors in the picture are just pretty nice!
And your giveaway, it’s awesome. 😉 I already commented here, but I like to put some more thing I would buy. 😀
So besides the cooking materials, I would love to buy my parents a new bed sheets and a throw pillow. ☺ Just because, we love to cuddle together! And with the new sheets, we may stay longer in bed! ??
Insta: @Dreamhighmusic.v
Twitter: @Dreamhighmusicv
Email: Rabinomoody45@gmail.com
? That’s it, for now.
looooove your blog.. Btw my sisters also a blogger, will introduce yours to her.
I would love to make a total make over of our bedroom so definitely i would be buying bedroom “things” if “luck” knocks on my door.
Hi Kim, thanks for your entry. Would love to see your sister’s blog too.
Hey!! thanks for the gr8 opportunity If i win this I would love to get a new Poang Rocking Chair for my granny as she spend most of her time in her room with the memories of my grandpaa. In any case even if i don’t win I will get it.
Thanks and Love
I would to love buy a new NORSBORG couch or a STRANDMON armchair to complete my living room. 🙂
Love your blog and share the same interest for being creative and craft when it comes to decorate homes. We had an ugly hole drilled into our living room wall to mount our LCD but the hole just got to big for the nail leaving our wall looking ugly so a quick fix for me was to put a beautiful wall deck and come it up and it looks more beautiful now? For the giveaway part I would be so thankful if I win that will help ease my sore backache as we cosleep with our baby on a smaller bed and we are currently looking to buy a larger bed. I visited and browsed the ikea link that you provided and we just love the light brown Hurdal bed 180*200. It looks so perfect just looking at its image on the ikea catalogue makes me want to crash to bed and sleep stretched out comfortably. ??Keeping my fingers and toes crossed to really win this bed ☺️
Big Big wish to win.. following in instagram @nafilabdullah
If I was to win the gift voucher i would buy a lot of things for my new home but to give myself the biggest start to organise things around I would most probabaly buy wardrobe fixtures for me and my husband to organise ourselves and make things easy around us.
Lightness and brightness is what I need and you got that in my head Kath! When I moved to Dubai, there were huge burgundy built in closets in my apartment. And I decorated and painted my room in dark grungy colors. Which was very well then. But now I need that lightness and brightness which you talk about. When I move from my 2 to a 3 bedroom apartment next month, I’d love to buy white zen furniture from Ikea and throw a grey heavy knit blanket on top….I am so inspired XX
Hey!!! I am back to dubai after an year as i lost my job last year and busy settling my new home. I am gr8 book lover and reading is my passion , if i get lucky i wud love to get a book rack which can accomodate maximum books of mine as ikea products are number one in consuming less space.
Ikea stores are not only convinent but also easy to assemble. I get really thrilled and excited to assemble Ikea furniture. 9 years back I was single and i designed my room with Ikea furniture. Now my daughter is turning 5 and would love to design her room with Ikea. I always wanted a room as a kid and I know my daughter would need one for her. I could not have that room for my self but at least I can help to make my daughter’s room.
Wow thanks for such a great opportunity!! If i won shopping at IKEA would be like a dream come true… IKEA is a.one stop shop to make our house A HOME SWEET HOME…I would biy a lot of things from necessity things to accessories….I have no words for IKEAS amazing range of products and also win over on quality!! I wish myself all the luck!!?
Shopping in IKEA is like going to Disney land where happiness just never stops…….the variety, the creativity and the beautiful concepts in their designs and home accessories cannot be found anywhere else. And the best part is it is affordable. Even though there are many things in IKEA which I have fallen in love with I am completely smitten by the 3 seater HEMNES bed cum sofa. It’s high time i part with my 15 year old sofa and bring this beauty home. Would love to win this to make my home beautiful before my parents first ever visit to UAE. feeling excited.
Subscribed as zarina_yunus@hotmail.com,waiting for the mail to activate my subscribing.
If i won then definitely will buy new bed from ikea that i have seen recently and bring more positive energy and love on bed as my old bed which looks too boring and simple.
Following and subscribed as zarina yunus.
Hey, hi!
I just read your blog, and it’s refreshing.
Oh yes, I would love to buy at Ikea with the voucher, if ever I won.
And the thing I would buy, is for cooking materials, because my family loves to cook! And it’s just our bonding.
Oh please, I want to win this for my family. I would really be thankful!
-Best regards. Have a nice day!-
I love ikea and would love to set up my home with many things which I am still longing but foremost important for me now is to have bunk bed n wardrobe for my daughters rooms as planning to set up her own room in coming months as family is increasing ? .. This will be great kickstart as rest of furniture n decoration will fall at place.. Thank you
Hi Kathryn! Today i am looking for IKEA catalog with my twins ,so they ask me to buy a new bed .My daughter like it pink and my son is blue,my favorite is white .Because we already have Stuva storage combination white color in case we win will go for white Sundvik bed ,Stickat quilt cover pillowcase pink and blue color.2 Grusblad quilt warmer,2 Malfors foam mattress .We like to much our choice and IKEA!
Hi,
i love your blog and design style very minimalist and clean and simple colors. If i won i would invest in a bed for my twins room. they are just about to grow out of there cribs sooooo need to train them to sleep in there own bed.
Id honestly buy whatever Id see and fall in love with, I absolutely love ikea!! ? Id love to buy the “brickan” which is part of the bathroom storage 🙂
I love Ikea. I like to have himmene (three-seat sofa bed).
Hi Kath..
As like you, me and my husband are diehard fans of IKEA. If you are interested to visit our small flat, you will understand it. Because in our flat 70% are IKEA products. Photos of some of it was posted in my Instagram account for the competition #cantpartwith. The list starts Dining table, TV stand, wardrobe, baby sitter etc.. But my favorite is a shelf, you mentioned it as KALLAX shelving unit. In it lots daily use accessories of us. ie; my makeup items, some books, our baby’s medicines,also baby’s cream,lotion, powder,diapers, wet wipes etc. And my baby, now he is 9month old. Last month he started to sit independently. Thanks goes to IKEA baby sitter. Because from the 7th month, we forced him to sit inside the baby sitter. Now feeling proud as a mother when he sit independently even on floor.
If I get a chance to win , I would like to buy a bed with storage from IKEA. As I told you earlier, now we have small flat. In this limited space, that bed will help to store some more items. Wish to be lucky. Thank you…
My mail ID – sandhyaasok90@gmail.com
i would buy BESTÅ Storage combination w glass doors
if i win the credit need this badly for my kitchen
If I get lucky I would like to buy new sofa ?????
Instgram name leena.amasry
Already subscribe to – and love – your blog! ❤❤❤❤
Hope to win dear?
I would love to win this voucher!! I have been eyeing up my favourite dining table in Ikea for so long that it feels i will never see it in our kitchen!! Ha…
My dream kitchen would be all white and maybe some splashes of grey! I constantly walk around ikea taking snaps of items that will be in my wish list!
Maybe it would be easier to move into ikea ?
Love going through your blog, and I love your style its so soothing and calming. IKEA is always a place for inspiration, I go with particular shopping list and end of with whole other bunch of stuff outside the list :)!
I’ve been planning to get the Hemnes Day Bed, wanted to get it for my little girl for awhile, then winning this voucher would be perfect!!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway..
safiyaaj (at)gmail(dot)com
I came to Dubai in October to develop my career in hospitality, by working for a hotel accommodation is provided by the company. My fist visit on my day of arrival was Ikea to get a cozy blanket, a pilow and some picture frames so I could remember my loved ones. If I could I win the voucher I would prepare my room with the practical Hemnes White Bed Frame, HAFSLO with delicious sprung mattress beige, covered by the vibrant colors of the MOSSFLOX quilt , a touch of lila with LABORG rug (133x195cm lilac) and the comfy of TEJN (just like the one in kaitlyn’s room). Not to forget ! A LINDVED side table that perfectly matches with the KNUBBIG table lamp. There you have my dream bedroom on your minds, just in IKEA under AED 2,000! 🙂
Great ideas in blog and your insta account – thanks! My little one – 2nd daughter is nicknamed ‘second hand rows’ – her room is fairly mish-mash and it would be lovely to even out the ‘unmatching’ pieces of furniture and make her day ?
Great give away!! I would love a new sofa…my old IKEA Ektorp is literally on its last legs ( I bought it almost 10 years ago now!!!) and I really need a new one..I would buy The new Stocksund sofa in Ljungen Grey !!!!!
I would dearly LOVE to win the voucher !!!
Hi Kathryn!
While i am moving to a bigger and brand new flat in the next few weeks i have already a rater long wish list in Ikea. It includes 2 pcs of BESTA Storage combination with drawers (white, Selsviken high-gloss/white), this will be perfect to display numerous framed pictures and a statement lamp within a white room with touches of grey for a Scandinavian look. NB I don’t mind sharing pictures if i win!!!
Keep inspiring me with your beautiful blog and IG posts!
Lord please bless me with a new sofa!!! My toddler preferred gnawing on the corners of my sofa while teething rather then Sofi the giraffe. A new rug for our living room would be awesome too… Oh wait, and new table linen and and and and and did. ..
I would love to buy a new double bed (at least queen size) so that my girlfriend has enough space to stay on her side and refrain from slapping me in the face in her sleep. A good night’s sleep is all I ask for. That would be amazing. Thank you!
If I’d be given the chance to win this awesome giveaway, I would definitely buy the corner bed-sofa (Friheten) that I’ve been wanting to purchase for my little abode. My home isn’t big enough, and that lovely sofa is just the perfect piece that can transform my house into a small yet cozy home.
A quick trip to ikea last week to buy some cupboards…..but then I saw chairs,cushions, shelves, new covers for kitchen chairs the list goes on. Now I have my new fab chairs but my old old sofa desperately needs an upgrade. I would put my winnings towards a new Stockholm sofa. Badly needed.
It would be nice to get a voucher so I could buy the HEMNES day bed with two mattresses. I’m so excited already!
Also, I have to say I just love your blog. Thank you for the inspiration!
I posted in instagram as bebolion and took part of this contest. Been following you before. Hope I’ll get luck with you. Need some addition in our house. Subscribed to you as noorevelation@gmail.com.
I’m too excited. Lou Harvey just forwarded this to be. Just moved to Dubai from SA. Would love to meet you
Hi Gin! Yes, we need to make a plan to meet. Lou tells me I need to brace myself… 😉 xxx
Would definitely use the voucher for some outdoor dining furniture (love the Angso, Falster and Vindalso ranges so the only problem would be choosing!). Currently don’t have any outdoor furniture and want to be able to make the most of the outdoors and eat outside while we can – keep staring wistfully out of the window (have tried picnics on the ground but it’s not so comfortable…).
Already subscribe to – and love – your blog!
What would I buy from Ikea ?!? Do I really only have to pick one item – because that is just impossible. Where do I start I need a full house redo!
So what would I buy – everything – I need new sheets, new bed, new bed frame, new coffee table, misc kitchen items new sofa etc etc — after moving in with my partner I am still slowly trying to convert his bachelor black themed, double bed, falling apart sofa place to something that is more comfy for both of us – I need help !!!
Absolutely love your style and blog Kath – constant inspiration!! Honestly if I won I think I would just take a pic of one of your rooms and say that please !! ?
ha ha! Thanks Claire xx
POÄNG (Rocking-chair, beech veneer, Glose Robust eggshell)
KOLDBY (Cow hide, brown)
SATSUMAS (Plant stand, bamboo, white)
FEJKA (Artificial potted plant, Orchid white)
DREAM WARDROBE ?
STARTS WITH YOU ?
♥IKEA ♥ my email id :- arshivakil@gmail.com
How Heavenly it would be for a College + working Girl to Have my Dresses arranged in the right order in the wardrobe , with appropriate cabinets to keep my usual accessories aside and The Basic things, which i use daily without mixing up all as a whole. ? This Could Save my time as well as the Stress which i uphold while searching things in my FRAGILE cupboard. I would Love to Win This Credit and Spend it to buy This Wardrobe and Make my every day Very Precious with a good start with IKEA FURNITURE.
Hope my silly problem could be solved by IKEA.
“IKEA IS A TREASURE WE BUY IT TO MAKE OUR FUTURE”♥♥
Instagram id :- Arshii_emaratiyah
Twitter :- Arshi Vakil
I would buy a malm bed and side tables for my teenage sons room. He is 17 and always had hand me down furniture.
We recently bought him the malm desk for study purposes so we need to complete the entire look.
I often walk through ikea and make a mental list in my head of all the things I would buy … If I could!! Their prices are so reasonable but because I want alllll the things I could get the credit card in trouble! We have a 1yr old in the house and I would love some storage for all his toys and books! Also would love some new ceiling lights as that can make a room look so fun! Love the new Alang and Boja lamps!!
Your home looks lovely Kathryn!! Thanks for the decor inspiration
My little boy needs new bedroom furniture – he needs to chamge feom baby to toddler functionality!
Having moved into a UAE home only a few months back, I am desperate need of some stylish lighting… Something we still haven’t fitted in our home. Soan IKEA voucher would go along way to “sprucing” up the ceiling and adding a little character ?
Kathryn,
I love your blog and can always find inspiration from your design ideas. I like how simple yet light and elegant your interior design is!
If I had AED 2000 to spend at IKEA, I would buy a new sofa. My current sofa I inherited several year’s ago and is an off-white color that is very difficult to keep clean with 2 messy kids :). It’s also challenging when I need to remove the cover to clean it and have to sew it closed in certain places just to keep the covers on.
I love the Norsburg sofa in dark grey! It would match perfectly with my grey curtains in my living room, and it looks easy to keep clean and remove the covers. I also like that it’s slightly raised off the floor (my current sofa is not), so it’s easy to find things that roll or slide under the sofa.
So…please pick me! 🙂
I would buy a new bedroom set for our master’s bedroom.
Or a Sofa bed for our living room, our old one piece couch from Ikea also need to change, it’s 6 years now. I hope to win, sofa bed can be use if we have visitors, it was our long time plan to have one.
If I get lucky I would like to buy this three seat sofa bed HOLMSUND ??
Have been in love with your wonderful blog and Instagram page since long back. A loyal follower I never miss any contests but Lady Luck has never knocked on up my door as yet. Would love to win this amazing and awesome prize thst would finally allow me to get rid of my 15 year old couch and buy a new one.