Category: Apartment Living

Me TOO!! (Blu Dot for Target)

How have I not heard a lot of internet buzz or hubbub about the Blu Dot collaboration with Target, “TOO,” that came out online a few months ago? I am in love with some of these pieces! Given how beloved Blu Dot is is with the interior design crowd (especially the Strut table and the Real Good Chair) I would have thought this would’ve come across my radar by now.

I happened across the line while searching for dining chairs on Target.com… which is the kind of thing I do regardless of whether I have the money to buy them or not… what can I say? Online window shopping is definitely a hobby of mine.

Truthfully, I have been socking away some money for a big furniture purchase in the near future, the problem is that I’m mega torn between so many priorities. Bed & headboard versus new couch, versus media/entertainment unit… etc. The wish list goes on, unfortunately.

Naturally, after living here for almost 4 months (has it been that long already?) I’m thinking it’s time for a big fat shakeup of the furniture around the apartment. The first step might be the addition of a new (old) glass and chrome dining table from my parents’ garage… the possibility of this which means I will be in the market for new dining chairs. The wood dining table we got for free from my aunt is simply too cramped. It is a 4′ circle but only holds four chairs due to the leg placement. I think I would like something that can fit four comfortably and six in a pinch.

Anyway, along with a new (old) table would have to be new chairs. I love the look of these and think they would look awesome with the glass/chrome table… but I hesitate because I don’t want things to be “too modern.” Perhaps for someone who was more willing to commit to the totally modern look. I prefer the chartreuse ones (still such an “in” color!) but Doug leans toward the practical gray version.

TOO Blu Dot for Target

My second favorite selection from the TOO line is this funky media unit. According to the reviews, it comes with this fun yellow door, or a grey-brown alternate. Additionally, the reviews note that this is a great little piece of furniture–IF the package is treated with care during shipping. :/

TOO Blu Dot for Target

I’ve had media units on the brain for the past, um, four years and have yet to commit to one. The cheap ones are too generic and the ones I really like are out of my price range. The hunt continiues…

Below are some more favorites from the TOO line.

TOO Blu Dot for Target

1. Take A Seat pillow – love the blunt welcoming statement.
2. “Time” lounge chair – an awesome contrasting statement piece to pair with a solid colored sofa.
3. Daisy accent table – the wood and red combo would look good next to a sofa, as a bedside table, or as a plant stand… really this table could be used for anything!

Unfortunately the line is all online-only which bums me out because I like to see stuff in person before I buy. Still, I think a lot of this has some awesome potential for someone looking to inject some modern, punchy pieces into their living space for a fraction of the price!

Go ahead, check out the whole collection. What do you think?

2-Second Tip: Outdoor Rugs

Outdoor rugs are made of plastic for a reason: And that reason is MOLD.

Do not use a natural fiber rug outdoors.

This is what three days’ worth of rain quickly made of this natural fiber rug (World Market, 2006).

Do yourself a favor and if you’re going to decorate a patio, either paint a design straight on the concrete or purchase an outdoor rug. If you do so, you may spare yourself the loss of an old rug friend.

Faking a Sofa Table

Sometimes you have awkwardly large items you need to store, and no place to do so. In our case, two large speakers and two bar stools. Where to put them? One option is to get rid of them, but I really, really love these bar-height stools and look forward to using them in a future home, once we’ve moved on from our current apartment. The speakers will be cool when hooked up to a turntable someday (unfortunately, the turntable we have does not have any output capabilities except the speakers in its unit) so we’re holding on to those for the future as well.

That said, when you’re dealing with just over 800 square feet, every space must be maximized to its full potential. There is no spare bedroom, basement, or garage to hoard items in–which is quite the learning curve for my since the last place we lived had all three of those hoarding storage solutions.

I really (really, really, really) like the console table that John built to go behind the Petersik’s sofa in the living room over on Young House Love. It has a ton of hidden storage and adds a lot of dimension to the room. I thought perhaps I could take a clue from that and come up with some kind of storage/hiding place solution in our apartment! All it took was a little brainstorming and one pre-finished shelf board at Home Depot.

I love the look that a sofa table adds to a room. It gives the space much more dimension than just having the couch shoved up against the wall and in the corner.

The finished product:

The untrained eye would never guess what is going on behind the couch! It is a fantastic place to keep some of my more attractive (and more frequently thumbed-through) design books, a few pretty tchotchkes, and a much-needed lamp. It also provides an alternative place to put snacks and drinks while watching TV, since the coffee table is simply too dog-accessible.

And a peek behind the curtain:

The cloth runner (from Target) is up there for two reasons: a) it looks pretty, and b) the shelf board is a little shorter than I like so this hides that awkward fact pretty well.

If I ever get around to it, another shelf board slid on to the lower bar stool rungs will be a great addition for a little bit more concealed storage.

And a bonus shot, with a little explanation:

I realize I never showed the world the back of the couch cushions! When we purchased the gray microsuede for our upholstery, it was a remnant and about a yard short of the needed amount to cover all the cushions. We went ahead and selected an inexpensive contrasting canvas printed with french postmark stamps (I think?) to make up the difference. So far we have been able to arrange the furniture so that it remains hidden.

Now you know our (not so dirty) little secret! Have you ever gotten creative with something like this? I bet they do a lot of creative “faking it” for furniture on TV and movie sets, don’t you?