Yesterday the boys were picking at each other a bit in the morning. There’s been a lot of togetherness with all of the snow days, cancelled activities and two hour delays, so we decided they needed a bit of a break. Or maybe we needed a bit of a break from the bickering. Or maybe both. Jeff took our oldest with him to an outdoorsmen show and my mom and I took the youngest with us to Ikea. I haven’t been to an Ikea in years, so I was excited to browse around. On the way there, my son, who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, had a low and was feeling pretty bad, so we stopped at Target to take care of him and eat some lunch. It was looking like we weren’t going to make it to Ikea, but the little guy started to perk up and we decided to go.
He was brave enough to go into the kid’s play space all by himself (a big step for both of us) and my mom and I set off to do some shopping.
If you’ve ever been to Ikea, you know it takes a long time to get through the store and we had an hour max, so we had to stay focused. We weren’t that focused, but we did get through quickly and both picked up a few things.
I bought two twin duvet covers to use on my son’s beds. These blue and white stripped ones were perfect for the look I’m going to go for. Their room is on “the list” for this year. I also picked up a light fixture for their room. I’m optimistic about getting to their room this year, can’t you tell?
And I grabbed a couple packs of these $3.99/4 dish towels. I thought they’d be fun to use for a sewing project.
And I spotted these stainless steel hooks for $.97/package. I have some black hooks on my pot rack that I’m going to swap out with these.
And I have no idea where these are going to go, but I loved the vintage quality of these pillow cases, so I bought two of them. They were $10 each.
I also bought a soap pump…
…and a couple of artificial herbs. I actually had to feel the leaves to confirm that these were fake.
And lastly, we went there to get a bunch of these raw wood stools for a MMS Milk Paint workshop I’m teaching for some ladies in my mom’s neighborhood in March. We thought these would be a perfect piece to learn on, especially at $15/piece, so we picked up a bunch for that workshop. I picked up one for myself as well to use as an example of using milk paint on raw wood.
When assembled, it looks almost exactly like the antique stool in my kitchen.
So, here’s the big question. Which color am I going to paint it…? Hmmm…decisions, decisions…
52 Responses
I want to try my first project with your products. What would you recommend I buy to start? I have the wood….a little bench but I want to order the paint wax, etc.
We actually bought that same one. I haven’t tried using the MMS milk paint, but instead have been experimenting with Annie Sloan chalk paint. I painted mine the bright green color chalk paint that she sells (a lot like the bright green in one of your kitchen rugs I have seen posted on your site before). I scuffed it up and used her dark wax on it after painting to make it look rustic. This is one sturdy little step stool! You are going to be quite impressed with it.
I love going to IKEA! I picked up some cute curtains there this year that are similar to your much sought after blue patterned ones. I call them my Miss Mustard Seed Curtains. I also picked up a few of those faux herb pots – PERFECT for my inability to EVER keep plants alive. Love the stool idea. I’ll have to look up how much they are here in Australia.
Ooh, I’m intrigued by your “Miss Mustard Seed curtains!” I’ll have to see what they have here in Canada.
Hi Sharon
Amazingly, the stools are only $14.99 here in Oz too! Usually there is AT LEAST a $10 mark up! I also saw similar stools in Bunnings last week for just $20 too (I thought they’d make great bathroom stools for my daughter).
I also have some of the faux sage potted plants – though I am TRYING (really hard!) to keep my live indoor plants living!
Kristine
The Painted Hive (Melbourne)
I love Ikea !! I would love to try to use milk paint !! That stool is a great star piece 🙂 Will you be doing any other workshops locally?? I’m in Chambersburg.
Your antique stool looks lovely! The green is perfect on it. Have fun with the Ikea version! I live only 5 minutes away from Ikea, and haven’t been in months! I like that ticking-stripe duvet. I can’t wait to see you transform your boys’ bedroom!
Thanks for doing my legwork for me!!! We’ve renovated our pantry & I discovered ( the hard way ) that I need a steps tool. Of course, it must be an adorable stool. I love the one you found at IKEA & since I’m planning a trip there next weekend to buy some bookcases…
Our IKEA opens in the fall. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you until then, The blue and white linens are beautiful will be appealing for many years. Enjoy!
Ours opens this fall also (Merriam, KS) and I can’t wait.
That was a STEP STOOL I was needing!
I painted one of those stools from IKEA with Trophy. It turned out really nice. My son Pat put it together for me. I was so proud of him. I have the stool in my shop and all that is needed is a little distressing. It would be a great item for a workshop painting session!
Haha – I always thought that stool in your kitchen WAS the IKEA stool! Love all of the purchases – excited to see what you come up with for your boys’ room!
All these years I’ve thought that stool of yours did come from Ikea! I grabbed one of those pretty white ruffled pillow shams, too, on Friday, and I may go back for another one.
IKEA curtains at 98″ cannot be beat and the linen + candle items are reasonable. Roosters have captured my attention for the kitchen and living space so I would lean toward tricycle and it is February after all 🙂
ahah SO fun! I went to IKEA yesterday too (where I haven’t been for very long) and I bought the exact same bedding for my son to come in June 🙂 (for the single bed that will be in his room with his crib) Can’t wait to see what are your plan with the room!!
I used milk paint on some raw wood from Ikea. I liked it, you could still see the grain. I had to sand in between coats cause the grain lifted. It pretty much stained the wood, so there was no chipping and no antiquing. I wonder if you fill the grain in with something first (say Hemp Oil) if you could get a better affect.
Funny that you bought the blue and white duvet covers. While making my bed this morning I happened to notice my own bed skirt which is blue and white ticking, and thought to myself, “I bet Miss Mustard Seed would like this!”
I’m working on that exact Ikea stool this weekend! It’s a great buy, sturdy and high enough for me to reach my highest kitchen cabinet shelves! I am copying what someone else online did. Gave it a coat of Dark Walnut stain and am using chalk paint over that and distressing. Might do a stencil of 1 and 2 on the steps, or a stripe. Can’t wait to see what you do with yours!
I have those duvet covers and love them! Now if I remember correctly, I do believe I was made aware of them when one of your good friend and fellow blogger bought them. And who is that friend? My other GO TO BLOGGER who rates right up there with you … Layla.
I used that blue/white duvet in my spare bed room – I have two sets of linens I rotate through, a feminine one with cornflower blue, white and yellow flowers and looks really sweet with some vintage lace pillow cases and then a more masculine look with lime green, orange and navy. it’s a very versatile and affordable piece!
Brilliant idea getting those stools for your workshop!
(and glad the little guy felt better!)
I’m so excited to see what you do what your boys room! I need a bit of MMS inspiration!
Funny, I was in Ikea on Houston last month and got the same hooks & dish towels, with the intent to possibly make pillows with them, and I thot of you! I live in FL and the nearest Ikea is 5 1/2 hrs. away so when we visit our sons I make sure we make a visit to Ikea!
Ikea has some really great buys and they have improved their style and color options such as fabrics, more variety of colors and you can’t beat the prices. I bought the same exact dish towels several weeks ago and plan to make accent pillows and of course at that price, I bought an extra set to use for the kitchen. Thank you for bringing great ideas and a great web site, I always look forward to your posts.
Ikea is da bomb! I actually purchased the same striped duvet cover and dish cloths on my last trip there!
I can’t wait for our IKEA to open this fall. There are so many cute and practical things to buy there, I just can’ t resist. Hubby doesn’t like to travel to Chicago or Denver just to go to an IKEA store but once ours opens he will understand the draw.
Thanks for sharing your great finds.
Ikea is totally mind boggling, so much to see. You found some great treasures. Hugs, marty
I love bargains too, and it looks like you got yourself a bag full of them 🙂
No IKEA in our entire state. I do hope they come here soon!
Love the faux herbs. They do look so real! I will check and see if I can get any of these items online 🙂
Enjoy!
Years ago I purchased 5 Ikea step stools, each child picked out their color, As they moved on in their world they all took their step stools . they were a bitbigger than yours pictured…another thought,,,as a mother of a 33 year oold diabetic..always have carbs on hand…always….once they get low their brain doesn’t work correctly to know what to do when they are low….better high than low..I have been with my daughter and she would drop so quickly, not even know she was low…I always have a drink box or reg. soft drink on hand….always …Her children know what to do if mom act confused…she can drop quickly depending on medication she is on…but always, be prepared….I keep quick carb in my purse, car, waiting even 5 minutes as sugar is dropping can be a scary problem….why put any one through that,,,keep simple carbs on you at all times..
That sounds so fun! I’ve never been to Ikea, but i’m dying to go. They have an amazing selection of really cool stuff and great prices. I’m pretty sure i would be totally overwhelmed by all the choices! I love the stuff you picked out. Those pillow cases are so simple and pretty and the stool is great!
Cindy
Marian, how about painting it a shade of blue with white wax on top? After all, most of the other items you purchased at Ikea are blu and white. 😉
Girl! No joke I went to ikea this weekend and bought that SAME bedding for our bedroom! haahahahah (Great taste!) We have another wee one on the way so had to pick up a crib, and then I found a pendant light I couldn’t leave behind….LOL Could totally live in Ikea showrooms! lol Can’t wait to see what color your stool chooses!!!
So fun. I just came upon your blog and signed up to get your daily posts. My son, age 4, also was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (he was 13 months old). I can totally relate to your “big step” for both of you, leaving him in the children’s center. My son just started school and that has been a huge step for both of us as well. I don’t know how old your son is, but I wish you all the best!
And I look forward to keeping track of your little projects through your blog. Hopefully I will be inspired by your talent and take something on myself!
I love those sheets! Great for the boys rooms … and sewing projects.
I’ve got a few sets for sewing projects stashed away.
~Siggie
Ikea should be using you for their photo shoots, I have never seen such a pretty picture of a soap pump :). Love those sheets, unfortunately we don’t have an IKEA in New Zealand?? When I lived in Abu Dhabi, our whole apartment was kitted out with IKEA and it was a regular weekly visit to see what was new.
Lee 🙂
I love Ikea. Unfortunately, there isn’t one in the Raleigh, NC area…..just Charlotte, and that’s over two hours away. Boo Hoo! When we lived in San Diego, we went there lots. So I have many items from the store, including those dish towels. A word of warning: don’t expect them to look the same after the wash and dryer……they’re terribly wrinkled and not very soft. Most of their other linens are fine. Can’t wait to see how the boys’ room turns out. I’m a blue and white Queen! Also looking forward to seeing your new step stools painted.
Oooo! Paint it Eulalie’s Sky! I have yet to break into my bag because I’ve been painting all of my dining room chairs with Ironstone and just haven’t found the right piece. I love soft neutral colors but something about Eulalie’s Sky just sings to me!
I have painted and distressed two of those stools, they are a hit with my visitors!
Ooh, a trip to ikea! We are 4 hours from the closest one and so we usually make a yearly trek. I am finding however, that they are adding more items that can be purchased online with relatively fair shipping prices. It’s at least $100 in gas plus food if we do it in one day, so anything less than that is a great deal online! However, the experience of ikea is what makes it special.
I have the bekvam stool and those hooks. Both items are versatile and useful. I love the idea of using the stool for a painting workshop!
Those hooks are a Great buy! I’ve never been in an Ikea but here they’re fun stores.
So sorry to see your youngest was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed at age 4. I remember those early days of adjusting. I’m thinking of you and your boy. Hope things are going well for him and you and your family. Take care.
It’s always fun to see what other people find at IKEA. It’s like Costco or Trader Joe’s – your friends always find things you never noticed! I like the stool… and the pillows… and the duvet covers (which I already have in my linen closet for my two boys)!
What great IKEA finds! Love them all!
I bought those hand towels for a sewing project too – only I loved them so much for use in my kitchen, I never got around to the sewing project! 🙂 Maybe on my next trip to IKEA I’ll pick up more. Can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with them!!
Hi,
My son was diagnosed about 5 years ago with Type 1 diabetes. If you would like to talk – just send me an e-mail. We always have juice boxes on us when we go out. They are also stocked in both cars.
I’ve thought about using them for my classes. The assembly is what has kept me from taking that route. Need to bite the bullet. Can’t be that hard!
I love IKEA and I haven’t been in the last year. I’m all excited about your find and think I need to go and look for a find of my own.
I love Ikea and used to take my girls to the Play room when I shopped they loved it and I had worry free shopping. I picked up a few of those towels and I love them. Can’t wait to see your boys room…i’m gearing up to redo my soon to be 14 year olds’ room…
IKEA is so fun we have had such lousy weather in the Chicago area I have been hoping to get there soon.
I am a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump and that helps curb the lows, don’t know the age of your son, but you may want to look into it once he is old enough to handle one on his own.
I was diagnosed at 16 and will be 57 (yikes) this month. Went through the time when I had to boil a glass syringe to sterilize it and there was no good way to test your sugars to the high tech world of pumps and testers and A1c’s. You can survive and do well, I have very few problems and hope to stay that way. Good luck to your son, learn as much as you can about the disease and he should do well, diabetes camps are great! I never fail to have a low blood sugar though when visiting ikea but the cinnamon buns are at the end waiting for me!
I live in Denver and am totally addicted to Ikea! Pink have the Elly towels. I had to have them, they are blue and white and my dogs name is Elliot. I have the same duvet cover in yellow! What I don’t have are those wonderful pillow cases. I went yesterday to find them but no luck and ikea doesn’t have them on the web site either. Are they brand new?
Hi! Love the blog. How long ago did you purchase that pot from Hobby Lobby? I’m on the hunt for it after seeing on here and I’m not having any luck! Thanks!