I'll admit it, I don't know anything about decorating. Most of it has to do with the fact that I've always lived in such small spaces that I didn't have to bother with it anyway, and growing up moving around like a gypsy, there was no point in carrying a lot of stuff around. But now that I'm moving from a tiny closet to a slightly bigger one, it's time to get some serious knowledge and serious furniture.
I went to Ikea the other weekend and as much as I love Ikea, there are certain items that I just couldn't bring myself to buy there. In other words, sometimes it's better to spend a little more money for quality, big-ticket items like a sofa or a dining room table. Most of the home decor stores in the Marina and Hayes Valley were out of the question, but a co-worker of mine recommended one in SOMA that was reasonable in price (and had a decent parking lot) - Room and Board. I don't know why I've never heard of this place before but there was plenty to love in terms of form and function. Pieces that I wouldn't mind bringing home were the York sofa (above) and the Otis Swivel Chair (below), which swivels 360 degrees- I can already see my little nieces and nephews spinning out of control on these come Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I went to Ikea the other weekend and as much as I love Ikea, there are certain items that I just couldn't bring myself to buy there. In other words, sometimes it's better to spend a little more money for quality, big-ticket items like a sofa or a dining room table. Most of the home decor stores in the Marina and Hayes Valley were out of the question, but a co-worker of mine recommended one in SOMA that was reasonable in price (and had a decent parking lot) - Room and Board. I don't know why I've never heard of this place before but there was plenty to love in terms of form and function. Pieces that I wouldn't mind bringing home were the York sofa (above) and the Otis Swivel Chair (below), which swivels 360 degrees- I can already see my little nieces and nephews spinning out of control on these come Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a virgin at home decorating but here are some sources that have helped me out a lot. One book that I refer to often is Domino: the Book of Decorating. I discovered it a couple of years ago when Domino was a magazine publication and it definitely made the process less overwhelming and more fun. It's not just another decorating book filled with photos of expensive homes by interior decorators, it has useful, practical tips for small spaces as well. One website that I like to visit for ideas is Elle Decor, www.elledecor.com. Somehow it has become part of my Sunday morning ritual to go on their website during breakfast. Whenever I find something I like on Elle Decor, I usually save the picture as inspiration for the look I'm trying to acheive.
