Our Miss A. is in need of a new, more grown-up desk, and her old desk will be going to the twins. As she's reached the grand age of eight, a new favourite colour has emerged - blue. Currently I have a new favourite store in the UK called Made and they has have the most fabulous (modern) items on offer and I am seriously thinking that this Cornell desk in Robin Egg Blue just could be the winner for our girl.

I like the sleek design and the soft curves of the desk, yet at the same time it's not the most practical for a young girl who has a lot of stuff, but I am hoping that she would be able to keep the desk clean and manage her stuff collection, but a little help from some sort of additional storage just might be needed...

It is, once again, time to make a house into a home. We have now done a full circle and returned back to the original House of Anaïs. Except this time the kids have grown so much that the house is just too small: for me it spells as in minimising everything and keeping lots of stuff in boxes (and potentially getting rid of them). 

We decided to change the room order and gave the twins the master bedroom, which also will function as a playroom (not ideal as I like to keep the bedroom for sleeping mainly, but can't help it now). Here's the scoop what old, what's new or brought from other rooms to this room: Miss C. gets to sleep in her brother's trundle bed, so her little bed is out of the picture now. The Ikea storage unit from the playroom is also here, as it similar low unit from living room. I also had to cut down the number of toys in the room, but I think that is only good as I believe in periodically changing the toys anyway and giving children the opportunity to rediscover their things - that also reduces the requests for new things!

The new fresh addition to the room are the polka dot curtains and matching storage cubes from the Great Little Trading Company. I have also added some spring-fresh bunting in the window. A bit girlish maybe, but it will do - I have never stuck to the "girls and boys colours" strictly anyway, but aimed to just bring lots of colour to the room. And the room still has dinosaur bedding and car rugs too...

I have also aimed to divide the room into the central play area, a"home corner" and the crafting table in the other corner. It also great that we at least have a bathroom attached to the bedroom, so accidents are less likely to happen. We are all pretty happy with the outcome and I'd love to hear what you think about this girl-boy combo room?  

New polka dots curtains and storage cubes works well with the old Ikea unit

The bedroom needs to act as play room also - the toys are still stored the same way (but I still have some missing baskets as there are so many boxes to open). The table for activities got a corner position but lighting is good so it won't matter too much 

This view shows most of the room - it obviously helps that the room has nice proportions

The other corner functions as "home play" area with a little kitchen, vacuum, broom and baby things 

I made the "dramatic" decision of using just one bed and having the other twin sleep in the trundle bed in order to save space. The centre of the room is occupied by the train/multi-function storage table  

There is a cozy little en-suite also for the kids, although a bath tub would have been nice 

This is sort of a surprise, but our house has gotten a new piece and it is far away from the normal minimalist and modern pieces I so yearn. I would say this is the complete opposite: rustic, quirky - and very detailed, should I add. I am not sure what happened, but this old wheel of a wooden cart turned into glass coffee table somehow was calling my name - and half an hour later it was already at home. 

The table has three main parts - the round glass top, the wooden wheel part and a heavy metal frame. It also has lights inside the natural weave fabric, which makes it look like some kind of alien ship in the pictures when lit in the dark....Very cool and interesting indeed (and heavy). Now I wonder what the husband is going to think about the table - and what do you think it?

And since the living room is still empty the next question would be what kind of seating to fit with this table? Oh, so many questions!

I got some doubts when the table got home, but I still think it's going to look fab once there is something else in the room to besides the rugs and the temporary bean bags... 

Spot the difference - daytime and lights are on

Sturdy iron frame of the table

Romantic feel..?

Now there is something special and appealing with these cool, colourful gadgets for the kitchen. Brushed chrome is always fashionable, but this season seems to bring even more to the table - namely shades of bright orange, delicious purple, lush fuchsia, country cream and even soft pink.

Of course I wouldn't be this excited right now if I hadn'd come across the bright ideas for cooking-sale this week at One Kings Lane and all those fabulous kitchen gadgets, pots, pans and of course delectable farmhouse style furniture. Here are my top-three gadget love items of the week - but I am not sure yet which one of them is my favourite colour. They all look so good, and I love the retro feel in the design also.  

Fuchsia Hand Mixer

Cafe Retro Red

Mini-Prep Plus Processor

I think that this retro feel and funky colours would be a perfect match for the very French and rustic-style kitchen furniture (and it's a little bit electic too). I am all for the rustic and natural look in the dining tables right now. Très chic, I say - and so perfect for a little mix and match with the colourful gadgets!

Aurora Gathering Table

Calder Faux Front Sideboard

This is the piece I've been dreaming of lately - a super cute and modern coffee table from Bonaldo. Smooth curves and that delicious red colour - I'm in love with this table!

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Enter Hush, a funky-looking chair, which lets you hide and rest in a womb-like woollen environment. And it looks cool. Probably feels great too as there are pillows inside too. This new creation by designer Freyja Sewell is pretty cool altogether and I certainly fancy it!

This is product love - the Flow summer series from Botanist. They have a soft survy modern design and those delectable summer colours of hot fuchsia, fresh aqua and more - and it has anti-theft feet (whatever that means, but I hate of having things stolen from the garden).

if you are looking for local (American-made product you got it here. And even better, the sale benefits the Special Olympics, so even more reasons to buy these fab benches! 

I am thinking of toy storage - or kids clothing. Pretty much anything to justify this kind of cute storage unit. Easily removable baskets where one can write on the front. So versatile, as the look would easily fit in a country home look, a more casual and rustic home, or a New England - beach theme...I am so sold!

Then there is the other cute storage unit hiding on the background - it is a bit more rustic in style with cute herb names written on the drawers... oh the sweet country style...

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A modern screen - fit for both indoors and outdoors. Sticks is a cute and fun creation - modern design but at the same time one very natural with an old-fashioned feel.

Add some lights at night, and this screen feels like a piece of art. Definitely a cool find!

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My kids have been asking for a bunk bed. I am a bit reluctant as kids get injured quite so often when falling from those things. On the other hand I think they can be so cute and cool, especially the built-in ones, so I just couldn't help taking a peek what kind of designs the others have come up with.

Oh, and there is something for every style: romantic, classic, modern, space-savers, space-eaters, ethnic and plain cute and kiddilicoious ones. Where were they when I was a kid? Mine was pretty boring, simple and pine-coloured - and yes, i once fell from it and didn't even wake up...guess I am just worried that my kids will be as clumsy I was at their age... 

Fresh and fun, yet a bit traditional at the same time 

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Lovely marine flair with red, blue and white 

Love the calming colour scheme here!

Natural decor with a bit of seaside feel - and lovely orange accent pillows

The sweet and colourful style 

So old-world romance there

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Fresh blue cuteness

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Traditional white and a s splash of colour with the turquoise curtains

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Fabulous modern "barn look" (but requires a lot of space it looks like) 

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White sleek and modern style made for the long attic space

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Simple blue with fun stripes and other accessories

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As you know I am collecting all sorts of likes and inspirations here on my blog. For the same purpose I have been also using Pinterest more or less frequently (more lately), I am currently trying Lyst for the clothing I lust (as they send alerts for items you cover when they go for sale - once this collection is more complete I'll share it with you all too), and now I am also on WellFurnished satisfying my never-ending love for rooms, furniture and accessories. There you can make collections, follow designers and other people with similar taste to yours to discover the coolest things, the best bargains etc. 

I have started several collections, but the one I have been working the most is my "Modern&Happy for Kids collection (no surprise there really with three kids in the house). So check it out and tell me what you think - and do give me tips of cool rooms or items you think I might love since I need to fill up some rooms once we get our new home! 

Check my Modern & Happy for Kids collection on WellFurnished:

All things so fund modern, cute or colourful I like...

...and some inspirational rooms too 

I am hoping to create collections for all rooms (and then some more) and then drag my iPad with me when I go shopping!

Wood and clean lines with a Japanese influence seems to be another emerging trend Ikea has spotted this spring. And yes, it does look good and oh, so Scandinavian somehow.

The selections have something for many different room: low seating for dining, cute accessories for the desk...and of course the price is normally always right in this store...

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These chairs from Brühl are fun and funky - at least to me they look like fresh spring flowers - and maybe like some darker mystic ones too. Single chair, a group, one colour or a collection of colours: everything works together.

It is a bit like a process of flower arrangements where the outcomes can be very different with same ingredients. Functional, cute and fun furniture!

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Spotted - something funky-looking and very different - the Tobiko sofa and chair from Inmod. Cool looks, which can be used both indoors and outdoors. They might be even comfy, but certainly a piece like this is an eye-candy. So  we declare lots of love for Tobiko!

Unique-looking Tobiko Sofa

And the collection also has an armchair

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This year I really would like to have everything in the house organised, so I have been looking for nice shoe storage solutions. I was happily browsing across some metal racks and transparent plastic boxes until I came across these cute Sarah storage towers from Ballard Designs. I am not really a shoeaholic, but have a fair amount of shoes, and sometimes I keep forgetting what I have since they are all around the place, mainly in the garage (hence I have acquired five pairs of red ones already...).

I could say that I felt a bit of storage envy and had somewhat a 'I want"-moment when i saw these shoe storage systems. I was thinking that I would even need to buy some boots if I had these in my house - or lt least a pair of nice wellies! Oh how I wish I could squeeze at least one of these racks in, but the only options would be the living room or garage, none of which sound very appealing. Anyway, this is on my idea book and hopefully makes to my house when we get one....

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I have not experienced first hand Black Friday shopping as I cannot stand huge crowds - or people fighting over goods. So my ideal way to spend the day would be lounging by a pool if it were possible. I'd love to have one of these outdoors beds by Egoparis - they look great and I am certainly buying the promise of relaxing leisure time just like in the pictures (a.k.a. I'm loving the images as much as the product!).

Here comes a cool, fun and useful present idea for wine and champagne lovers - ottomans and barstools made out of recycled corks. They look nice and my guess is they can be somewhat soft to sit on too, although I would maybe use these more for decorative purpose. This certainly is a fun idea from Phase Design - and as the products are made in the USA this would be a perfect gift for those who prefer to support local economy...

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It's time for Diwali, the festival of lights, and what's more appropriate than some fabulous Indian designs! Karma Living has great colourful pieces and here are some of my favourites  - for a limited time one can find these on Fab on greatly discounted prices. Enjoy the happy colours of Karma Living!

Recycled wooden bench

Vintage teak cabinet

Cable woven drum stool

Recycled stool and storage

Woven spiral stool

Vintage mango shelf cabinet

One just has to love the Californian furniture maker The Wooden Duck -they create beautiful, solid pieces of furniture (also custom orders), which are handmade out of reclaimed wood. This is such a perfect combination - another step towards greener living with reclaimed furniture, supporting local economy and you still get stunning-looking furniture! It all just look so great. I would really like to have one of these massive dining table and sideboards in my next house where I hope I will have a lots of more space..

images The Wooden Duck

Reclaim. Reuse. Recreate. That is the motto of The Oak Barrel Company which utilises old white oak barrels to create one-of-a-kind hand made pieces. Meaning that every product is unique, green and locally made (in global sense since they are made in America) - not to forget that the furniture and accessories are great-looking.

From little wine-bottle holders and lazy Susans to wine barrel pubs the selection is most unusual. My favourites? definitely the Quad Bench and the Stave Swing - both so beautifully curved and rustic-looking - and wide enough so they musts be confortable too!

Stave swing

Serving tray

Barrel bistro table

Leano de vino

Cuddle bench

Barrel-head lazy server

Oak ice box

Barrel bar

Wine pub

Quad bench

Images The Oak Barrel Co.

Abyu lighting series from Bno Design designs certainly has funky creations filled with lots of imaginations. First there is the series of affordable upcycled animal lamps such as Proud Many and Sunny below - they just look adorable.

Then there is the more funky, upper-class collection of weather and crystal creations where the price tags can run into 10k region or so. I did not imagine that feathers would so cool in lamps - some of these lamps are absolutely gorgeous!

Proud Mary is made of upcycled plastic

Sunny - also made from upcycled plastic bottles

Big puff is made of ostrich feather, linen and coloured silk

Black cyclone is made of black and iridescent feathers, rhinestones and gold leaf glass ball

Amber is two-toned glass dome

Wave cloud- made of white feathers and steel

A2 designers are one of the up and coming Scandinavian design boutiques and has a fresh and modern line of handmade (in Sweden) pieces. Their global availability is still limited, but there are already few online stores selling the cute and functional pieces, such as the Scandinavian Design Center.

The designs are sleek, sophisticated and contrasting to the traditional romantic and white Scandinavian style as they use a lot of fresh colours. Their site and the latest family collection is definitely worth a visit!

I have just discovered yet another funky store called Society Social and their Fifi folding chair below among other cool products. These chairs are like the last sparkle of colour for summer as the autumn approaches - so vivid and fresh.

Society Social is worth checking out as their catalog is in the form of a funky eZine and their other specialties include delectable bar carts and Hostess gowns - they are very floaty and remind me of Grecian dresses. Such a delightful place to pay a visit to!

Fifi folding chairs - like fresh summer flowers

Bar carts in all colours of the rainbow and more

The very unsual and cool hostess gown