I am a working-full-time mom who is passionate about home design and organization for tiny spaces. I’ve been decorating and organizing ever since I was a kid–even my parents would ask me of decorating advice! Now that I’ve owned two small homes I’ve developed a special place in my heart for finding organizing and design solutions for small spaces. And now that I have two small kiddos, I find myself continuously challenged to find design and organizing solutions that fit our active family’s life!
Follow me on my journey as I take on my latest challenge: our modest-size fixer-upper that we bought 3 years ago that hadn’t seen updates in close to 40 years! In the process, I share plenty of DIY projects, budget-friendly design ideas, and easy sewing projects. I also share ideas for living with kids without letting their stuff completely take over your home. Ha.
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Cheers,
Gillian
the2bedroomblues.wordpress.com 
Oh my goodness! I didn’t know you had a blog! Thanks for the mention and thanks for all the advice you’ve given us. Even though our house isn’t tiny, I still want it to be organized. I look forward to reading your posts!
Welcome to the blogosphere!
So glad I found your blog. I just got all the fabric and whatnot to make my gift for your new permanent house guest. 🙂 I think I picked out fabric that you’re going to LOVE!
…are you repainting or anything?
Oh, there’s MUCH painting and textile loving to post about very soon. I just need more hours in the day! I should have some good updates up in the next week.
Gillian, I’ve been enjoying reading your blog posts unofficially through Facebook, and have now officially ‘followed’ you! Looking forward to lots more.
I’m glad! This way you can see updates in between visits!
Gillian, did you ever use either Knesting.com or Bemz.com for IKEA slipcovers? I am thrilled, too, to have found them but just so unsure. The covers pictured at knesting.com, are very “loose” in appearance, and my Ektorp covers are not like that. The Bemz covers on the other hand look very professional and very polished, for lack of a better word. Even with all the choices, however, i am not finding one that jumps out at me. I have found one at Knesting that I’m being pulled by. ;o) I did also find a third place, based in Australia, I believe, but they ship worldwide. Might be more expensive though because our money is not worth as much as theirs.
Anyway, I just wondered if you had any experience with the replacement covers to share. Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated!!
Hi Norbel! I actually haven’t purchased any yet, although I keep thinking about it. I think the bemz company has been around much longer while the knesting one is newer (I originally found it through etsy!). So the bemz folks might be a bit more experienced with getting the fit ‘just right.’ I think both provide swatches though, which really can help. Let me know if you ever order any–I’d love to see what you do!
p.s. Here is a link to the website I found.
http://www.comfort-works.com/ikea-sofa-covers
Thanks for sharing the link! I love some of those options. It looks like the shipping cost to the US isn’t actually too bad either! I’ll definitely add them to my list!
Heya Gillian! thanks for the mention, was wondering if you’d consider reviewing our product on your blog; Let us know if you’re interested 🙂
That might be fun. You can send details to my blog email at the2bedroomblues@gmail.com. Thanks!
Hi Gillian–nice to see another Evanston mom in the blogosphere! Randomly found you through your comment on handmaidtales. We run a design blog out of Evanston as well: http://www.twoinspiredesign.com. Fun to find you.
Hi Tessa! Thanks for stopping by–I also checked out your blog. It is lovely! How nice to get to “meet” Evanston bloggers! I’ll have to add you to my google Reader!
Gillian
I’m really happy I found your blog! I love your style and attention to detail. The blog is easy to read and inspirational. Thank you for sharing with us ;o)
ps. I liked your blog more than the one you mentioned.
Aw, how sweet! Thanks for the kind words!
Cheers,
G
cute blog! Are you PAX wardrobes the 93″ ones?
Yes they are! We love them so much!
Love your ideas and how they become reality. Can you share with me where your dining room table is from and your shiny light fixture. I love shiny clean and crisp fixtures as well!
Absolutely! The table we purchased from Macy’s several years ago and the dining room light is from Shades of Light. I’m not sure if the table is still available or not but the chandelier definitely is! Let me know if you end up getting it!
Cheers,
G
Thank you for the quick response. I can’t wait to go shopping. Keep up the great work….you are creating a beautiful home!
Hi! How did you do the curtain on your old kitchen door? The one that was red and then green? Did you just do a piece of fabric with a curtain rod on the top and the bottom? Thanks!! Kristen
Hi Kristin! That’s basically it! I sewed a 1 1/2 inch casing on both the top and the bottom so that the curtain measured the right height for the distance between the two rods. The curtain rods were mounted directly to the door just above and below the window. I just slid the rods through the casing. Let me know if you need more info!
Cheers,
G
Would love to know where you got your bedroom closet doors! Are they Ikea as well? I need something like that for my bathroom!!
The closet doors were custom (I believe from a local company here called Evanston Lumber) but I’m sure any local lumber company could make them for you! I’d do a search for custom doors, and I’m sure there’s someone nearby that could make them for you if you show then the picture. We had to do custom doors because of the space, but I’d imagine if you had a more standard sized closet you could find something similar at a place like Lowe’s or Home Depot too. Good luck!!
Cheers,
G
Hi, I’ve been online trying to find the flower headband on the “Sydney in ONEderland” invite that I accidentally ran across online. I finally decided to look for the invitation online again to try to track down the owner. Stalker style, I know! Haha! I just had a baby girl and I desperately want that huge flower headband for her dedication but tried to find peony or carnation with no luck. PLEASE PLEASE contact me ASAP if I that invite was yours and you know where I can find the headband. My email address is included with my response below as required. I appreciate your help!
Thank you
Tracy
Hi Tracy-
If I remember correctly, I purchased that headband at Old Navy. It was at least a year and a half ago though, so I’m sure they don’t have the same one available anymore. However, they do seems to have a pretty good selection most of the time so it is worth a try – they probably have something similar! Good luck!
Gillian
If it’s still in good condition, would you be willing to sell it to me. 🙂 just thought I would ask. Haha…. In any case, I do appreciate your help.
Thanks again
Hi Tracy! My daughter actually still wears it so I think we’ll hang on to it, but you could check a place like etsy.com or even try your hand at making one yourself with a regular headband and a silk flower maybe? Good luck!!
Cheers,
G
No worries! Thanks for the info! Please let me know what kind of flower it is, if you know. I’ve been looking for the same style flower on easy and elsewhere with no luck. Thanks again!
Have a great day!
I’m not sure what kind of flower it is – I’m so sorry! Maybe try browsing the silk flowers at a craft store? Good luck!
Cheers,
G
great stuff!