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Month: July 2019

How to give your home a Scandinavian update

Posted on by Jan Johan

Nothing captures the essence of modern, minimal and nature-inspired themes in a space quite like the Scandinavian aesthetic.

When done right, touches of Scandinavian can make parts of a space seem like it was frozen in time, thanks to its contrasting blend of modern and natural design elements.

With so many subtle design elements coming together, recreating it at home can seem tricky, but it’s actually easier than you think.

We’ve narrowed down the elements that make the aesthetic so iconic, and so that you can recreate them at home.

Emphasise Natural Light

Whenever you’re in a Scandinavian inspired space, it’s hard not to notice how open and light it seems. thanks to its emphasis on neutral colours and natural lighting.

During the winter months, Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden have very limited amounts of sunlight, which is why most of their interiors have white walls and furniture.

The use of white colours in these spaces are used to amplify sunlight and make the interiors appear brighter.

Go For Clean, Straight Lines

Another aspect we love about the Scandinavian look is its emphasis on using clean, slim and fuss-free lines, which add to the overall modern and minimal theme of the Scandinavian aesthetic.

You can see how this is evident in this Scandinavian-inspired space by Lotta and Henrik Imberg, who have fun with picture frames, furniture legs and wall cutouts, to subtly pull off the Scandinavian look.

Bare Is Beautiful

When it comes to flooring, to abide by the Scandinavian aesthetic is to keep things as natural as possible.

This is achieved with hardwood floors in light tones.

These floors are typically kept bare with the occasional exception of rugs to add some colour and texture to the space.

The floors also serve to amplify the natural light, adding to the feeling of calm and spaciousness.

Neutral And Muted Colours

If you want to transform your space into a Scandinavian getaway, the use of neutral and muted colours are an absolute must.

Tones like white, grey, and brown should ideally be the dominant colours in your space. These neutral tones allow the benefit of making accent pieces in bright and bold colours pop and stand out.

Want a sofa in a neutral or muted colour? Instead of getting brand new furniture to get the look you want, it might be easier and more affordable to get a sofa slipcover in those colours instead.

Clear The Clutter

Two recurring themes in the Scandinavian aesthetic is the abundance of space and a lack of clutter in its surroundings.

It’s as if the Scandinavians took a page from the minimalists interior designing handbook and decided to incorporate it within their homes.

One of our favourite examples of spaces that embrace the clutter-free principle is Miriam and Morten Amager’s home, which combine their different yet complementary styles.

Miriam’s love for patterns and colour along with Morten’s Danish mid-century minimalist style come together nicely in their stunning space.

If you want to recreate a similar look like this one at home, try adopting the mantra of “less is more”, and decorate your space with intention, resulting in a look that’s clean and visually relaxing.

Limit Window Treatments

Because Scandinavian spaces have a strong emphasis on natural lighting, most use little or no window treatments at all.

Scandinavians know the importance of natural daylight and recognize how essential it is for our well-being, which is why they tend to keep their windows clear and free from obstructions to let in as much natural sunlight into their space as possible.

Simple Decorative Accents

When you’re working with a space that’s filled with muted colours, it gives you the chance to play around with accent pieces that give it unexpected pops of fun and playfulness.

In this living room, Christina Binau Bonnor, a lifestyle blogger and business owner, along with her boyfriend, Ulrich carefully selected their decorative pieces so that they would subtly accent and complement the clean, minimalist aesthetic of their space.

Some of the most popular decorative elements in Scandinavian-inspired spaces include ceramic vases, geometric patterns, wood, copper and brass pieces.

Warm Textiles

For that extra touch of Scandinavian authenticity, you might want to consider getting a sheepskin rug for your home.

Sheepskin rugs have a long Scandinavian and Nordic history dating back as far as the early 15th century when sheepskin was used as blankets, rugs, and even clothing.

Bring The Outdoors, Indoors

Although not strictly Scandinavian, most living spaces that embrace this aesthetic have strategically-placed greens in a starring and consistently- recurring role.

To be honest, we can see why: Plants do an excellent job at standing out in a sea of neutrals and natural lighting, thanks to their vibrant and lush nature.

A favourite of ours is the home of Catrine Svelligen, an interior stylist and visual storyteller who brings her space to life using greenery as a feature decorative element.

The result is a lively yet calm-inspiring space that makes you feel right at home.

Want more great home decorating ideas? You’ll love our FREE Timeless Living: How To Design A Classy IKEA-Inspired Home ebook. Get your copy here:

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When should you introduce your new baby to your pets?

Posted on by Michele

You’re already a proud fur parent.

Soon, you’ll be the parent of a human baby too. Or maybe you’ve just brought your new baby home.

Congratulations!

Much like how you inform your family and friends of the upcoming arrival of the latest addition to your family, your pets also need to be “informed”.

Yes, you also need to introduce your baby to your pets, so that they get used to the new addition to the house.

This is especially even more so if the baby is your first child, and your pets have not been around children for a long length of time.

Here’s when you should introduce your baby to your pets, and how:

1. During Your Pregnancy

Of course, you can’t actually inform your pets that you have a baby on the way. Your pets however, can probably tell that you are expecting.

Their refined sense of smell can immediately detect the changing body chemicals of a pregnant female human. Your pets know that something is changing, and the human change will also trigger changes in your pet’s behavior.

This is a good time to “introduce” your baby to your pets by training them to get ready for the new arrival.

Invite your family and friends’ kids to your home, and slowly but surely introduce your pets to them. Do keenly observe how your pets react to them.

The goal is to train pets to become gentle and not jump on or attack small humans. You can also consider getting professional help in terms of helping your pets get ready for the new arrival.

2. With Obvious Changes Throughout Your Home

When a baby is about to arrive in the household, there will be obvious house-related changes.

For example: You’ll buy more baby stuff like cribs and baby clothes, and you may even change one of your rooms to become a nursery.

Whether you allow your pets into the baby’s room or not, do make sure that the furniture within is sturdy – whether it’s the crib or the couch. You don’t want them to spoil anything! If you have pet cats, here’s how to stop your cats from destroying your furniture.

It’s time to start training your pets as to where they can or cannot go i.e. the crib, and to do it soon so that they don’t associate these changes with the arrival of your baby.

3. Before Baby Comes Home From The Hospital

Before you go home from the hospital, get your partner or a family member to go home first with some items that have your baby’s smell.

It could be a swaddle, a plush toy, or the pillow your baby slept on. Introduce your baby’s smell to your pets.

When your baby returns home, your pets will find your baby’s smell to already be a part of their home.

Your baby will not be a new “thing” to be suspicious of.

4. Do A Short Introduction

The key here is to do an appropriately-timed introduction.

Keep your baby in a portable bassinet and allow your pets to come nearer as they investigate this new addition to the home.

Watch your pets’ reactions closely. If your pets are of the physically aggressive sort, keep them at a safe distance to prevent harm to your baby.

A baby’s immune system is much weaker than that of adults, so don’t allow your pets to lick your baby – sniffing is as far as they should get!

5. Do A Longer Re-Introduction After 3 Months

The first meeting between your baby and your pets should be short and sweet.

Over time, keep “re-introducing” your baby to your pets both from afar and upfront in longer time lengths. As your baby goes through rapid changes and start being able to crawl, they will also get physically curious about the pets in your house.

Make sure that when your baby reaches out for the dog or cat, the baby’s arm is not seen as an “attack”.

Hopefully, your pets will soon grow to love the new addition to the household as much as you do, and be your baby’s best friend and protector.

Nervous about getting your furniture dirty and stained by kids and pets? Consider investing in machine-washable slipcovers for your sofa, couch, and dining chairs. Take our slipcover fabric samples for a test drive here:

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Make your home look more expensive than it really is with IKEA

Posted on by Michele

Everybody loves IKEA.

Or at least, it seems that way.

Pop by an IKEA store on the weekend, and it’s likely that you will see it filled with families looking for furniture. You will even see people who are just there for the meatballs.

Poll your friends, and you may find that the majority has bought or owns something from IKEA, especially the sofas.

Then, there is the well-known struggle of trying to assemble pieces of IKEA furniture.

IKEA may be accessible and budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean owning an IKEA furniture (or several) is going to make your home look cheap.

In fact, with the right tweaks, your home of IKEA furniture can look like it comes straight from a luxury magazine.

Here’s how to make your home look more expensive than it really is with IKEA: 

1. Artwork, Posters, Photos

Add personality and a luxe touch to your homes by purchasing large wall art to hang in your living room or your dining room.

The art will be a focal point of your home, and instantly elevate your rooms to stand out instead of just having blank walls.

Additionally, you can also get a couple of  IKEA picture ledges and put up a few posters or photos of your own that will really reflect your taste.

Do make sure all the frames are the same colour, like this set of 6 photo frames from IKEA.

2. Good Good At Lighting

Having good lighting is a must to make your home look more luxurious. Rich people like things that shine!

That being said, it’s easy to go from luxurious to tacky if you pile your room with lights.

An easy way to add luxe to your rooms is to have one lighting fixture that’s all glam (think chandeliers), and the rest to be unobtrusive but supportive.

Consider getting an IKEA floor lamps or two to place in the corners of your room.

Think of it as having one main character with great sidekicks. Too many cooks spoil the broth, after all.

You can also light these gorgeous scented tealights in the dining room and around your living room for a luxurious accent and scent.

3. Stick To A Cohesive Colour Palette

Furniture that coordinates with each other, instead of clashing with each other, often make a room seem more expensive.

With your basic everyday furniture, try to get them in a colour scheme that match each other.

For walls, the easiest colours to have would be basics like white, cream, and beige – most furniture colours will go with these. Red sofa? No problem!

Of course, you can also try colour-blocking. However, it would be best to stick to a maximum of three contrasting colours so that your rooms don’t look dizzyingly messy.

4.  Plants Equal Perfection

Plants bring life to a room and are pleasing to the eye.

There’s a reason why rich people like to have nicely manicured lawns, rose gardens, and flower vases all over the place.

While you may not have the space to have a rose garden, you can still decorate parts of your rooms with potted plants.

If you don’t have a green thumb, consider getting artificial potted plants instead. They’re fuss-free AND gorgeous to look at – a total win-win situation.

5. Get Cozy With Pillows And Throws

A room can look pretty bare-bones and empty with just the basics put in.

This is when you enlist the help of room accents like art, lights, plants, and of course, throw pillows and rugs.

There’s just something special about feeling soft yarn underneath your feet, compared to cold hard tiles.

It’s also easier to watch Netflix if you have something to lean your head on AND to carry at the same time.

For something a little bit more luxurious, these duck feather-filled cover inserts can be great to have, to hold, and of course, to see.

6. Play It Up With Textures

Wool rugs, leather sofas, silk pillows…

Some textures look more luxurious than others, like silk versus cotton.

Make your rooms look more regal by playing around with different textures for different items. 

Now, you don’t have to buy completely new furniture items in different textures.

In fact, the best way to play around and switch textures in your home is with slipcovers for your sofa, pillows, chairs, and the like. Give it a whirl and you may be surprised at how much better your room will look. 

Want more tips on how to get the best out of your IKEA furniture? Get our Timeless Living: How To Design A Classy IKEA-Inspired Home e-book for easy ways to get classy without breaking the bank:

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Design a cat-friendly home in 8 easy steps

Posted on by Michele

Maybe you are a first-time pet owner and you have decided you want to welcome a cat, or even better, cats, into your home.

Perhaps you are already the loving fur parent of our feline friends. You buy them the best of everything you can find on the market.

You want your home to be welcoming and friendly to all, and that includes your cats as well.

What’s aesthetically pleasing or harmless to humans in the household may not be that great for cats, however.

If you have cats in your house, or are planning to, here are 8 easy steps for you to make a cat-friendly home for our furry friends.

1. Remove All Items That Are Dangerous To Your Cat

Do a quick check of things in your house that may be harmful to your cat.

Take the time to declutter and keep small items out of reach – you never know what your cat may suddenly put into its mouth.

Items like chocolate, batteries, medicinal pills and even grapes should be out of sight and in refrigerators or cabinets.

Plants like lilies and azalea can be poisonous to cats too, so if you like plants, get the ones that can co-exist peacefully with your cat.

2. If It Breaks Easily, Keep It Out Of Sight

Treat your cat like you would a baby, only that this an agile, four-legged baby who is interested in everything in your house.

Anything that topples over easily, like flower vases, porcelain dolls, or glass photo frames needs to be kept away.

Otherwise, your cat might swipe it away, and worse, hurt itself in the process.

3. Get Serious About Storage

Apart from dangerous and fragile items, secure miscellaneous items like electrical cords, telephone wires, device cables and the like.

If it’s expensive, that’s more reason for you to keep it away.

Consider investing in storage boxes and covers to organize your belongings.  This is to ensure that you don’t come home to a big mess i.e. your cat showing interest in the toilet roll by pulling away at it.

4. Get Furniture That’s The Same Colour As Your Cat

For those of you who love cats and cleanliness, you probably already know that cats shed… and they shed a lot of fur.

If you want to keep your home looking clean for as long as possible, consider getting furniture the same colour as your cat.

At the very least, the cat fur will be less noticeable on them.

Instead of getting completely new sofas and cushions, however, why not get fabric slipcovers in your cat’s colour instead? 

You don’t have to remodel the entire house to match your cat (unless you want to).

However, if you like your cat’s colouring, there’s nothing stopping you from making life easier by getting matching colours with the cat.

Here is how you can clean and maintain your sofa like a pro, even with cats in the equation.

5. Get Claw-Friendly Furniture

Cats love to scratch for various reasons. When they scratch, they are removing the dead outer layer of their claws.

They are also marking their territory by leaving visual scratch marks and a scent, as cats’ sweat glands are on their paws.

While the best thing to do is to train your cat to know what is acceptable to scratch and what isn’t, your cat probably has ideas of its own.

So, the next best thing to do is to get curtains, drapes, sofas, cushions, chairs and etcetera in fabrics that will not attract your cat.

When cats scratch, it’s all about the texture to them – anything coarse that they can really sink their claws into is attractive, like tweed. Most experts recommend leather as a fabric that cats won’t scratch as well.

Here are the best sofa fabrics for pet owners. For more on how to cat-proof your sofa, read this.

6. Avoid Leaving Windows Open

If you are getting a new cat, it’s best to ensure that your windows and screens are kept shut.

Cats are naturally curious creatures that will explore your house from nook to cranny.

Before they recognize your house as their home, it’s best to keep them indoors at all times.

7. Get An Early Start On Litter Box Training

Cats are creatures of habit, and they would prefer to answer the call of nature in the same regular spot.

Make sure to choose a large litter box for your cat to feel like it has more room. You may even want to get a second litter box to avoid the risk of your cat relieving itself elsewhere because it feels that the previous litter box is too full.

Do make sure to keep the litter box(es) clean, too! Here are five hidden litter boxes for you to consider if you want the litter boxes to be inconspicuous in your home.

8. Set Up A Toy Area For Kitty

Much like how you have areas in your house that are your own personal space – your bedroom, for example – your cat should also have its own personal space.

Scratching posts and cat toys should be in the same area, preferably near the areas where your cat loves to nap.

Scratching posts should be stable and textured, so that your cat can scratch away to its own pleasure without worrying about toppling over – the FEANDREA multi-level scratching tree is an example of a great scratching post.

There should also be a perch or bed for your cat to nap in, preferably somewhere sunny.

Finally, of course, you should also have cat toys for your cats to play with, and for you to entertain them as well.

Consider the classic cat feathers to tease your cat with, and stimulate their hunting instincts. It’s a great way to interact with your cat as well.

Otherwise, if you don’t have time, try this interactive cat toy roller, where your cat can have tons of entertainment by “trying” to get the ball – and in the meantime, get much-needed exercise as well.

In the midst of designing the purrfect living space for you and a furry buddy? Consider making your sofa cat-friendly with our wide selection of sofa slipcovers. Get your fabric samples below:

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Why cats destroy your furniture – and how to get them to stop

Posted on by Michele

It is a truth generally acknowledged that cats are cute.

It is also a truth generally acknowledged that cats can be destructive.

Many a cat owner have come home to scratched furniture, destroyed cushions, toppled over vases and food, and etcetera.

If you are a cat owner, you probably have your own tales of how your cat, or cats, became destructive around the household.

The good news is, with a bit of effort and training, you can stop your cat from destroying your household.

Here are 6 things you can do to stop your cat from destroying your furniture:

1. Pick The Right Fabric Texture

Cats scratch to remove the dead outer layer of their claws. They also do it to mark their territory visually.

As such, they prefer to scratch on textures that will really allow them to sink their claws in, to allow them to go really wild with.

You would probably want to skip woolly textures or soft textures like silk, and go for fabrics like synthetics or leather.

Otherwise, you can consider using protective slipcovers to preserve your sofas and cushions against your cat’s mighty claws. 

Our machine washable claw-proof velvet is a popular choice among pet owners as they are too tightly woven for teeth and claws to puncture. 

2. Get A Stable Scratching Post

It’s in your cat’s nature to scratch.

Therefore, it will be wise to buy a stable scratching post or two to place in your house for your cat to literally flex its claws.

It takes time to train your cat to fully recognize the scratching post as the designated place to scratch, so remember to be patient!

In general, most cats prefer sturdy scratching posts that have good material in terms of fabric textures.

For a scratching post that will really wow your cats, consider this gorgeous scratching tree from FEANDREA. 

3. One Litter Box Per Kitty

A good rule of thumb for litter boxes is to have one for each cat in your household.

To be safe, get another one for good measure.

Once you get your cat to recognize its designated litter box, “accidents” should not happen again.

You don’t want your furniture to get stained!

Additionally, your litter boxes should be big enough. This is so that your cat doesn’t feel cramped or that the litter box is filled to the brim already.

Do remember to change the litter often – cats like to be clean!

If you’re looking for hidden litter boxes, here’s a rundown of our top choices that you’ll want to consider for your household.

4. Get Them Moving Daily

Simply put, your cat destroys your house because they are bored.

They need to be stimulated by physical exercise. However, it’s not a good idea to let your cats roam around, especially in an urban setting.

It’s best to walk your cat, and get some physical exercise yourself, on a daily basis.

Contrary to popular belief, cats can be walked on leashes. Sure, they might not like it at first, but you can train them until they get used to it. 

5. Give Your Kitty Plenty Of TLC

Are you away from home often?

If your cat is destructive, it can be a plea for you to pay attention to them. An ignored cat is an unhappy cat.

Use cat toys, head scratches, or physical exercise to bond with your cat. Spending more time with your cat will make them less destructive. 

6. Remove The Items Your Cat Loves Destroying

Or at least keep them out of sight.

While you don’t have to dump your favourite IKEA sofa (and why would you when you can just get custom-made sofa slipcovers to protect them?), things like carpets, rugs, house plants, electrical cords and the like can be kept out of sight and out of mind.

Who knows? Maybe your cat and the offending item are just sworn enemies, no matter what you do to make your cat less destructive, so removal would be your best action.

Of course, it would be best for your cat to settle down and stop destroying your furniture as time goes on. 

Planning to design a cat-friendly home for your favourite feline? Start with your sofa. Take samples of our claw-proof velvet fabric for a test run here:

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The best hidden cat litter boxes

Posted on by Michele

Cats rule the world, and probably your house too. They deserve the best, and this includes litter boxes.

Making sure that your cat has a proper place for private business is important. After all, they are creature of habits who prefer routine.

However, you also want a cat litter box that is inconspicuous. Preferably, it won’t be an eyesore or be too noticeable to house guests.

That’s when you get a hidden cat litter box. With hidden cat litter boxes, no one will have to know their true purpose. 

Not sure which hidden cat litter box to get?

Here’s a list of the best 5 hidden cat litter boxes you can consider for the home in 2019:

The Refined Feline’s Refined Cat Litter Box

Feeling a little classy? Get the Refined Cat Litter Box from The Refined Feline, a lovely cabinet that has a rich oak veneer.

It hides litter trays from view, and the reversible walls allow for left or right entry – whichever your cat fancies.

Have no fear of odours emanating from the cabinet either – the rear slots allow for ventilation. You can also fit carbon odour filters if needed.

While kitty have full run of the cabinet, you can decorate the top with books, flowers, or paintings. This makes  the litter box seem like a perfectly natural cabinet right in your living room.

Do note that the wood litter catch, litter tray, and odour absorbing carbon sheets are sold separately.

New Cat Condos’ Premier Litter Box Enclosure

Your cat will love the Premier Litter Box Enclosure from New Cat Condos. After going potty inside the enclosure, the entire enclosure can also serve as a luxurious cat bed or perch.

The exterior has plenty of carpet covering, giving kitty a soft place to rest on. There is also a removable lid for easy clean up.

Keep kitty’s waste and odours out of sight and smell, and also keep kitty happy at the same time.

What else can we ask for?

The Good Pet Stuff Company’s Hidden Litter

Add a little green to your home with the Hidden Litter by The Good Pet Stuff Company.

Perfect for any corner in your living room, your cat(s) can go potty by entering through the small window available on the vase’s exterior.

You can also hide the window by turning the vase around to face the corner when your cat does not need to use the litter box.

Add nature to your home, and have your cat answer the call of nature with it.

No one will ever need to know that your pretty plant also has double duty, too!

Merry Pet’s Merry Pet Cat Washroom

Here’s another cabinet by Merry Pet that serves as a hidden litter box cover, which will help you hide all litter messes.

You can put it in the guest washroom, and your guests wouldn’t even realise that inside this box-like furniture is a litter box for your kitty (unless they get curious and start opening doors they shouldn’t).

It also has a removable partition wall which creates additional space to store litter, scoop, and other cat-related products as well.

This is available in white or walnut colours.

Arf Pets’ Designer Cat Litter Box House 

Finally, we have a furniture box by Arf Pets that can also double up as a side table or storage shelf for books, magazines, scented candles, tabletop plants and the like.

The bottom can hide your cat’s litter box, and the inconspicuous white furniture will blend in easily with most houses. While some assembly is required, you can put it together easily by yourself.

There you have it – a range of products that are made to hide your cat’s litter box while also adding value to the aesthetics of your home’s rooms. 

Planning to design a cat-friendly home with your favourite feline in mind? Start by making your sofa easy to clean with a machine-washable slipcover. You can take our slipcover fabrics for a test run here: 

ORDER FABRIC SAMPLES

 

 

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