Recently I was invited to dinner at the home of friends.

Wonderful hosts.  Fabulous food.

As often happens while entertaining around a dining table the conversation eventually turned to the discussion of wine.

Red wine, white wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Italy, France, California.  Expensive vs. cheap and cheerful. etc. etc.   

Not being an imbiber of wine and having no knowledge on the subject my interest in the conversation waned.

Instead I started focusing on the surrounding décor.

The hazard of being a home stager/designer is that I start to envision changes.  What would I change in the room?  How would I rearrange furniture?

Not that anything needed changing.

But for me I enjoy imaging.

And if there are wonderful pieces to play with, all the better.

The hosts own an impressive, massive-sized, carved wood gold leaf Venetian-style mirror that they acquired at a Paris flea market while on their honeymoon.

(I have no photos to show as I did not think it fortuitous of me to take out my phone and start snapping away!)

There is a lovely down-filled settee.

A beautiful vintage silk kimono hangs on the wall.

And artwork; great smalls hang in a grouping.

Now if there is one thing one is to understand about me, I have been playing with furniture since I was a child.  These miniature wood toys were mine as a young child and have kept them all these years.  I have no other childhood toys except these; no Barbie dolls, no games, nothing.  Just these cherished pieces. 

So there I was in my reverie imaging the décor as I would when I realized the host was watching me ‘audit’ his livingroom.

BUSTED!

We both smiled.

Fortunately for me the hostess at that very moment entered the room carrying the most impressive looking, sky-high tall cake that I have ever seen.

And it was delicious.

Cheers!

Recently I had a conversation with a client about IKEA.

They admitted they had never visited an IKEA store; they thought it would be far too overwhelming.

So having written this poem about IKEA and the logistics of navigating this big store I thought I would once again share my tips and suggestions.

Welcome newcomer,

Your first trip to IKEA has finally arrived.

As a seasoned shopper with valuable tips,

I will explain how I have survived.

Navigating the big blue and yellow store,

Initially may seem like no easy feat.

But with a few of my simple tips,

I promise there will be no feeling of defeat.

Most important of all,

Is to wear your most comfortable shoes,

Because as I have already mentioned,

IKEA is big and has lots and lots to view.

Don’t worry about ever getting lost,

IKEA has this unnerving dilemma sorted out

With big arrows on the floor,

An easy way-finding system avoids any sense of doubt.

Before beginning your IKEA journey,

With smaller ones in tow,

You might like to use the Småland childcare service,

It’s free and yours if you choose so.

Head directly up to the 2^nd floor,

For this is where you will see,

Room settings that will truly inspire,

Designed with IKEA furniture and accessories.

Now you might need to understand,

While you are on your shopping mission,

That IKEA’s roots and origin,

Hail from the country of Sweden.

So be prepared to be introduced,

To POÄNG, KLIPPAN, LACK and LIATORP

HEMNES, OPPDAL, MALM,

ASPELUND, RYKENE, PAX, and EKTORP!

Now that you are more fluent in Swedish,

Head to the 1^st floor and grab a shopping cart,

For on this level you will begin to discover,

All the kitchenware, bedding, lighting, carpets and art.

Now keep following those arrows,

And very soon you will see,

The place that has made IKEA globally known,

A warehouse full of flat-pack and self-assembly.

And don’t forget to take some time,

To nosh on a variety of IKEA treats,

For there is lots of fabulous food,

Eat-in or take-away that just can’t be beat.

You have now successfully made it to the end,

With the check-out clearly in view.

You never got confused or lost,

And had a wonderful shopping experience too!