inspiration: by the sea {nautical handmade finds}

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1. Nautical 5x7" Art Print Collection - $40
2. Nautical Anchor Tank - $28
3. Whale Cushion in Blue - $54.91
4. Sailing Bracelet - $8.59
5. Navy Blue Sailing Ship Poster - $60
6. A3 Boat Print - $101.98

Smooth sailing,

student spaces: turquoise diy room

Today we're featuring the lovely room of 2nd year Western University student, Kelley Morgan. We love how you don't even notice the amount of Ikea furniture pieces because they are hidden in a bunch of creative DIY projects (notice that amazing DIY headboard) and unique decor items.

five things to try this fall

October is finally here! Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend and I'm extremely excited to chow down on a turkey dinner and relax for a few days (and who can forget the pumpkin pies!). To celebrate the season, here's a list of some fun things that you should try this autumn:

1. Try the navy nails trend. As Joanna Goddard has pointed out, navy nails are a huge trend this fall and look great if you're dressed up or down. Try this colour from Essie for guaranteed cute!

inspiration: clean, bright, and airy

Today's bedroom was sent to us by 29 year old Graphic Designer, Alison Fiedler. She was inspired to create a clutter-free, bright, light, and airy bedroom by the multiple design sites/blogs that she follows. We're especially fond of the LOVE print by Jen Ramos hanging above her bed. Pick one up for yourself here!

Thanks for sending us your fabulous room, Alison!

If you think YOUR student space is unique and inspiring, please send us some pictures of your room to twoofakindblog@gmail.com!

Stay inspired,

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student spaces: beach inspired room

This post marks the beginning of our Student Spaces features! This week, we are featuring the bedroom of Western 2nd Year MIT student, Jessica Pirraglia, who drew inspiration from the beach while decorating her room at school.

Key Pieces:
- Lamp is from Walmart
- Bedding and Canvas Paintings from Homesense
- Side table, chair, and desk are from Ikea
- Vanity is from Winners

Thanks Jess for sharing your room with us!

Stay inspired,

inspiration: the wishbone chair

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If only I could drop $800-900 on a single chair... These Wegner Wishbone Chairs come in a multitude of colours and really work in almost any space. They mix both swedish design and the down-to-earth, homeyness of the wicker - so they really are appropriate in both upscale design and relaxed living spaces (see the Portugese home on the bottom left). I'm especially a fan of the mint green chair and the lacquered beech one as well. Check these bad boys out here!

Have a good Tuesday!

for the empty walls

The walls of my new apartment bedroom are feeling pretty bare at the moment. While I was focussing on decorating the main living room of the apartment, I completely neglected the walls of my bedroom! As a result, I've been doing much online browsing for some art and print inspiration for my room. Here are five prints that will liven up any living space!

1. Small Gold LOVE print 8x10
2. Antique Capsicum Red Pepper Botanical Art Print 8x10
3. Typography Print 8.3x11.7
4. Day of the Dead print 8x10
5. Food Pattern Art 11x15

Stay fabulous,

living room inspiration board & submission info!

{I did this a while ago before we started this blog so I didn't save links, if anybody knows where any image is from, please comment below and I will add the credit}

Above was our original plan for the living room of our new apartment. Although this plan has changed dramatically, it's interesting to look back and see where our initial inspiration came from. We'll be sharing our new apartment as soon as everything is settled in and is exactly how we want it. A chevron rug may or may not be making an appearance...

If YOU are also setting up your brand new space, or think your dorm/apartment/house should be featured on 2OAK, then we'd love for you to send us photographs HERE. We are hoping to feature a bunch of well-designed spaces for others to be inspired by! So share this post with your fabulous friends, and your space may be featured on 2OAK!

Looking forward to seeing your emails!

inspiration: living room envy

all images via Live Creating Yourself 

I came across this room through Pinterest and just knew it was something I had to share! I love the colour combo and the elegant table decor. It's simple yet super stylish! Just one word sums up my feelings: LOVE! I hope our first apartment can look half as sophisticated and put together as this one. 

aspire to inspire,

duvet drama

My goodness, there are some HIDEOUS duvet covers out there. My biggest struggle this summer (in terms of prepping to furnish and decorate my apartment) has been finding ONE nice duvet cover that isn't typical of a university student. Correction*: one nice duvet cover that will fit a double mattress, since my small apartment bedroom won't fit a queen and a desk. Below are some of the options that I've found for people who might be having the same struggle.

(from left to right)

First Row: 
1. N Natori Fretwork Duvet Cover (($159.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)
2. Kas Eloise Mini-Comforter Set ($69.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)
3. Dip-dye Duvet Cover & Shams ($166.10 at West Elm)

Second Row:
1. Trina Turk Trellis Duvet Cover ($199.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)
2. Eivor Leva Duvet Cover and Pillowcases ($69.99 at IKEA)
3. N Natori Chapan Duvet Cover ($159.99 each at Bed Bath and Beyond)

Third Row
1. Organic Diamond Texture Duvet Cover + Shams ($92.97 at West Elm)
2. Echo Design Scarf Paisley Duvet Cover ($129.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)
3. Anastasia Purple Comforter Set - Queen ($329.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)

Happy shopping!

rawwr // keeping animal print classy

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This post goes out to the lads and lasses that fancy a bit of animal print in their lives, but aren't sure how to incorporate it into their spaces without it looking like Snooki's wardrobe. I hereby proclaim that you are ALLOWED to use leopard print patterns in decor! Just make sure that it's not overwhelming the space altogether. Other tips include:

• pairing it with fancy or more upscale shapes
• No full leopard carpet. Just no.
• Don't pair it with other really out there patterns or colours (ie. Neon + Leopard + Zebra = likely disaster)

Let me know if you have any other tips for using animal print in your home decor!

inspiration: calm and bright swedish apartment

source

I feel zen just looking at these images. If this were my apartment, I would love spending Sunday mornings curled up in that gorgeous bedroom and eating some delicious breakfast on the wood table white reading a great book. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to a calm and relaxing weekend.

TTFN,

dorm room decor on a budget

Nobody wants a drab dorm room come fall. If you're on this website, you've probably already been looking for dorm decor inspiration for a while. Moving into a tiny space doesn't have to mean you should give up all of your room design hopes, so below, I've collected some fun ideas for your new space! Enjoy! 

Also, be sure to leave any other tips or ideas you may have in the comments below!

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1. Simplicity does not have to mean a boring space! Don't go overboard while shopping for dorm supplies, this will only crowd your already tiny room. Bring in just a few key pieces to make your space yours. In this photo, the student has hung a print instead of the typical college posters, has traded in the standard dorm room chair for a more interesting (and most definitely more comfortable) chair, and has brought in great accents such as a floral lamp and a white rug. Clean, simple, and not your average dorm room.
2. Find interesting pieces to put on your desk. Mix in organization, artwork, and a DIY letter or two and you've got a glamorous workspace!
3. Maps are a great way to dress up the walls in your dorm. Bigger maps make for a great statement piece in your space.
4. Make organization fun (and adorable). This DIY-er made a one-stop spot for their monthly calendar, food plans, to-do lists, and chore lists for the entire apartment!
5. Display your jewellery. Now, of course this depends on if you trust your roommates to lock the doors of your dorm (and not to steal said jewellery), but this simple touch, done with tacks on a cork board, definitely dresses up your room!
6. Lighting is everything. If you don't like the lights in your room, bring an extra lamp. If you want to dress up your room, bring a statement lamp! Great lighting will make you enjoy being in your room a lot more.

inspiration: venice cottage

all images from boutique homes

One bedroom, $150 a night, and right in the heart of Venice Beach, California. Yup, I want to travel here NOW. I especially love the outdoor seating and the mix of simplicity, industrial pieces, and thrift finds.

inspiration: ampersand boutique hotel

Speaking of ampersands, the luxury Ampersand boutique Hotel is opening soon in Kensington (England). I'm so inspired by the non-traditional design and decor in this place. If it didn't empty my bank account, I'd definitely want to stay there when I go back to England.

inspiration: pastels-a-plenty

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Pastels are everywhere this season! Of course, they are seen abundantly in fashion right now, but I thought I'd post some pastel interiors and other pastel inspiration. How gorgeous is that headboard in the first photo? And who wouldn't love to be walking down the street in the last photo? *sigh*

inspiration: shades of grey

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If you're already thinking ahead to Fall, hopefully this moodboard gives you some extra inspiration. The dark clouds outside are definitely putting me in more of a fall mood today.

makeup organization by less is more

How cool is this makeup organizer from Less is More?? This Austrian company designs really interesting and simple organization systems, mostly out of wood (which I am of course a huge fan of). I likely wouldn't be leaving my lipsticks open like that but overall it would look great on a vanity or desk!

Check out the rest of their online store here.

TTFN,

inspiration: white and light bedrooms

inspiration: industrial/personal swedish apartment

Today, I am obsessed with and inspired by this 85 sq. metre apartment owned by photographer and interior designer Benedikte Ugland. I particularly enjoy the lighting and faucet fixtures!