When I moved to Toronto, I moved with almost nothing; 5 boxes and 3 suitcases, to be exact. And a big box of bread (because, obviously). But I didn’t bring any furniture. Partly because there was nothing I was particularly attached to, and partly because it was so bloody expensive. So the poor boy had to spend a week in our new apartment with only a bed… and an outdoor furniture picnic set (which he holds over my head to this day… metaphorically).
Needless to say, we were incredibly excited to decorate our place. As a real life adult (kind of?), I wanted to upgrade a little bit from having everything Ikea. I love Ikea, but wanted to have a few key pieces that we spent a bit more on and were really special. While browsing Pinterest one day, I fell upon the perfect grey couch. I reached out to the company, Article, to collaborate and found out they’re actually based in Vancouver and are very reasonably priced. They are currently my favourite online furniture store and along with my perfect grey couch, we also picked up the modern marble coffee table, pictured above.
I am actually not very good at the whole interior design thing. I relied on Pinterest a lot and it wasn’t until I picked up some of the small pieces (aka 30 succulents) that the room came together. I shopped at H&M Home and Indigo for accent pieces, and I must say I’m proud of what we put together. Plants and beautiful coffee table books made a big difference, FYI.
What do you guys think? Do you have any interior design tips? I’m always looking for help 🙂
Article grey couch + marble coffee table | Ikea lamp, shelf unit, mirror | H&M Home blanket, pillow, shelf decoration, front door runner | Indigo books + framed photo | Modernica planter | Mejuri + Leah Alexandra jewelry
I love your space, it’s so chic and cozy at the same time! I also rely heavily on Pinterest when decorating my place 😀
xx
ALINA ERMILOVA | BLOG
Author
Thanks love! Ya, Pinterest is literally the best 🙂
xx Jill
Thanks! I just went onto the Article website – great resource!
Author
So good right?! I have my eye on a side table now too!
xx Jill
The Article website is amazing! Do you think the couch is quite sturdy? We broke ours and I never ever want to buy a poor quality couch again!
Author
I know, I’m obsessed! And yes, 100%, it’s been great for us so far and we have a dog who’s on and off it all the time 🙂
xx Jill
I love the simplicity and lack of clutter. Your space is the perfect antidote for anxiety. I wish my house was more calm:)
Can we see more of that puppy? so so cute!
XO! Gina
Author
That’s totally what I went for! I wanted a calm and comfortable space. And yes, will post more photos of the pup!
xx Jill
Totally sharing a mutual love for IKEA (and their meatballs are great too, btw).
Really love your Scandinavian inspired style, I like how the plants added a little extra to the whole appartment! x
Author
Thanks Annika! Plants made such a big difference 🙂
xx Jill
Love your place. 🙂 I have the same coffee table from Article! Took it four months to arrive but I love it. Can I ask which IKEA mirror that is? The link didn’t work for me.
Author
Ya, it was on backorder, but I’m so glad I waited! Love that coffee table 🙂 Sorry the link didn’t work, the mirror is called Stave and I have the one in black-brown.
xx Jill
I went with the exact same colour scheme for my place (except I’m in a dorm and wish I could get more accent pieces)! I just moved to Toronto from Vancouver too and love following your posts!
Author
Amazing, congrats on your move! Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂
xx Jill
WHY does Vancouver not have an H&M Home?!
Author
It doesn’t?! That’s so frustrating!! Come visit me 🙂
xx Jill
Perfection! Thanks for the great tip about Article! It is so way to clutter but never de-clutter… Why is that?! Or maybe that’s only an issue I have. LOL!!!! Btw! Where is your glasses from? Love the frame!
It is always so EASY to clutter I mean! 🙂
Author
It’s so easy to clutter, you should see the corner in my office… everything is just stuffed over there! My glasses are old Celine frames, these ones are similar: http://bit.ly/2cGg1ub 🙂
xx Jill
I love your rugs! Where are they from?
Author
Thanks! The black + white one is from H&M and the white shag is from Home Depot
xx Jill
Love it! Where did you go for the plants and sucklings?
Love your space – I just finished my move into a new house – just 12 blocks south of my apartment in Kits. Ugh – still unpacking but now starting to place things in proper spaces. Still getting used to my space before I can begin personalizing it (we’re renting it so there’s a limitation on what you can do to personalize).
Love! Looking at the same couch! Does it comfortably sit two-three people? Or more importantly, is it nap friendly?
Author
Thanks! Yes and Yes! We are sooo happy with it 🙂
xx Jill
Where did you get the plant stand?!
Author
It’s from Modernica, there’s a link to the website above!
is your shirt a button down or v neck?
Author
It’s actually a V-neck blouse that kind of looks like a button down 🙂
xx Jill
I love the simplicity and lack of clutter. Your space is the perfect antidote for anxiety. I wish my house was more calm:)
Can we see more of that puppy? so so cute!
Great post.!
thank you
I love this post!! Thanks for the inspiration and links to the items in your space. I actually just ordered this beautiful coffee table…. so excited! Where did you get the storage boxes for your shelf unit? I’d love to see another post with your other rooms 🙂
Author
Thanks Anne I’m so happy to hear that! I have another apartment post coming up next month actually! I’m excited to share some updates and more rooms 🙂
The storage boxes are just from Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50263602/
They come in numerous sizes too!
xx Jill
Hello!
I’m a long-time reader of your blog and I love your content. I’ve been dying to know where your small black ceramic plant pots are from – they look great!
-Melissa
Author
Hi Melissa, thanks so much! My fiance got them at a small plant store on Yonge St., I don’t think they’re even a brand name, sorry! If I find any similar ones, I will definitely let you know 🙂
xx Jill
Hi! I’m looking into buying a couch and found your blog through Pinterest! I’ve been eyeing that couch and was wondering is it comfortable to lounge on and watch movies and nap? Love your interior style!!
Author
Hi Jane,
Thank you so much! Yes, it is very comfortable. I lounge and watch movies on it all the time 🙂
xx Jill
Hi! I wonder where your purse is from? Love it!!!!
Author
Thanks! It’s a Celine box bag.
xx Jill
Where did you get the cactus? I love it!
Author
Thanks! We just got it at a random flower store near our place
xx Jill
Hi! I’m thinking about purchasing this couch as mine is just a bit too small. Truth is my dogs take up a large part of my couch and my husband and I can’t sit on the couch together! I noticed this sofa has small pillows on the ends by the arms of the sofa. Are those removable? They look removable, but I just want to make sure.
Thanks!
Author
Yes they are!
xx Jill