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  • hacking IKEA, limited edition collections, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    Beyond Hacking: IKEA Is Introducing Handcrafted Limited Edition Collections

    I appreciate IKEA’s trend of partnering with various companies to produce limited edition collections. For instance, a “splashy” new line with Dutch studio Scholten & Baijings capitalizing on a beloved DIY pastime of hacking off-the-shelf products. IKEA wants to be part of it too!

    Read More Beyond Hacking: IKEA Is Introducing Handcrafted Limited Edition CollectionsContinue

  • casters, wheels, furniture, versatility, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    Casters at Target: Versatility of Furniture on Wheels

    Having just come across a post advocating putting wheels or casters on furniture, I am thinking out loud. Enhancing versatility with casters is a terrific concept. Unless the piece in question is intended to be a certain height, like a desk, and it would be ergonomically awkward to raise it. Clearly, it’s always better to…

    Read More Casters at Target: Versatility of Furniture on WheelsContinue

  • installation, bad experience, IKEA, cabinet installation, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    A Bad Experience with an IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Installation

    I wrote about helping a friend with an IKEA kitchen remodel recently. Unfortunately, it has not gone well. We are very disappointed with the cabinet installation. A problem that could’ve been addressed and resolved on site was ignored. The resulting mistake has not been acknowledged and fixed. Instead of taking responsibility and apologizing, the contractor…

    Read More A Bad Experience with an IKEA Kitchen Cabinet InstallationContinue

  • garden, architecture, structure, lighting, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Garden Architecture: Structure, Circulation, Lighting

    Architecture of a garden? Let me explain. First, there is nothing but an enormous Fig Tree. Eventually, on the same spot, a water-wise enchanted oasis appears. Yes, its structure, circulation, and lighting are designed with practical functions in mind. But it has a higher purpose.

    Read More Garden Architecture: Structure, Circulation, LightingContinue

  • customizing IKEA, wall-mounted organizer, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Customizing IKEA: Wall-Mounted Organizer

    I’ve written about my garage conversion frustrations. I also discussed at length my plans to install Sunnersta mini-kitchen by IKEA. Now that the project is completed, I’m happy to share one of my customizing-made-affordable efforts — a wall-mounted organizer.

    Read More Customizing IKEA: Wall-Mounted OrganizerContinue

  • displaying, organizing, continuity, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Displaying and Organizing While Creating Continuity

    My living room and adjoining dining room are abundant with the artwork by our daughters. But there’s nothing random about what I’m displaying. There’s a sense of continuity, a cohesive connection between all of the pieces. The organizing element, the theme of this curated installation is Human Beings. On view, there are sculptures, drawings, paintings,…

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  • IKEA's Sunnersta mini-kitchen, architect on demand, advice without strings

    My Plans for IKEA’s Sunnersta Mini-Kitchen

    IKEA’s new Sunnersta free-standing mini-kitchen is ideal for my garden room. Maybe to someone, it’s “the no-commitment kitchen,” but I love it. It was just unveiled as one of the brand new designs in IKEA’s 2017 catalog, which claims that this tiny thing offers “all the function of a full-sized kitchen with just a fraction…

    Read More My Plans for IKEA’s Sunnersta Mini-KitchenContinue

  • design, DIY, balcony, canopy, architect on demand, advice without strings

    How to Design a DYI Balcony Canopy

    A friend emailed asking if I would design a DIY balcony canopy kit for a condo complex. Its function would be to provide sun protection and improve curb appeal. It would bring uniformity to the exterior façade, as all of the residents would be asked to adopt the system or use nothing at all.

    Read More How to Design a DYI Balcony CanopyContinue

  • displaying objects, tips, museum, home, alla diy ally. architect on demand, advice without strings

    8 Tips on Displaying Objects: From Museum to Home

    Yesterday, I went to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) with the sole purpose of collecting tips on displaying objects. I wanted to see what can anyone learn from a museum to apply at home.

    Read More 8 Tips on Displaying Objects: From Museum to HomeContinue

  • home office, Home Depot, IKEA, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Setting Up a Home Office: The Home Depot vs. IKEA

    The other night I went to The Home Depot to challenge IKEA. In the process of setting up a home office, I wanted to see if The Home Depot can serve me better.

    Read More Setting Up a Home Office: The Home Depot vs. IKEAContinue

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Get to know

  • Meet Alla
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