apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I recently purchased this bookshelf--

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=76885&langId=-1&categoryId=17068&chosenPartNumber=70105070

However, it was an "as is" Ikea purchase for only $5. The bookshelf came without the shelf and I was planning on using it for a small TV stand.

Any ideas on how to fill the space inside? Any decorative or functional ideas are welcome. My Apt. is rather small (300-400 sp ft) so design/function works well too :)

You could use a piece of cloth to cover the front if you wanted to showcase some fabric and/or stash something in the unit. Otherwise, the wood seems to me to be a good frame for something living, like a plant or a fish.

What do you want to figure out how to store in it? The how is easier when you know the what...

Much as I love love this site, I was hoping to make a small suggestion. Domino is a magazine most of us either receive or flip through at some point in the month. I think it would be more interesting to see more obscure magazines blogged. For example, last night I picked up the British Elle Decor in a bookstore and enjoyed looking at it. However, I'm unlikely to encounter it on a regular basis.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a decent yet inexpensive framing store. I have a lot of prints that I want to frame and hang on my walls but framing can just be so darn expensive. Any input/thoughs/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Seth,

Aaron Bros is currently having a sale right now, buy one frame, get the 2nd (equal or lesser value) for a penny.

Thanks Lisa! I'll check that out.

Lisa - can you post the address for Aaron Bros?

Thanks!

anthea:
Thanks for the suggestion - we appreciate it.

Across the AT sites, we plan to take a closer look at design in more traditional media (mags, tv, newspapers) regularly.

AT Chicago picked several to look at each month, and we chose Domino particularly because we do think that its a mag that many AT readers check out - and we thought it would be fun to use some of the blog entries as a forum to dialog a bit about each issue - the highs and lows. (Also, its so chock full of stuff its a fun one to dissect!)

Along the lines of what you were suggesting, we also plan to cover Living Etc., a gorgeous British title that is less accessible (and we think AT:SF may be looking at the British Elle Decor that you mentioned).

Seth - check out ready made frames from Dick Blick, www.dickblick.com - they come in a wide variety of sizes and are cheaper than others I found. If you order them online they come with plexiglass instead of real glass, though. You can also buy metal framing kits from most art supply stores which are more affordable than custom framing.

Does anyone know where I can find a local store that carries alpaca mittens/gloves and scarves? My friend bought a set in Charleston back in Dec and seems to have lost the gloves. I'm looking to find a replacement for him. Thanks!

Joann is having a sale right now too! I think it's 60% off if you get 3 things framed.