We made the trip because we needed a few things (and are young, fabulous & broke, of course!) How adorable is the fabric above??? They're curtains for one of the kids' rooms... I'd really like to put them in Christian's new bedroom but worry they're too girly for him (although like he'd care at 2 years old... it's really more like are they too girly for Daddy?? :) I have been wanting to do something with picture books, so we'll see if I can make it work... I also got the curtains below for our bedroom. They're really more a placeholder until we can afford more linen, but you can't beat Ikea's prices and now at least we have something up!!
We also picked up the HUGE table below in the damaged furniture section for only $150. We were planning on paying the whole $400 for it until my husband thought to check the damaged section. (he's the best!!!) I really don't know where the damage is & honestly, if I know Ikea and my family, we'll damage it pretty quickly ourselves. It's going to be in my office/ the family room as a worktable for projects, laptops, etc. and can also do double-duty as dining space for huge parties. The little rolly chairs were only $25 each and I'm planning on spraying the legs a shiny chrome:
These pics (above & below) are of our family room which is being finished this week!!!!! I'm SO excited!!! We're having wall-to-wall seagrass installed & then we get to bring in all of our furniture & (finally!!) unpack & get organized. It'll basically double the square footage of our house because we haven't been using it all all this whole time... Below is one of the Tullsta chairs we see everywhere. For $129 and with white washable slipcovers, these babies were what got us to Ikea in the first place. We picked up a pair to go by our wood burning stove in the family room..
Anyway, I'll have some "after" pictures of the new family room very soon!! yay!!And if you didn't get the chance, check out my previous post on what we've been up to! :) hope you had a great weekend!!!
xoxo,
lauren
**** Check out this site that Joni from Cote de Texas just let me know about: http://www.bemz.com/index.php/page/shop/prod_id/3/3/13/24/0/11/front/model_id/60/showbox/color/pattern_id/85/
They make custom slipcovers for Ikea pieces at awesome prices!!! What a great idea for an upgrade!!! *****
As a decorator & a textile designer, this is my place to muse... perfection doesn't interest me; Reality and charm do. Fresh floppy flowers from the garden over long-stemmed roses any day, I love it when things are slightly off and tell a story. 
22 comments:
Oooh, I love that first fabric you showed! I kinda feel the same way about Ikea. It's about 3 hours from here, so it always feels like a treat to go, but I usually don't find as much as I would have hoped.
Really nice finds! So far, so pretty!
We've had the same experience with Ikea, some of the furniture has held up very well, and some not so well.
I have shelves that I love (but how much wear and tear do knickknacks do?), and a coffee table from the same line that after a year was SAD! We also have the EKTORP loveseat that we too picked up in the damaged goods, the feel were missing, no problem to replace. I love it! It was the cheapest thing and it is the most comfortable piece of furniture in our house. I have upholstered furniture in the living room that we paid a fortune for from Fortunoff's (now bankrupt), and it is not nearly as comfortable as that loveseat, which gets lots of wear and tear!
I'm thinking I want to replace me living room with a whole EKTORP line! And I love the idea of slipcovers because I tire of things so easily!
Well, my comment has turned into a book! Sorry!
Anyway, great job and good luck with everything!
Thats too funny you posted this, I was just thinking about Ikea. I have a love/hate relationship too- maybe its more like I love to hate it, haha.
I love the chairs you got, they are going to be perfect right in front of the fireplace. And that large table is perfect! What a great working space. I cant wait to see more!!! xoxo
Great finds! Glad to know others love/hate Ikea the same way I do. I totally dread going there but always find something I "need" and I've had mostly good luck with function and quality.
The fabric for your little boy's room is one of my Ikea favorites. Remind your husband that there are flowers and berries in the deep, dark jungle (what else would the bats and tree sloths eat?), then 'man it up' in the way you decorate around it!
I know what you mean about Ikea, I love your purchases!
Oh, good ol' Ikea. Some things are awesome and others are just plain crappy. But what would we do without it? :) I LOVE your table! I can't believe what a score that was. That husband of yours really knows what's up!
awesome. awesome. awesome.
can't wait for more!!
Great purchases! Am looking forward to seing the progress on your home! :D My new sunburst mirror is on it's way, and hopefully it'll be in my arms (or wall) in two weeks! Yay!!! :D
You crack me up. Ikea. Can you believe I have NOT been yet? I am going this Sat for the first time ever. I can't wait.
Your place is looking great - so excited to see the big reveal!!
xx
Such a great blog - first time here. Don't we all have the love hate with ikea - and for so many more reasons !!
I'll be back
Vitania
I have never been to an Ikea... I hear great things...Going soon though, Must travel a long way... Should I bring a truck? Lol...xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
I know what you mean about the love/hate thing. I always come away from ikea spending way too much money.. Sometimes great items ... sometimes mistakes. I love that table and do believe it might be the same one I have been eying for a while... but no space for it. Also the beauty of the flat pack. Especially when renting... i can change my mind and just pack something away until i change my mind again. I look forward to seeing some 'after' pics! Julie
So many of us feel the same way about Ikea! I just went for the first time a few months ago - great place for certain things, and your fabrics are wonderful!
Great work table! Christian will love sitting up there with mummy, I bet :)
We're heading to Ikea this week too for the expedit bookcase. Or should I say "I am heading to Ikea". Hubby refuses to go there anymore, twice was enough ("Why do I have to follow the arrows??? They can't tell me which direction to go in!" lmao).
Your place is looking great, keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your pics :)
Romana
You are so right. I always tell my clients, you have to cherry pick at IKEA because there are some things you cannot get anywhere else for the price that DON'T look IKEA!
Great post!
I feel the same way. I love a lot of their things and am I huge supporter of them, but at times the thought of going there is draining plus I've had numerous problems with their customer service dept, but regardless I keep going back. Love everything you purchased! It's all coming together so great! Yay for Dave finding the table in the damaged section. I always look there since I know I'm going to beat it up anyway, but I never have any luck!
Love the new changes from the post below. I know you are dying for those x shelves (i found a supplier that had them at a good price and now I can't find the link. I'm going to keep searching, but I love the way the IKEA shelves look.
I'm so jealous that you living and dining area is open to each other. You are going to get so much use out it as library, game table, etc.
How fantastic is it to get a bargain in the as is section! I can't believe some people have never been to IKEA! There are whole websites out there devoted to ikea fans and even one that shows ikea hacks to make the furniture more unique. I agree with Maria though, you have to pick and choose the pieces wisely.
I wish you could come with me next time I go to IKEA.
How come I never see these great things when I go?
Love those curtains!
xo
Brooke
everything looks fab! can't wait to see more pictures!!
that line of furniture is the best - I ALWAYS recommend it! what a steal. and there is a web site that sells cool slips for tht product. that is good ikea. i always go for their plates. rugs are good too. it's the furniture that usually isn't - the cabinets, etc.
My teen daughter has one of the rolling chairs, in her room. We have had it for 3 years now, and it has held up well. And she is pretty hard on furniture.
Love the table, what a deal.
I love IKEA! It's definitely exhausting - but I think it's worth the time and energy. I've never bought furniture there but eveything else I've bought (vases, pillow covers, etc.) have been amazing! I just adore your little vases and that desk was a STEAL! We found a drum lamp shade in the damaged section for $3...incredible!
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