My Take on IKEA

Hey there...as a new blogger I am constantly being introduced to new and different ways of shopping and decorating.  I have to admit that I have recently become quite intrigued by the phenomenon called IKEA.

I have been to IKEA once a few years ago when I moved my son to Chicago.  We spent 4 hours one afternoon buying him the HEMNES bedroom suite.  He put all 5 pieces together himself and I'm proud to say his room turned out really nice.  

Moving on...

So I decided a road trip was in order.  The nearest IKEA is about a 90 minute drive from where I live.  I talked my girlfriend into going with me and we went yesterday.  OK...yesterday was Saturday.  Not the best choice.  IT WAS PACKED.  But we managed to get through the whole place in about 3 hours.

We started  upstairs in the furniture.  I quickly found the object of my affection.

THE EKTORP SOFA

Now I have been reading and digesting what everyone has had to say about this VERY reasonably priced sofa.  Most sing its praises...some think "you get what you pay for."  My opinion is this:  for the money, how can you go wrong?  I sat on it.  It's quite comfortable.  I looked at the different choices of slip covers but I think I would go with the most basic color...blekinge white.  Not a stark white...sort of soft.  

Of course we got to looking at all the other pieces as well.  I would LOVE to have a couple of these chairs.  But that will have to wait.



I do think I am going to get 2 of these slipcovered dining room chairs.  I have a very traditional dining room with inherited furniture and I think these would be a quick and very inexpensive update.

I would love to get them monogrammed or perhaps do something like this:




I wasn't quite ready to make the big purchase though. ( I have a birthday coming up and I am thinking maybe I could score one or two IKEA gift cards.)  So my next step was to find the box the sofa came in and see if there was any chance it would fit into my vehicle.  I have an older Buick Rendezvous and I was hoping I would get lucky.

I found my aisle and my bin.



I measured the box.  It measures 80 inches long.  With my seats down I thought I could go to about
78 inches.  Very close...I think I can make it work.

With that good news, we took our purchases to the check out...the lines weren't too bad.  It could have been much worse.


It was while we were standing in line that I started smelling the cinnamon rolls they sell in the little cafe by the Exit doors.



What a way to end the experience!  I'm still thinking about the sofa.  I have to replace what I have...it's
17 years old and ready to be retired.  The slip covers would be fun...my kids are gone so it won't get a ton of wear.  I'll let you know what I decide.

Have a great day!