I first heard about IKEA when I lived in New York for grad school. My Australian apartment-mate (who later turned out to be a teeny-tiny bit psycho--no offense to the relatively normal Aussie population) basically outfitted her entire share of our apartment with IKEA. For under $500, she got a cute little loveseat, a bed, and a folding dining table and chairs. Well... I was in serious need of a bookshelf (being a grad student, and all) so I ordered a SVEN bookcase. They no longer make SVEN--FJUS is the closest thing they have now--but let me tell you it was a student's dream. $29 plus shipping. Seven feet tall. Strong. Basically a collection of raw lumber organized into a shelving unit, but it was awesome. And I was hooked.
From there I moved to Colorado--which has no IKEA, can you believe it?--and Missouri--of course they don't have an IKEA. Then, finally, to Texas. I furnished my bedroom and office entirely in IKEA.
When I went--oh-so-briefly--to grad school in Boston, I got a nightstand and bookshelves for my dorm room.
Now that I'm back in Texas, my apartment is--of course--a living breathing ad for IKEA. (And will be even more so when I get the rest of my shopping list!) So far, I have a dining table, six chairs, dresser, mattress, and nightstand for around $400. Can't beat that. Plus, like those other Swedish exports, Saab and Volvo, it's stylish and built to last.
Dish. Do you have any secret (or not-so-secret) sources for affordable, stylish stuff for your home or bedroom?
Hugs,
TLC
OH. MY. GODS. (Dutton) May 2008
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4 comments:
Hey, TLC, I don't have any secrets for stylish, well-made furniture, but I can admit to being a long-time fan of everything Swedish, especially the crystal and the meatballs, and my ancestors. :)
I actually spent a year studying the language, worked there one summer, and made friends that I keep to this day.
As for our local IKEA, it's a hot spot around town!
I can't tell you how long I've wanted to visit an IKEA. It sounds right up my alley. Unfortunately I don't have any close. As for cheap furniture sources, we've been lucky to get some "nice enough" pieces from relatives! :)
I need furniture!
I can't step in IKEA because it's just like Target and Wal-Mart. All of those stores should be renamed "OH, I NEED THAT"
IKEA has good stuff! I've been wanting to go.. there's one in the suburbs, but haven't yet made the trek.
One great cheap place for decorating stuff is Cost Plus? They have some cute imported stuff. And of course, thrift stores! I love treasure hunting.
xo,
Heath
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