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From Fashion's Runways To Your Home
Sip Mai Tais poolside, or at least pretend to do so ("oooh cabana boy!") with the Ammero collection of outdoor furniture. Shown: Ammero one seat section with cushion, $129 each; stool with cushion (pictured as coffee table), $69. Photo: IKEA
Fast, name a huge Swedish company known the world over for providing super affordable home furnishings?
IKEA! Otherwise known as my personal danger zone. Why? For a design addict like me (who'd redecorate once a month if I could), a constantly rotating surplus of stylish home furnishings is highly dangerous. (At least to my bank account.)
Alas, I've limited my visits to the mega-store to only four times a year. But every time I get a glimpse into the next season's products, I get a bit of a nervous twitch. And this season is no exception.
The good folks at IKEA recently sent me a preview of their spring 2010 products, which will hit stores in February. And I of course had to share. As you'll see from this mere sampling of what's to come, I may need to reconsider my four-times-per-year limit.
Solar-powered modern pendant lights? Yes, please. Durable and colorful outdoor seating and pillows add further excitement. Photo: IKEA
Shown: Blanko chairs, $19.99 each; Solig solar-powered pendant lamps, $19.99 (also in table lamps); Blanko stools, $9.99 each; Hallo cushion, $9.99 each
Neutral, contemporary style is always in fashion. And gray and green make a fresh color pairing for spring. Photo: IKEA
Shown, clockwise from top left: Knutstorp lounger, $99.99; Barbar tray, $3.99; Klinthult armchair, $79.99; Bigarra candle dish, $9.99; Bigarra plant pot w/ saucer, $24.99; Henny bedspread/blanket, $39.99.
The Sjovik buffet's doors open to reveal a bold pop of red, the perfect contrast to the sleek white cabinet. Photo: IKEA
Sjovik buffet, $399.
From Japanese comic strips to blooming dahlias, IKEA designers find inspiration in many forms. Photos: IKEA
Not previously known as a textiles fashion house, Ikea has recently been stepping up its game. This season is no exception with a new fabric collection inspired by Japanese comics and vibrant floral bedding and accents perfect for spring.
Shown, left to right: Charlotta fabric collection, $5.99 per yard. Renate textiles collection, ranging from $4.99 (cushion cover) to $49.99 (3-piece queen duvet set).
Plus: Check out this cool new online renovation tool from IKEA.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shame on you, shame on you. I have limited myself too when it comes to IKEA. Although you cannot deny the insatiable appeal it has now that the country is in a recession and the prices are still affordable.
ReplyDON'T BUY IKEA. It is junk and they will not honor defective product returns. Light and patio umbrella broke with in six months of buying. Drove 500 miles to return to Ikea for them to tell me too bad. Horrible service and products!!
ReplyI'm not sure about that. I've never had a problem with returning anything - defective or otherwise. If you are refused then always ask for a manager.
Why would you drive 500 miles to return a $50.00 dollar umbrella. Kinda stupid is you ask me.
how much did it cost to drive 500 miles to return an unbrella!!!
Wasn't there a Target, Longs, Costco, Cost Plus, Pier One Imports or even Safeway where you were to buy a patio umbrella? Why would you travel 500 miles to buy an umbrella then another 500 miles to return it? Yikes!
I am not sure if i got my point acress before so here i go again.
Replyapproximately $50.00 dollar umbrella.
driving a car 1000 miles round trip getting approximately 30 miles per gal. using 33 gal of gas at $2.75 a gal. = $82.50
10 hours driving time times minumim wage. 7.25x10= $72.50
total= $155.00
spending $155.00 dollars to return an approximately $50.00 dollar product = MORON
When we opened our business five years ago, we furnished it all with IKEA products. We have been totally satisfied with the office furniture we purchased. And the furniture is still in great shape.
ReplyMaybe things were made in Sweden, then.
"spending $155.00 dollars to return an approximately $50.00 dollar product = MORON"
ReplySometimes it is the principle of the idea, not necessarily losing money to return a product. Maybe that person was going to see friends or relatives while they were returning the product to IKEA.
I personally take offense to the crap we are buying these days. Sick of everything saying, made in China or India.
...But IKEA stuff is made in Sweden.
IKEA stuff used to be pretty high quality. Now it's about "medium". Better than Wal-Mart, worse than real furniture. I can say this with credibility because we've been buying IKEA furniture since 1987. What we buy now isn't as good as what we were able to buy back then. Plus, a very high percentage IS now made in China. Just check the labels. We recently bought 8 Billy bookcases for our family room and had to sort through the piles in the warehouse to find boxes marked something other than "Made in China".
Jeez, Raven, look at a label once in a while; you can spend a whole day in an IKEA and prob'ly not find one single item made in Sweden.
IKEA please come to Vegas I am very surprise that they are in California but not in Las Vegas We love your stuff
ReplyIkea furniture looks fine when surrounded by other Ikea furniture but when put in a room with other furniture it looks super cheap.
ReplyGary Hoy
I have Ikea furniture with other furniture in my kids room and it looks great...and my girlfriend has a little Ikea loveseat in her loft style apartment with other furniture and it looks fine too...What's the problem??????
ReplyGlad to learn their furniture is junk before committing to a purchase. I have bought hundreds of dollars worth of their products but always stayed in the glassware department for charming canisters, tumblers, juice glasses, et cetera. '
ReplyGenuinely appreciate the warning re: poor quality since we had been considering filling an entire wall with a series of their bookcases.
We'll "pass!"
I have many Ikea bookcases, they look great, are made well and have stood the test of time plus many moves. I would buy again in a minute.
I have IKEA bookcases and a wall unit in my office and my home and feel it's a great value for the money. Got them six years ago and they still look new. Don't listen only to haters - see for yourself.
i love ikea. the prices are great...if youre going to complain about the quality, go spend more money somewhere else. we bought furniture for my restaurant there (chairs, tables, etc) almost 3 years ago and theyre still in great shape. i lovee going to ikea!
Reply