ahh, ikea.
i know ikea is on everyone's sh*t list for the most part, but sometimes, when you're looking for affordable design, it's hard to beat these swedes. my old roommate, rachael, was asking about affordable design for her new apt (lucky duck!) and i thought i'd try to oblige with some bits and pieces from ikea. they released some great summer stuff so i thought i'd put it up if you're looking for fun summer buys.
rachael was looking for bedding, and although she's already been through ikea, i thought i'd pick out this cute new amorf bedding. i love how bright and graphic it is- pretty typical of the current ikea graphic style- but still cool. and totally afordable at barely $20 per piece.
speaking of textiles, ikea launched this collection starting with "inez" that i love. there are pillows, oven mitts, shower curtains, everything in this pattern. each is a little different, but is a subtle variation on a very graphic floral that ikea created. used to perk up a room, it could be nice. and it's super cheap.
and if you're lucky enough to have a patio or backyard, they've got some fun outdoor furniture too. i'm fond of the kvarno and vino (both with umlauts over the o's) chairs- cute, modern, CHEAP.
so, if you're looking for some cute home accessories and happen to live on a budget like rachael's and mine- click on by ikea- they've got some fun new pieces that are perfect for accenting your existing collection.
Labels: accessories
posted by design*sponge @ 11.5.05
10 Comments:
Why is ikea in everybody's shit list?
I'm planning to stock on ikea stuff next time I go to the United States (there are no ikea stores in my country), so it would be good to know.
A lot of people, including me, love ikea. I don't love everything in their stores, which is no different from any other manufacturer or retailer, but they generally offer well-designed products at affordable pieces. I think some design junkies start to get snobby as their tastes change and start to think it has to be expensive to be great design. Here's a tongue-in-cheek advertising site from ikea that gets at this issue: http://elitedesigners.org/
shit list: every time ive ever posted about ikea i get a rash of comments and emails that say...
"what are you thinking with ikea? you don't know design if you like ikea..."
wah wah wah, i always have to hear about how ikea is horrible design for the masses.
i clearly don't think this though. i was trying to ward off the ikea haters so they'd leave me the hell alone this time.
d*s
Thanks, guys! It's just elitism, then. I thought there might be something wrong with the quality of their products (I remember the Simpsons making fun of ikea's furniture).
d*s, I like your approach. I buy whatever I like and can afford, no matter who sells it (unless I'm boycotting the place for ethical reasons).
wah wah wah, i always have to hear about how ikea is horrible design for the masses.
That's bullshit, really. Pardon my French. In a country of non-design (see the furniture collection at Walmart, most of the LaZBoy collection, see what most of the older people I know have in their houses) IKEA is a Godsend. It's like Modernist Furniture Training Wheels. At some point, you'll move on. But when you want a good place to start without needing a Without Reach kinda budget, IKEA is awesome.
this is for rachael: i bought my duvet cover from garnet hill. they almost always have stuff on sale (the non-sale can be really pricey) and the quality is really good. check out their website: garnethill.com.
my only issue with ikea is that i feel there are so many great used/vintage pieces of furniture out there that can be had via craigslist or flea markets that aren't given enough credence by those who are furnishing spaces. so here is a plug: if you are in the nyc area and are looking for a flea market (warning, it also has a lot of the new crap like socks, etc.) check out the Stormville flea market in Dutchess county that is held the first weekend of every month.
I don't understand the whole "I hate ikea" thing. Is it because of Fight Club? Why hate anything affordable with good design?
katey
exactly! i think that's their problem to a T. but i don't think that ikea is horrible if you buy pieces here and there.
but i do agree that an entirely ikea house is frighteningly homogenous.
d*s
Hi d*s - love the site. Look forward to seeing your updates.
Just wanted to add my voice to that of the other Ikea lovers. Yes the furniture can be cheap - but its pretty good value for money. Not only that, its an easy place to shop with kids. At one of the stores here in Toronto, they've obviously gone through with a toddler so they have little children's areas every 15 minutes or so (about the time for the next meltdown). Lots of changing tables and shopping carts to push your kid and stuff around.
My only complaint (aside from the insane crowds) is that they have different kitchen units in Europe than in North America. In the UK you can get units for built in appliances (giving you a high end look for an ikea pricetag) but alas they aren't yet available here. Guess what I'm bringing back on my next trip?
Just Google "IKEA SUCKS"or "I HATE IKEA" or "Ingvar Kamprad+Nazi"and you'll have hours of interesting reading.
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