ikea finds

ahh...sufficiently rested from the ikea nightmare (although destined to go back because they were sold out of some pieces), i return. a got a whole heap of emails asking what we got there, so i thought i'd share. (i'm going to share our whole apt update, too, when i find the guts to start posting pics)

like most of you out there, we live on a relatively modest budget, so we were looking to get some functional, basic pieces to add storage where none exists (storage is an issue in our new apt). our goals for the trip were: additional kitchen surface space, rugs, window treatments or fabric, sideboard, dining table and chairs and any lighting that looked fun but simple. we also decided we'd give couches and new dressers a chance but that didn't really happen. in the end we got some great pieces for under $500, which was right on target.

our apt is a railroad, so i'll go right to left: for the kitchen (which is lacking storage space in a major way) we got the forhoja, which will be painted a glossy black (and finished with poly) to match the cream/black/white "luxe" theme in the kitchen (a very lovely color palette suggested by the lovely ms. stacy pancake when i couldn't find a color that worked with our god-awful speckled grey counters). not the most glamorous piece, but it fit the budget and provides us with much needed work space and storage space (i'm adding some hooks and a bar to hang dishtowels). for the next room down, the dining room, we were looking for a sideboard and dining table/chairs and bench. we ended up getting the ingo sideboard and going the diy route. the piece couldn't be more basic (and unfinished) but we decided we'd rather save $200 and finish it ourselves then buy the more expensive fancy finished version. i'll be staining it a dark black/brown with a glossy finish (and new knobs of course) to match the table and chairs we're ordering (new, not online yet, and sold out at the store, see pic for idea of the look). hopefully this will work with the walls that i plan to change from brown to a robin's egg blue/green. if ac doesn't kill me for repainting the 8th time.

after that we plan on ordering one or two rislev rugs (a tragically comfortable knotted wool rug that feels oh so good to walk on) for around our bed. they were sold out so this is another "order later" item. most of our bedroom furniture is pretty minimalist and sleek, so this sort of chunk rug will be a nice (and soft for the feet) contrast. after this we grabbed a whole chunk of accessories like new hangers (so they'd all match- my request), dishrack (i miss our dishwasher terribly), bathmat, speaker stands and i think some other things that i'm blanking on. the whole day is sort of a blur so that's all i can remember for now. but we're planning on getting a new dresser and some more things soon, so i'll post on that as well.

i think the key to ikea shopping is to buy simple, basic pieces that can be changed or finished at home so they don't have that super "ikea" look. we certainly have a lot of ikea in our home, but i don't think our home looks to ikea at all because we've mixed them in with more traditional pieces and great finds like artwork, mirrors and chandeliers. i'll be sure to post pictures when it's all done. until then, i'll try to get the vision of the ikea winter sale out of my head...