My first trip to IKEA!

June 03, 2010

I know many of you were shocked that I had never been to an IKEA. I have heard these fabulous stories of this fantastical place over the years and I’ve always wondered if it really is all that.

Uh. YEAH. It is. And a bag of chips. With dip on the side. And a Pepsi. With little crunchy ice.

Yum. All that.

I finally had an excuse to go – I’m working on the kitchen redo and got a butcher block countertop for the island quoted at Home Depot. It was $1,300 for the most basic finish. So some lovely readers suggested IKEA and I knew the day had finally arrived…

I was going to eat some Swedish meatballs!:

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And eat them I did. All of them. YUM. (With a Pepsi on the side, thankyouverymuch.)

My sis and I took a day trip out last Friday – she just moved into her first house and I was going to get my butcher block and maybe a few other things.

Buwahahahahaha. That’s hilarious. “Few other things” my booty.

I wanted to show you some of the fun stuff we found while browsing!

Some lovely pillows in super fun prints for crazy low prices!:

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I think the (big) lumbar pillows like this are $19.99? Nuts!

I have seen many desks made from Ikea materials on various HGTV shows, and when I saw these curvy legs I felt like I was meeting a TV star:

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I love the sawhorse legs as well:

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Then you can pick from a meeellion table tops – I didn’t even get a picture of some of the prettiest ones!:

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The lighting is ahhhmazing! And CHEAP!:031

Aren’t those so precious?

This one made me swoooon:

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The possibilities are endless!:

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The kid stuff is just too darn cute. You could create the most adorable play room with just items from IKEA:

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There were super fun fabrics for kid’s spaces as well (lots of polka dots!!) and other funky prints as well:

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IKEA has massive canvas art in really cool prints:

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Some of these were something like six by five feet – and only $150!! I looove that last one – so cool!

Although much of the store is contemporary, there are a few touches of traditional pieces that I was swooning over:

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They had a whole beadboard kitchen set up – and the prices are insane. INSANE. (Meaning good.)

The kitchen and cooking supplies were never-ending! I loved these funky glasses:

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And check out these cute sisters!:

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:)

The RUGS. Oh, the rugs. This almost seven by ten jute rug was $149!:

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The five by seven sizes were $30 I think? It was some crazy low number.

There are little funky, fun touches everywhere, and these hooks were one of my faves:

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Isn’t that FUN??

So a part of the kitchen redo fell through yesterday, and I was trying to figure out a replacement – and at midnight last night it hit me.

I may have to go back to IKEA. Tomorrow. To get a sofa table. Hmmm.

So this morning I made a few calls, got the Bub packed up (it’s about an hour and 45 minute drive) and off we went for a whirlwind of a trip!

YES, I am a little bit crazy. Just a tad. Leeetle bitty.

Of course I forgot the stroller, (like he would sit in it anyway), so the Bub was my yellow bag cart driver:

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He only knocked over maybe 18 people.  ;)

We managed to get out with my sofa table and just a little bit more. Maybe a lot more. Whatever.

The thing about IKEA furniture is they don’t have words in the assembly instructions. Words are a good thing.

I only messed up the first step five times, but after that it went surprisingly fast and easy! So easy a three-year-old can do it:

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Oh, my sweet, sweet boy with his “tools.” I could just pass out from his cuteness!

It took less than an hour to get it together – and it’s SOLID. I’m kind of wondering if this place is really heaven and I’m traveling through space and time or something, cause it’s too good to be true:

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I. love. it. I know $150 sofa table isn’t going to last us forever, but compared to something from Target or wherever, I’m impressed!

I’m playing around with accessories, and LOVING that I have another spot for pretties!:

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I’m going to paint the boxes (they were from the nursery), maybe stain the baskets, move things around, and this will look completely different when I’m done of course. :)

But I love my IKEA $150 spur of the moment sofa table! And now I’m so glad my other plans fell through. :)

I’ll show you my other goodies later this week! So are you an IKEA fan? Been there? Want to? (Go! Go! GO!)

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Comments

  1. I am glad you love it...because if not we were going to have to have your head examined! ;D

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  2. And I forgot to say that he is WAY too cute pushing the bag/cart! Those floors are slippery! I take out 18 people each time I go!

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  3. Their kid's stuff is the best! My son's outerspace bedroom is done in almost all IKEA stuff. I live twenty minutes from one so I've gotten a bit spoiled. :) Glad you enjoyed your first (and second) trip there!

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  4. Yea! I love your new table, I was one of the ones who said you needed to add a table to the back of your couch. IKEA is heavenly for sure, can't wait to see what else you found!

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  5. I love love love Ikea!! we have so much stuff from there because we're in the military and move so much our furniture gets beat up so bad each move I feel a lot better getting super cute and affordable things from Ikea than spend a ton on something for it not to last us long.

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  6. I have the big huge dandelion pendant in my house. :) LOVE IT! I bought it before it was available in the Seattle store, so I got on fb, posted to my friends..."Does anyone have a friend that lives near Burbank, CA IKEA that would be willing to go buy a light for a random stranger and ship it to me and trust me to pay them back?" :)

    Within 5 minutes, there was someone at the IKEA store in Burbank, CA buying the funky chandelier to send to little old me in Pe Ell, WA. :) Hoorah for fb!!!!

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  7. I.LOVE.IKEA. Actually, we just redid our laundry room a couple weeks ago and created a closet/cubbie system using PAX elements. Whatever that means right? HA! Anyway, great sofa table and so glad I'm not the only one who likes actual reading material as I build!

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  8. Ahh yes...you found the promised land! Ikea and I are good friends. I'm there at least once a month since I live in a city that has one (as of two years ago..yay). I actually scored their Liatorp white pedestal dining table on craigslist today for....drumroll please.....FREE!!!!! it looks almost identical to the Pottery Barn 1000.00 table!! I am so beyond in love with it I can't even see straight! So excited that you finally discovered Ikea...you will be addicted now!

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  9. Love me some IKEA! Never in a meeelion years thought that I would, but on my first trip, I was sold. Ours is also over an hour away so my trips are not as often as I would like, but I am sure hubby and my wallet appreciate the distance. However... now that I see those pillows, I see a trip in my near future. Just repainted the living room today (Yea me!) and am looking for new pillows. New couches (White, egads!) are coming soon. Please stop by and visit the blog so you can see my "progress". (I use the term loosely...)

    Love the table! One may need to come home with me, too.

    www.camachohouse.blogspot.com

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  10. Wasn't an Ikea fan at first (substandard products based on items purchased way back when) but the place has definitely grown on me over the years (plus you can't beat those darn Swedish meatballs....devine...been known to go just to eat and mine is about an hour away) and their products (quality as well as ease of assembly) have really improved. I've noticed that if I use a little be of glue when I put them together the pieces will last a very long time (food for thought if you notice it coming apart later).

    I'm in love w/ their "as is" (say that fast I dare ya...wink, wink) section as I've found several things I've needed already assembled and with only minor dents.

    Yeah...I'm an Ikea convert and loving it.

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  11. Hi, I have recently been following your blog...and I love it.
    I especially love IKEA and unfortunately the nearest IKEA for me is 8-9 hours away...boo! But when I do go to one I stock up. I loved the curvy metal legs so I bought the short ones (amazing sale on them) and a lovely table top and it is the cutest little craft/play table for my little girl's room.

    Good news for next year...there will be an IKEA only an HOUR away.

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  12. Welcome to the love that is IKEA. :) If only I had more $ to just buy pretty things....sigh. :)
    Glad you found a table that works for you. Cute cute!

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  13. I am an Ikea fan, but particular about what I get there...there is great stuff and there is cheap stuff, if you know what I mean. I had such luck recently, finding just the right items for Max's room, that I turned the design of his room into an Ikea challenge: Create a high end looking room from things found at Ikea. I think it was a success.

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  14. I *heart* Ikea! We go 3-4 times a year. If I went more my hubby might not let me go ever! I have long wished I had a spare room so I could have the cute white beadbord daybed with trundle. Oh how I want it.... someday!

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  15. OMG I love your new sofa table!! Awesome. Yes, I love me some Ikea meatballs too! lol.

    I also heard that the owner of Ikea is the richest (or one of the richest) men in the world. I wonder if he decorates his house with IKEAS products.

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  16. For a great price on butcher block go to perfectplank.com. i have bought from them twice. it is really inexpensive. get the hard rock maple.

    i think IKEA has some fun stuff but honestly most of their stuff is cheap because it is cheaply made. it isn't too sturdy or well constructed. for some things, that is OK. For other things it is not OK. just beware of what you buy there.

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  17. I love ikea for another reason too - we have six kids, who are, at any given time, armed with crayons, pencils, pastels, markers and or paint. Guess what? It all comes off!!!!! My entire upstairs (minus the master bedroom) and the downstairs kids bedrooms are filled with the greatest stuff, including that big white art table with the glass insert, and it is all safe!

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  18. I love ikea for another reason too - we have six kids, who are, at any given time, armed with crayons, pencils, pastels, markers and or paint. Guess what? It all comes off!!!!! My entire upstairs (minus the master bedroom) and the downstairs kids bedrooms are filled with the greatest stuff, including that big white art table with the glass insert, and it is all safe!

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  19. congrats cassie!

    ikea makes my heart pitter patter... and now i'm planning a trip for this weekend... TYVM!

    :)

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  20. Love, love, love Ikea! We just went last weekend too! Got a new laptop desk and shelves. And of course other goodies too.

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  21. I moved to the midwest and now Ikea is more than seven hours away..and we could really use it here...everything is still from the seventies. After being only 15 minutes away from Ikea most of my life...I MISS IT!!!
    Love ALL your pics...it made me miss it even more...in a good way.
    Sarah B.

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  22. I love IKEA. Love it like a fat kid loves cake. Yes, *that* much.

    I have that huge b&w city print, and can I just tell you? It's rad. When I suggested to my husband that we need to buy it for our front room, he was all "Are you freaking insane?"

    Uh..Sh'yah. But you knew this already, dude. In sickness and in health buddy, and that includes mental.

    So, we bought it. And cursed a blue streak putting it together. (pleat the edges, folks. learn from my blue streak)

    Yeah, it's awesome. The most awesome awesome that ever awesomed.

    Yay IKEA.

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  23. Yes, I love Ikea, too! The picture of your son reminds me of our 3 year old pushing one of their little carts. ;-) So cute.

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  24. I was just there today actually! ;) LOVE THAT PLACE!! I got a ton of fun stuff too! Did you see their awesome placemats??? LOVE!! I spent way too much like I always do their.. but I least I got great stuff for it!!

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  25. i love ikea!!! about 99% of the stuff in my apartment is from there!!! i'm so lucky to have one just about 20min from my house, so i try to go there at least once a month!! i don't know if you had a chance to visit their "as is" section where they sell their display and discontinued items for at least half the price!! i scored an awesome sofa for $100 there!!

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  26. I've only been to IKEA once but I have big plans to take a big truck and go back one day. And maybe one day there will be an IKEA closer than 5 hours from me.

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  27. I always tell people that once they get used to an Ikea they'll wonder how they ever lived without one. I should know! I used to have TWO stores within minutes of my home and now I too have to drive 1hr 45mins to get to one :(. They are hard to live without!

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  28. I love IKEA!!! I am now 3 hours away from one but that doesn't stop me from hooking up my trailer and hitting the road. My entire craft room is IKEA furniture with the exception of one table top from Home Depot. I love that sofa table. Wondering if I can find a place for that piece in my home.....

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  29. I've never been to IKEA, but now I desperately want to go!!!

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  30. My Ikea is a day trip, too; not just a spur-of-the-moment-let's-go-to-Ikea trip. I did buy a new white slipcover for my Ektorp chair online, {that's Swedish for comfy armchair} and it was $29.0. I couldn't believe it, I had to look at the price 3x to make sure I didn't drop a zero somewhere!

    I do need to plan a trip there though. Love your sofa table!

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  31. OMG, do I love IKEA. I pink puffy rainbow with sprinkles and unicorn kisses {heart} IKEA. I live within 20 minutes of 2 (TWO!!!) IKEA stores. Could you die? Half my house is IKEA. Seriously. I'm glad you had a great experience.

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  32. Great recap!! :) I love me some IKEA, but I have to be careful about what I bring home. I brought home a sideboard once and the hubs was not happy about having to put it together. It serves it's purpose well and looks nice, but 5/6 years later, it's not in the best shape. I knew that going into it, and I try to argue that point with my hubs, but there's no changing a super-picky, traditional guy when it comes to furniture. Oh well. I still love IKEA. :)

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  33. The sofa table looks like a great buy. Can't wait to see what you do with the boxes.

    DI

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  34. Ooh I love the sofa table! Looks great! And Bubs IS too cute! :) I have never been to an Ikea. I'm not even sure where the closest one is. I might have to look that up.

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  35. I've never been to an Ikea either but it's def. not from my wanting to. The closest one to me is several states away. That should illegal. Can't we FORCE them to place one in each major city?

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  36. Ohio got its first IKEA a year or so ago.About time too.I grew up in Philly so I had IKEA furniture in my bedroom as a teenager.Moving here was serious withdrawal.They have such smart and often stylish solutions.Mostly though, I have to admit, I love the FOOD.Ah, swedish meatballs...How about those stupid cheap cinnamon rolls?!!!All I need in life are food options and glitter...

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  37. I was lucky to grow up near an Ikea, so of course my first apartment our of college was FULL of Ikea. Great prices, especially for a young 'un right out of college. I have watched as they improve their offerings, and that sofa table is a sure sign of Ikea not only being for post college apartments.

    We are considering the Expedit bookcase for our bonus room. I think it will be a great, inexpensive way to get the toys up off the floor. If I had the extra moolah I'd snap that sofa table up in a second :-)

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  38. I love ikea too! The closest one is kinda far so we don't get to go often... I love how you set up your new table!

    Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
    party inspiration

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  39. LOVE ME SOME IKEA!! Unfortunately the closest one to us right now is 4hrs away!! Yikes -- so we don't get there a lot. Tough break :)

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  40. I love Ikea - I just wish it didn't cost me $4 to get over the bridge to get there!

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  41. I haven't been to IKEA in years. It's a drive for us too. But I am definitely in need of a trip! Love the sofa table! I'm assuming you got a sweet deal on your butcher block too? Can't wait to see the end result in your kitchen!

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  42. Yes, love Ikea...until I have to put together something. We actually live about four minutes from one -- CRAZY, I know! And you know what? I hardly go...EVER. I think just knowing it's there is enough. :)

    Your table looks great!

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  43. Ikea is like my crack. I'd live there if I could. I love that sofa table you picked up. It's perfect.

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  44. I can't tell you how much I LOOOOOOVE IKEA!!! I can spend allll daaaay looking around that store! Too bad it's an hour and a half away, huh?!?!?! We need one in Columbus!!

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  45. I love me some IKEA! The one closest to me is about an hour drive, so I don't go often. My husband hates the place because he can't seem to get me out! :)

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  46. I'm a recent Ikea convert - I especially love their shelves, cubbies, and picture frames. I'm still a little wary of the major furniture items, just because most of it is not solid wood, but it's definitely stylish and works in a pinch for GREAT prices.

    I just wish there was one close - closest for us is 4 1/2 hours away!

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  47. Okay I admit it, I love IKEA too! In fact so much so that instead of a cruise, or trip for our 20th anniversary we are going on a day trip to IKEA. Yep, you read that correctly! Did I mention I LOVE Ikea?!? For the past 5 years we have lived over 2500 miles away from an IKEA store which was pure torture as we used to live 45 minutes away from a store. And now our 14 year old son has been bit by the bug... so maybe a summer vacation day trip will have to occur as well! :)
    (OH just so you know, my hubby really like IKEA as well... He loves their gourmet candy and snack section plus the "as is" section!!)

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  48. I have never been to Ikea but now I'm thinking I might just have to go. Love the table!

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  49. I just found your blog today and Ikea has turned into my best friend! I went to one a feew years ago in Maryland after a 1hour 15 min drive and fell in love! Now i live only 10 min from one! I also have the pillow! Love the funky pattern in subtle colors.

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  50. I had never been until they built one in Tampa a year ago and I love it! I have gone a couple of times and can spend hours just looking around.

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  51. Been there and done IKEA many a time! Ours is about a 30 minute drive. Please tell me you didn't skip over the "AS IS" section?! Its a must!

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  52. ikea has great deals. i went this past weekend as well to their huge sale. didn't get very many things but def going back to get the expedit bookcase for my office. i need lots of shelves and storage and thats the cost friendly and fabulous option. love the big paper lantern. i took a pic of it too!

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  53. I am the lone person that has been twice and won't go back:( I like the organizing stuff but other than that, I just don't get it. I am glad that you had a fun time (I think you went to the one in West Chester) and got you a sofa table. It looks really nice and organized.

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  54. We have an Ikea that's just a 45 minute drive from us & to my everlasting shame...I have never been! You've inspired me to finally go on my day off next week! :-D

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  55. I LOVE Ikea and I LOVE your new sofa table! When my hubby and I moved into our new house 2 months ago we decided we needed a trip to Ikea. And boy did we find the stuff! We found an entire dining room furniture "set" and a mattress and a desk and lighting... the list goes on and on. We ended up renting a van from there (for only $23) and driving the almost 2 hours home and then back to return the van because we had so much stuff! But I'm soo impressed with the furniture we got! It is SOLID and real wood! I heart IKEA!! (Here are a couple of our finds: http://abbysugarandspice.blogspot.com/2010/05/ikea-weekend.html )

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  56. Its true my friend, IKEA will change your life (and your bank account balance)! The ones here in the US of A are huge. I went to one while I was in Europe and I think it had the same square footage as my home, no kidding, it was tiny! (They are oddly proud of it though). Yeah for IKEA..and crunchy ice!!

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  57. I've been an Ikea whore for ages..ok 10 years.
    The good thing is the hubs loves it there too. We actually buy the meatballs and bring them home (you can buy them frozen) love their coffee and their chocolate, and their prices, and the kitchens, and the lamps, and the...everything.
    If you are on a budget (and we are) this is the place to shop.

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  58. I'm SO glad Cassie won your giveaway!! She is seriously THE sweetest person I've met while blogging. Congrats Cassie!!

    And yes, I LOVE Ikea!!!! It's about the same distance from as from you, and it's in PHOENIX, which I avoid at all costs, especially during the summer. It's so very dangerous, because things are so cheap here, and so cheap there, and before you know it, you've blown A LOT of moolah! :)

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  59. When we bought our house and did the major, major updating (including painting every square inch and installing hardwood floor ourselves), my mom wanted to help, but her shoulder made floors and paint a no-no.

    So she decorated my kids' rooms. And IKEA was our saving grace, both for the inexpensive and creative factor.

    I love that place! (Including the meatballs.)

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  60. Oh, IKEA is so much fun! We like to get there early and make our plans as we walk back to the cafe, enjoy a 99 cent breakfast (with BACON!!!), then take our time going thru it all. We have several pieces of furniture and they've held up well. Not a small think with 4 kids...

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  61. Love IKEA...making a trip this weekend in fact! Lucky for me it's just downtown. Love the sofa table!

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  62. Love Ikea. I just made an after work run there last night. I hope to showcase some of my goodies soon.

    http://singaturestyle.blogspot.com/

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  63. Ikea is my Very Favorite store! The first time I went, and the second and third and all the way to 10th really, it was like going to Disneyland!

    We got some stuff for our bathroom at Ikea, a new vanity, sink, faucet, medicine cabinet and storage thingies. I love them to pieces. We had some trouble getting adapters for our American standard plumbing but, all is well and AWESOME! :)

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  64. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Ikea. I think the first time I went (about 8 years ago or so), I spent an entire paycheck. I don't think there's a room in my house that doesn't have SOMETHING from Ikea. Seriously.

    I just scored the Bjursta dining table from Craig's list for $50. It was only a year only (looked new) and they retail for $149.

    Ahhhmazing!

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  65. Love Ikea! And Ikea is a great place for a cheap date night. We go there, drop all 3 kids and then eat in the cafe kid-free!!! The kids have fun and we get a kid-free dinner - win/win situation!

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  66. So funny! Glad you had a great time and I love the sofa table you found! IKEA has been a fave of mine for years and you just can't beat the prices. Not everything will last years, but the styles are modern and when pinching pennies is important, you just can't beat it! : )

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  67. There isn't an IKEA within 3 hrs of me, so I've never been to one. However, I peruse their website (most of the things I want are not sold online--wish they would change that!)....I just had a friend of mine (in FL) pick up some pillows/covers for me, and she's mailed them for me...so I'll have new pretties for my couch, without the three hour drive time each way! Glad you had fun, though!

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  68. I have heard of IKEA, but I always figured it was crazy expensive. Reading your post makes me want to go....really bad!! Alas, the closest one is like 310 miles from me. That stinks like a monkey. Oh well, I guess I'll play on the website. I love your sofa table, have fun accessorizing and re-accessorizing it!!

    PS I think Bub is pretty cute too. I love the bare feet :)

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  69. I have the same baskets from Ikea and also decided to stain them. I used a dark Minwax gel stain on them dabbed on with a a foam brush. They look great. They are also in my sofa table filled with toys for my two year old.

    We lived in Germany for three years with the military and the funny thing is that all their "different" bright contemporary funiture are the norm there. It is actually surprising that they have some American looking classic sofas and other furniture.

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  70. I LOVE Ikea. We used to live 4.5 hours to one so it was a huge event to go. Now we live 40 minutes and I've been there twice in a month! I totally scooped up that jute rug and got a cute side table for $70. Woo!

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  71. I've been to IKEA in Atlanta once - whew - I know I wasn't the only person walking around with my mouth open the entire time. I went in just to "window shop", and came out with a car full. Cutest little patio table, adorable lanterns for the patio, wine glasses, kiddie spoons, bowls, etc. I'm planning my next trip already!
    Love that white hanging lamp.....
    MimiG

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  72. I loved reading your first (and second) trip to Ikea story. It reminded me of my first time while I was on a business trip in Pittsburgh. I wanted everything but only had a little bitty carryon bag. HeHe...I jangled down that airplane aisle with as many goodies as I could stash and with the fever -- the IKEA fever.

    Now, several years later we have an IKEA in my hometown - Canton, MI, just five minutes away from my house. I still love to go and inhale the scent of cinnamon rolls and wood as you step through the door.

    Sniff...I love you IKEA

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  73. Best coffe ever at ikea. The thing is you need about 6 hrs to enjoy the whole store.

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  74. Most of the furniture we've bought has been Ikea - that usually surprises people because our house is not modern at all, very french country. I love the Leksvik, Hemnes, and Liatorp lines. Everything is soft pine though, so it does dent up easily. The sideboard I bought to use in our kitchen gets daily abuse and shows it, but the side tables and night stands have held up fine.

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  75. I recently moved to Atlanta from Germany. In Germany, I went to the IKEA like a baby (kicking and screaming). I HATED it. And when a co-worker here suggested I get my curtain rods and rings from IKEA rather than Home Depot, I balked. No way!

    I had made my curtains out of the drop cloths with the colored cloth (from IKEA king-sized sheets) at the bottom. I had two large windows (sliding glass door sized) and one small window. So I needed two large curtain rods and one small curtain rod.

    IKEA is now by BFF. Want to see my breakdown for costs?

    The cost for three curtain rods:
    At Home Depot: $87.58
    At IKEA: $29.13
    SAVINGS: $58.45

    Hardware to hang curtains (I needed 108 rings)
    At Home Depot: $7.97 for a package of 7 (that would total $127.52 for the 16 packages I would need)
    At IKEA: $3.99 for a package of 10 (that would total $43.89 for the 11 packages I would need)
    SAVINGS: $83.63

    All in all, my savings by shopping at IKEA was $142.08.

    Think of the possibilities of things I can use that $142.08 for. Well, I used $4 of it buying some of those fantastic cinnamon rolls on my way out.

    I'm so glad I live near IKEA. I've certainly changed my mind about shopping there.

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  76. I never get a cute cart guy when I go to IKEA!!!!

    Love the sofa table ... where did you get your glass lamp .... LOVE IT!

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  77. Forgot to mention my fav item right now is the antonius wire drawer unit - I'm slowly putting them in every closet in my house! And they lowered the price since I bought the first couple - now only $15!!!

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  78. Glad you had such fun.

    I'm thankful my IKEA is an hour away because it would be very dangerous if it were closer. You went back, love it! That's how I shop too.

    And the photo of you and your sis with the yellow bags - the IKEA shopping outfit - fun :-)

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  79. I once lived walking distance from the Burbank IKEA. WAKING DISTANCE. Now that I'm in WA I think the closest Ikea is in Portland. Too far!

    My favorite piece of furniture from there is the Helmer filing cabinet...I keep all of my nail polishes in it! Perfect size, relatively sturdy, and lots of storage space.

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  80. You are going to be surprised how well their furniture lasts! I have it scattered all over my house. And, please fill us in about the butcher block. Did you find what you were looking for? And, how did the prices compare?

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  81. I can't believe HD quoted you 1300 for butcher block!! Was it an usual size? I got a 5x3 piece from Lowes for 324, and I thought that was a good price.. he said it retailed at 408, but he gave me a lower price. I got your typical, no fancy edges, maple butcher block. Crazy!! IKEA looks like so much fun! I think Pittsburg is the closest.. but that's probably a good thing. :)

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  82. I can't believe HD quoted you 1300 for butcher block!! Was it an usual size? I got a 5x3 piece from Lowes for 324, and I thought that was a good price.. he said it retailed at 408, but he gave me a lower price. I got your typical, no fancy edges, maple butcher block. Crazy!! IKEA looks like so much fun! I think Pittsburg is the closest.. but that's probably a good thing. :)

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  83. We have the butt hooks in our house! They are hung up by the front door and the dogs leashes hang from them! I <3 ikea.

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  84. I love your blog!! I'm basically raised in a IKEA-store - being swedish and all...and yes, swedish is a real language! :-)

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  85. Oh how I lerb me some IKEA! My store is over 2 hours away and you have to get on crazy I-95 (it's near D.C.) to get there but it is worth every foot of the drive. I've sent them a pitiful email begging and pleading for them to build a store around here. I swear I would be their best.customer.evah. I'm glad you are now one of "us" (Ikeans? Ikies? Ikaniacs?).

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  86. What took you so long? I could spend my whole husband's salary if I could (but I won't!)in that store!
    love, LOVE it!!

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  87. I love your sofa table. It's perfection. I seriously want one. However, hubby has put an embargo on Kim in Ikea for a while. I took the 2 1/2 hour drive twice last month and have the bank statement to prove it. ;)

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  88. Love Ikea! We did our entire laundry room from there. Here is the link!http://timeoutforme.blogspot.com/2010/01/laundry-day-hooray.html
    So fun!
    Jen

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  89. Ohhhhhh! I LOVVVVVE IT! It's totally my style!

    BTW-Did you repaint your cloche base white?!?!? I swore it was black! (Do I win something for knowing this?!?!?) ;)

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  90. I am so with you on the IKEA instructions needing words. I am literate, thank you very much. Also, I can't believe that you took all of those pictures there without getting into trouble. I was taking pictures there one time and they totally busted me and told me that was not allowed.
    Awesome steals!! I can't wait to see what else you got.

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  91. We love IKEA - if you have one nearby....when are they going to get everything online - we need it for your great room designs. My Design Guide.com

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  92. IKEA!! I just found some lamps I looooove online, but I can't buy them online--only in the store. The closest store to me is four HUNDRED miles away! Ugh! Who bought this house anyway?

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  93. Welcome to the club! You'll never want to leave now. :)

    I'm having Ikea withdrawal. Since we relocated from Northern Virginia to the Panhandle of Florida, I've only managed once to visit Ikea in the past 2 years. I planned a special outing just for myself while the family was on vacation at Disney! Yes, I did. No regrets...

    Hoping for a summer fix. I'm jonesing for some Ikea!

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  94. And I've still never been to one! I actually hadn't heard of it until a few years ago. We just don't have them in Louisiana. But now I'm thinking road trip...

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  95. I love IKEA--I haven't been in forever, but it has such great deals!!

    We've been super happy with an end table and tv stand from there... I kinda want a new dresser

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  96. One of the reasons my love of hometown is only 98% is the fact that there is no IKEA within driving distance. *snif*

    That, and Dave Matthews never comes here.

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  97. I am with you, sister!

    While on vacation in Florida this week, I drove up to Orlando to visit the IKEA there. I have heard so much about it and couldn't wait to see it for myself. Honestly, I was overwhelmed, amazed, excited and a little fearful. I walked in and had no idea what I was supposed to do. It was huge!!

    I got some great things also. One of my favorites is a huge wooden cutting board for ten dollars!!

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  98. I went to IKEA once and got lost in the maze...I think I'm feeling the need to go again!!

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  99. I was reading your questions about the island and my opinion is the cream island would really lighten things up! Looks like you're moving away from black and lightening up in general - the cream island would look GORG with the dark stained butcher block top!!

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  100. It looks great! And you're right, it won't last forever. Hubsey and I refer to IKEA products as "apartment furniture." Right now our coffee table, end tables, a bookshelf and assorted accessories are from IKEA and we love them, even if we think they'll fall apart when we move.

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  101. I LOVE Ikea. There is no place like it. I transformed this Ikea mirror

    http://lifeinmypjs.blogspot.com/2010/06/leaf-mirror-spray-painted.html

    Also, if you go to their website you can start a shopping list and print it out. And it will ask you for your zip code, you can put in your store and it will tell you what aisle your items are in. Fantastic!

    ~Ela

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  102. Lol.. you have inspired me to go find an Ikea and shop!! I have never been and it is defiantly not what I thought it was!! Thanks :0D

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  103. IKEA is 2 hours from my house, but only 30 minutes from my daughter. She is getting her own apartment in a few months and most of it will be furnished with IKEA. I volunteer to go with her on each trip there as she begins to plan what she wants to purchase (so she can budget accordingly). I've also become the volunteer to take anyone I know that has never been to IKEA on a trip there so they can experience it. It is fairly new to our area so a lot of people have never been. My trick to shopping there - I usually take cash with me so I have a limit. It's the best thing for me to do so I stay out of trouble!

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  104. Just catching up on your posts because my Hubby and I have been gone on a little vacation and we went to...IKEA! Our closest IKEA is six hours away. So depressing. We spent 5 hours there though I probably could have spent 5 days! Love all of their goods and wish we didn't have to plan for a trip there!

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  105. Was so happy when IKEA came to the DFW area close to us. We used to drive to Houston! It's only 45 min away now. You did the right thing - make a day of it! We love to go, eat meatballs, look at everything, then finish off with a cinnamon roll. And a Pepsi, of course.

    You might be surprised how long the sofa table lasts. Our IKEA furniture has surprised me by lasting WAY longer than I ever expected, through several moves.

    Those white beadboard cabinets you posted a pic of are on my wish list fo sho! We are too cheap for new cabinets so I just had to settle for painting the old ones white. Ah, well. Maybe I'll try your beadboard backsplash idea!

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  106. I've been looking for a console table just like that!! I love that I can see how it looks IRL. I just purchased two parsons chairs for dining room table at Ikea. Love them!!

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  107. I love the hemnes collection! And I loooove this sofa table!! I haven't seen this! I am lucky enough to have TWO ikeas near me in Baltimore!! And a container store in driving distance!! I love both of them so very much!!

    That glass lamp is fabulous!!

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