New Nightstands and Some Thoughts on IKEA

Last night, I made quick trip to IKEA to buy some bedside tables for our master bedroom. (I'm now using our old ones in the living room, and have been hanging off the bed to reach my alarm clock on the floor for the last several months. . . )  I ended up with a pair of these Koppang chests:


After a hardware change and maybe some added detail, I think they could have a similar feel to these that Tobi Fairley used in one of her projects:


image via Tobi Fairley



More to come on my bedroom updates later. . . In the meantime, here are some other things I'm digging at IKEA:




Clockwise:



This one has been around for a while, but I still like it.  It's a simple, classic style that could be sprayed easily in any color.  And, it's a great way to update your lighting for under $40.



Although these are technically for plants, I think they might be a perfect, stylish option for crayons and other art supplies when grouped together.



At only $10, this tray goes anywhere--from your vanity to a coffee table.  Would be easy to spray paint, stencil or coat with chalkboard paint.



Such fun prints! Perfect for parties but inexpensive enough for every day.


6.  Glira knobs  

Although they actually look more like cuff links on their web site, they are really pretty, shiny knobs that I've used in a couple of different client projects lately.  I think I may also use them on our new bedside tables.  Best of all, they come in a 2-pack for $5.




8.  Gunilla and Lena fabrics

I'm really liking these black, white and gray fabrics.  They look way more sophisticated than their $7.99/yard price tag suggests.



Fyi. . .this little pendant looks way more impressive in person. 



And, just to keep things real, here are three things I'm currently not digging about IKEA (in case any IKEA big-wigs in Sweden happen to read my blog):

1.  Your crazy carts that make me look like an out of control ice skater trying to get through the store.  Something is just not jiving about the carts and the floors together. 

2.  The fact that your Charlotte store only has dull pinking shears instead of actual scissors (for "safety reasons") at your DIY fabric cutting table.  I'm just wondering how much fabric they actually sell in this store. . . 

3.  Your Merete grommet curtain panels in "bleached" have been out of stock for over two months, and this seems to be an IKEA-wide problem.  I am "patiently" waiting on these for a client project.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Me

45 comments:

  1. Emily, I like the clean lines of the bedside tables you chose and best of all are the drawers. I love bedside tables to have drawers!! I also have so much stuff that ends up on the table tops.

    ReplyDelete
  2. my boyfriend saw the Ottava pendant at a friend's house and now wants it badly for our dinning room, if you say its good then Ill go for it

    ReplyDelete
  3. Haha---your FYI to IKEA made me laugh out loud---I agree about the carts!

    But---I love your picks! I am also redecorating my master---I will definitely stay tuned to see yours for inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those are going to look great next to your bed! and yes, the last part of this post is just too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE those bedside tables! I think I might need these for our master bedroom too. They really are perfect and with a slight hardware change, they will look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm hoping to make a trip to the Charlotte IKEA store sometime in 2011. I had my first IKEA store experience this summer while on a road trip and fell. in. love. I pulled my husband into the store with the last words on his lips being, "you have 45 minutes and then we have to get back on the road". Almost 2 hours later (after rushing through the store and almost buying a couch!) we were both hooked. Charlotte is the closest store to us and I certainly have my eye on those Ottava pendants! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ikea is one of my most favorite stores on the planet. Thankfully the one that is close to us is 45 minutes away which limits the amount of trips I can take :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOVE IKEA!!! We have so many of their furniture pieces, and we are so happy with all of them ~ from desks to beds and nightstands...

    Have a super week Emily :)
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have to admit, I am yet to go into an Ikea store. I think I'm a little afraid that I will be way too overwhelmed! This post did get me really curious though...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the dresser...it does look so similar to the Tobi piece!

    I also went to Ikea last weekend...those carts drive me a little crazy too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You & me both with the cart :)

    -Rene

    ReplyDelete
  13. We are really looking forward to you master bedroom update.The Ikea koppang chests are very nice.We are also looking forward to see the new hardware you put on them.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love IKEA! A great fun place with amazing deals and always a nice n' easy pick me up! Love their napkins, plants, basics like candles and much more! I have been moving a lot throughout the world and going to IKEA makes me often feel like 'home"... not because of the furniture, but the constant presence...
    We also love the flood!
    Love to se the results of your remodeling work on that chest!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Can't wait to see the updated dresser and YES!! What is it about those carts at Ikea, I feel like I'm having a fight with it through the entire store!
    Janell

    ReplyDelete
  16. I bought the same napkins! I'm trying to get away from paper but they were made in Hungary! How cool? Perhaps less cool if your family isn't from Hungary. But I do love how Ikea has products made all over the world.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just FYI ... I think the pendant link is actually to the fabric. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. those plant boxes are wonderful. a trip to ikea is now on my to do list!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Totally agree about the carts! I was in the Charlotte IKEA just last weekend and I was so frustrated. I had to beg my friend to push the cart for me so I didn't run into anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think those chests will be perfect for your bedside! Can't wait to see the finished look. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Emily, I too love IKEA and am lucky to have one about 15 minutes from my house. I love the idea of using those Koppang chests for bedside tables. I have the Hemnes chest of drawers in my son's old nursery which is similar in design. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20067829

    I just want to give you a heads up on one thing so this doesn't happen to your chests. I made the mistake of putting a humidifier on the Hemnes (which looks to be very similar in construction, finish, etc.) The moisture from the humidifier made the finish peel off the top on the edge. Obviously moisture isn't going to be good for any type of furniture but I was just suprised by how little moisture it took to do this. So definately use a coaster for any drinks. Can't wait to see your finished room!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I use their napkins as everyday too...something feels so luxurious about it! Wow, that sounded really pathetic...but fun napkins just make mealtimes feel special!

    and yes, the carts are out of control...I think they have 4-wheel drive or somehing?!? And it doesn't help that I'm usually pushing mine the wrong direction trying to backtrack to another department!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yes! I could not agree more about the carts!!!! And why is it when I am brave enough to push the carts that everyone is staring at me with a look on their face that i am the only idiot that doesn't know how to push the dang Ikea carts. I wonder if YouTube has a "How to use Ikea" video?

    ReplyDelete
  24. I like the bedside tables you chose, and they look amazing in the Tobi Fairley space (love how she switched out the hardware). Your note to IKEA is too funny! I can't stand it when I go somewhere and the carts seem to have their own agenda. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Okay, I thought it was just me with those carts and I felt like the biggest spaz! Thank you for validating my belief that it has, in fact, all along been the cart. I've seen some excellent projects with the $40 Besta chest of drawers that has piqued my interest. I always feel if you go in there with an open mind, you can find some really fantastic things at Ikea.

    ReplyDelete
  26. OMG, I could agree more on your Ikea "gripes". I'm still looking for those Merete curtains in bleached!!! They're the best and I can't find them in Portland either! Garrrrr!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm addicted to IKEA, too, Emily and totally agree about the carts. What is up with all the sliding around? However, I LOVE the way the belt buckle works for kids. It was too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love your inspiration board. The nightstands are going to look great, nice clean lines and having drawers is a great asset!!! Loved shopping at Ikea through your eyes,Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  29. 1. I love your picks.
    2. You just solidified my weekend plans. Ikea it is!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Confession: I have not been in an IKEA since 1990 when I lived in Arlington, VA. Shameful. Your post has convinced me it's time. Especially since there's one here in ATL. On the "to do" list this weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like the direction you are going in. Theres something about Ikea that's addictive.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my gosh their carts are the worst!! Why so slick Ikea, WHY?

    Can't wait to see the tables in your room!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The carts are there so when Ikea has its executive conference, they can look at store footage and compile a bloopers reel of us struggling with those darn things.

    And I am totally annoyed about the curtains. They are my standard "go to" curtain when I need a cheap fix. Add some ribbon or trim and they look custom! Grrrrr......

    ReplyDelete
  34. Cracking up. I refused to use a cart the last time I "ran in for one thing." Found so many fun things my toddlers were helping me carry them to the check out line. So funny. I am thinking of that dresser for my son's room with different hardware as well. Can't be the price.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Seriously every time I want to go to Ikea, I have to say to myself "are you in the mood to deal with their carts today?".

    ReplyDelete
  36. Frustration hits New Jersey and no not the amount of snow we've been getting. Those darn curtains. Have visited (2) locations and there are none to be found in "bleached" Keep us in the loop if you find!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love this room! I wish I lived closer to an Ikea.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Emily-
    I'm a fellow design blogger participating in the 'Blog Off' and just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Your design site is very inspirational! I'd love for you to check out my Interior Design & Decor site, SAS Interiors @ www.sasinteriors.net

    ~Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  39. ya the merete curtain thing is driving me batty. i need some curtains pronto. there are none in chicago.

    ReplyDelete
  40. The carts!!! You are so right about the carts! I was in the Charlotte Ikea on Saturday and had to drive my cart at a diagonal angle in front of me. I looked drunk.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I had to laugh at the out of control ice skater with the ikea carts. I completly agree they are the worst, but make for some great entertainment when you're hanging out at ikea with your bff.

    ReplyDelete
  42. The IKEA closest to me (Stoughton, MA) has the curtains in bleached...and so does the one in CT, which is 2nd closest! Maybe you can have them shipped?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Glad I am not the only one with the cart problem. Although when my cart is dragging me around the store, NO ONE ELSE seems to be have that problem.

    And what, the fabric is DIY? I've always had an employee cut it.

    A possible suggestion for the curtains, my husband and I waited for months for a sideboard that never came in stock. One day when talking to furniture clerk,
    they mentioned you could pick one up at the distribution center here in Charlotte. Which is what we did.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I've been waiting for IKEA Tempe to get in more of the bleached Merete panels too! I went in 4 weeks ago. Floor sales lady said oh, give it a week and you can always go online to check stock before coming. A week later, sure enough, online says they're in and I call just in case. Thank goodness. The store said they were not actually in stock. Give it a week. This has been going on for 4 weeks now. At least their online stock information matches the store now. What is the deal? I hope they don't D-C the product!! I am making a double-panel set for two rooms with the white and wavy brown lines for the outer panel and am in love with the whole concept. The beige won't work because out here in good ol AZ they will get faded color stains from the heat up against the window. Glad to hear I'm not the only one pining. Thanks for the blog.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make my day! If you have a question, I'll try to answer in the comment section by the end of the day. Or, you can email me at emily@emilyaclark.com.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...