Wednesday
Mar192008
IKEA and the modern home
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 10:10PM
I went to Ikea on opening day. I don't know quite why I did it, other than I knew it was crazy and I tried not to go, but I felt the pull and I gave in. It helped that I went with a friend who, due to a recent back injury, has a temporary handicap parking pass. We zipped right in to the main parking lot right about 1:00. No problem!
The store was crowded with Ikea virgins, not quite sure what to make of the whole thing, but if you build it....... I also spotted a few Ikea veterans, like myself, who heard the call. I could just tell (OK, and I knew some of them).
I made my first of many pilgrimages to Ikea in 1988 when I was pregnant with my (now 19 year old!) son. On that trip to the Philadelphia store, we bought porch furniture and a changing table for a the baby. To the people who say that Ikea is poor quality and disposable, I have this to say: That furniture is still on our porch (holding its own right next to a classic Saarinen table w/ Bertoia chairs - see photo below) and the changing table has been 'remodeled' and is now serving as a desk in our kids' art studio.
As I walked around the store, I couldn't help but be saddened that I will never again feel that particular rush you get from a long road trip and finally spotting the blue and yellow Swedish flag and ginormous blue building (sigh!). But it's here, and it's ours. And it's only 10 miles from my house!
While my Ikea finds will no longer seem so special (sigh again!), I can't imagine having a modern house in the 21st Century without Ikea to fill in the gaps that classic mid century can't fill. Be it media storage or accessories for the laundry room, it's cool factor with a purpose.
Never again will someone have to live in a turn of the (last) century Hyde Park house with tiny closets. Ikea wardrobes are here!! Add an entire wall of storage to any room for under $1000. Re-do a kitchen for $5000. Now, anything is possible! I just need to remind myself that we're incredibly lucky to have our own Ikea and that it will always be cool no matter how used to it we get!
The store was crowded with Ikea virgins, not quite sure what to make of the whole thing, but if you build it....... I also spotted a few Ikea veterans, like myself, who heard the call. I could just tell (OK, and I knew some of them).
I made my first of many pilgrimages to Ikea in 1988 when I was pregnant with my (now 19 year old!) son. On that trip to the Philadelphia store, we bought porch furniture and a changing table for a the baby. To the people who say that Ikea is poor quality and disposable, I have this to say: That furniture is still on our porch (holding its own right next to a classic Saarinen table w/ Bertoia chairs - see photo below) and the changing table has been 'remodeled' and is now serving as a desk in our kids' art studio.
As I walked around the store, I couldn't help but be saddened that I will never again feel that particular rush you get from a long road trip and finally spotting the blue and yellow Swedish flag and ginormous blue building (sigh!). But it's here, and it's ours. And it's only 10 miles from my house!
While my Ikea finds will no longer seem so special (sigh again!), I can't imagine having a modern house in the 21st Century without Ikea to fill in the gaps that classic mid century can't fill. Be it media storage or accessories for the laundry room, it's cool factor with a purpose.
Never again will someone have to live in a turn of the (last) century Hyde Park house with tiny closets. Ikea wardrobes are here!! Add an entire wall of storage to any room for under $1000. Re-do a kitchen for $5000. Now, anything is possible! I just need to remind myself that we're incredibly lucky to have our own Ikea and that it will always be cool no matter how used to it we get!
Reader Comments (1)
Fantastic lookin' porch. I normally would prefer an open-air design, but in this case with all the trees the enclosed design is probably preferable.