Don’t you love Ikea? I was first introduced to it when an Ikea opened in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) a couple of years ago. I couldn’t wait to make my first trip. Once I did, though, I was hooked! If you don’t have an Ikea near you, you are sadly missing out. I recently helped a friend select new furnishings for a den. She purchased an Ikea chair and ottoman (Ektorp) and we both loved it. It was comfortable and priced well. I am in the market for a new sofa and I am also considering purchasing an Ikea Ektorp sofa.
In their catalog, the sofa is priced at $399. Now, you ask, how can this be a quality piece of furniture? Just read the Ikea catalog if you aren’t convinced (2008 catalog, pg. 33):
- The armrests are built to stand up to someone sitting on the armrest (Do you have kids? You know what I mean!). “We press a 220 pound weight against the weakest point of the armrests – 5000 times.”
- “Slipcovers are washed 40 times to ensure that they will both look good and fit well when you put them back on again.”
- The cushions are subjected to an endurance test: “A 220 pound weight sits down and gets up form the sofa 50,000 times. And the back cushions get the same treatment using a 66-pound weight.”
On top of all this, the Ektorp sofa has a 10-year limited warranty. Now that’s quality at a great price!
Some of the top designers often include Ikea pieces with more expensive and exclusive furnishings. I love to blend items from all different price ranges to make a room more interesting. Did you see this month’s edition of Domino magazine? Actress and decorator, Julianne Moore, includes Ikea pieces in her decorating as well. Check out the magazine for specifics or for a summary, go to http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/2008/05/julianne_moore.
If you’d like an Ikea catalog or want to view it online, go here:
