We finally got back over to Ikea to see all the new stuff this year (and to pick up a catalog in person since we waited and waited for one to come to our door with no avail). Let’s just say it didn’t disappoint! So we snapped a few photos of some of the things that inspired us most. Here’s an office that we really liked. Although having all that space in our current house to devote to an office is a pipe dream, maybe our next house will allow for it. And even if not it’s still fun to look at.
Speaking of dreams for our future house, we’ve always adored the idea of an island (even though we widened both doorways surrounding our kitchen, an island never made sense with our current house’s floor plan). So of course we stopped to drool over this sleek yet charming butcher block beauty.
And we had to snap a photo of this not-finished-yet kitchen because we were so amused by our reaction to it. We actually both stood there and reminisced about how exciting our own kitchen reno was back in the day. I guess most people would hate looking at this “mess” but we paused for a moment and soaked it up.
We also loved this warm and cozy arrangement of photos on the wall so we grabbed a shot for anyone out there who might be looking for a semi-balanced but not totally symmetrical plan to implement in their own home. Tip: use paper or even brown paper bags (cut into rectangles) to represent your frames. Then move them around on the wall until you like the arrangement and tape them in place with blue painter’s tape. You can even nail right through the paper to hang the frames in that formation.
We were also charmed by this bathroom since it’s just one wall but it’s packed with tons of storage and function. The bowl sinks keep things feeling less boxy thanks to the soft curves (since this set-up could look a bit too angular and grid-like without them) and the seeded glass on the middle cabinet was actually really pretty in person.
We couldn’t pass this mirror without grabbing a photo for you guys. Not only because it’s huge and modern (and sure to add polish and bounce around tons of light) but also because it was reflecting that fun white geometric chandelier. We like how the curves in each item play off of each other.
And I nearly took to the streets hooting and hollering when I came across one of Ikea’s new-this-year additions to their furnishings and accessories. Faux sheepskin rugs! So for anyone who doesn’t want to DIY them, now you don’t have to! And they’re just $12.99. Oh happy day. Needless to say we returned home with a few (just for good measure). I love tossing them on the backs of chairs, over the bench in our dining area, and even under the Christmas tree in lieu of a traditional tree skirt. Note: Clara’s not still that teeny, I borrowed this old pic from this post of yore.
This stately gray glass fronted cabinet was also spot on for us. The fact that it was up on elegant legs (which make it feel a lot less heavy) and that it had such nice top molding and chic hardware wooed us to no end.
This New York City map print was also cool and graphic thanks to the high contrast and detailed design.
Oh and this rug made us laugh because we both thought it said Petersik for a split second. And let’s face it, an Ikea product coincidentally bearing our last name would probably make me break out my dorky Elaine from Seinfeld dance.
We also noticed these plaques in a few of the showrooms, and really appreciated that they not only listed the size of the room, they also shared the color of the wall paint for anyone walking by who happened to like what they saw. Convenient, right?
And this larger than life chandelier was just that. Large and in charge. It would look unbelievably amazing in a lofted dining room or den (we definitely think it can be dressed up or down).
And just as I stopped to cuddle the faux sheepskin rugs, John made himself right at home in one of the amazing walk-in closets complete with a pair of shoes that had been cable tied to the shelf. Someday we’ll have a closet system like this… someday…
And last but not least are these gorgeous smoky acrylic chairs (which also come in clear). Paired with a chunky rustic wood table we think they would make for an amazing mixed & matched result full of texture and interest. Plus they’re impervious to jelly covered fingers and spit up (which is definitely something that I take note of these days).
So there you have our little virtual tour through Ikea. Have you guys been yet? Have your catalogs actually arrived? Are you loving anything in particular this year (and obsessing over old favorites that they brought back)? Let’s talk Ikea. No umlauts necessary.
Psst- Try as we might, we couldn’t locate links, prices, or names for all of the items that we photographed above, so feel free to consult ikea.com or breeze through the store in person for more info since we’re hardly experts when it comes to those details! And we weren’t paid or perk’d for this post, we just love us some Ikea and we wanted to take you window shopping with us. See more window shopping adventures here.
I had the same problem with delivery of my Ikea catalog! Slackers! But I requested it a second time and got it in a couple of days.
There’s a new funky consignment shop on Strawberry St. called Blue Elephant – they have that paper chandelier. It’s awesome.
Could you guys be more brilliant??!!! I’ve wanted to do a picture wall much like the one you have in your nursery or the one you featured above, but hate the idea of putting them out on the floor first, and then trying to guess how they would go on the wall. DUH! Paper bags! I’m endlessly impressed by your smarts. :)
Also, I love that you put the acrylic chairs in there. I’ve been dying to have the clear version in my dining room (with the black-brown bjursta table), but my fashionless hubby says “no dice.” Perhaps I’ll use this article to attempt another pursuasion…
I love that first office and the grey glass fronted cabinet!
Also, I think my Ikea catalog was in the mailbox the day we ggot home from picking one up in person. And then strangely we got a third one in the mail later.
I love all of it! The grey cabinet and acrylic chairs are my favs, though. I’m wondering, you have a lot of tan and beige in your current house. Are you leaning toward greys for the next?
We love both tan and gray for neutrals, but we want to add pops of color for way more fun.
xo,
s
tres jealous.. i have to drive 4 hours to get some IKEA love. now im laying here thinking of ways i can convince my honey we need to go :)
Having no Ikea near us I have always been intrigued. We could drive to the closest one (Charlotte), but before I did that I wanted to know how good is the quality? It is almost the same distance to Hickory, NC (furniture capital of the US) and honestly, you can get some deals that are close to Ikea prices but are nice full wood furniture. I can see Ikea being great for accessories/fabric but is it worth borrowing a truck and driving for the furniture?
Hey Brianna,
Some Ikea furnishings aren’t known to be the most durable things in the world (and many of them aren’t solid wood) but everything that we’ve purchased over the past 4.5 years has held up really well, and there are some amazing deals on items like solid floor length mirrors (they’re $99 and nearly identical to $400 West Elm ones). We’re not sure if it can compare to Hickory or if it’s worth spending a lot of money to rent a truck (which might negate the deals that you’re getting) but it’s definitely tons of fun, and they have many amazing and iconic designers who contribute to their collections each year. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Went to Ikea Monday night and I’m still dreaming about that massive flower chandeller! I also saw the Pax wardrobes (am I right in thinking that you guys have these?) I’m still debating whether to splash out on doors or just use light curtains like you have…decisions, decisions!
Hi :) The nearest IKEA to us is a day trip away but it’s always an adventure and super fun. We come back with far too much too! That said, I always get super light headed when we walk through the store. I am a average healthy person, but for some reason unknown to me Ikea always makes me kind of sick. hahahaha Maybe we over spend and stay far too long, but I always leave feeling a little ill. I swear it’s the air circulation or something bizarre b/c this never happens to me at other places.
Just thought I’d share a giggle!
Sarah
If the rug have your last name that would have been very cool. They have a dinning chair cusion in my name. I was like wowwwwww.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80175005
Thanks for the peek. There is no Ikea near me so I only get to go when visiting family 3 or 4 times a year, which I’ll be doing in about 3 weeks. I’m so excited! I actually dreamed about being there a few days ago.
We’re lucky enough to have an Ikea 15 minutes from our house so it’s like running to Target for us! Katrina knows their inventory like the back of her hand.
I’m actually headed to ikea tonight, can’t wait. Most people I know dread going but for me it’s a total treat.
I love that office you pictured.
Our catalog showed up a couple months after we requested it and I did a little happy dance in the middle of the street with it. I think I need to take a trip down there soon though, because I always love their super affordable holiday decor ideas!
I will so put the chandellier in my bedroom. I like it for a while now but am in the middle of renovation. I heard it is made of paper though – will bee how it feels in person.
I love all the new grey furniture they’ve come out with.
Do y’all think, with the new house, that you’ll change up your design style or colors? More contrast-y, deeper/richer colors, dark cabinets? Or would you keep it mostly the same?
Hey Liz,
We’ll always love things light, airy, and natural- but we definitely don’t plan to clone our current house so we hope to add in more patterns, textures, and some richer deeper colors. Fun, fun, fun!
xo,
s
My faves from your tour are the gray cabinet {looks pretty high-end for being from IKEA} and the pendant light. In fact, I found the same light at a store I featured a few weeks ago. Check it out if you wanna…the place was stacked to the brim with style and upcycled decor.
http://www.housetweaking.com/2010/10/12/humanite-where-fashion-upcycled-decor-intersect/
Thanks for the tour! I received my catalog in the mail but wouldn’t mind if I HAD to go to the store to pick one up and check out all the goodies too!
I have that huge mirror! It’s great!
I type fast sorry for misspells.(had)
Love the giant round mirror— can’t find it on their site! Do you remember how much it was or the name?
Hey Kelly,
So sorry, we don’t remember anything else about it off hand. Maybe you can call Ikea and describe it for more info?
xo,
s
Don’t you just love IKEA. I am lucky enough to have one about 3 hours from here. Love it. Just went last weekend for my IKEA fix. Truly an amazing, inspiring place. Great cinnamon rolls too! Go figure.
I love the drool over the catalog but try to stay away from the store a often as I can… I would be dirt poor!
I have been SEARCHING for ever and ever for the perfect type living room piece of furniture to hold our media pieces and not be an eye sore and that piece from IKEA looks perfect.
Do you have any more information (I was unable to find it on their website) about the name or anything to help me get that!?
I NEED IT :)
Hey Pameal,
We don’t remember any other info about that offhand. So sorry! Maybe you can try calling and describing it?
xo,
s
I am such a sucker for Ikea. They get me every time. I’m really loving the photo of the office, with the big white desk, soft curtains and pretty chandelier. Perchance to dream…
Isn’t IKEA the greatest! We have a store less than 10 miles away and visit OFTEN. I go for the great design ideas and the great priced accessories. My husband, I think he goes for the meatballs.
You made some great picks. I almost swooned when I saw that chandelier. It would fit great in my bedroom or office. And that closet. Oh, the jealousy! There’s not a single walk-in closet in our house and for a second I contemplated making one of the bedrooms into a closet, but that would just be going overboard, no? I’ll have to check out Ikea again, as I haven’t been in quite some time.
That round mirror is exactly what i’ve been looking for to finish off my son’s room. I just tried to find it on the ikea website but there were too many options! Do you remember what it was called?
Hey Tee,
Unfortunately we don’t! So sorry!
xo,
s
I so wish we had an Ikea near us…the closest is either Minneapolis or Chicago…hasn’t stopped us though! I really love the chandelier! Do you know what kind of material it is made out of? I can’t tell if it’s metal or something more delicate. Either way it’s gorgeous!
Hey Nikki,
We’re not sure, maybe you can check the site to see if it lists materials or even call them up for those details? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
IKEA’s website always falls short in the “finding stuff online seen the store” department – so many things are in the store only and and not online. I’ve had that frustration too.
I love all of these things! I’d love to know something about those acrylic chairs at the end and maybe someone who has them could comment. They look gorgeous, but are they hard to keep clean and clear looking? I mean I know they’d be easy to wipe down, but you know how plastic can start to look kind of cloudy or like it has dishwasher type spots after awhile? With my daughters sticky little fingers and tendency to spill (a lot) I wonder if we’d constantly be trying to get these sparkling clean again.
Thanks!
Thanks for all the info and pics from Ikea! I, too am still waiting for my catalog to arrive and I live about 2.5 hours away from the nearest one so I can’t just pop in.
Quick question: I currently have the bjursta dining table in black brown. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20182315
What would you think of the ‘tobias’ chair you mentioned at the end of your post with them? I like both the gray and clear ones. I just haven’t been able to find the right chairs with the table. I’d love your opinion.
Thanks!
Katie
Hey Katie,
Yes, definitely! Either the gray or the clear ones should look great!
xo,
s
I actually went to Ikea for the first time ever this past weekend. I had been drooling over their catalog for about a year, so we finally made the 2 hour drive to see it in person! I was in heaven! So worth the trip.
I also found my dream kitchen in their showroom. White cabinets, butch block countertops, and farmhouse sink. LOVE!
I got my catalog about 3 weeks ago. I live in the Kansas City area where we have no store. *sads* I think a road trip is in my future.
Ikea newbie question: Am I correct in thinking that you cannot order online and have it delivered?
Off topic: Watched you on Nate last night. Great job! Sherry, you did dreamily look at him a lot during the twine and burlap segment. tee hee xo
Hey Cindy,
Some things can be ordered online and delivered (just check the site) while others can’t. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We are going when we visit my in-laws for Thanksgiving! There is one about 15 minutes from their house, and after looking at these pictures, I cannot wait.
I love posts like this since I don’t live near enough an Ikea to go just to window shop. When I go, I am on a mission, laser-focused, and come back with at least 20 things. :)
I have those clear chairs in our office and LOVE THEM. They made a room look SO much bigger.
http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2010/07/design-part-i.html
I love that grey cabinet and the big round chandelier. That cabinet looks juuuust right for holding all my dishes (though it’s probably meant for books?). I am wondering how that chandelier would look in the dining room of our new-to-us old house. I am torn between something modern like that and a more simple and sleek pendant. Looks like the husband and I need to go to Ikea for some shopping!
Hey Rachel,
We say go for it! Sounds like it could be lovely in there.
xo,
s
I’m thinking something was going on with their Catalog this year. I was expecting mine for weeks after I heard they were delivered, to no avail. I signed back up at their website to receive it, and I got it not even two weeks later!
Either way, I love love love their collections this year. My husband and bank account are glad that we have to drive two hours to the closest Ikea!
The fiance and I LOVE ikea too. It is the perfect place for apartment shopping and finding miniture things like sofas that fit nicely into small spaces. I am also in love with that chandelier.
I have two of those geometric chandeliers in my house; loooove them!
Ohhhh, thanks SO MUCH for the virtual IKEA tour. I LOVE that place. We just bought a new house and I cannot wait to go and check out some stuff for our little girl’s room. Their children’s items are so fun. I’m assuming you guys went to the one in Northern VA?
Hey Sherry,
Yes, we swing by the Woodbridge one whenever we can! John’s parents live nearby so we’re there semi often.
xo,
s
i think the closest store to me is atlanta….and i just don’t get down there as much as i’d like.
It’s such a drag to now live 2 hours from the nearest Ikea when I used to live 15 minutes from one! We used to go over there all the time, even just to get a cinnamon roll. I might see if there’s anything I need to get when we’re back home for the holidays (my and my husband’s parents both live within 15 minutes of the MI one). We really could use a cheap hanging pendant lamp for over our dining room table, so I might try to convince my husband to get with me to grab one.
IKEA is usually a little too contemporary for my taste, but I LOVED the more traditional look of the grey glass-front cabinet! For anyone interested, I found it on the IKEA site. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30162864
That office picture = LOVE. I have officially decided I MUST have a chandeleir in my “one day” dream home office. AHH.
I agree that the room info plaques are genius! Just last year, I spotted the most gorgeous blue wall color at an IKEA and decided to go for it in our new apartment. It was Benjamin Moore’s “Yosemite Blue”. Had I not seen a whole wall painted that color, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to replicate it in my own place.
Oh – and I never thought twice about sheepskin rugs until I started reading your blog. And now I NEED ONE :) hehe
Have you guys stopped making purchases for this home in hopes of saving for the new home? Or do you find yourself making purchase to use now and then bring along to the new house?
Hey Amanda,
We haven’t bought anything for the new house yet since we’re not sure where we’ll end up and how the floor plan or the vibe might be. But if we saw something amazing we’d definitely snatch it up and find a place for it
xo,
s
This is going to sound very, very silly, but when IKEA finally came to our town, I was so excited to finally get there & shop that I had dreams about it leading up to it’s opening day. Which was November 12, 2006… I heart IKEA so, SO much.
I got mine in the mail. Read it from cover to cover already. :D I love the Office and the Photo Frame pictures that you posted. I love Ikea.
I LOVE Ikea! All their great frames, bath mats, dishes, glasses and so resonable to boot! We, here in Philadelphia, have 2 within probably about 20 minutes of each other…not sure why they built 2 so close. It is great to run to after work during the week to pick up a few things…weekends can be a bit crazy but it’s such a huge store that it really doesn’t feel too crowded. Great finds! Thanks for sharing!