Posted on 01/03/2007 11:06:15 AM PST by WesternCulture
I drove an hour out to Pennsylvania and spent about 900 dollars to furnish my family room. It all fit in one minivan although I had to unbox the couch and load with help from other customers - no employees to be found.
After five years (and bear in mind I have four children who are hard on everything) the furniture held up as follows - couch slip cover shrunk in wash; zipper broke under strain, fabric not stain resitant - solution, use cheap sheets to cover, bent wood couch itself holding up well. Bookshelf holding up well. Two bent wood chairs and ottoman holding up well, covers not stain resistant. Bent wood rocker/boat/slide toy holding up well, cover stained and faded. Fabric on swing stained and beginning to tear, inflatable swing cushion and ropes still good. Cheap stuffed animals and pillows - quick disintegration. Wine glasses and candleholders, 10 years old and holding up.
Conclusion: Ikea's bent laminated all-wood furniture holds up well, but its slipcovers and all cloth stain and fall apart. Wood-product, not enough data from one bookshelf - but I don't trust the stuff.
Mrs VS
Another college grad...
I see Anna Nichole Smith has left your house, Millee! :)
"When we think of all the trees used and habitats effected by the making of IKEA furniture, it would be great progress if the company were to dedicate itself to using recycled and synthetic materials as much as possible.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ingvar Kamprad is pro-ecology. Seems to be part of Scandinavian/Northern culture."
The Scandinavians have very advanced industry to make fullest use of forest products/byproducts, including manufactured materials for this furniture.
They are pro-ecology, along the same lines as many Americans. Like Americans who hunt but don't kill off species. Hunt what you can eat. Fish what you can eat. Catch and release.
Like not off-roading everywhere. Not marking graffiti on rocks. Not throwing trash everywhere in the outdoors natural settings. Not behaving like the ugly American stereotype (which some have done) Etc.
It is conservative to conserve nature. Got that from my Wyoming Dad and grandparents. Like Cheney.
Some Swedes have second homes, which is a small primitave place in the forest.
Even better, post.
I graduated grad school a couple of years ago.
One would bever know.
Ikea has some nice stuff, if you are VERY selective. Problem is, you better buy it when you see it because it will disappear from the catalog quickly. Don't even think about buying anything with the intention of matching it in the future, or expanding on any of their modular designs. What you need won't be there in a year.
The one thing they sell that beats anything else on the market is the unfinished wood modular shelving, good only for the basement or garage, but it's cheap and sturdy.
Yes, but I am series!
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