Raven1025's Profile

Try putting weatherstripping on your door. Usually, if your door opens into a hallway and not outside, it doesn't have it. It does help seal the door, is inexpensive, and doesn't add anything ugly or hazardous to the door. It won't completely block sound, but it helps a lot.

I have long been dreaming of owning one of her rugs. They are so, so cool.

If you are going to create an argument, you should link directly to your source instead of to a vague blog post that you must go through another link to get to a post not about another company, that directs you to another source. That having been said, there is no illegal activity. If you feel that the law is wrong, you need to contact your lawmakers to change policy, not saying a company is bad using a legal practice.
As far as sustainability, their wood does not come from old growth forests. They track where everything comes from and if it is found that a factory that makes their furniture isn't complying, they pull the product and investigate the manufacturer taking action to insure the manufacturer complies or they find a new manufacturer.

I'm a designer there, and that was one of my rooms. Our goal is to inspire, and it's so awesome to know that we're successful. I'm rooting for you, for sure!
It's cool that you added the tree patterned curtains. It's an unexpected twist, I love the graphic pattern.

For those wondering why duvets instead of straight up comforters:
They are much easier to clean. It's like putting a mattress protector and sheets on your mattress instead of just sleeping right on top of it. It's a lot easier and more economical to take off the duvet and toss it in the wash rather than washing the whole comforter. Also, in Europe it's more common to have just a fitted sheet and the duvet wrapped comforter. One less thing to wash, and it's easier to make the bed. Also, you can get a really luxe comforter, and change just the cover when you want a new look, or have a couple in rotation. Again, much cheaper than replacing the whole shebang. As for them being unheard of in the US,I've seen them in stores for at least 15 years.
I've never had a problem with shifting, and I've had cheap and pricey comforters and duvets. I've also never had ties or used clips. Right now, I've been relying on a Duvet and comforter from IKEA. I've become a super hot sleeper, and I have their lightest weight comforter in a duvet that is way too soft for its own good. I have my luxe down comforter packed away, just in case I cease to be a human furnace.

I know a couple of people who had allergies to cats, and did not want to give them up. They gave the cats weekly baths, and it made a huge difference. It took a while to get the cats to warm up to it (though I have known cats who love water and getting bathed), but was totally worth it to have the cats without the allergy issues. We're not allergic, and have two cats and for easier cleaning we keep a blanket on the sofa for day to day use. When we have guests, or if there is an errant hairball, we can just toss the blanket in the wash. It keeps all that dander off our furniture and makes it easier on guests that come over who may have allergies.
Also, in addition to the other suggestions of hard floor surfaces and such, eliminate carpeted cat scratching posts. Get some of the cardboard variety that can be tossed. It keeps the dander at bay, rather than the way it gets embedded in the carpeted versions. It feels wasteful, but is a step towards making the allergies bearable.

We have black-brown Billys, and love them. We got them in 2004 or 5. Some, we sold last year when we moved, as they didn't fit in our new space quite right. We got a couple of new ones to work with the old in the space. They all look great, no sagging on any of them, and most are jam packed with books (some are for DVDs). My favorite part about them is that, except for the white, they have a veneer finish so they work well for adding moulding and such. I wanted to do a built in look, but our ceilings are too high for one extender, but not quite high enough for two. Also, there is a smoke detector, and the alarm intercom over one of the units, so there would have been some creative hacking involved. I'm a bit jealous of this perfect nook! Also, I like the idea of working with what you have and creating something classy instead of chucking it and starting from scratch!

I walk through the Mall to get to the bus stop, and that thing has been buzzing. I could do without the DJ-type announcer, though. I suppose one day I should stop and check it out and just grab the next bus.

The ones at IKEA come from food sheep, as are the cow hides. So, they are something that would have been thrown away otherwise. They are not as uniform (from one to another) as the more expensive ones, but I feel like that makes them more interesting.

First, all of those pieces have warranties. So, make a photocopy of your receipt and put it in a ziploc with your warranty brochure. (The heat reactive paper fades over time, so the copy is essential.) If you ever have a problem with it, you can get it fixed.
The Poang is sort of a love-it or not sort of thing. I have a friend who pretty much only sits on her Poang chair, despite a place full of furniture. I can live without. Just not my thing. Try one out to make sure you like it. One upside is that if you get a frame you really like, you can always replace the upholstery to update it.
As for Karlstad v Kivik, I prefer the Karlstad. More timeless looking, and I find the textile selection nicer. I own the no-longer-sold Tylosand sofa bed and LOVE it. We've had it for about five years and find it almost too comfortable. (Too easy to drift off and not go to bed) Also, it breaks down to move easily. We wanted a new slipcover, so we hit Ebay and got one for a reasonable price. Though, I often look longingly at the Karlstad, as I find it so attractive, and love lounging on it at friends' homes.
Also, I have this advice from my mother (who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage to my father): having spent a fortune on furniture over the years, she wishes she would have gotten less expensive pieces. She probably would have liked them just as much, and not felt so guilty when she no longer liked them or they were out-of-date. You can't always sell things off, and spending more for something doesn't always mean the quality is better.