heater's Profile

When the Expedit wouldn't work in our living room anymore, my husband and I turned ours into a dresser. It works really well in our oddly shaped bedroom. We love it!

I think I've found my dream house.

[IKEA] positions outlets far from city centers, where taxes are low and commuting costs high—the average IKEA customer drives 50 miles round-trip.

I know this isn't true for the Atlanta store. It's right smack in the middle of downtown. When they built it there wasn't much around it because of the neighborhood it was in. After IKEA was open, the whole area exploded in development, much of which was sustainable and eco-friendly. There are now tons and tons of condos, high rises and an outdoor mall, in an area that was before mainly warehouses, industrial buildings, and housing projects. I only visit Atlanta 2-3 times a year (usually to go to IKEA, etc.), so this is purely a visitor's observation. I'm sure those who live in the vast Atlanta suburbs have to commute a good distance to it, but the downtown residents don't.

I have several IKEA pieces and it seems to be hit or miss. Now I feel a little more educated on what to look for there. I've had my IKEA bed frame for 7 years. I've had to re-tighten some screws here and there, but it's just preventative maintenance. My husband and I are replacing it soon for the sole reason that we'd like something bigger (it's a full).

However, we had an IKEA couch that lasted maybe 2 years. We made the mistake of getting it in red. It was grossly faded in about 6 months and continued to get worse. IKEA stopped selling the covers for it & eventually discontinued the couch. I have half of it in my studio, which is now covered in blankets and usually two large dogs. We gave the chaise half of it to Goodwill. I think their couches have vastly improved since then. If I ever get another one from there I'll be sure to get extra covers, or a model that a conventional slipcover will fit. Leather is out of the question because we allow our dogs on the furniture.

My Dad had one of these. He's an architect, and his looked much like the one from West Elm with chrome sawhorse legs & a heavy glass top. He had it for over 25 years if not more. Last year the glass was accidently cracked, and the table was put out of commission. I remember when I was a kid, my dad rigged up some lights to hang under the bottom and he made a giant tracing table out of it!

I stay. I would worry that something would go wrong if I wasn't there. I don't meddle though, and I leave them to their business. My husband can't leave work, so I'm always the one that has to meet workers, etc. I worry sometimes about being home alone with strange men around. However, our dogs are loud and scary looking. They wouldn't hurt anyone, but it makes me feel better to have them around! They stick to me like glue when there's something going on, and bark quite a bit (a little too often actually, haha). If I didn't have them as a security blanket, then I probably would leave.

Personally speaking, from someone who's been a serious equestrian her whole life, I would almost be offended if I entered someone's home with this decor and knew they didn't ride.

My grandmother's home is decorated with a general equestrian theme, mainly foxhunting. The walls are lined with photos of her daughters riding and various old trophies. It's wonderful in a very classic way. I have no problem with equestrian decor as long as you ARE a rider and want to echo that part of your life subtely throughout your house (without being gaudy).