How Our IKEA Items are Holding Up (Review for more than 15 different items from IKEA)

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5beNKxuf6ZJij4w_R7hyphenhyphenXq3c4gjYQFV7MQHEgjdjbkq-c270xNAbOqxNDI7-eEWihvfMxmXczf-Rv4gDR21d4_nqcM3TCV79MuS-TLvJrqGeTfr74Fkdmn1K0_Qr-y5fv1iUhvk6-GFrB/s1600/IKEAcollage_text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5beNKxuf6ZJij4w_R7hyphenhyphenXq3c4gjYQFV7MQHEgjdjbkq-c270xNAbOqxNDI7-eEWihvfMxmXczf-Rv4gDR21d4_nqcM3TCV79MuS-TLvJrqGeTfr74Fkdmn1K0_Qr-y5fv1iUhvk6-GFrB/s1600/IKEAcollage_text.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We get a surprising number of e-mails asking about how our different IKEA pieces are holding up and if we would recommend them so we thought we would write up a full post going over each piece and answering  for each one:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Would we recommend it? </div><div style="text-align: left;">Would we buy it again?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are wondering why both questions are necessary, you'll see in the first item that they both aren't always the same answer (although most of the time they are). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, though let me write a little bit about IKEA pieces in general and why we purchase them. Basically for us, it more often than not comes down to budget.We often mix in more affordable pieces (for instance in our living room the sofa is from IKEA and the chairs are from TJMaxx) with some other pieces (like the RH mirror and sconces that are in that same room). I think mixing and matching helps give a room a more layered look instead of  having it feel like everything is all from the same store. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Oh and the photos used are all just randomly pulled from previous posts that best showed the item, so that's why if there are more than one photo of an item and the other items in the picture are different it was probably from a different post) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay so first up in our <b>IKEA Karlstad Sectional</b> (and warning - this has by far the most lengthy explanation because it's the item we get by far the most questions about): </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem9Y93MnE14NLrMBGATzRbLSmeBXgXRP-pVbSrUx55N2BsPSusqwKrVgLOBmZILI9OAfjP0HMQQVPaYsgs8k-pk227zPDJnR0rlfT5fclu_LXpxYv27TgmTPmf2g8HQTrTXr3uVnkEtAP/s1600/mDSC_4657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem9Y93MnE14NLrMBGATzRbLSmeBXgXRP-pVbSrUx55N2BsPSusqwKrVgLOBmZILI9OAfjP0HMQQVPaYsgs8k-pk227zPDJnR0rlfT5fclu_LXpxYv27TgmTPmf2g8HQTrTXr3uVnkEtAP/s1600/mDSC_4657.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz67lH1nIXxyzdnDrzI8uOdBt3i3LR4M-AH4GeHCRHmV_-Kn7XLjT6w5VqR_T74dhkT9WDurDUTQVlHEuhwRLC1ywxIzRHV1mV1R4geDyJI_PLLJV9OaixGKPhCvo1D0UlQyeRLVBv4Qm5/s1600/lDSC_8029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz67lH1nIXxyzdnDrzI8uOdBt3i3LR4M-AH4GeHCRHmV_-Kn7XLjT6w5VqR_T74dhkT9WDurDUTQVlHEuhwRLC1ywxIzRHV1mV1R4geDyJI_PLLJV9OaixGKPhCvo1D0UlQyeRLVBv4Qm5/s1600/lDSC_8029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-ZSa2NhZPs-rKZimNYCY6JSj_85HnPC0hs4kkgfk0gwWWnh9rwLzsW6sDZypZP082MFxW-sUsdRH7c4Vsms8Jt6jRYSFQMVDfz6HhzdabWQVD5FT8EKdYCfAN-cJxjqUJipkuRjQUFFu/s1600/mDSC_4651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-ZSa2NhZPs-rKZimNYCY6JSj_85HnPC0hs4kkgfk0gwWWnh9rwLzsW6sDZypZP082MFxW-sUsdRH7c4Vsms8Jt6jRYSFQMVDfz6HhzdabWQVD5FT8EKdYCfAN-cJxjqUJipkuRjQUFFu/s1600/mDSC_4651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmw3aGXLxeXZbW421EgO53OWQCyh5nfECiRY42TfyNnUv8RrAmSUcAMZ20t_xdTm-bXU23w_ZupE-svVYQTFsySOB3Yfb4oBF9JYKDD5KgSbWnmQvitRZi-V_Rj4tc4ancQzi5XUYPGs/s1600/lDSC_7996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmw3aGXLxeXZbW421EgO53OWQCyh5nfECiRY42TfyNnUv8RrAmSUcAMZ20t_xdTm-bXU23w_ZupE-svVYQTFsySOB3Yfb4oBF9JYKDD5KgSbWnmQvitRZi-V_Rj4tc4ancQzi5XUYPGs/s1600/lDSC_7996.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so for the <b>Karlstad Sectional:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy the white cover again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend the white cover? NO</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now here's my long explanation about this. (Don't worry the rest of the items just have a sentence or two - haha!) When we moved in we immediately knew we were going to need a large sofa for this room. I wasn't thrilled at the idea of getting a sectional but we have a lot of people over at a time and knew it was probably a necessity for this room. Along with lots of family visiting, we also have the team over and well, we needed a lot of seating. After looking for quite a while before we moved I realized there were very very few options for sectionals in our price range. We loved some of the Pottery Barn ones but they were not even close to being in the price point we wanted to spend so pretty much IKEA was the only option we could find. We went back and forth between the Ektorp and the Karlstad. Although I liked the look better of the Ektorp the Karlstad was larger and we knew we needed that extra seating. Plus because it isn't a slipcover the cushions don't get nearly as wrinkly and really hold their shape. Although I certainly fluff the decorative pillows - I don't ever have to do anything with the sofa or the sofa cushions themselves at all! After having it for over a year now I would have to say I am thrilled with it. We can fit so many people on it and it's surprisingly comfortable. Plus it has held up really really well. So, if I was looking in this price point again I absolutely would buy it again and would definitely recommend it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As far at the white cover goes - well, that is a different story. Would I get it again - yes. But that's because I like the look of a white sofa and am willing to make that trade off for the fact that it needs upkeep. I think for this I need to explain a little bit about how and why it works for us. First, we are not picky about people eating on the sofa. To me I feel like a house should be lived in so it doesn't bother me at all when people spill on the sofa. I can just unzip the cover and wash it.  Although when it is just our family we eat all of our meals at the table or on the porch, but when we have the team over half of them end up eating over there (everything from wings to hot fudge sundaes) because there isn't enough room for them all. I kind of have a weird personality when it comes to things being in order. I like for everything to be in it's place. Messiness stresses me out - haha! Seriously, I almost never leave the house without all the beds made. But oddly enough spill, stains, dings, paint chipping off, etching, etc. and those kinds of things don't bother me at all. I figure they make a place feel lived in and add character. And trust me - we've had some spills - haha! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, that leads me to would I recommend a white cover - NO! The only reason I would say no to this is because this is NOT a slipcovered sofa and therefore it takes some effort to get the main part of the white cover off the frame, wash it and put it back on. (The seat and back cushions though are really easy to unzip and wash). If this were a true slipcovered sofa I would say yes. We have several white slipcovered pieces (for instance the chairs in the kitchen and in our den) and they are super easy to remove and wash. The Karlstad though is not a slipcovered sofa. So, although you definitely can remove the whole cover (and swith it to another color if you like) it takes a little bit of effort. I don't mind that at all becuase for me the look of the white sofa outweighs the fact that it's a little bit annoying to remove the white cover from the frame. But I think most people would find it a lot more annoying than I do and not think it's worth it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've actually pondered getting the gray cover for it and switching to that for a while but I'm not sure if we ever actually will do that. We definitely have considered it though and may somewhere down the road. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And next we have the <b>IKEA Ingatorp Dining Table</b> (at Jason's house) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDX-TldZ-J43sBrXfdpLeGycaYdfTXB2M8beuUSvYTYq46jTNiiD-bvi-JsPhGb8jljdSVf29ERYWs1cDXGSRoGnZ4JV_cQMpBIC_V8J1kGN8a7Iit-KT1QgGyx3pA9zNMSCeV6PnMMht/s1600/oDSC_8258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDX-TldZ-J43sBrXfdpLeGycaYdfTXB2M8beuUSvYTYq46jTNiiD-bvi-JsPhGb8jljdSVf29ERYWs1cDXGSRoGnZ4JV_cQMpBIC_V8J1kGN8a7Iit-KT1QgGyx3pA9zNMSCeV6PnMMht/s1600/oDSC_8258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the <b>Ingatorp Dining Table:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the price I think this is a great table and would both get it again and recommend it. My only complaint with this piece would be the finish scratches a bit easily.  </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Ingolf Barstools</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjdpguOlHPEygaL-7iKNPpKRvTTrD3PG317cfrl36ZF7Gqy0EcGo4cbsb5L4IRBHt8LbVcSG7lbT7jnSguNjgqX16V3sDeikPRzX0KG3vgglUurPLA6TQ6c38NZu8ziO6JHEHa2ulUak2/s1600/oDSC_8247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjdpguOlHPEygaL-7iKNPpKRvTTrD3PG317cfrl36ZF7Gqy0EcGo4cbsb5L4IRBHt8LbVcSG7lbT7jnSguNjgqX16V3sDeikPRzX0KG3vgglUurPLA6TQ6c38NZu8ziO6JHEHa2ulUak2/s1600/oDSC_8247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9ZDY3uMefAXBS26zwMFvSUBTXj11L3ygy5-VPnpV9jH_nnBcRQrSs1JaoNghAW2u8mVIO5tnrY9tbSxzONYsMiLKwUsg-G3i8TsDh7bwnuTYQ7Z7E05934s7-96yP8UwP8Z_XoE4a32/s1600/oDSC_8394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9ZDY3uMefAXBS26zwMFvSUBTXj11L3ygy5-VPnpV9jH_nnBcRQrSs1JaoNghAW2u8mVIO5tnrY9tbSxzONYsMiLKwUsg-G3i8TsDh7bwnuTYQ7Z7E05934s7-96yP8UwP8Z_XoE4a32/s1600/oDSC_8394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So for the <b>Ingolf Barstools</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are really quite sturdy and feel like a nice quality stool. I would definitely recommend them. They are relatively heavy and I don't worry about them flipping over when the girls climb into them. (And quality-wise I would buy them again. However, looks-wise this wasn't quite the look I had in mind for this spot but I couldn't win Jason over the ones I wanted for this space) =)  </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Ingolf Chairs</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLeU9Hg8L_jnPTiXEby_2lNeVAKL8aF6XfZFN3SgH3MhnrrIuANX0ygH61xAnsRlRzoqLkaJq0sr2BShkRE6ZTU_DShIQAdAzho6I7rI3P_woB0yEAUt-knBxlQJS98NajXfOPV6yPwCl/s1600/rDSC_9896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLeU9Hg8L_jnPTiXEby_2lNeVAKL8aF6XfZFN3SgH3MhnrrIuANX0ygH61xAnsRlRzoqLkaJq0sr2BShkRE6ZTU_DShIQAdAzho6I7rI3P_woB0yEAUt-knBxlQJS98NajXfOPV6yPwCl/s1600/rDSC_9896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So for the <b>Ingolf Barstools</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the price I think these are a great chair! Plus we have the kids sized ones too that sit a little higher. They wipe down really easily. My only complaint would be I have to tighten the screws every once in a while.  </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we have the <b>IKEA Henriksdal Chairs</b> (in the picture above and below at the ends of the tables)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6doT78oOS3X-YjsXWFRHCFXHndF15ZrftdW2JhT-RVEJYqNvY1-JPDaRbFZhuajyL3kbpBNAJ0Fl7829QqPuVKvlCdHcK3keiH55wUEFt9XF5YCullMukXXVbLADer6qRgcXdQirCPQS/s1600/uDSC_5057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6doT78oOS3X-YjsXWFRHCFXHndF15ZrftdW2JhT-RVEJYqNvY1-JPDaRbFZhuajyL3kbpBNAJ0Fl7829QqPuVKvlCdHcK3keiH55wUEFt9XF5YCullMukXXVbLADer6qRgcXdQirCPQS/s1600/uDSC_5057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So for the <b>Henriksdal Chairs</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are a great price for a slipcovered chair and they are extremely easy to just slip off the cover and throw it in the wash and then slide it back on. I would get these again in a heartbeat and definitely recommend them. My only complaint would be the same as the other chairs -  I have to tighten the screws every once in a while.  </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Flytta Rolling Cart</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTonZiu-JOG9e2xueacIMHs-5B9hqPdIOi1ymp8IHU3GtH5-wzDk-1WlsFyvnU1VmXcyXDCS8NHEwrzEgyRhU01B3gn8-yasumtjFL9Nv1DgUmZUXH9qmfgzJ8mK-dM9SNM6sgQRmJnv4s/s1600/jDSC_8167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTonZiu-JOG9e2xueacIMHs-5B9hqPdIOi1ymp8IHU3GtH5-wzDk-1WlsFyvnU1VmXcyXDCS8NHEwrzEgyRhU01B3gn8-yasumtjFL9Nv1DgUmZUXH9qmfgzJ8mK-dM9SNM6sgQRmJnv4s/s1600/jDSC_8167.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvEZVK4MM30QMKbh4C6a1bVg3D6kzMbbOIK6TPWOm-3z-F1ENELxo4mLhdiGhyphenhyphenhfIPh8gRXOfc2TspNf4uWgFE4k2ZqN-nQxOTmnLJI1VVyTtlnKoVvAMM3JPm-z25qqXnugJB_sxjJ0Y/s1600/eDSC_7408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvEZVK4MM30QMKbh4C6a1bVg3D6kzMbbOIK6TPWOm-3z-F1ENELxo4mLhdiGhyphenhyphenhfIPh8gRXOfc2TspNf4uWgFE4k2ZqN-nQxOTmnLJI1VVyTtlnKoVvAMM3JPm-z25qqXnugJB_sxjJ0Y/s1600/eDSC_7408.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b>Flytta Rolling Cart:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? NOT SURE</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? NOT SURE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, this is probably the hardest one for me to answer. I am a little torn on it. From the very beginning it wasn't the exact look I wanted. Once we got it into our kitchen though I have to say I really enjoyed it - it was so easy unloading dishes right onto it and was lots of fun styling the top seasonally. However, it did cramp our kitchen a little more than I wanted to admit and I think practically speaking <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-sideboard-for-our-kitchen.html">the sideboard I made</a> fits better in our kitchen makes the kitchen feel a good bit larger in real life (I know it's hard to get a feel for that in photos). For the year we used it I did like it and probably would have recommended it. It started getting wobbly though right before we moved it out. I tightened up the screws a bit and that probably would have fixed it. And the little side rails started falling out if it got bumped. Basically, for the price I would say I liked it. And up until quite recently I would have said that I would recommend it. Once it started getting a little wobbly though that makes me a bit unsure if I would recommend it or not. I think I probably still would. But I would have someone stronger tighten all the screws. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Tarva.</b> We did an IKEA hack on this. You can read about the whole process <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/master-bedroom-night-stand-tutorial.html">here. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm3LvHBwcHIkVxSIy4k3sBByraBlelMwSTTtWoTwlcY6bBk4io5Isi3Up8QUn9GRjXg-Grw8P7aHFbESplLjk7UKt1jfvdjgI-gvWF8U3xJdM0H-DgoKnGnl2tFI7BRwll-Yr9LirbpW2/s1600/eDSC_8991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm3LvHBwcHIkVxSIy4k3sBByraBlelMwSTTtWoTwlcY6bBk4io5Isi3Up8QUn9GRjXg-Grw8P7aHFbESplLjk7UKt1jfvdjgI-gvWF8U3xJdM0H-DgoKnGnl2tFI7BRwll-Yr9LirbpW2/s1600/eDSC_8991.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwymKlE727QaRfPtn5v3oWfMAMCiWGzUOiAWwVCMpJvD-z_XNiBPZozTs5M_wFFO7DcFKNTQpvcK6Alf0pfPs1y-9DK20J0auUtnbqmwsax_kBuJCuVgyYwWMJ7zEkMuobKEXw4vw8nj/s1600/eDSC_8962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwymKlE727QaRfPtn5v3oWfMAMCiWGzUOiAWwVCMpJvD-z_XNiBPZozTs5M_wFFO7DcFKNTQpvcK6Alf0pfPs1y-9DK20J0auUtnbqmwsax_kBuJCuVgyYwWMJ7zEkMuobKEXw4vw8nj/s1600/eDSC_8962.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b>Tarva:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? DEPENDS</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This answer is a little bit complicated too. I guess I would have to say of all the furniture we have bought from IKEA this piece was probably the worst quality. It think it's kind of lightweight and feels pretty inexpensive (which technically it is so it's hard to complain too much about that). Now, it probably seems crazy that after I just said that quality wasn't very good that I would buy it again. For me the reason I would buy it again would be if I was looking for an inexpensive option this size it's hard to beat. The simpleness of the design allows for it to be easily changed up a bit to fit just about any style of decor and it could work either as a nightstand for a tall bed or as a dresser. For us it was a great inexpensive option for now. I imagine in a few years when we've finished a bunch of other things way ahead of this on the list we will probably replace them with something of nicer quality. But for now they provide some nice storage and were the perfect size for next to our bed (which was something I had a REALLY hard time finding so I am really quite pleased with them!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that brings me to would I recommend them. Well, if you are looking for something long-term that gets a lot of use - probably not. But if they would get medium to light use and you are looking for an inexpensive option that you can make over to fit you style - then I would most definitely recommend them! (Although I have to say they were probably one of my least favorite pieces to put together). </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> IKEA Kallax</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVkA4NVdwMQV5XVbyJjYofl9XM-vqsHI8jZsczTaxOTb4tspRqCPFMXcImR7FtbFaoEpg6sgvc4QkYIRhPYEpvZ6RCbDJltXe1mC_tQTIexYCGBbZaFBr6EAt1MznjJemh3rXW5OGEZnY/s1600/jDSC_6446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVkA4NVdwMQV5XVbyJjYofl9XM-vqsHI8jZsczTaxOTb4tspRqCPFMXcImR7FtbFaoEpg6sgvc4QkYIRhPYEpvZ6RCbDJltXe1mC_tQTIexYCGBbZaFBr6EAt1MznjJemh3rXW5OGEZnY/s1600/jDSC_6446.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b><b>Kallax</b>:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A small piece of the veneer is peeling off in one spot which is kind of annoying but other than that it's a nice cubby storage system that works great for the girl's playroom so I would at this point get it again and would recommend it. We haven't had it all that long though (a few months)so if anything changes I'll update this. I also like the baskets. I've had most of them for a couple of years and they hold up quite well! </div><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Sundvik Table and Agen Chairs</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUeLOsQJQLU6SBE_nJFSvihQ5ZHTqTHQVkL3D7roEjRbczVPHO0IaUqQ1XqoVeBwCQLNfdd7MLq1JQWKrvojccpZEaca42sPg89kiO1Npht1J98YTMtsUZ96Bd2oa1HhLlqFtvMFHzbH2/s1600/jDSC_6638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUeLOsQJQLU6SBE_nJFSvihQ5ZHTqTHQVkL3D7roEjRbczVPHO0IaUqQ1XqoVeBwCQLNfdd7MLq1JQWKrvojccpZEaca42sPg89kiO1Npht1J98YTMtsUZ96Bd2oa1HhLlqFtvMFHzbH2/s1600/jDSC_6638.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b><b><b>Sundvik Table and Agen Chairs</b></b>:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy them again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend them? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We haven't had these items all that long (a few months) but so far I would say I am very pleased with them and would buy them again and recommend them.  (If that changes at any point I will update this).  </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Liatorp Desk  </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWvVgkIYZz2JBHay0_qkDo1g-oDQSbudlEDN4aBdf0urRALh15TgHQwvr7I1YtVFHi7AHbg5PX0mvF7jzCKOccwMVYfPX47U5GhYdt631DVpZmj3qKQ5ogMcqwX43_LZKVwLwWyA-qYwS/s1600/CDSC_7682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWvVgkIYZz2JBHay0_qkDo1g-oDQSbudlEDN4aBdf0urRALh15TgHQwvr7I1YtVFHi7AHbg5PX0mvF7jzCKOccwMVYfPX47U5GhYdt631DVpZmj3qKQ5ogMcqwX43_LZKVwLwWyA-qYwS/s1600/CDSC_7682.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b>Liatorp Desk:  </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This piece in my opinion is probably the nicest piece of IKEA furniture (well, that we own anyway). It is extremely heavy and feels like a much higher end piece in my opinion than IKEA. We have one in our Dear Lillie office up in NH and I recently got one for our guest room/home office. I would most definitely buy it again (in fact, I did - haha! We bought the Dear Lillie one about a year and a half ago and just recently bought the one for our house) and I would most definitely recommend it.  </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Byholma Rattan Chairs</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mv566K77SbUwhYIxrYTg4gJlZJeV6Pqm_dFGp1JKtyWK3dv_ULDbIx_K88koQrwFIRZVOLx9DXlmjjEneveMQaNbT2uAAGV1EJCljf9jlOrGx_zqaPtDY6-IYc-INraxf2WJXaQnfp6/s1600/iDSC_7033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mv566K77SbUwhYIxrYTg4gJlZJeV6Pqm_dFGp1JKtyWK3dv_ULDbIx_K88koQrwFIRZVOLx9DXlmjjEneveMQaNbT2uAAGV1EJCljf9jlOrGx_zqaPtDY6-IYc-INraxf2WJXaQnfp6/s1600/iDSC_7033.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOxFbEBtAZWDm3Coqg0RkYyZMVfBY5es6_3MPfapwNc_Vsn9riZKU9dKiDyNTQIXCYOq4txMcceYOPMPKV3erX2pa3tkPdx4haC5j_Tyz6rjefcU8GEc68STcoo97-JR3ApQPT8cgpD-2/s1600/iDSC_7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOxFbEBtAZWDm3Coqg0RkYyZMVfBY5es6_3MPfapwNc_Vsn9riZKU9dKiDyNTQIXCYOq4txMcceYOPMPKV3erX2pa3tkPdx4haC5j_Tyz6rjefcU8GEc68STcoo97-JR3ApQPT8cgpD-2/s1600/iDSC_7058.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the <b>Byholma Rattan Chairs:</b><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy them again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend them? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the price, I have to say I have been really pleased with these so far and would buy them again and would recommend them. I've had mine all that long but my sister has had some for quite a while and they've held up very well!  </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Alina Bedspread</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlj2WqCqRfE-ngZTgg8N9kzeACsMs4Q3_Nh3C2rtq-XmjYxV_9sYb2UswNthplSiPgGuvin4gaHiTYk1mzzAiFFSXbY5oqxFdri6S10slb176uPCTDOdrWWYIhn_aB21pKcSW5Kt1UVoPi/s1600/eDSC_8882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlj2WqCqRfE-ngZTgg8N9kzeACsMs4Q3_Nh3C2rtq-XmjYxV_9sYb2UswNthplSiPgGuvin4gaHiTYk1mzzAiFFSXbY5oqxFdri6S10slb176uPCTDOdrWWYIhn_aB21pKcSW5Kt1UVoPi/s1600/eDSC_8882.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhez6LuB7IgXDu_hyphenhyphenoSIeCjxzEV9OR78KOVD5xhcNqSnybM24icWMYQc4LCqx7ZkgLaEjyOOBIYilIVKpE3nKW2fLy11Datc4XCo4_jNsQRK54ImDp3KUsPLI5TCle3Mg_ridaMCkx4FMu/s1600/eDSC_8863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhez6LuB7IgXDu_hyphenhyphenoSIeCjxzEV9OR78KOVD5xhcNqSnybM24icWMYQc4LCqx7ZkgLaEjyOOBIYilIVKpE3nKW2fLy11Datc4XCo4_jNsQRK54ImDp3KUsPLI5TCle3Mg_ridaMCkx4FMu/s1600/eDSC_8863.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the<b> Alina Bedspread</b><b>:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the price I am really happy with this bedspread and would both buy it again and recommend it. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> IKEA <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">VITFJÄRIL<b> pillow and Eivor striped throw:</b></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqXgiFBEav43AaOp6022KIE8wd6jy9j8bTQeW8GTH3AxMYugvT7MebqNjJfjMM6PocL-N7TB82bysh0jxhvCgotqcj1jVV7pAPbv6sO-jdClqjHD5RMDWz-FTp1T5sTerkg3IdMTXZ2OW/s1600/aDSC_8519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqXgiFBEav43AaOp6022KIE8wd6jy9j8bTQeW8GTH3AxMYugvT7MebqNjJfjMM6PocL-N7TB82bysh0jxhvCgotqcj1jVV7pAPbv6sO-jdClqjHD5RMDWz-FTp1T5sTerkg3IdMTXZ2OW/s1600/aDSC_8519.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">VITFJÄRIL<b> pillow and Eivor striped throw:</b></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy them again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend them? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would most definitely buy them again! In fact, I have - both of them! I first bought the pillows for my house (you can see one in our master bedroom a couple photos above and we also have one in our gray guest room) and I loved them so much I got them for Jason's house for the girls' room. And I can see myself eventually getting a few more. It's such a pretty little pillow and the price is fabulous! I also love love love the striped throw and added a second one. </div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">IKEA <b>Hermine Throw:</b></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnWM8kjdQZuJGvDwhmBUzQ77VYG0AwMzSSVS8EJMvnvuFlN4u-boniuU4KhyphenhyphenwnN-Npy6iM2JUOia6Y8Fd8GvNerZDPa9P6pt2YAtsyytpPKxaXJQCJPwQLxYmlpV8cpUj5qG-JJZ0ermE/s1600/iNovember_220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnWM8kjdQZuJGvDwhmBUzQ77VYG0AwMzSSVS8EJMvnvuFlN4u-boniuU4KhyphenhyphenwnN-Npy6iM2JUOia6Y8Fd8GvNerZDPa9P6pt2YAtsyytpPKxaXJQCJPwQLxYmlpV8cpUj5qG-JJZ0ermE/s1600/iNovember_220.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the<b> <span style="font-size: small;">Hermine Throw:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES<br /><br />I love this throw and would both buy it again and recommend it.  </div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span> <br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Emmie Ruta Pink Buffalo Check Duvet Cover:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJUZGHXghSadV1q-dR-XxvdUBVUb1fDHdSgYsQlclgWWmYMmZFjOwjJlhbwfXKXDQd1ZOIQ7oHdYnHaX867_894Vb8PyqqHT5t9sIzc_yXFDUwWtTIbbZ5gc0YFRJrKzDbo532NRHg0A2/s1600/gDSC_9637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJUZGHXghSadV1q-dR-XxvdUBVUb1fDHdSgYsQlclgWWmYMmZFjOwjJlhbwfXKXDQd1ZOIQ7oHdYnHaX867_894Vb8PyqqHT5t9sIzc_yXFDUwWtTIbbZ5gc0YFRJrKzDbo532NRHg0A2/s1600/gDSC_9637.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the <b>Emmie Ruta Pink Buffalo Check Duvet Cover:</b> <br />Would I buy them again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend them? YES<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I would recommend these duvet covers and buy them again. My only complaint would be the fact that they get wrinkled looking pretty easily.</div></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>IKEA Fintorp Hanging System</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLOHc9weXytOYXAbBWfti8qRFZJGbRHlzclXMOJIzMAxidEzeMdODCfRNsN1FQb30VGG466m3dxzoZ6D9FAtmWoLc-_eONnv_oPH3mDqVT66im8nxH7sK3JZCEOSbN-5VFBeUoDjkxHEk/s1600/kDSC_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLOHc9weXytOYXAbBWfti8qRFZJGbRHlzclXMOJIzMAxidEzeMdODCfRNsN1FQb30VGG466m3dxzoZ6D9FAtmWoLc-_eONnv_oPH3mDqVT66im8nxH7sK3JZCEOSbN-5VFBeUoDjkxHEk/s1600/kDSC_0383.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWr77Rg6ytmk6CehSD5AqhlrRmZjn9Jh1um5sehyoElOgdy1CVwvdHuDAQFEv2iDp5ztLi5vwc3-Mf2N8VdxcFB98JQx_MclEVmzyNXqaG4WIzkBCiadM2AkSnJI0jmHmmA5aVWMiLsLx/s1600/kDSC_0388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWr77Rg6ytmk6CehSD5AqhlrRmZjn9Jh1um5sehyoElOgdy1CVwvdHuDAQFEv2iDp5ztLi5vwc3-Mf2N8VdxcFB98JQx_MclEVmzyNXqaG4WIzkBCiadM2AkSnJI0jmHmmA5aVWMiLsLx/s1600/kDSC_0388.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>We used these at our old house in the kitchen and bathroom and now one is in the girl's playroom and I just added the other one to Jason's kitchen (I should have updated photos soon!) <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, for the <b>Fintorp Hanging System:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I buy it again? YES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I recommend it? YES</div><br /><br />And that's it for all the main things I can think of. I also have quite a few little accessories like the pitcher shown below which I use all the time, little white lace vases, and gray dishes. I have been very happy with all of my smaller purchases and haven't had any issue with any of them. We also have the Ritva curtain panels in most of the rooms of our home and for the price have been very happy with them. Eventually I wouldn't mind switching them out for nicer ones but for now I really can't beat the $24.99 price! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CoaDVFRq8IkplyMjZa4qhuKBn2utroeFi5WTyW5fwQrt7RsbFybJ-OPo_f5YU6U0LS4wy_zilG21eHPq1bEAuDpl6I88R660ZQKdjQXbe8DQtWqC_26ieeT33CK0iFiOjuuqYjGQbhiK/s1600/nJuly_2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CoaDVFRq8IkplyMjZa4qhuKBn2utroeFi5WTyW5fwQrt7RsbFybJ-OPo_f5YU6U0LS4wy_zilG21eHPq1bEAuDpl6I88R660ZQKdjQXbe8DQtWqC_26ieeT33CK0iFiOjuuqYjGQbhiK/s1600/nJuly_2003.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53gB9AOs8sWDn9rqGRSrktVqalXPXF4nn3pm2z2Sb68xiGz2RWJiHBTXrZXKdLdhGGQoFe0giAcRO5rtkUS2FP96XBklHT6Vb-_xgSfSbN3sIQTOQpiyUsd9xGDpV3phMQS4AA_gtlhh2/s1600/jDSC_7972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53gB9AOs8sWDn9rqGRSrktVqalXPXF4nn3pm2z2Sb68xiGz2RWJiHBTXrZXKdLdhGGQoFe0giAcRO5rtkUS2FP96XBklHT6Vb-_xgSfSbN3sIQTOQpiyUsd9xGDpV3phMQS4AA_gtlhh2/s1600/jDSC_7972.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteHb7SoXUz7ugI-0bxnVq-idt9dwSYyb0pmwA1ojx4GnWJXFLIYqP_To0cEuGSrwmenczHxiT6aPaeMu7UWvj9aWLciT60lQj5OdJq5vF_LjbIb6tgOVpeKg-xd-BT46C4Ui5gq2i8AhF/s1600/hNovember_4063.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteHb7SoXUz7ugI-0bxnVq-idt9dwSYyb0pmwA1ojx4GnWJXFLIYqP_To0cEuGSrwmenczHxiT6aPaeMu7UWvj9aWLciT60lQj5OdJq5vF_LjbIb6tgOVpeKg-xd-BT46C4Ui5gq2i8AhF/s1600/hNovember_4063.png" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyhWUZ0dix3GF6dcbRivSUJv8bQd2kJS1CneHK06OWVpstsaJBfzXy9L9Jm4gKeKWWh4h5UN-1A1cwofaC5hBsDIbiEaBrOJt6Oc3MRFSXxEgntfq-lFeYuA5oYijQJ_5m9Wgh7u246J0/s1600/rDSC_9196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyhWUZ0dix3GF6dcbRivSUJv8bQd2kJS1CneHK06OWVpstsaJBfzXy9L9Jm4gKeKWWh4h5UN-1A1cwofaC5hBsDIbiEaBrOJt6Oc3MRFSXxEgntfq-lFeYuA5oYijQJ_5m9Wgh7u246J0/s1600/rDSC_9196.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Well, I think that's just about everything! Please keep in mind these are just my experiences with each item. I am sure there are plenty of people who have had completely different experiences or opinions on different items. <br /><br />I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTeQsApe1ZsNKPQyvpSYr-BKFxO5WM491SPMFAqZie26-8OJIPZx9D7dp8nRQOyOjmntL5B0j_qG7XkAhfQc_6VmRShWlRJc0tsdLxIDuMmlNYron6fmo0qzkuJzlQBbEjEYSjW7TQaSw/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTeQsApe1ZsNKPQyvpSYr-BKFxO5WM491SPMFAqZie26-8OJIPZx9D7dp8nRQOyOjmntL5B0j_qG7XkAhfQc_6VmRShWlRJc0tsdLxIDuMmlNYron6fmo0qzkuJzlQBbEjEYSjW7TQaSw/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. If you are new here you can find a<a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-year-later.html"> full before and after tour</a> of our home here in <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-year-later.html">this post</a> with details and links to paint colors and source lists for all of our items:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-year-later.html"><img alt="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-year-later.html" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UHW3uQUAoCerpf2X8ZjjSyQdSAczCVR_9jbqX7HodHouj41R95EDsydHnTZ76nL0GOI8HAeYBEaMY-e1fhr42VgZSJbym8g_uUORP9NXZID7ztDT2CyqJL_3OO0YP0MsYHhP0BXJyCtK/s1600/n_collageoneyear_TEXT.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />And you can also look under the <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/p/our-home.html">our </a><a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/p/our-home.html">home tab</a> for more info on our home and for more details and source info and paint colors on <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/p/other-featured-spaces.html">Jason's spaces click here.</a>

How Our IKEA Items are Holding Up (Review for more than 15 different items from IKEA)

We get a surprising number of e-mails asking about how our different IKEA pieces are holding up and if we would recommend them so we thought...

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Adding a Desk to our Guest Bedroom/Office

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaiU0uOFq6rPidGV6FiggSRLJdJTVPaY3ygmri-gZ3EEUH_NRn6fRp9unA9ktirUuh70oKR4fvpWi0fsUQQGvtZiL8JOJnfi4BviO8tvsFqKy2GAgO_o64nYT-A2WPIVzMydqC8tVxvI/s1600/CDSC_7697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaiU0uOFq6rPidGV6FiggSRLJdJTVPaY3ygmri-gZ3EEUH_NRn6fRp9unA9ktirUuh70oKR4fvpWi0fsUQQGvtZiL8JOJnfi4BviO8tvsFqKy2GAgO_o64nYT-A2WPIVzMydqC8tVxvI/s1600/CDSC_7697.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*I'm so sorry these pictures are super grainy. It was a horribly rainy and overcast day when I took these so I had to crank by ISO way up to even attempt taking any photos.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finally added a desk to this room so it can now function somewhat as an office. It probaby won't ever be used as a true home office because I do most of my computer work downstairs but it will make a great space to work on projects! I am so excited to finally have a place to setup my sewing machine and plan on adding my silhouette machine here as well.  In fact I've already sewn several things since getting it set up. (Nothing super exciting - just some basic pillows and the ottoman slipcover in the playroom - but it still was a lot of fun finally sewing again!) We still have a good-sized empty wall to the right of the window (left of the desk) and I plan on adding some kind of storage piece there to keep a lot of my arts and crafts supplies and fabric and other miscellaneous things like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The rest of the bedroom I think looks pretty much the same as last time we shared it except we added a fun little striped throw from IKEA. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5NH8hJyXaXyrl-N8qcrqlzXHVQdoMZtBYAOawzfKki4qYSANR80lpf6baTFEKi6fs5IPTHn6sY6YvvJHXcZ-nhdgLVxbNwDCDuJNP4RBjQuSmV8-CpsrYMaHr8KxLpN-B2znMcNRTg0/s1600/CDSC_7689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5NH8hJyXaXyrl-N8qcrqlzXHVQdoMZtBYAOawzfKki4qYSANR80lpf6baTFEKi6fs5IPTHn6sY6YvvJHXcZ-nhdgLVxbNwDCDuJNP4RBjQuSmV8-CpsrYMaHr8KxLpN-B2znMcNRTg0/s1600/CDSC_7689.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The desk is from IKEA as well. I spent nine months hunting through Craigslist and all the local thrift stores for the perfect desk that I could makeover but had no luck so finally just pulled the trigger on this IKEA one. It was the most inexpensive option I could find that I still liked the look of. I have to say even though I had hoped to find something a little more unique I have been really happy with this. It is very well made and weighs a ton. As far as the artwork goes - I plan on hanging it on the wall as soon as I decide the exact placements of the desk but I can't figure that out until I find a storage piece so for now the picture is just leaning there. (Again, sorry about the super grainy pictures). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_akg5f_k27_W3lEyrwmgmWJ7hKwUKPgJBhDVAYNJU7bjzoh2GDMdOL0HxRUVifiuxEzwF2pM4K2iQj40eubqnphrOEpPsJT-LhpU6bAC9DDv7WMZpvMxm5VlpheXKuAD3aWQAV04Ycw/s1600/cDSC_7677.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_akg5f_k27_W3lEyrwmgmWJ7hKwUKPgJBhDVAYNJU7bjzoh2GDMdOL0HxRUVifiuxEzwF2pM4K2iQj40eubqnphrOEpPsJT-LhpU6bAC9DDv7WMZpvMxm5VlpheXKuAD3aWQAV04Ycw/s1600/cDSC_7677.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The chair is not an ideal fit but it was a hand-me down  (it was my parent's and then my sister Dana recovered it in black and used it in her apartment for a couple of years and then it ended up in our garage) and works for now seeing how it was free but I am keeping my eyes out for something a little bit smaller. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy-vorcL8tnvMQvh_De6vAX23U86TPDJAn1Rpmvm_uyEcdGy3oYsSFx0yAXWDsUOhJmZZjZ4Zl3B0unZvosiKTIoZGv6MkOFiIfCzRmql5EyVF1QAUfunPE43J8RXSAU-1rE_lOE_VQs/s1600/CDSC_7682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy-vorcL8tnvMQvh_De6vAX23U86TPDJAn1Rpmvm_uyEcdGy3oYsSFx0yAXWDsUOhJmZZjZ4Zl3B0unZvosiKTIoZGv6MkOFiIfCzRmql5EyVF1QAUfunPE43J8RXSAU-1rE_lOE_VQs/s1600/CDSC_7682.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is my sewing machine that I plan on leaving up there most of the time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aT3w0SAsRFf2q5zD8DMawuW3WxxzlE83XgMB891Hca8cIbZBT8krd2lh0Vsk-v31YnF4-5yeegssSmCqB6EpuNYQkloW1xwhXuiIUrhfSSpGS32nuY_YKWM9RSV7BvOxrTL-4xeNNJs/s1600/cDSC_7607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aT3w0SAsRFf2q5zD8DMawuW3WxxzlE83XgMB891Hca8cIbZBT8krd2lh0Vsk-v31YnF4-5yeegssSmCqB6EpuNYQkloW1xwhXuiIUrhfSSpGS32nuY_YKWM9RSV7BvOxrTL-4xeNNJs/s1600/cDSC_7607.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my little helper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncAX4PlOMmHvr7zCqDqIg0Fvg3doxllXwiUuH6ICqVg6TtFnyyJYumpi0igT6l4PkhDdLV-m9r9E0LtecDa6WvmRDpQQGa966kcGVguDijmdLwbYSTXkQAfKM-NgTO2U5IvRYfjlsr9M/s1600/cDSC_7623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncAX4PlOMmHvr7zCqDqIg0Fvg3doxllXwiUuH6ICqVg6TtFnyyJYumpi0igT6l4PkhDdLV-m9r9E0LtecDa6WvmRDpQQGa966kcGVguDijmdLwbYSTXkQAfKM-NgTO2U5IvRYfjlsr9M/s1600/cDSC_7623.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDEBeA45qXqeFG9q1YVDeu6Azs2a2uXqLrJACfNdAm1czLI7KZZVIkMQ6i2Wid2NBctyYGVnbSITG0bt7Tcie6KEx1QVSuA0IMynLs18ssZb-c0URfKbPpefJTecw_VXC9i9Dk2zRxzk/s1600/cDSC_7610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDEBeA45qXqeFG9q1YVDeu6Azs2a2uXqLrJACfNdAm1czLI7KZZVIkMQ6i2Wid2NBctyYGVnbSITG0bt7Tcie6KEx1QVSuA0IMynLs18ssZb-c0URfKbPpefJTecw_VXC9i9Dk2zRxzk/s1600/cDSC_7610.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoMAjYbS8va06EURnbqZ7FXi4-FE9EC4t5hN8rYvp0IJXuooyNlPE_iGM-A3Q83MkmYXejbpQBJhkT96hXlRYwYgIoWEpQx9OsO2ZIhFQbgAm_NjF-3GeO_G4gW92wSgSuaiolKtoJ6E/s1600/CDSC_7693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoMAjYbS8va06EURnbqZ7FXi4-FE9EC4t5hN8rYvp0IJXuooyNlPE_iGM-A3Q83MkmYXejbpQBJhkT96hXlRYwYgIoWEpQx9OsO2ZIhFQbgAm_NjF-3GeO_G4gW92wSgSuaiolKtoJ6E/s1600/CDSC_7693.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF69hA4LVv6ja3q7sGbnJ5EmhRoBa24OeI51J6TNO0m2tj-D7nn6n8iqSEEoSZd3K3KcW4n9rlbsmGEKYcu1gaJFv-ADhRi1MAy1N8bJXTKz5PuImMwhBhuWi4I8sprXJ2fTHNjg0GM_w/s1600/cDSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF69hA4LVv6ja3q7sGbnJ5EmhRoBa24OeI51J6TNO0m2tj-D7nn6n8iqSEEoSZd3K3KcW4n9rlbsmGEKYcu1gaJFv-ADhRi1MAy1N8bJXTKz5PuImMwhBhuWi4I8sprXJ2fTHNjg0GM_w/s1600/cDSC_0020.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz156uOEibP0CPURcab6S9otGsE3T580N6TouaD_nDpeBUz4FegwIokq0ZspxyHH3TDhuKjOJ6__5JgYo3f4Hp4SRN-AMv6nMlhCUPaCSl-QDeUUKn5oXrjnJxmGJLyNRAiALq3b_ggNo/s1600/cDSC_7632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz156uOEibP0CPURcab6S9otGsE3T580N6TouaD_nDpeBUz4FegwIokq0ZspxyHH3TDhuKjOJ6__5JgYo3f4Hp4SRN-AMv6nMlhCUPaCSl-QDeUUKn5oXrjnJxmGJLyNRAiALq3b_ggNo/s1600/cDSC_7632.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyiFGiG43dqCa86O97qfrojLYrVTnsmwqQ2_SzroYIaa10oLIqIyP7xYmOVZzNigZqpAtGKfMrCm9l60Ho0jtxAEyDvNBowMZRVE6av4FIvrwE_HBMfp9osuh_KJUe0u7DbaxATzPjts/s1600/cDSC_7649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyiFGiG43dqCa86O97qfrojLYrVTnsmwqQ2_SzroYIaa10oLIqIyP7xYmOVZzNigZqpAtGKfMrCm9l60Ho0jtxAEyDvNBowMZRVE6av4FIvrwE_HBMfp9osuh_KJUe0u7DbaxATzPjts/s1600/cDSC_7649.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and my favorite part of the room is the view out the window:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxRhiv5TFRLBw2XwZ6t2H2FShsACWJMMjHaw2siHEtqCuliKL6Rv7BQzJXUnSEomU9NQhVUJpPrSNq36l-SLYS2fC7uyZONwojQpy2rtKjTCj6vZzbhQOjQxbR9z1oyv9MVJT5pNLlbE/s1600/ephoto-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxRhiv5TFRLBw2XwZ6t2H2FShsACWJMMjHaw2siHEtqCuliKL6Rv7BQzJXUnSEomU9NQhVUJpPrSNq36l-SLYS2fC7uyZONwojQpy2rtKjTCj6vZzbhQOjQxbR9z1oyv9MVJT5pNLlbE/s1600/ephoto-18.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><br /><i><b>Source Info:</b></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Trim Color - Simply White by Benjamin Moore in Semi-gloss Finish<br />Door Color - Mopboard Black by Benjamin Moore in Semi-gloss Finish<br />Beadboard Wallpaper - Allen and Roth from Lowe's<br />Desk - IKEA<br />Large Black and White Tree Picture - Pottery Barn 11 years ago<br />Chair - hand-me down, just in there temporarily until I find the right chair<br />Green Folders - IKEA<br />White beaded pitcher with pink tulips - Emma pitcher from Pottery Barn<br />Urn with tree branches - have had for years<br />Bed - Overstock (I still need to reupholster the headboard but I have it somewhat hidden in these pics)<br />Black and White Striped Throw - IKEA<br />Coverlet - Have had for a long time not sure where it was originally purchased<br />Bed Skirt and Shams - Country Curtains<br />Nightstands - Pier 1 about 7-8 years ago, they still carry them but they are considerably more expensive than back when I purchased ours<br />Lamps - Home Goods<br />Roman Shades - Lowe's (they've since been discontinued)<br />Drapery Panels - IKEA Ritva Panels<br />Drapery Rods - Lowe's<br />Sheepskin Throw - IKEA a couple of years ago<br />Duvet Cover - Target about 7 years ago<br />Rug - RugsUSA.com<br />Black and White Square Pillows - Target<br />Sheets and Standard Shams - Target<br />Framed Sheet of Music - Antique from my mother-in-law <br />Little Frames and Gold H - gifts from years ago<br />Basket under nightstand - IKEA<br /><i>In room but not in these photos: </i><br />Dresser - Haynes Furniture in VA 5-6 years ago <br />Chalkboard Frame - Tutorial can be found <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/chalkboard-frame.html">here</a>. (You can also <a href="http://www.dearlillie.com/product/souls-11x14-chalkboard-print">purchase the print here</a> or the <a href="http://www.dearlillie.com/product/whatever-souls-are-made-of-24x36-chalkboard-download">download here</a>).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I hope you all are having a wonderful week! We are in the middle of having our new counters and backsplash installed. I am hoping to share a little peek at some point soon on either <a href="http://instagram.com/dearlillie#">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dearlillie">Facebook</a>. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDVMoGUpXLu_9PvCgjyZteUIZIZ2O_r9JVOf0II0GQiseWO6ukiHk6FF683_KtQiornLPEMMb6OjdiKRY2oK_35J4Kh7wifejhl7mnHVko3Jiow0x5h41EdRBKNv3ONa8lWfP73nfFVs/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDVMoGUpXLu_9PvCgjyZteUIZIZ2O_r9JVOf0II0GQiseWO6ukiHk6FF683_KtQiornLPEMMb6OjdiKRY2oK_35J4Kh7wifejhl7mnHVko3Jiow0x5h41EdRBKNv3ONa8lWfP73nfFVs/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />

Adding a Desk to our Guest Bedroom/Office

*I'm so sorry these pictures are super grainy. It was a horribly rainy and overcast day when I took these so I had to crank by ISO way ...

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New Sconces and our Karlstad Sectional in the Family Room

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV2gmasP7kSX-0wwqAnkzMeDaiKTONeN-6DJV_Ncagg7RcCFZ6H37zSP59K9W7fu5xy5y2CDG9NDN3RXre32Rs057oFmz9GZqiy50eX1GUoTLtKKSs7W8W5fUbWy8SPF2MvnXTrqqk3ji/s1600/iJuly_973.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV2gmasP7kSX-0wwqAnkzMeDaiKTONeN-6DJV_Ncagg7RcCFZ6H37zSP59K9W7fu5xy5y2CDG9NDN3RXre32Rs057oFmz9GZqiy50eX1GUoTLtKKSs7W8W5fUbWy8SPF2MvnXTrqqk3ji/s640/iJuly_973.png" width="436" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday I took photos of Lillie and Lola's room as well as of our new "You Are My Sunshine" chalkboards. Along with the chalkboard version of it we are also going to be offering it in two colors. As soon as we get them back from the printers we will be listing those in the shop - hopefully later this week and if not then we should definitely have them next week. <b>So, I will have some nice colorful photos to share with you soon.</b> Until then here are some more shots of our very neutral family room with our new sconces. They are a much better proportion than the ones that were here. (There is a before shot if you scroll down a bit). We intentionally did our family room and kitchen VERY light and very neutral which I know to some people will seem quite boring but we did this for a few reasons. First - I love neutrals and find them to be very soothing. Second, these two rooms (which are essentially one large room) get VERY little natural light so are quite dark. By doing them in light neutral colors it helps it feel much less dreary in here. And third, I wanted to be able to very easily change this room up seasonally and just in general. Which just some fresh flowers, throw pillows and even fruit in the kitchen we can add pops of color scheme quite easily. I cannot wait to decorate this room in December! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We still have a a couple more things to add to the room like a rug and recovering the ottoman in a darker fabric but we are definitely getting closer to having this room complete. And I have changed a couple of things even since I took these photos the other day - I hung a large photo of each of the girls above the chairs on either side of the television and also switched out the small black frames on the oversized chevron boards for larger ones I spray painted white. They are still on the chevron squares, they are just now thicker white frames in the center of the chevron. I also switched out the mirror above the fireplace with the painting that in our den although I am leaning towards switching it back to the mirror. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a close-up (sorry for the grain - as I mentioned the natural light in here is awful and I haven't discovered where I put my tripod yet - haha!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANvumNGLaLbjhRDVgK7jd71SesR_A9Qq9rVQ1lqW-lWSY9__-mDHXO1nyQZhwG4hfV7Y8wzb4MLrZNbfUO_8pwZFbgeemwtDOwTA1fwCGDVCKBNvP3_r8yHiKSBc6TXx175WtO9KMmeyp/s640/iJuly_922.png" width="436" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV8o7krM3ZbqEPfpGQP1kquUZGqZc6mlnA5Lo5xsNoM4HXpHgtI9RHiF4b5-1UkF8A4p75DAFFDJbgdy2h7cXV8y1KzDbTtWVYE4z4uTH_GDwYTrtZUPrMH2HSf905n2V89TyQecVMpc0/s1600/iJuly_925.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV8o7krM3ZbqEPfpGQP1kquUZGqZc6mlnA5Lo5xsNoM4HXpHgtI9RHiF4b5-1UkF8A4p75DAFFDJbgdy2h7cXV8y1KzDbTtWVYE4z4uTH_GDwYTrtZUPrMH2HSf905n2V89TyQecVMpc0/s640/iJuly_925.png" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now that we have lived here a while and I've had time to stare at this brick every night while working on my computer and think about the different options for it I am leaning more and more towards whitewashing it.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwq2fSlrLOC5BvarkZ4d7ydvW9nWc5Z5scKkoQ4DbC68A6P_5BfAwsi4NTMTK6fQkO9RDpf6AMAMIY99cfiHUpE4Xcsu9iQkoFGvE1xe0nX7g0cEElY40hce7GkS7lHXMy5PtoWTeOz5I/s1600/iJuly_947.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwq2fSlrLOC5BvarkZ4d7ydvW9nWc5Z5scKkoQ4DbC68A6P_5BfAwsi4NTMTK6fQkO9RDpf6AMAMIY99cfiHUpE4Xcsu9iQkoFGvE1xe0nX7g0cEElY40hce7GkS7lHXMy5PtoWTeOz5I/s640/iJuly_947.png" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The trim, fireplace and doors are painted in London Fog by BM in a semi-gloss finish.You can read about that here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN70deVXzrTo8rQjh-IhyVn5WGZN8-UgaFFTQv8GltvHb4RXbth_wnIMtxs5l_lGvvblvokO7YObbOBH_LKkinIN0hbRjefwzVtjXzanbwWKzSDy2mNvZqRKaRyVJX0AbJ3L21mUkv2A_G/s1600/iJuly_953.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN70deVXzrTo8rQjh-IhyVn5WGZN8-UgaFFTQv8GltvHb4RXbth_wnIMtxs5l_lGvvblvokO7YObbOBH_LKkinIN0hbRjefwzVtjXzanbwWKzSDy2mNvZqRKaRyVJX0AbJ3L21mUkv2A_G/s640/iJuly_953.png" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is a before shot where you can see the tiny little brass sconces that were there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmt0VHFW7cUJw95A3Bq8KmYSCtIUiRU83KLIlX0EG1bxtWWz5TdnhwyJ0NnLNKM2YaBG2KL6Bbrt7JFKe2rtXXRLLgN_6tWZEPu-alYOpJ-gE8grYwdD1Zb_999Y7W76q-y-PxVrwPXp/s1600/bdownfamilyroomIMG_2349.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmt0VHFW7cUJw95A3Bq8KmYSCtIUiRU83KLIlX0EG1bxtWWz5TdnhwyJ0NnLNKM2YaBG2KL6Bbrt7JFKe2rtXXRLLgN_6tWZEPu-alYOpJ-gE8grYwdD1Zb_999Y7W76q-y-PxVrwPXp/s640/bdownfamilyroomIMG_2349.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTyb7Y3FDQ1MMxG8j_jGgEpuRUjhmvNo4JE_r-4VJoi3k302KJ5dkF8In0z5-B7YfI2sY95Bv_TjcwNOCZqVUF_op1GKhnKPolcjcVaDrQuIby4i15CLJbKlbLo_revqXke2MNvtwLyKU/s1600/iJuly_932.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTyb7Y3FDQ1MMxG8j_jGgEpuRUjhmvNo4JE_r-4VJoi3k302KJ5dkF8In0z5-B7YfI2sY95Bv_TjcwNOCZqVUF_op1GKhnKPolcjcVaDrQuIby4i15CLJbKlbLo_revqXke2MNvtwLyKU/s640/iJuly_932.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVStWT8-iyCoBCVXbRCOJJVwynXGf4W7gy5G5ZbSzeuSE9AeQYX9Y6Pux7D_HKSTHUwnR8D6JsCpEUdvGtF9lV7K2Kya5o8laxhLQ9Sh9wLBOkJyf_IowqYLPoH9EG_PgOhqaJFlpJ0VxP/s1600/iJuly_936.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVStWT8-iyCoBCVXbRCOJJVwynXGf4W7gy5G5ZbSzeuSE9AeQYX9Y6Pux7D_HKSTHUwnR8D6JsCpEUdvGtF9lV7K2Kya5o8laxhLQ9Sh9wLBOkJyf_IowqYLPoH9EG_PgOhqaJFlpJ0VxP/s640/iJuly_936.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEtSZttd4CJWVGN91-Cl2oFyK9dEY1v7qZiUyz5YnDh5rfAsfxTz6SMnyn0zfafNd3UUy09rRWxuNl3KnzuH9_l9U_Fg5HTXWoUePJGrXHJGCmIXU0dLz5qzSsGaF3dKobMbgWuRzbJi-/s1600/iJuly_933.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEtSZttd4CJWVGN91-Cl2oFyK9dEY1v7qZiUyz5YnDh5rfAsfxTz6SMnyn0zfafNd3UUy09rRWxuNl3KnzuH9_l9U_Fg5HTXWoUePJGrXHJGCmIXU0dLz5qzSsGaF3dKobMbgWuRzbJi-/s640/iJuly_933.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> We got our Karlstad sectional from IKEA and I have to say so far we have been absolutely thrilled with it! I was a little nervous about it to start with. We ordered it that first week we moved in after I drove Jon and my parents crazy measuring and remeasuring and trying to decide if it was the right purchase or not and it came the following week. Before we ordered it I was quite torn because design-wise I knew it wasn't what I would choose, but we wanted to be able to sit a bunch of people comfortably and it allowed us to face both of the focal points (the fireplace on one wall and the TV on another). There was not a single other sectional we could find that was even close to being in our price range so that made the decision to get one from IKEA pretty easy. We were orginally torn between this one and the Ektorp but because of the meaurements and a few other factors including the fact that we thought this one would retain it's shape a little better we went with the Karlstad. Basically in the end for this purchase we decided to go with the functionality of a sectional over a "pretty" sofa and I am so glad we did! It is really comfortable and our whole family can all snuggle up on it together. We also can fit a surprising amount of people on it. And one of my favorite things about it is that because the fabric fits snugly it doesn't get wrinkly or messy looking at ALL!<br /><br />I know a lot of people will think we are crazy for getting white but I love the way the white looks. It helps keep the sectional from overwhelming the room and even though it isn't a slipcovered sofa it is still pretty easy to remove the cushions and throw them in the wash. I know this because we already had a rather large spill while someone was eating dessert a few nights ago and ended up washing all of the covers on the seat parts. I won't name any names but let's just say it wasn't a female member of our family. =) It ended up being easier putting them back on after washing them than it was when we first assembled the sofa because I put them on when they were still a tiny bit damp. I know that regardless of that a lot of people will still think it's crazy to go with white but I figured it was worth the risk because if it ever does become too much upkeep we can always ask for one of the darker covers for Christmas to switch out with the white one. For now though I am really LOVING the white and just the overall sectional in general. And I have to say I can't believe I am saying that. I really thought it was just going to be okay  - something that was worth getting even though I didn't love it because it was going to be functional for our family, but I actually now love it. <br /> <br />I am basically done now with Phase 1 of our kitchen makeover so am hoping we will have a very sunny day soon so I can photograph it and when I do I will show you the this room from the other side so you can fully see the sectional. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSzzEP7kIsjTT0cvi6LaUKuIMChRPfI-F-aIpls3uYKa2jTJbomdlSlTH_g5o-ZQQXT7M2JwX91ORJWpKC4rahdFsW1mwC6l2WMGN1KvMH6-g6Z06E32AGO0q6feQ0C1_c9OewKek2xQ9/s1600/iJuly_963.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSzzEP7kIsjTT0cvi6LaUKuIMChRPfI-F-aIpls3uYKa2jTJbomdlSlTH_g5o-ZQQXT7M2JwX91ORJWpKC4rahdFsW1mwC6l2WMGN1KvMH6-g6Z06E32AGO0q6feQ0C1_c9OewKek2xQ9/s640/iJuly_963.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I hope you are all having a lovely week!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubz9w_S5iiJNNaClQxEaXNKpGyMixiSYUlY67rZN7Qg0hLy_ouhEUsaMF2PKFobe4NW98K91Z8yuifi2DHXq4IuERaf7e7FChFyFiO0wfmuWiNwFxWq3tlsCbDLBYupcBpTG7DuTYFDb2/s1600/NewSignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubz9w_S5iiJNNaClQxEaXNKpGyMixiSYUlY67rZN7Qg0hLy_ouhEUsaMF2PKFobe4NW98K91Z8yuifi2DHXq4IuERaf7e7FChFyFiO0wfmuWiNwFxWq3tlsCbDLBYupcBpTG7DuTYFDb2/s1600/NewSignature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

New Sconces and our Karlstad Sectional in the Family Room

  Yesterday I took photos of Lillie and Lola's room as well as of our new "You Are My Sunshine" chalkboards. Along with the ch...

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