Thursday, October 12, 2017

Like HGTV, Only Not

Okay, so this week Susie and I dared to go where no man has gone before: 2 different IKEAs, 2 days in a row. It's like Extreme Sports, but with made-up Swedish words.

The BEFORE picture
We had to. You see, for years our family has been living with old Ektorp slipcovers that, frankly, have seen better days. Oh, a couple of years ago I did try to replace them, but that attempt was doomed to failure. So we soldiered on with the orange-red corduroy slipcovers from 2007 on our couch and 2 armchairs AND ottoman, trying to pretend that we liked things that way.

Something pushed me over the edge, though - maybe it was trying to resuscitate those things to look decent when I hosted Bunko last week. Or maybe it was last Sunday, when the friend I hadn't seen in years was coming over and would have to sit herself down on these bedraggled remnants of our once-proud sofa covers. I don't know.

However it came about, Susie and I betook ourselves in search of replacements. We settled - after prolonged discussion - on the Nordvalla dark gray, even though I worried it wouldn't be dark enough to contrast with my beloved Lenox Tan walls. We came home, however, with only one armchair cover and a couch cover, because some things were out of stock, or we couldn't find them, or whatever.

Because IKEA.

Brian put the new armchair cover on and pronounced it satisfactory. This was after he had valiantly taped the backrest pillow back together, as it sort of fell apart when he took it out of the old cover. These chairs, they are ANCIENT. He was about to do the couch, also, when he noticed the picture on the box. It was the cover for the loveseat, instead of the 3-seater. Because, of course Susie and I had grabbed the wrong box, despite having spent 20 minutes looking for the right aisle and the right bin and the right color.

Because IKEA.

So Susie and I went to ANOTHER IKEA the next day, after checking to make sure what we wanted was in stock. We swept in there like Special Forces troops on a mission, made a beeline for Aisle 25, and hit the jackpot: a sofa cover, another armchair cover, AND an ottoman cover. Then Susie made me search in the Marketplace for Fjadrar cushions and their accompanying spiffy designer cases, so our living room "would look nice, like other people's."

Ouch.

We also went through the whole stupid showroom again, checking out bookcases and sofas and what not, because IKEA.

Long story short (too late, I know), MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Look! Just like other people!

I get a little choked up, just looking at it. Also, the more eagle-eyed (or just plain bored) among you may have noticed that tiny camel sitting on the speaker to the right of the couch. Yes, my house is STILL camel-infested. In case you were wondering...





19 comments:

  1. Looks good enuff for me to nap on
    xo Astro

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  2. Now I want to change my red sofa and chair.

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  3. Oh Ikea. When I go I am armed with snacks, water bottle, and my best marathon shoes,but I still always limp out of there with a headache. It is true extreme sport shopping.

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  4. (But the sofa looks really nice)

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  5. I'm impressed!
    At this point, the angel and nutcracker on the living room mantel have ceased to bother me [much] and besides, December isn't far away now...

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  6. We got an IKEA couch and over sized chair from a garage sale about 4 or 5 years ago, for $50. Seriously, the best $50 I have ever spent. So comfortable. They, unfortunately are dark brown and we are pretty sure we can't even get the slipcovers for this style couch anymore. So, I just shove a lot of happy pillows on top and call it a day. We do not have a nice living room like other people. But, it is everyone's favorite place to take a nap, so there is that.

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  7. By the way, I get a little laugh every time I come read your blog because the water color over on the right side that is sort of pinkish red....always makes me think you are flipping me (or someone) off.

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    1. Okay, now I can't unsee that. Might be time to change my template!

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    2. Now I see it too!!

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    3. DEFINITELY time to redo the template!

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    4. Oh my gosh....I didn't mean to make you change your background template! LOL But, now that you are no longer flipping me off, I will admit, this one looks really nice. It actually shows your post and pictures larger and easier for my old eyes to read too.

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  8. Oooohhhh!!!! That looks nice!!! (Just like other people!)

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  9. I love the new slipcover and pillows! I am tempted, so very tempted, but the last time I tried a slipcover it just never stayed in place...and I would hate to drive two hours one way to my IKEA to pick one up and then drive two hours back to return it when it disappointed me.

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    1. These stay in place because they are designed for this particular couch. But, yes, when you buy a generic slipcover from Target or wherever and put it on any old couch, it never looks right.

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  10. I'm telling you (and men don't fully appreciate this) shopping is HARD work! Love your new slipcovers ...

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  11. Looks terrific, especially with the pillows. Good choice Susie! I only wish we had an IKEA here...the nearest one to me is an 8 hour drive away. Jysk doesn't cut it.

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  12. I swear I posted this hours ago, but I did so from my phone while I was in my basement and maybe I wasn't getting wifi down there and it didn't send. Here goes again . . .

    I must admit that I always noticed the middle finger too!

    The slipcover and pillows look great.

    Um, at the risk of shocking people, I have never entered an IKEA. Ever. Not shopped there online either. I don't live under a rock - just never have shopped there.

    Years ago when Mini was about 6 yrs old we went trick or treating. She kept sticking her head inside people's houses when they turned to get more candy, etc. When I corrected her, she explained that she liked looking in other people's houses because other people had NICE THINGS. Ouch!

    I like the new background. That would've taken me days to figure out how to change.

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