IKEA

Today I drove to IKEA, spent 3hrs, for the first time after probably a decade. Many things have changed, to the better! Not only designs but also logisitcs. Very convenient, service- orientated, smooth running business even at Saturdays.

I have been planning to get myself y dressing-table (is this really the proper wording?). I don't like putting on Make Up in artificial light in the morning. Since there is no daylight in our bathroom, I will install a Make Up corner in my bedroom. Mr Paula is ok with it.

Well, he probably would not be ok with THIS:

This strange baroque table is the only result the ikea-website provides.

Well, good I went there because in the shadow if baroque, you find ...
the perfect dressing table!

At least for my taste. I know, circles are a difficult shape. Too perfect, that's why people rather choose the elipse.

I dare the circle!

What I find appealing? Less is more. The surface is glossy, the color ivory-white. The mirror is the perfect circle and the angle is adjustable. The info in the label says " drawers which run very smoothly" ("Leichtläufig").

The moment I opened them I new this table had to become MINE! :-D
I hate drawers which run "stuttering", these are just perfect. mmmh. The only pitty is, i have to wait until the bedroom has been painted (will take one more month). I could have bought the table another time but I did not want to find it being out of stock.


Having enjoyed a late Saturday's breakfast at home, I could easily pass on at the restaurant, energy level still ok.
Then came the blinds, curtains and curtain rods. Something we could not figure out for the last decade. The painter who will refurbish the appartment end of May is a real pro: he forced us to get all the stuff he will screw on the walls. He wants the appartment to be done when he is done with his painting. Like that we have to fix all those interim and not so well working solutions we have been living with for quite a while.

Glad I did NOT go for the grey but the white blind. Those blinds are great, the filter 100% of the daylight.

Where there is shade, there is light.
Uuuh. Lamps. The biggest challange in interior decorationg. At least when I listen to all the people around me. "I have to buy a lamp for the dining space". Responses "Oh, good luck" "It is impossible to find a decent lamp in Austria. You need to go to Italy" "Wow, lamps, I need lamps, too. They are so difficult ...."

Well, lamps come easy, if the designers could start designing lamps we like.
Am I going insane? I like this copper-lamp in the center:
This would be a so-called safe choice. A bit too "blah".
And then there is the working-surface in the kitchen. The one where I only see my shadow in front of myself because I am in the way of the ceiling-lamp and the onion on the board in front of me. Solution: lets put spots on the ceiling above the working-surface.
Not so easy in 2010. Mr Paule hates halogen bulbs, because they need so much electricity. We both can't stand energy-saving bulbs because they still are no substitute to old fashion light-bulb which is warm and has a total different spectrum compared to energy-saving bulbs.The only light-bulb spots are in aluminium. I have to sleep over this decision.

Too bad we have 2 intact coffee-press-machines at home, the classic ones, by Bodum, made of glass. Because this species of coffee-press-machines isn't only very cute, but also keeps 0,2 litres more then the glass one at home does plus it keeps coffee warm because of the insulation.

Well done, Anne Nilsson. Anne, you probably like Alessi in the 1930s as much as I do!
I went there on my own and I can tell you it is the best way to visit IKEA - on your own, accompanied with a digi-cam (in case you are not sure and need a 2nd opinion). When I first took the picture of the dressing-table I thought I might need to show the picture so friends, but I was too fast in deciding.

Why I think it is the better way to go on your own? Seeing all the stressed out faces of couples and families, they did not have as much fun as I had. Ususally, 2 people make their way through IKEA on different speed and even different paces. (there are lots of short cuts). Also I like to spend some moments in "useless" areas, such as plants or carpets. I know I wont buy any plant but it is nice checking out on them, from a macro-view point in slow motion.

The last chapter, heading towards the dressing-table. My water-bottle with the 2ns refill. The clock says: 3rd hour
HA!
This was the best decision, besides not-buying-the-taupe-blind: Not lining up at the wrapping counter (ist this the proper wording?) with a grouchy face like all the other who had been lining up there. It takes about 10-15 min. until it is your turn. So I turned around and ...

got myself a Hot Dog plus Soft Drink with a refill for 1,50 EUR.
The tin-foil-wrap in the back is to be seen later on.
The onions on top where so crispy! I did not know we could get Hot Dogs like that in Austria. I only see them on 30ROCK. Double smile on my face!

The cart is still half-empty, because the dressing-table has to be patient and wait until his mistress has regained her energies.

After a first cup of Cok,e I refilled with swedish cranberry juice. Boosted with suger and fat I returned to the queue, humming a song with a smile on my face, sipping cranberry juice. Yes, this was me. And the secret is: don't line up but enjoy a sunny break!

Back on the roof of the parking-deck, it was time to say goodbye. I admire the system. 100% Ikea, even when it comes to carts:
I knew I would enjoy the raspberry-vanilla-almond-paste-chocolate-coated dessert best at home, so that's what I did, got my pastry wrapped in tin-foil, unpacked at home.
There wont be any pics of the dressing table in the bed-room until mid-june, when the renovation is finished. You can bet to find some pics online.

I hope you enjoyed my trip. I still have the smile on my face.

PS: I tagged this posting with "Italien Design", there are two italian designs, found the 2nd one, besides Alessi?