Friday, September 21, 2012

My wandering mind

Here I am right smack in the middle of remodeling my basement yet I find myself dreaming about the future remodel of our kitchen. Is that crazy? Is it odd? I just don't know. Could it be that I so desperately long for the change in the kitchen (more efficient floor plan, new appliances that actually work) that I so selfishly focus on it? Honestly, the remodel in the basement is a gift. To say I strongly disliked the way it looked before we bought the house is well, an understatement. There wasn't a single thing I liked about it. Not one thing. I didn't bother to furnish it or put photos up. The only time the place was dusted was twice a year: Thanksgiving and my oldest son's birthday. Yes, I admit that. I am the type of person who finds it very difficult to care for a space that I don't love. I did the same thing with my 13 y-o minivan, by the way. I will spend some time this evening surfing the internet for furniture pieces to store an xbox and a playstation along with many other electronic media devices that I don't even know how to turn on, let alone make any use of. So, there's my answer. This media room remodel isn't for me. It is for my husband and children and their visiting friends. I don't watch tv. I'm not a gamer. I don't even know how to sit still long enough to do anything leisurely like that. The kitchen is my space. It is where I spend all of my time throughout the day and late into the night. There lies the reasoning behind my lack of attention. So, dear hubby, thank you so much for the work you do and continue to do to make our house a home. I will try to focus on the task at hand and not wander (to far) away from where you are.

xo Emily







Part Two of PB Basic vs. Ikea Ektorp

Whew! Whoa! Whaaaat! I got lost in our remodel and left blogland for quite some time. Here I am and I am ready to write.
I have had my Ektorp for almost a year now. It is holding up quite well. Kids, dogs, friends, hubs, everyone sits on it and enjoys it. It is easily mistaken for our old pb basic sofa. I am happy to report that the stiffness of the cushions is a thing of the pass. They have softened with time and we all enjoy sitting on it.
Overall, the construction of the two sofas appears to be where the similarities make them well, two very different sofas. I can't tell you what my pb sofa looks like on the inside. The guts of her are protected by upholstery and stuffing. The ektorp's guts are there and exposed for all of the world to see. Her skirt flutters upward with a slight breeze and ugh! She is cheap and easy! Nothing to hide! She is vulnerable and I don't like it. So why did I invest in more pieces you ask? Because I am cheap but in no way easy. Oh no, not easy at all.

Pottery Barn basic chair

Ikea Ektorp

Solid wood PB basic leg (Does she sugar those beauties?)

Ikea Ektorp (plastic darling. Nothing but plastic.)

The soft drape of the basic white twill cover.

Ikea Ektorp. The skilled seamstress called-in sick that day.

The plastic legs show now that I washed the cover once and followed the instructions. Bummer.

Naked PB Basic

Naked Ektorp

Ektorp
That is visible plywood(?) and this "upholstery" is dang near see through.

PB Basic. No plywood, or hinges, or guts. She is classy. I like to have girls like this over to Highland.
(Ummm, yes, that is a sock on the floor. My dog has a fetish, okay? The funkier the better.)

 
Yes, those are her springs and hinges that you see. And yes, that "fabric" tears very easily.
 
 
The ektorp cover shrunk-up tightly after the first wash. My basic and charleston covers never did that. It is so tight, the cusions are bending inside them. When I called ikea and asked about this, I was told the covers are not under the 10-year warranty; only certain parts of the frame. When my first cranberry twill cover from PB faded excessively, it was replaced immediately. PB even had the defective one picked-up for me at their cost -not mine. Ikea said "too bad, so sad, sista!"

 
Isn't that a pretty label? Yep. I love her.

 Okay, okay. So you get it. The PB Basic sofa and cousins are the better buy. It really is that simple. If you want comfort, quality, and excellent service, then buy the PB Basic. Everything about it is better. Everything. Splurge on the down cusion option which is simply a dream. We have the down cushions on our Charleston. Like naps? Oh yeah. If I had all of the money I needed, I would buy anything but ikea furniture. I've been to the stores several times. I've looked at the pieces. I've flipped them over and wiggled them and tested them the way my pets and children would live on them. But, Ikea furniture fits into this mom's budget so I buy it and I like it. I can buy THREE ikea Ektorp sofas for LESS THAN the price of ONE PB Basic sofa. I can buy 12-14 (seriously?) new Ektorp covers for the price of ONE PB Basic cover. (BTW, the ektorp chair and sofa covers fit on the PB pieces ;). They are tight, but they do fit.) I haven't tried purchasing a pottery barn basic cover and putting it on an ektorp. That is a great idea though. It would probably produce some great results. I might have to do that. I confess that I love the pb basic covers. Even the least expensive twill covers are so much better in quality than the ektorp covers.
Now, listen closely, buy ektorp covers and keep them on your pb basic pieces. When you are having a party or guests, put the pb slipcovers on. Keep them nice and tidy for the good days. You know, like your good china or guest towels. I don't have either, but I'm sure some of you do.
Friends, you get what you pay for.
Buy the Ektorp if you are broke and/or have kids, dogs, friends, and you eat, drink, sit, live on your furniture. I recommend them. However I strongly recommend the pb basic simply because of the quality of construction. They are made in the USA too. Buy the Pottery Barn furniture if your budget allows.
Will you sweat bullets if someone wants to watch a Tinkerbell movie and eat Cheetos at the same time? Seriously. Don't sweat the small stuff just buy OXYCLEAN.

I'M BACK!
Thanks for stopping in!
~Emily