Dining Room: Cottage Style Ideas From IKEA
I am so thrilled to announce that an IKEA store finally (and I mean FINALLY) opened near me last month! I am in orbit. I waited a few weeks for the crowds to die down (they haven't) but I couldn't stand it anymore and so we packed up and went. And went again. A week later.
IKEA has always been heavily weighted toward the very modern, but they've always had a good selection of more traditional / cottagey things that make me happy, and I wasn't disappointed. Right through the front entrance and the very first thing you see is a huge dining room display. Just lovely.
I adore the white cabinetry with the glass fronts on top and the butcher block in the middle. It's all stock kitchen cabinetry, but set up this way it looks like a big custom china hutch. The table is a big pine gateleg, the chairs are slipcovered in white canvas, and the dishes are scalloped (yum). I also love the idea of chandeliers. These are too modern, but a chandelier is definitely what I want.
So I'm definitely using this as inspiration for the dining room in the new house. I already have a big solid pine farmhouse table that I got from Pottery Barn years ago. It's a little too big, so I may have to cut it down, but Gootz says he can do that for me. It's also walnut stained. I know the deep, dark stain is popular right now, but I really love the look of antiqued honey pine, so I might try to figure some way to lift the stain a bit (sanding?), but it's a great table and cost a fortune so I'd like to use it, even though it's pretty beat up now.
I bought the scalloped dishes because I've been coveting those scalloped dishes for years (yes, bought some), so I'm well on my way. Of course, I still have this to deal with:
Yeah. We have work to do.
Meanwhile, I have to go back to IKEA. It will probably take me about five hours. The first time we went, to look at everything, it took about five hours. The second time we went was just to buy a half a dozen things we had decided on over the week, and it *still* took five hours. I think there's an unwritten rule that going to IKEA isn't allowed to take less than five hours. At least, not unless you're completely oblivious to the decorating fabulousness and just go for the chocolate overload cake and swedish meatballs. Which, of course, are also fabulous. Yes, I speak from experience. Twice.
I wonder if Gootz and Rocket Boy are doing anything this afternoon?
Comments (12)
That damned Ikea! I'm not overly in love with most of that boxy, futuristic, humorless furniture they seem to revel in, but they have tons of little things I love. I'm waiting to go buy a dining set that will only be available from the 3rd til the 13th, it's a black quasi Colonial style round pedestal table with four chairs for 100.00! I've only bought some glasses there, and I managed to do that in a quick trip (less than an hour! Do I win a prize?). If I ever have any money ever again, I'm going back for a lamp and some other odds and ends.
Did you guys go to the air show? I was sickish all last weekend, so we did nothing. Well, I didn't anyway.
Posted by Renee | August 27, 2007 8:53 AM
Posted on August 27, 2007 08:53
Humm - well Ikea does have some good storage items, but please be careful as some of their things are less than top quality. I have had a few things just fall apart on me. :0(
Posted by Julie Size | August 27, 2007 11:25 AM
Posted on August 27, 2007 11:25
Hey, hey, hey! Been wondering how you've been... been thinkin' of ya too. We've been to Ikea twice now too... and I too love that kitchen when you first walk in. Oh yeah... so lovin' it! I keep comparing the PDX Ikea to the Seattle one, and I like the Seattle one so much better. DH says it's worth the extra drive up. Me not so much. Closer is always better! I'm due for another trip to Ikea I think this week. I've been holding off waiting for the new catalogs to come in... but I can only wait so long!!!! We so need to meet up there!!!!!
Our house is just sitting on the market waiting for a family (it's killing me). Lots of lookers, but no offers. Damn mortgage companies! Can't wait to see you touch on that room. I'm sure I'll be drooling over the before and after shots!
Miss you!
xoxoxo- M
Posted by happy zombie | August 27, 2007 3:29 PM
Posted on August 27, 2007 15:29
Lots of work, but so much potential! Love those cabinets at IKEA. Hadn't realized they had some cottagey type things.
Posted by anita | August 28, 2007 1:00 PM
Posted on August 28, 2007 13:00
I know how exciting a trip to Ikea can be. We have had them over here for years so the buzz has worn off but they are still the best place to go to pick up candles, little odds and ends and a few unexpecteds!
Cherry Menlove
Posted by Cherry Menlove | August 29, 2007 12:17 AM
Posted on August 29, 2007 00:17
Hi Angela,
Glad you are back with us - even if just for a minute. I have no doubt that we will all be ooohing and aahing over your dinig space one day. I hope you are taking time to look after yourself in all this hustle and bustle.
Jodie
ric-rac
Posted by Jodie | August 29, 2007 5:21 AM
Posted on August 29, 2007 05:21
That white is inspiring!! But I've just never been an IKEA fan--except for their meatballs. :D
I left a response on my site for you--but I'll say it here too... we should make plans for this fall. I may head your direction soonish--up for lunch??
Posted by Wende | August 31, 2007 12:48 PM
Posted on August 31, 2007 12:48
Oh Man, I want an IKEA too! I've never been in one, but they sound fabulous.
Pottery Barn is the closest we've got, I guess.
Love the white glass front cabinets and the long table.
The scalloped edge dishes are great too.
I have a set of Phalzgraph called Filagree that are very similar. I love them because you can easily mix and match them with other colors.
Your dining room looks BIG! You'll have a loth of fun transforming it.
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | September 1, 2007 6:10 AM
Posted on September 1, 2007 06:10
I've only been once while visiting friends in Chicago because there isn't one near me, and yes I'm pretty sure we were there for about 5 hours. I love everything you posted. I've been in the market for new white dishes so I will so have to check that out and those slipcovered chairs? Yum-O!
Posted by Jen | September 3, 2007 5:37 AM
Posted on September 3, 2007 05:37
Hi, Angela...I have never been in Ikea, although a new one opened up in Atlanta a couple years ago. I'll have to try it. I don't like most of their contemporary stuff, but sounds like they are getting more traditional cottegy things in now. Looking forward to seeing more of your reno's!
Rhoda
Posted by Rhoda | September 3, 2007 12:25 PM
Posted on September 3, 2007 12:25
Well, I don't like the quality of furniture... I've known too many people with kids regret their purchases. :D And the store itself overwhelms me... it's too large with too many people. Living in Marin, there were all kinds of terrible stories about the Emeryville store, you felt like you were taking your life in your own hands just to go in. We went a few times, and discovered that we tended to walk out empty-handed and decided it just wasn't worth the effort for us.
However, I'm in the minority--obviously. :D
Posted by Wende | September 4, 2007 9:53 AM
Posted on September 4, 2007 09:53
Gotta love Ikea!! I'm in love with the glass front cupboards! I wish my apartment would let me do someothing like that. Sigh...
I also love that blue and white plate in the first pic.
Your kitchen will look great when you're done.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 3:39 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 03:39