Anyone Shop at IKEA?

I was just browsing some IKEA products online and came across their "Wacky Wednesday" deals. Basically they have one or two items on sale for substantially less then the regular price. For example, the sale for August 24 at the Montreal IKEA store is...

The Modern Floral Sofa

My younger sister recently bought a very reasonably priced ($40!)and unique retro floral sleeper sofa in excellent condition. The fabric is in such good condition that I think it has never been used. The fabric is a mix of burnt orange, orange and yellow flowers on a cream background (see below).


I thought I would do a quick internet search and see if I could find some inspirational photos that willl help her make it work in her space. Looks like the keys to incorporating a busy fabric on such a large scale, is an overall neutral backdrop and solid coloured pillows.

Decorating Outside the Box

For those of you looking for an inexpensive island/extra storage for your kitchen or laundry room/ bathroom vanity here is an idea.

I regularly look through the flyers and always see the Home Handyman workbench from Home Hardware on sale for $69.97 (regulare price is still reasonable at $89.99). It stands at counter height, the surface is 6' long (technically 72" x 22" x 33"), it is solid wood and predrilled for easy assembly. The "backsplash" can be easily removed if it were going to be used as an island but would be a nice extra detail if it were acting as extra storage piece against a wall in a kitchen or laundry room or as a vanity in a bathroom.

For price comparison purposes, I did a quick internet search for the next best option...

It is the IKEA GROLAND kitchen island and it is $269 but not nearly as long as the first option (this one is 48" long versus 72"). Yes the wood is much thicker and it has a few more details but does that justify such a price difference? I think not.