Falling for IKEA
If you follow me on Pinterest you know I have a board for home and garden where I have been tucking away ideas of things I want in my home. With the move to mami's house a year ago, I gave up my own space and comfort to create some new melting pot of style in this big community house, as I like to call it. With the fall already here (though it's still 90 degrees here in Florida), I started getting serious about organizing and re-purposing rooms in order to give a more comfortable and organized feeling. On Pinterest I also have a board called Frog Princess's Abode. See, her room was enclosed to create a suite of sorts similar to what we had in the last house where she is right off of the master bedroom. Only thing is that it's an interior room and while her furniture worked well in her last space, here I'm having trouble finding a place for everything and as she grows, we need her space to be comfortable and usable as well. I started having an idea of using this small space as best I could. As I was pinning and dreaming one name kept coming up in my head: IKEA.
Every time I peruse their catalog I get a sense of the feeling I want to have in my house: organized, good use of space and comfortable. If you know me, you know I'm not afraid to ask for help. My favorite way to ask for help is via Twitter and so, this little message went out.
Long story short, I met with some fabulous IKEA designers a few weeks back. Man, was I impressed! First of all, I was shocked at the fact that I had to fill out a questionnaire that made my anal retentiveness look like child's play (so jealous!). I was asked everything from measurements of the light switch to what kind of lighting is needed (um, I believe my answer to that was a light bulb). Thorough does not being to describe it.
I did my part and took all kinds of pictures from the different angles and even did a little diagram of the room (cuz I didn't want to be outdone in the OCD category).
I met with three fantastic and talented people: Josie, Christopher and Kevin. Here was my first impression: these guys know their stuff. My second impression was: these guys are passionate about what they do. The biggest thing that happened during this meeting? I learned. Lots!
I learned about why those questions were asked. I learned about the fact that we must first figure out what a room's functionality will be prior to selecting furniture or decoration (I needed this tidbit for the rest of the house thankyouverymuch). When was the last time you bought a piece of furniture with the room's functionality in mind? I guess this is why they are so great at their jobs.
The shocker for me? These guys had learned me. Not just the presentation I sent over with pictures and words. They had taken the time to read my blog and find out who I was. To peruse Pinterest and check out my style (you know, the one I'd have if I had a job that actually paid me and could afford 95% of the stuff on I pin).
They asked me why I call the frog princess the frog princess and were interested in the stories. Christopher made a very deep statement that their designs tell stories and in order to create a room, they want to know the story that goes with it. I also found out that they are really invested and passionate in and about families. They wanted to make the space comfortable for us and make this house feel like our home. I was so grateful for their time and energy.
After taking a blood sample and DNA swab, the IKEA design team took their leave. But not before clearly communicating that they were going to take all of what I gave them and bring back a design that would give me the first step to having this house functional and fabulous!
And now, I wait. Thankfully I have a catalog and will be passing the time thumbing through the pages and picking out textiles for the fall so that I can give each room a little makeover for the season. I'll let you guys know when the design ideas come back and hope you'll join me for my journey (feel free to come over and bring your sewing machines, paint guns and screwdrivers to help. You know they say it takes a village to create a living space).
So tell me, have you fallen for IKEA?
Disclosure: This is not a service that is generally provided to the public. Rather, this was done in order to enhance my story (and blood, sweat and tears) as I embark in this redesign. So, don't be callin' your local IKEA and telling them I sent you! ;-)
See what happened next!