A new year...another Ikea purchase

First, let me me state outright that I do not want to see anymore flat-pack furniture for a very long time to come.

Yesterday being the holiday, everything was closed and of course there wasn't any bus service. That meant it was a great day to put together the Ikea desk I had ordered.

I started around 7:30 AM or so and finished in the early afternoon, with breaks to take down my outdoor Christmas decorations, talk to family and friends on the phone, etc. So it wasn't as onerous as the TV bench, though I had to pause a lot and enlarge the PDF instructions, puzzle over the drawer rails, etc.

All the hardware.
 Hardware sorted.
 Nicki's ready to help!
It's progressing...slowly.
 There were 34 instructions on 24 pages. The drawers were almost at the very end.
Done at last.
Even though the desk is plain and utilitarian, it works really well in the space. I love having my laptop on it, in view of the TV and freeing up my dining table for actual eating. (I've had my various laptops on the [former] dining table for years and have been perching on the couch or standing to eat.)

The chair tucks in nicely, and no, that old table linen isn't staying on the seat. I had it there for Derry, who was shedding like mad over the chair cover. I'll keep my eye out for a decorative back cushion for that chair, because it's too big for me, and also for a little throw for the back of it, just to dress it up a bit. (BTW, it's an Ikea Henriksdal chair and isn't comfortable, IMO. I don't recommend them. However, it is more comfortable for long sitting than hard dining chairs!)
I moved the sofa table that was behind the couch into the hall, and am donating the old hall console table (it also was from Ikea years ago, was black/brown in colour). The $3.99 basket I found at Value Village late last week is now the slipper basket.
I've been looking for lidded fabric storage boxes for a while now, was thinking I'd have to pay far more than I wanted to at Wayfair or elsewhere online, but I found these two boxes at HomeSense today for really good prices. The larger one is holding spare cases of cat food and the smaller one has miscellaneous items in it.
So other than a new area rug at some point, and some new cushions and throw for the couch, I'm done with the main level in terms of decor. Still lots of renos to do, but not in 2017. 

Now it's back to the office tomorrow, and we'll just see what this new year brings on the work front.

I'll leave you with a few extra pics from yesterday and today.

How does it get any better than this?  :-)

 
 
Peace.

Comments

Cat Lover said…
Your new desk looks lovely Kim. I love the white sofa table in the front hall now, it looks great! Very pretty boxes too. Your home looks just wonderful!. Great photos of the boys and Mr. Squirrel.
Take care!
Angel Simba said…
Everything looks so nice and crisp! Hard to imagine 24 pages of instructions for what looks like a "simple" piece of furniture!!
Kea said…
The space is coming along, and I probably will take most of these items with me when I go. Unless I've won the lottery of course. :-D
Kea said…
That's what I thought too. It was a bit daunting, but by now I should be a pro at it. :-P
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
Kim it all looks fantastic!
Katie Isabella said…
You totally blow me away Kim. As I have said several times already. I am useless about these things and have to hope someone if I can find anyone. Everything looks wonderful. You keep your home the way I like mine. Neat, classic and comfortable. The boys make it all come together. 💗
Saku said…
It's a lovely little desk, and what a great idea to tuck it behind the couch. My dining table isn't within view of the television so I tend to eat in the living room with the computer on the arm of the chair. Not a good set-up!

I like your hall console table too. The whole room looks awesome!

Have a good, short week at work.
BeadedTail said…
Your boys are so cute! How awesome to have Squirrel TV too!

Your desk is very nice! My laptop is on a lap desk on my lap. LOL! My beads are on the dining room table! :)
meowmeowmans said…
Wow, Kim! Your place is looking fantastic! Glad you were able to get that table assembled, despite the crazy instructions. :)

Always love seeing the boys. And that chubby squirrel!

Have a good week at work. We head back tomorrow, too.
John Bellen said…
I'd find the desk not deep enough for writing (I tend to spread out when I write long-hand) but it's perfect for working on your computer, and a great size for where you've put it. I've always wanted space enough for a writing table behind a sofa like that. I think it is an excellent arrangement.

I chuckled over Nicki lying in the desk's 'legs'. He must have thought it was the lamest box you'd ever given him.
happee bee lated N & D....we guezz two ewe all sew vizshuz squirrel ~~~~~ ♥♥♥ hope de new yeer bringz everee one lotz oh happee nezz & health & perch samichez ~~ !!! ♥♥♥ ☺☺☺
Kea said…
Thanks! I'm so done with putting together furniture now.
Kea said…
You could do it if sufficiently motivated. Trust me, if I could afford solid wood furniture, I wouldn't be doing this!
Kea said…
Oh, or if I could DIY a piece found at a thrift store or at a garage sale, etc. But I really don't have any DIY abilities, heaven knows I've tried!
Kea said…
Yes, I think you need a better set-up! :-)
Kea said…
At least you're using a lap desk. :-)

I wanted to have enough room for the mouse, as I need it to edit the pics, have better control using it.
Kea said…
I hope your work week goes smoothly!

The crazy instructions are, thankfully, in the recycle bin now. :-)
Kea said…
I looked at other desks I like better (at Wayfair, mostly), but they were too deep for my space. That's why I finally chose this one, it's only 15 5/8 inches deep, so shallow enough to fit well into the living area and also shallow enough to use as a console table in a different space.

LOL @ at the lamest box! It never occurred to me to think that, but as he quickly tired of lying there, you might be right. :-)
Kea said…
Thanks for stopping by! A very happy new year to you all as well! ♥
Anonymous said…
Well, Nicki did a great job! *wink* I think it looks purrfect there! Happy New Year! Hugs.
I'm always so impressed at how you put all those tables together. Great job! And love this desk and where you have it.

The boys are so cute sitting next to each other on the step.