cheap + chick - budget living part 1

live in a downtown condo? have the life of sophisticated loft living? maybe you broke the bank on that golden egg of a bungalow nestled next to the perfect park, then recently gutted the place to create a gallery like setting for your entire herman miller repertoire? like most of you out there living on a modest budget I’m always looking to get some elegant, vital pieces put into the mix. who can keep up with the trends these days, let alone afford it? That’s where IKEA PS comes in.

facts - even though IKEA mass produces their modern design wares, this is a corporation benefiting from their Scandinavian design legacy to sell economical novel products to the masses. and the best part, I bet every time you hit the 'big blue box' you have no intentions of buying anything – right? IKEA's traffic pattern is designed so that by the time you get to housewares, you are suffering from a near-homicidal need to start throwing things. or maybe not, you might have been smart and showed up with all of the correct room dimensions. and if you a DIY’er – this is heaven for the next project that is justifiably ‘READY MADE’ material. if you have your goals written on a list and carb up for your IKEA nightmare [always knowing fully that you are destined to go back because they are out of stock on some of the pieces], then this is the place you can keep that budget right on target.

history - recycling material makes up a lot of the IKEA PS 2006 range, a complete line of 40 products for the home. the new 2006 collection is the work of 28 designers and has taken approximately 2.5 years to develop. knowing all the while that the designers were having fun producing a cavalcade of clever and innovative ideas for the home is enough to make a person puke. most products are bold enough to be avant-garde, yet its worth knowing that if these products are going to exist IKEA PS is very aware that it is necessary to take steps towards reducing the environmental impact of the heaps of stuff they sell every day. enough said, check these stylish finds for 2006, these couldn’t be more basic for any modern home.


IKEA PS jonsberg design hella jongerius combined handcrafted style with mass production process – the best of both worlds. stoneware, feldspar porcelain + red clay $49.99 each. this is about $6920 less than a similar [yet very limited edition + handmade] vase available at moss. even if you can afford the handmade one you’ll want to pick up one of these. they are that good.

IKEA PS axvall designer neils gammelgard comfortable low are chair for two without fabric + foam. back made of springy elastic bands with steel frame. $129.00 new.

IKEA PS gribby designer maris vinka pattern idea via combining patterns of different cultures resulting in a strict pattern feeling softer and a folkloric pattern feels lighter + modern. 100% linen. $29.99 new.

so if the memories of the trip becomes one big blur, know that you can always plan on going back to the 'big blue box' and get some more things. maybe make life easier and shop online at IKEA canada then brush up on IKEA PS, the website is impressive with product details, games + videos of the designer's speaking about their products [items will most likely not be available online, so check out the selection at your local ikea store.]. still know that while IKEA PS may be mass, they are small scale mass in comparison to most ikea items due to their unusual materials and fabrication so not all items will be available in all stores at all times - if you want a piece don’t wait until next time to pick it up.