Jen and I journeyed to and from IKEA to order my kitchen cabinets in a day, and we lived to tell about it. I’ll do a more detailed post once the cabinets are out of boxes and installed (if that ever happens). But there’s just so much to tell you.
I want to tell you that Jen met me at 6:45 in the morning with six muffins and a smile. I knew it would be a good day.
I want to tell you that we walked in when the store opened at 10 a.m. with a plan. We immediately rushed to the cabinetry area to try to beat the crowd and promptly ordered our kitchen cabinets. I was so darn nervous about the whole thing, I felt ill.
I want to tell you that then we made our way through the entire store, taking nearly four hours.
I want to tell you that we didn’t have a sip of water or bite of food during those four hours. I was so thirsty when we hit The Cheesecake Factory that I may have drank 7 glasses of iced tea. (No joke.)
I want to tell you that we got to the checkout and realized that we missed the entire “eating” section. And Jen needed some pretty bowls. So, we headed back up to the third floor immediately. It was necessity. But, we still don’t know how we missed the entire area.
I want to tell you that when I saw the four cartloads of cabinet boxes and heard the worker tell me to check each one to make sure I have them all, I wanted to cry. But, Jen just shot me a determined look and we went through them one-by-one. Even the hinges and the drawer stops and the legs.
I want to tell you that Jen earned her lunch by loading around 60 flat-packed boxes into the truck bed. Did I mention that the countertops were approximately 8,000 pounds and approximately 3 inches too long for the extended truck bed? And then we had to take off the packaging to get the tailgate to close.
I want to tell you that it was raining and cold when we were loading and I was wearing a t-shirt because I’m silly and didn’t look at the weather before we left.
I want to tell you that there was a scary moment when I really didn’t think it would all fit in the truck. Since it was raining, it had to squeeze under the soft cover so it didn’t get soaked on the three hours home. We had to fit several of the furniture boxes in the backseat. (Luckily, Crate and Barrel bags can just go on top. Which reminds me, I adore Crate and Barrel.)
I want to tell you that I am so thankful that Jen was with me that day. Seriously. I could have never done it alone (obviously) and Ryan and I would have made a very large scene that would have ended with yelling and crying. We don’t do well under pressure. Jen and I do. I adore her, too.
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Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
You are my official IKEA hero! Kim with a plan can accomplish anything and looks like you guys had a great time!
Jami Graham says
Oh my gosh! Can’t wait to see/hear how this turns out! We have one 3 hours away as well…no bueno! Actually it’s probably good because we couldn’t afford all the shopping that I’d have no self control to not do!
Melinda says
What? No picture of the doors you chose? You are torturing us. Can’t wait to see the finished kitchen.
Oonafey says
I want to tell you that you are a remodeling rockstar and you inspire me to get off my butt and DO something! I’m so glad you went the Ikea route and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
P.S. I love those shelves in that pic! Any idea what they’re called?
Emily says
I am so stinking excited to see your IKEA kitchen. SOOO excited.
Stephanie says
I’m glad you got everything home safely!
We had a faisco last summer when we bought a bookshelf and an armoire from their as-is section. They were amazing prices, but it’s already put together and they didn’t fit in our truck by just a few inches. We spent an extra hour and half in the loading area trying to take the bookshelf apart so it would fit. Needless to say, it was a quiet 4 1/2 hour ride home! It was a disaster, but I still love IKEA. 🙂
A Vintage Green says
Hi, just found your blog. I’ve added it to my favorites and also become a follower.
– Joy
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
From the amount of boxes you brought home it looks like you took on Ikea and WON! Now come the really fun part of assembling all those cabinets 🙂
DecorandtheDog says
Oooooo, very excited to see your selection! I died laughing that you and Ryan would cause a scene…I can totally relate!!
I’ve never been to IKEA. Thinking about stopping by on our annual Chicago trip this year!!
Joi says
I cannot wait to see what you picked! Sounds like quite the day!
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
I just read all of the 9 posts of yours that were unread in my Google reader (I am REALLY behind these days) and just wanted to say hi! I miss reading you every day, but I do love catching up eventually!
thewaverleyhouse says
You went all the way to Ikea and didn’t try the swedish meatballs?
Can’t wait to see it all come together – I’ve been dreaming of an Ikea kitchen. Better get that screwdriver ready!
Jenn says
Wow – it sounds like a fun but exhausting day. I’m glad you were able to get everything home from your Ikea trip. I’m very excited for Ikea to open in the Denver area in July. It will still be over an hour away for me, but worth it.
I love, love, love your wooden counters – I really want to put them into my kitchen too. I can’t wait to start seeing posts chronicling your kitchen progress!!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I can’t believe you had to drive 6 hours for an IKEA! I will count myself very lucky for the 45 minute drive to ours. So glad you fit everything into the truck! Talk about a close call!!
Jennifer says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says
Touche, Anonymous. I should have known you would show up when I mention anything not made in America.
Check out the post about buying American – I’ll reiterate what I said there. (http://www.newlywoodwards.com/2011/01/buying-american-made.html)
“At NewlyWoodwards, it’s not feasible or practical right now to buy everything American. Some things are just out of our reach or budget. Sometimes we just make the informed decision to buy something else.”
I think this answers your question.
And, PS, if you post something like this as anonymous, I immediately take you less seriously. XOXO – Kim
Anonymous says
What happened to buying domestic goods?
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
Oooo! I’m so excited to see what you picked out! Especially those oak counters, I adore oak counters! All hail IKEA!
I’m glad you had a fabulous, supportive, determined friend with you. That can make all the difference in the world! Way to fit everything in the truck!
We spent our weekend hauling free hand-me-down powertools from my dad’s house in northern Virginia to our house in the back of borrowed vans. I definitely understand the determination to fit everything into one trip so that you don’t have to drive all the way back for another round trip in the same day. Ugh!
Erin says
Our Ikea (Denver) opens July 27th. Its going to be a holiday for me. I’ve been pinching my pennies for a year now waiting for the store to open. My poor husband has no idea what will be happening on July 27th, but I informed him that he must not make any plans for the entire day because we will be busy.
So happy that everything fit in the truck – can’t wait to see how it all comes together!
Mrs. 5C says
Can I say… it made me feel so happy and “normal” that you confessed the experience would have been miserable with Ryan? Because Rob and I totally suck at things like big, important trips to Ikea. It’s good to have good girlfriends. Sometimes extra estrogen is required.
I’m so excited for your new kitchen! The countertops are GORGEOUS.
Jenny says
I’m so excited for you about your kitchen!! Love the countertops, and I’m sure your whole kitchen is gonna be beautiful. Can’t wait to see it! I’ve always loved IKEA, but let me tell you, working there is dangerous 😀 Not a week goes by without me buying something…
Mrs. Adventure says
Wow I can’t wait to see them in place, glad you had a friend to go with it makes all the difference when your stressed :+)
Nikki says
Oh wow! Having a friend always makes it easier. We are 4 hours away from IKEA, so I’ve only been once.
I bet it’s going to look great!
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
You guys are such troopers! The combo of the wondering-if-things-will-fit and the rain would have given me a heart attack. I needed furniture for my apartment during law school so we drove 4 hours each way to Houston and brought back everything in a trailer in the rain – so I feel both your pain and euphoria, ha! Can’t wait to see your cabinets and countertops, so exciting. 🙂
Karen At Home says
Hi Kim, I saw your comment on Decor and The Dog and recognized you for the D&R board! So great to see you. I just had to stop by and say hello!!!
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Oh my goodness. So glad it ended well. And by well we mean successful, if not necessarily sane. Thank God for friends like Jen!!
Jen@Notes From the Heartland says
I’m still recovering you slave driver. 😉 LOL just kidding, just kidding. It was SO much fun to spend the day with you…even with the 8000 pounds of loading, diesel adventure and dehydration! I’d do it again tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the kitchen put together. 🙂
Breen says
I love IKEA! I’ll have to check them out when we redo our kitchen (won’t be anytime soon lol). Ours is 3hours away too, so only when we visit Orlando do I get to go in there.
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
ah yes, one of these trips is in our future once we get the basement furniture ready. 🙂 Sounds like you have a wonderful friend! 🙂
Jordan@the2seasons says
This is so exciting. I love love love Ikea. When we lived in Atlanta it was only 2 miles from our house. Now that we moved to Syracuse the closest one is NJ. However with work I have been traveling and my job has had me close to the one in Cincinnati so I have been by to pick up some things. I plan on driving down one week to load up my car with some furniture. Have fun putting it all together!
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Whoa! Good thing you got everything to fit in the truck… We’re 2 hours from the nearest Ikea & it’s always a challenge to fit everything into the back of the car for the trip home.
I can’t wait to see what you’ve picked out!