Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > spinmedown > Toppling |
Martha Threwitt
|
Martha Threwitt I got an IKEA catalog in the mail today. Apparently my mailbox is redecorating because I didn't send for it. But I was intrigued after all I've heard from people who just love it so very, very much. I do love Scandinavian design furniture, especially mid-twentieth century design. Something about clean lines made from golden teak forming my surroundings just seems right- simple, harmonious and warm. By the time I got home I was really looking forward to seeing what was up with the whole IKEA phenomenon. I sat down, opened the catalog, took a gander and started to fidget. Something about it just didn't work for me. Although it did seem very functional: the lines were too harsh and all the proportions seemed forced by economy of material. The touch of the machine completely overpowered any human touch. A machine completely void of any ghost. Picture after picture of akward groupings forced together and failing to merge into the background as furnishings should to allow the human inhabitants to assume their rightful place in the room, as its most important features. Strange attempts at organic forms: akward and slightly alien looking lamps, seating formed from ungraceful or over-exaggerated curves and tables designed to stand apart from the rest of the furniture but with nothing in their design of any interest. Awful colors! Dreadful colors! Unsettling colors! Colors from a mad scientist's test tubes rather than nature. A most unnaturally blended and smeared palette. Horrible patterns! Terrible patterns! Disturbing patterns! Patterns from a mad psychologists thesis rather than the natural order of the universe. No symmetry. Broken rhythms. Misplaced continuity. Irregular intersections. Patterns like disappointing jigsaw puzzles with missing pieces. I did like the shelving and storage solutions, very efficient and logical. But the rest of it made me fidget. And I do mean fidget most uncomfortably. I remember seeing a complete dining room suite that was up for auction at The Great Gatsby's, table, chairs, sideboard, china hutch, serving cart and even a radiator cover. It was so very, very Art Noveau: made from oak with a fineness of grain only found in lumber from primordial forests and a burnished a golden color only achievable from decades of respectful polishing. Harmonious, graceful, poetic and sublime, tiny leaves and flowers were subtly carved on every surface that caught your immediate attention,and closer inspection revealed spiderwebs carved into every surface where real spiders might weave real webs. It was as if the artisans understood how their furniture interacted with the natural world as well as how the natural world would interact with their furniture. I have never seen its equal since. It belonged in a museum, but I hope it is being used and loved every day by people who understand how special it is. I know I'm comparing apples and oranges here. But the contrast between the way Art Noveau was romanticly unsettling and the way IKEA is almost dehumanizingly unsettling makes me wonder about modern life. Will we have things formed from dreams or things formed from industry? Man vs. Machine, with the winner deciding whether we live lives of mythical design or lives composed of only three dimensions. I have a thing, a desk designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a prototype made by Drexel out of scrap lumber. It was never included in his Taliesin furniture line. It might be the only one of its kind. It is the most beautiful and magical thing I own. It is covered in dust and junk mail. I am attempting to relearn the grace of living with a deeper and broader sense of appreciation. And a dirty maid might help. Any thoughts on IKEA? My version of hell is furnished in IKEA with legions of sinners wailing and gnashing their teeth as they try to assemble that stuff. Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde |
|||
|
Speaking of Martha...... I bet she would never admit to owning anything Ikea... I can side with you on the strangeness and uncomfortable looks of their stuff.... and that is what it is..stuff. by all the graces it is hardly earns the right to be called furniture. I would rather go to an extreme like rough hewn tree limbs or to the other directions the danish style, which I think they attempt to emulate...than even ponder sitting on something of theirs. The shelving is ok.... but just. Of course I havent seen this new catalog yet. be well..... tender hugs...m.
| ||
|
Speaking of Martha...... I bet she would never admit to owning anything Ikea... I can side with you on the strangeness and uncomfortable looks of their stuff.... and that is what it is..stuff. by all the graces it is hardly earns the right to be called furniture. I would rather go to an extreme like rough hewn tree limbs or to the other directions the danish style, which I think they attempt to emulate...than even ponder sitting on something of theirs. The shelving is ok.... but just. Of course I havent seen this new catalog yet. be well..... tender hugs...m. I bet Marthe had IKEA at Camp Cupcake, cruel and unusual....No? Cheap, trendy and ultimately disposable for people who don't know the difference. Or maybe the young hipsters are rebelling against their parents Rooms To Go obsession. I'll never understand it. Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde
| ||
|
Nope, not fond of Ikea. Always seemed to clinical for me. You know me from the fifty-something year old toaster. My dining room set is old oak. I got it when my mom died, who got it when my grandma died (in 1982 at the age of 90), who got it from who knows where. I have an old oak library table as well, handed down the same way. My two chest of drawers in my bedroom are at least 60-something years old. The only ones I've ever used. They were hand-me-downs from older siblings. Give me wood, natural finish and I'm happy. Hmm, saying give me wood on this site could have a different meaning.  Have tongue, will use it. Repeatedly.
| ||
|
Nope, not fond of Ikea. Always seemed to clinical for me. You know me from the fifty-something year old toaster. My dining room set is old oak. I got it when my mom died, who got it when my grandma died (in 1982 at the age of 90), who got it from who knows where. I have an old oak library table as well, handed down the same way. My two chest of drawers in my bedroom are at least 60-something years old. The only ones I've ever used. They were hand-me-downs from older siblings. Give me wood, natural finish and I'm happy. Hmm, saying give me wood on this site could have a different meaning. I have an old Lane dresser that must have had mothballs in it forever. Six years and I still can't put anything in it. Stupid me thought the vile stench would dissipate quickly. Something to look forward to. I guess. Before that I had a dresser that took 4 people to carry it up a flight of stairs. The solid mahogany drawers were lined (underneath!! ) with birdseye maple and the pulls were made out of amber ( real amber so they wouldn't feel too cold to the touch!! ) Sheesh!! What has happened to us? Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde
| ||
|
I've never lived near an Ikea, and my life has been too transient to acquire any great furniture. But I do have a living room side table that I absolutely love. Your wonderful posts always have at least one sentence that slays me. This time it is: I am attempting to relearn the grace of living with a deeper and broader sense of appreciation. Although the idea of your mailbox getting ready for redecorating comes in at a close second. Thinks about this further... I like dark wood, with a reddish tone. And big overstuffed comfy happy chintz flowered stuff. Not exactly cutting edge but very homey and happy. Yeah, I'm still [blog 1hotwahine]
| ||
|
Is there no one to speak in the poor Scandinavian international behemoth's defense? Sigh. Awright awright, I'll do it. IKEA is cheap, man! Like, inexpensive! You can outfit an entire living room & bed room, throw in a set of drinking glasses, and change your overhead lights all for less than, um, well, less than Frank Lloyd Wright would charge! Plus it'll all fit on top of your '81 Corolla, bring your own bungie cords, though! & the names, the NAMES! EKTORP, VR躍AL, BOFINK, SL烷DA, BLAXMO, FJ麗DING! I feel blond, muscular, & turtlenecked juat thinking about it! But the best by far is the free allen wrenches. Soon you'll have a whole drawer filled. You can't throw them out, because, well, um, they're *tools*, man! Who throws out tools? Did Art Noveau come with its own assembly tool? Did it? Huh? Yeah, that's what I though...
| ||
|
Is there no one to speak in the poor Scandinavian international behemoth's defense? Sigh. Awright awright, I'll do it. IKEA is cheap, man! Like, inexpensive! You can outfit an entire living room & bed room, throw in a set of drinking glasses, and change your overhead lights all for less than, um, well, less than Frank Lloyd Wright would charge! Plus it'll all fit on top of your '81 Corolla, bring your own bungie cords, though! & the names, the NAMES! EKTORP, VR躍AL, BOFINK, SL烷DA, BLAXMO, FJ麗DING! I feel blond, muscular, & turtlenecked juat thinking about it! But the best by far is the free allen wrenches. Soon you'll have a whole drawer filled. You can't throw them out, because, well, um, they're *tools*, man! Who throws out tools? Did Art Noveau come with its own assembly tool? Did it? Huh? Yeah, that's what I though... And the Scando names are cool. My favorite is the name of their top of the line mattress, The Hasselback. Disbelief not suspended, thank you very much. Their modular closet and garage storage totally kick ass. I'll have give them that. Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde
| ||
|
I've never lived near an Ikea, and my life has been too transient to acquire any great furniture. But I do have a living room side table that I absolutely love. Your wonderful posts always have at least one sentence that slays me. This time it is: I am attempting to relearn the grace of living with a deeper and broader sense of appreciation. Although the idea of your mailbox getting ready for redecorating comes in at a close second. Thinks about this further... I like dark wood, with a reddish tone. And big overstuffed comfy happy chintz flowered stuff. Not exactly cutting edge but very homey and happy. Say what you want about Martha Stewart, but I think her main message is about living with a certain grace, understanding and appreciation. Not sure how the crap she sells at Kmart figures into that, so forget about it.... Cherry wood and chintz furniture is lovely, Wahine. Just keep the framed pictures of frolicing kittens on the wall under three, and you'll be fine. And NO botanical prints of palm trees unless you live in Hawaii. Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde
| ||
|
A couple of thoughts: My boyfriend's parents bought a modular, unstained shelving system for his bedroom 20 years ago. Although I made him get rid of them because they were butt-ugly, they survived assembly after assembly with no warping and the hardware remained like new. This piece saw years of heavy use, being loaded with computer monitors and thick textbooks. Although it's tempting to think of Ikea as the Wal-Mart of the furniture world, many of their products are surprisingly well made, or at least were. I've never bought furniture from them, so I don't know if the quality has remained as consistent. As rents go up and apartment sq. footage goes down in increasingly crowded metropolitan areas, it's important that furniture is designed to fulfill two or three functions. This is something that Ikea provides, even though they have to sacrifice beauty and comfort to do it. Go, and experience Ikea. For the full effect, you need to go on Saturday or Sunday. To me, it's horrific. Look at how cleverly and malevolently they designed the "flow" of the store. Every time I've gone there, it makes me feel like some cattle being led to slaughter. The sheer quantity of merchandise is intimidating. With the press of people and crazy bright colors, I quickly reach sensory overload. When that happens, oh! how I wish I could pull a Valentine Michael Smith! How many times have I heard people complain of Ikea, "I went in for one thing and spent $300." I can't quite tell if this is due to a sort of hypnosis or to adrenaline overload. I think that if there were a sort of Ikea for upscale Swedish design people *would* be able to see the difference, but wouldn't necessarily be able to afford the more upscale stuff, at least not without delaying gratification, and most consumers are incapable of that. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety. Other women cloy The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies. For vilest things Become themselves in her, that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish. ~~ from Antony & Cleopatra
| ||
|
A couple of thoughts: My boyfriend's parents bought a modular, unstained shelving system for his bedroom 20 years ago. Although I made him get rid of them because they were butt-ugly, they survived assembly after assembly with no warping and the hardware remained like new. This piece saw years of heavy use, being loaded with computer monitors and thick textbooks. Although it's tempting to think of Ikea as the Wal-Mart of the furniture world, many of their products are surprisingly well made, or at least were. I've never bought furniture from them, so I don't know if the quality has remained as consistent. As rents go up and apartment sq. footage goes down in increasingly crowded metropolitan areas, it's important that furniture is designed to fulfill two or three functions. This is something that Ikea provides, even though they have to sacrifice beauty and comfort to do it. Go, and experience Ikea. For the full effect, you need to go on Saturday or Sunday. To me, it's horrific. Look at how cleverly and malevolently they designed the "flow" of the store. Every time I've gone there, it makes me feel like some cattle being led to slaughter. The sheer quantity of merchandise is intimidating. With the press of people and crazy bright colors, I quickly reach sensory overload. When that happens, oh! how I wish I could pull a Valentine Michael Smith! How many times have I heard people complain of Ikea, "I went in for one thing and spent $300." I can't quite tell if this is due to a sort of hypnosis or to adrenaline overload. I think that if there were a sort of Ikea for upscale Swedish design people *would* be able to see the difference, but wouldn't necessarily be able to afford the more upscale stuff, at least not without delaying gratification, and most consumers are incapable of that. We used to have a GREAT place for real Scando furniture in Atlanta called The House of Denmark. It had a number of different tiers, but everything was beautiful and of high quality. Even though I shopped the lowest tier, they still treated me like royalty...a cashmere sweater and a clean shave always helps with that. Complaining of spending only $300 in a furniture store???? Hmmmmm.... Obviously they don't know the furniture biz, almost give away the dining room table and them on the price of chairs. It's a fascinating phenomenon, especially given the effects that our surroundings can have on us. Most people are other people... FUCKING CHARACTER LIMIT!!! ~Oscar Wilde
| ||
|
Oh, well when I mentioned the $300 thing, I was talking about all the other junk they have in there BESIDES furniture. Ya know, I have no memory of music being played. Surely there was some, but I can't remember it at all. They provide daycare for their shoppers, though. I did notice that. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety. Other women cloy The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies. For vilest things Become themselves in her, that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish. ~~ from Antony & Cleopatra
| ||
8/13/2008 7:37 pm |
My computer desk is 2 milk cars, 2 cinder blocks and a couple of 2x4's...what style am I?      
| ||
8/14/2008 9:13 pm |
Hmmm... well it holds great appeal for my 10-yr old if that tells you anything... but the stuff lasts about a week in a child's room, at least the shelving I bought there a few years back lasted about that long... giving a desk chair a try now, I'll keep you posted
| ||
|
Spinner... IKEA has been hammered into the ground... by China. So, [they] decided to redesign almost everything to compete with the precision of a 1 Billion-strong-human-machining-center. Problem is, as they failed to think completely within the Eastern modus vivendi, they mistakenly sharpened the cutting tools. You can only get that human touchy/feely effect from very dull shaper bits and worn-out sandpaper. I sent 'em a note on this issue (along with an invoice of a meager amount - they actually didn't ask me for my opinion, ya know) and, hopefully, they might see the error of their ways.  Chin up, dude. The time may yet come when that catalog will satisfy your cravenly piqued interest in Scandinavian-design furniture -- though, perhaps not so much as Scandinavian-design babes, eh? Solar... BTW: My machine took a crap and I lost your eMail stop and phone number (though my BatPhone is no longer.)
| ||
|
. Just popping by to say Hi, Thanx for all your Comments, and to leave a rain-check for a more comprehensive view here, the first chance I get! IKEA is only suitable for serving lutefisk upon... One bad taste deserves another! . . Been a while since they last let me out into polite society. Resurfacing, catching a breath, & catching up.  And while I got my Broad-Brimmed Pimping Hat on, could I cajole all of y'all to Comment on, Alone In A Cloud? It's probably the best thing that I've written! Lately... .
| ||
|
thats the scandanavians for ya...cold, logical and organized. I look throught the catalog and say...who designed this crap? Frank Lloyd Wrong? You wouldn't believe how long I waited to use that joke somehow. Anyway...I've got a few items of furniture from Ikea...its that whole urban small space thing.
| ||
8/23/2008 2:56 am |
I've moved quite a few times throughout my life, and for me, the only way to make a new space work is comfort. The few Ikea things I've seen look terribly uncomfortable, so I've never even perused a catalogue, let alone located a store. Your blog hasn't inspired me to do either. Thank you for saving my future time. I Am FFE, and I continue to approve these messages [post 1930488]
| ||
8/29/2008 6:39 pm |
I personally lean toward Trailor Park Reject Furniture.I thought IKEA was a car. I am not dead yet
| ||
|
Missing the spinster! Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety. Other women cloy The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies. For vilest things Become themselves in her, that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish. ~~ from Antony & Cleopatra
| ||
|
Yeah, there is the cheap angle and something to be said for a box that is only 2" tall but weighs half a ton. And the endless hours of family or drunken fun spent assembling it. I imagine a true hipster would throw a Furniture Assembly Party and lure in a few friends to help with microbrews and hummus and sea salt veggie crisps. And the Scando names are cool. My favorite is the name of their top of the line mattress, The Hasselback. Disbelief not suspended, thank you very much. Their modular closet and garage storage totally kick ass. I'll have give them that. I like chairs that are COMFORTABLE to sit upon, too. As well as. In addition. Does that make me uphip? Well, screw the hip people, my HIPS want to be comfortable. And the rest of my ass/back/body. You are fun and funny and I am glad I traipsed into your domain. I'm partial to dark woods, greenish teal sofa set...stained glass, Mission style armoire (and FLW is da bomb.) Mariana_Trench_ who is aka dragonfliezzz (my profile on Affairlook that actually mentions FLW believe it or not!!!)     
|
Become a member to create a blog
