Colorado IKEA Fans, IKEA Centennial (Denver)

Bring the bedroom into your kitchen!

2012-01-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Yep, I had one of those kitchen corners which make you wonder: "What was this floorplan designer thinking?" For years, I just ignored it. Over the holidays, I finally did something about it. Well, actually I forced myself to do so by first demolishing what was there, then I went shopping at IKEA Centennial!

I needed a multipurpose pantry (crock pot, blender, liquor, etc.). I found the PAX wardrobes to be a perfect match for what I needed. Here is the result ... along with the VURM wine rack on the wall ...but with very colorful Pelligrino water bottles instead of wine bottles.

Now instead of ignoring that corner, I can't help but stare at it and enjoy it's usefulness. I'm very pleased with the results!

IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

2011-11-17T10:41:00.001-07:00

Visit our friends at IKEA FANS for all the latest & greatest IKEA news!

IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-16T16:25:00.001-07:00

Pledge your support for Small Business Saturday®

The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

On November 26, we’re asking millions of Americans to Shop Small^sm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge.

Pledge to shop small on Nov 26

'Like' Small Business Saturday on Facebook

Small Business Saturday

How To Convert an IKEA Dresser Into a TV Stand

2011-11-16T13:47:00.001-07:00

The best thing about IKEA besides price and design is the inherent option of customizing pieces to whatever need befits your own home. Nowhere does it say a bedroom piece has to remain a bedroom piece, nor does a living room piece have to serve in the living room. IKEA seems to suggest this in their catalogs, but nowhere is it more evident than in the booming community of IKEA customization hacks, like this fantastic clothing drawer into TV stand conversion project done by Benita of Chez Larsson...

Apartment Therapy Unplggd

IKEA Hackers: Under Stairs Pantry

2011-11-15T13:06:00.001-07:00

Materials: Kitchen Cabinets
Description: Pretty simple really, as you can see from the picture, I just modified one short and two tall cabinets to fit under our stairs. I think it came out well.
~ Brian Ledig, Sebastopol, CA

IKEA Hackers: Under Stairs Pantry

Illeana Douglas Assembles Hit Web Show

2011-11-11T07:54:00.001-07:00

Posted by: myFOXla.com Web Staff

Los Angeles - Actress Illeana Douglas has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows. Now, she's the driving force behind a different project... a web-only series that's become the most successful one out there. It's called "Easy to Assemble."

The series, set in an Ikea store, is now in its fourth season.

"Easy to Assemble" follows Illeana Douglas as she quits her Hollywood career and goes to work at IKEA Burbank in an attempt at a 'normal life.'

Here's what's really interesting about it. Rather than charge viewers a subscription fee or something along those lines to make money, IKEA itself is sponsoring the series.

Talk about product placement! In fact, "Advertising Age" named the show one of the top five best-branded deals of last year.

How did this whole idea come together? Check out the interview video and find out what's next.

FOX 11 News

Steak 'n Shake opening near IKEA

2011-11-10T10:07:00.001-07:00

On November 17, metro Denver will finally get its own Steak 'n Shake, a link in a chain that started in Normal, Illinois, back in 1934, and proclaims that it's "Famous for Steakburgers."

This first Colorado store will be in Centennial, just off of C-470 at South Quebec Street and East County Line Road -- conveniently close to IKEA. A total of five locations are slated to open in the state; a second is already under construction in Colorado Springs.

Cafe Society

IKEA sign "repositioned" along I-25

2011-11-09T09:55:00.001-07:00

By David Migoya, The Denver Post

(Kathryn Scott Osler, Denver Post file photo)

The large IKEA sign along southbound Interstate-25 was being repositioned "slightly to the west" today because it encroaches on the light rail tracks right of way just beneath it, according to a memo sent to the company in late October.

Additionally, storm water drainage from the IKEA property that's channeled onto the Regional Transportation District right of way is generating too much water and must be fixed, the memo from the Colorado Department of Transportation and RTD says.

The water issue "could cause safety and operational problems" for light rail trains.

IKEA said in a brief tweet message that the sign adjustment would be completed by Friday.

Company spokespersons did not return calls seeking comment.

The right-of-way sits between I-25 and the IKEA property and is owned by CDOT. IKEA's sign violates rules that prohibit "private advertising signs from being located in interstate right of way," the letter says.

A spokeswoman for the City of Centennial said two sides of the three-sided sign atop a 100-foot pole were being moved "less than a yard" inward.

The Oct. 21 letter gives IKEA 15 days to provide proposals to fix the issue and 60 days in which to implement them.

A pair of cranes were being used to make the adjustment.

It is unclear how the storm water problem will be addressed.

The store opened this summer to much fanfare — and crowds.

The encroachment issue was raised shortly after the sign was erected before the store opening but officials initially said there were no problems.

David Migoya: 303-954-1506, dmigoya@denverpost.com, twitter.com/DavidMigoya

The Denver Post

Swedish invasion continues!

2011-11-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

H&M ready for grand opening

11:45 PM, Nov 7, 2011

DENVER - The metro area will soon be home to not one, but two Swedish super brands aimed at saving you money.

The popular discount furniture store IKEA opened its doors in Centennial over the summer and this week, the affordable retailer H&M is celebrating its grand opening on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

Many consumers believe H&M knows what it takes to satisfy even the savviest shoppers.

"Europeans get this. They've gotten discount-value shopping for years. They do it in a bigger, better way. They are fashion oriented, and they are bringing their business model to Denver," said Mary Beth Jenkins, CEO of the Laramie Company and a commercial real estate consultant with 30 years of experience.

Jenkins says the arrival of IKEA and H&M this year not only helps shoppers looking for instant gratification without the guilt of overspending, but it also helps other local businesses.

"As shoppers come for an anchor, they will spill out on the smaller shops on 16th Street," she said.

On Thursday alone, when H&M officially opens, the spill out is expected to be huge.

"This entire lane of Glenarm will be full of people waiting for H&M to open," Samuel Schimek, who runs the I Heart Denver store just across from H&M in the Denver Pavilions.

Schimek is helping to plan an entire cultural event around Thursday's opening to take advantage of the estimated 1,000 to 2,000 people expected to show up.

"The best part for me is all the tents we'll have on Glenarm over this way. Over 25 vendors will be here, including the Denver Art Museum, Art Institute of Colorado and many more," Schimek said.

The event, called Street Style, will also feature five runway shows, giving neighboring retailers a chance to capture a shopper's attention while they wait in line outside H&M for the doors to open at noon.

"I'm terribly excited. If I wasn't working that day I'd be here," Debbie Bates, a local shopper, said.

The first 500 people to come down to H&M's grand opening on Thursday will receive a gift card worth from $5 to $500.

Glenarm Street between 15th and 16th will be closed in anticipation of the huge crowd expected to gather on Thursday. The Street Style event starts at 10 a.m.

H&M was founded in Sweden in 1947 and the brand can now be found in 41 countries.

9news.com

"Mr. Broccoli" Soft Toy

2011-11-08T09:10:00.001-07:00

WESTPORT, Conn., Nov 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Don't head for the hills of Whoville just yet, the Grinch won't be the only guy in green this holiday season.

Mr. Broccoli, an IKEA soft toy personality and a lead character in the IKEA Soft Toy campaign, will venture away from the broccoli patch and show the world his willingness to travel by boat, plane, rickshaw or railroad to make it home in time for the holidays. With a camera slung around his stalk, Mr. Broccoli plans to capture the heartbeat behind Save the Children's IKEA-funded education programs in Bangladesh, China and Vietnam.

"It will be hard to say good-bye to my buds, but I've been rooted way too long. It's time to leave my familiar turf and head on home," said Mr. Broccoli. "I can't wait to see the world and meet the school kids being helped by Save the Children and IKEA."

MarketWatch

IKEA paper pallets may overtake traditional method

2011-11-07T14:54:00.001-07:00

Skids designed to last single delivery expected to save in transportation costs

by The Associated Press

The Associated Press

HELSINGBORG, Sweden — Wooden pallets churned out in their billions over the five decades during which they've dominated world trade face a challenge from a cardboard rival that's the brainchild of furniture retailer Ikea.

Ikea, which uses 10 million pallets to supply its stores with bookcases, pillows and candles, will ditch wood by January in favor of a lighter, thinner, paper-based alternative the Swedish company says will shave 10 percent from transportation costs.

"We don't know if the paper pallet will be the ultimate solution, but it's better than wood," said Jeanette Skjelmose, sustainability manager at Ikea's supply-chain unit. Though made from folded corrugated-card, the design can support a load of 1,650 pounds, the same as timber, she said.

Assembled from locally sourced card by Ikea's 1,200 global suppliers, the pallets will be good for a single delivery before being pulped by the retailer. One-third the height of wooden trays at 2 inches and 90 percent lighter at 5.5 pounds, they'll save thousands of truck trips and cut transportation bills by $193 million a year at a cost of $125 million for paper purchases and new forklifts, Ikea says.

Business - Charleston Daily Mail

IKEA Redone

2011-11-02T10:23:00.001-06:00

Semihandmade’s REDO: IKEA Redone

Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:04 pm

Love IKEA’s highly affordable, component-based kitchen cabinet line, but not the limited selection of door styles available? Maybe you want a unique material, or something reclaimed, or a paintable door primed for your DIY skills. Perhaps your heart’s desire is book-matched teak doors, doors made of urea-free bamboo, or maybe you just don’t want your IKEA kitchen to look like any other IKEA kitchen. Ahem.

Wait ‘til you see what we’ve found for you – one company to do it all…and then some. Read on to learn all about how to get exactly what you want with IKEA AKURUM kitchen cabinet boxes as your base,

even if what you want ISN’T a new kitchen…

REDO Breaks IKEA Out of the Kitchen

Following the success of Handmade and Semihandmade, REDO was launched just recently to address the customer demand for pieces to fit their needs outside the kitchen, as well as founder and craftsman John McDonald’s desire to keep old wood out of the landfill.

REDO originated from a love of old wood: framing lumber, reclaimed basketball courts, bowling alleys and wine staves. Turning “trash” into something beautiful is an amazing and humbling thing. But what we realized shortly after Semihandmade’s launch in 2010 was that we were contributing to the problem: because kitchens are so specific and every job totally unique, there’s a fair amount of waste. We’re happy to say we are now able to re-use a lot of that material in the REDO line.”

The pieces, often one-of-a-kind, are fashioned from cast-off pieces leftover from entire kitchen or bathroom cabinet orders from Semihandmade (more about that line below). Says McDonald,

REDO is our way of dragging IKEA kitchen cabinets into the rest of the house, sort of “hacking” without the hack. We’ll sell packs of custom doors, tops, panels, and feet that quickly and easily transform IKEA base, wall and tall cabinets into everything from bookcases, media cabinets, and credenzas to end tables and even a baby-changing station inspired by my pregnant girlfriend (and pictured below).

Here’s how it works: Basic IKEA kitchen cabinet components are purchased by the customer without the doors or legs. REDO provides door and/or drawer fronts, cover panels, tops, shelves and whatever else is required to customize a piece of furniture. McDonald also recommends a supplier for legs to complete the pieces. REDO kits can be shipped, so even if you’re not in Southern California, you can still get your IKEA hacked, fast, easily and stylishly by REDO.

Above is a credenza made of two IKEA 30″ x 15″ horizontal cabinets fitted with sequence-matched walnut doors with white lacquer top, panels and legs. Awesome.

IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

IKEA donating to Toys for Tots Nov. 1 at 11:30 am

2011-10-31T09:40:00.001-06:00

This holiday season, give a gift that gives back by helping to improve children’s education and contributing to our global communities in a socially responsible way. Join us on our Day of Donation Nov. 1 and make a difference in the lives of local children in need.

WHO: The Aurora chapter of Toys for Tots will receive hundreds of IKEA soft toys! Store Manager Kelly Frieze and Toys for Tots representative Gy. Sgt. Victor M. Escobar will provide interviews and introduce you to a range of holiday gift items that will brighten the lives of local children and ultimately help provide millions of children with access to a quality education.

WHAT: On November 1, 2011, IKEA kicks off its annual Soft Toys for Education Campaign. IKEA Centennial is expanding the program by donating hundreds of soft toys and products to the local Tennyson Center for abused children in addition to Toys for Tots. Give the gift that gives back by purchasing a soft toy at IKEA and dropping it in the donation bins at the IKEA Centennial store for these deserving groups.

· IKEA Soft Toys for Education: For each colorful Soft Toy purchased from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, IKEA will donate €1 (approximately $1.35) to UNICEF and Save the Children’s global projects designed to improve children’s education. Since 2003, IKEA Soft Toys have donated over $47.5 MM US dollars to eight million children globally.

· IKEA Children’s Products: IKEA will donate €1 (approximately $1.35) for every IKEA Children’s product and Soft Toy kids meal sold from Nov. 1 – Dec. 24.

· IKEA SUNNAN Lamp: IKEA’s SUNNAN solar powered desk lamp is a great eco-friendly stocking stuffer. For every SUNNAN lamp sold, an IKEA SUNNAN lamp is donated to a child in a developing country, to help them read, write and draw after sunset. To date, more than 500,000 lamps have been donated to children in need.

TIME: Tuesday, November 1, 11:30 am

WHERE: IKEA Centennial Restaurant

IKEA Centennial Project Awarded Top Real Estate Project of 2011

2011-10-26T16:44:00.000-06:00

CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Denver hosted the 12th Annual Women of Influence Awards Luncheon, Tuesday, October 18 at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. The IKEA Centennial Project was awarded as the Top Commercial Real Estate Project in 2011 where women or a team of women played a significant role in the success of the project. CREW Denver strives to increase the power and influence of women in commercial real estate, and to give CREW members opportunities and resources to be the most successful professionals possible within the commercial real estate industry.

City of Centennial

Nov. 1: IKEA Day of Donation

2011-10-26T11:38:00.001-06:00

The IKEA Soft Toys for Education Campaign is gearing up! Running from November 1 – December 24, this annual event raises money to educate children around the world. Since 2003, the IKEA Soft Toy campaign has donated 35.2 million Euros ($47.5 Million USD) to UNICEF and Save the Children. This contribution has enabled approximately 8 million children in nearly 40 countries the great opportunity of having access to a quality education.

IKEA Soft Toys – which includes stuffed animals, finger puppets and books – range in price from $.49 - $19.99, and for every IKEA Soft Toy that a customer purchases, one euro (approximately $1.30 US) is donated to the Soft Toys for Education Campaign. These incredibly affordable and cuddly creatures will certainly put a smile in the hearts of children, while supporting millions of other children who are in need of a quality education.

This year the campaign kicks off on November 1 with the IKEA Day of Donation, during which each IKEA US store will donate hundreds of soft toys and books to the US Marines Toys for Tots. IKEA Centennial is expanding the program by donating hundreds of soft toys and products to the local Tennyson Center for abused children in addition to the local Toys for Tots organization. We’re asking readers to give the gift that gives back by purchasing a soft toy at IKEA and dropping it in the donation bins at the IKEA Centennial store for these deserving groups.

The best gift you can give a child is the gift of an education. And educating our children is a top priority. Yet everyday millions of children around the world are unable to receive a quality education. School offers children a safe environment with support, supervision and socialization. Kids learn life skills that can help improve their own health as well as for their family and community. No doubt, it’s imperative that every child, no matter where they live, receives a quality education.

This holiday season, make your gift the gift that gives back. Please support the IKEA Soft Toys for Education Campaign by communicating to your readers the significance and joy of this charitable endeavor.

Best regards,

Annie Boeckman

Local Marketing and PR

IKEA Centennial

9800 E. IKEA Way

Centennial, CO 80112

303.768.9064 ext. 1336

annie.boeckman@IKEA.com

@IKEA_Centennial

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IKEA Website: www.IKEA-USA.com
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IKEA pilots in-store furniture reuse scheme for customers

2011-10-25T15:31:00.000-06:00

24 October 2011, source edie newsroom

IKEA has trialled a closed loop reuse initiative with the Furniture Reuse Network (FRN) on hard-to-dispose-of products, including sofas, mattresses and kitchen appliances.

Speaking at the LARAC conference in Kenilworth last week (October 20), IKEA's sustainable development manager, Charlie Browne, told delegates that pilots had been carried out at the retailer's Coventry and Wednesbury stores to trial the reuse of old goods.

He said: "In a nutshell, the customer decides that they want to adopt this service, which is advertised in-store. We are offering the service at £15, so it's cost-neutral to IKEA. We don't want to make any money from this, but offer convenience, great value and the chance to help someone else to our customers."

Under the scheme, customers decide if they would like to have their old furniture taken away when they have their new furniture delivered from IKEA. The retailer will then make a like-for-like exchange.

For example, if a customer wants to buy a new mattress in store, IKEA will deliver the mattress and assess whether the old mattress is suitable for collection and donation.

"The whole idea of this is that this will be a reuse service in the first instance," he said. "We are not taking rubbish away. We actually want to donate it and work properly with reuse and then recycling from the waste hierarchy."

After used furniture has been delivered back to the IKEA store, FRN arranges for a local charity to collect it furniture and donate it to deprived households. FRN estimates that of the 10 million items that are thrown away each year, 3 million could be reused and more could be repaired.

Browne told delegates that while the pilots didn't create the volume of items that IKEA had expected, the first "live stores" collection volumes were looking promising and that the company is intending to roll the service out across all its stores in the UK and Ireland.

Nick Warburton

IKEA's Founder Is Recovering From Heart Surgery

2011-10-25T09:25:00.001-06:00

One of the world’s richest people, the 85-year-old founder of Ikea Ingvar Kamprad, is recovering from heart surgery in Switzerland where he resides. Ikea issued the followed statement this weekend: “We can confirm that Ingvar Kamprad has had heart surgery of a purely routine character. He is in very good spirits, feels good and expects to be back home in a couple of days.”

Rosie O'Donnell gets an IKEA room makeover!

2011-10-21T15:55:00.001-06:00

Guess which celebrity just got an IKEA room makeover? Rosie O'Donnell! We have partnered with the Rosie O' Donnell Show to redecorate & furnish the green rooms and also furnish the "cookie room" of her new set where her staff works & relaxes every day. On 10/21, tune in for the "behind the scenes" that will reveal these amazing makeovers on the new Rosie O'Donnell Show!

IKEA USA

A Field Trip to IKEA

2011-10-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

By Laura

My IKEA swag (minus the storage jar)

So tempting. So very tempting. So many tempting things.

I think if I had to pick one word to describe IKEA, that word would be tempting. So many cute, useful and affordable things and they give you a big yellow bag to put them in as you walk around.

Yesterday was a no-school day for the girls, and they asked a few weeks ago if we could visit IKEA. I thought it would be fun, and besides, I needed to pick up some lightbulbs for a lamp we had bought there a few years ago. So, after an early morning dental appointment for me and Meiling, we picked up Meiling’s boyfriend and headed off to the big blue and yellow box.

I sat on the beautiful creamy white leather Stockholm sofa of my dreams and pretended it was in my home. We ogled the kitchen displays and tried to figure out which one we liked best. I scrutinized the Birkeland wardrobe but decided it was too flimsy to work in WenYu and YaYu’s bedroom (and they didn’t like it, either). I found new light fixtures for their bedroom, and saw some affordable new dining chairs. I looked high and low for an under-cabinet wine rack, but never saw one.

Birkeland wardrobe

I didn’t bring a list because I had no intention of buying anything other than lightbulbs. But, as we moved through the store, I found myself picking up items and putting them in my big yellow shopping bag. Wooden clothes hangers, eight for $3.99, four two-liter glass storage jars for $4.49 (heavy!), and 100 white paper napkins for $2.99 all spent some time in the bag. I walked around with them for awhile and then eventually put them back. YaYu was my conscience – “We don’t really need that, Mom.”

By the time we made it to the café for lunch, we had seven items in the bag: a small rug for the kitchen (much needed), one 2-liter storage jar, four rubber dog-tail wall hooks, and a package of light bulbs. We ate lunch ($8.29 for a plate of Swedish meatballs, plate of spinach crepes, plate of steamed vegetables, cup of coffee and two glasses of iced tea), talked about what we’d seen, talked about whether we wanted to buy what we had in the bag or put it back, and enjoyed our meal (the girls loved the Swedish meatballs).

We decided that what we had in our bag was all useful and needed now. As we headed for the checkout, the girls begged me to buy a bag of frozen Swedish meatballs ($6.99 for two and a half pounds) and a package of the cream gravy, and Meiling reminded me I owed her so would I pay for her items (less than $5)? After checking out we went over to the food section to look for Swedish chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies, but they don’t have them any more. No one wanted a frozen yogurt for $1.00.

I managed to get out of IKEA for $51.76 (including lunch). It was more than I wanted to spend, but we had a great time and the items we bought all feel like money well spent. No regrets. But it’s definitely a dangerous store, for my wallet, that is. So tempting. So very tempting.

How One Dad Hacked This Toy and Ditched the Batteries

2011-10-19T15:43:00.001-06:00

Ikea Hackers

Batteries? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Batteries! Batteries are the bane of many a parent's existence. Why does it seem we never have the size needed to power the one toy that will keep the kids happy? One dad decided to end the vicious cycle of battery dependence. With some basic materials and a little bit of know how, this little piano now cranks battery free.

IKEA plugs in two electrical vehicle-charging stations

2011-10-19T14:33:00.000-06:00

IKEA officially plugged in two Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at its Portland, Ore., store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.

The initiative is the first such project for IKEA in the United States. Similar installations are planned at eight other IKEA stores in the western United States.

To charge an EV at IKEA Portland, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, swipe their Blink InCard (RFID card), plug the charger into the EV, and then shop while the vehicle is charging.

Home Channel News

IKEA App Uses Facebook Profiles to Design Dream Bedrooms

2011-10-19T09:13:00.001-06:00

Posted by Abe Sauer

Ikea is teaming up with YouTube to bring us one step closer to never having to participate in reality. By accessing a customer's Facebook account, Ikea UK's YouTube App uses social media information to build "everything you need to be happy in bed."
After accessing your Facebook information, Ikea's YouTube app construct a 3D bedroom designed and furnished based on the lifestyle and interests information obtained from the Facebook profile. The Ikea items in the bedroom are interactive, with a click leading to purchase information on the Ikea UK website.
The app, accessible to anyone with a Facebook account, offers a couple of neat tricks.

The app uses wall posts for the actual walls (before painting them over) and populates picture frames in the bedroom with photos from the user's Facebook photo albums.
In the test run I did (top), Ikea's app assembled a bedroom where I "will go happy to bed." Maybe it is the fault of a less than robust Facebook profile, but it was difficult to figure out why some of the items placed in my bedroom were chosen over others. A rattan lamp? Really?
Also, in the first step of the process, I added a child to the mix. The app used this information to place a crib in the room, a nice touch.

As technology advances, it's easy to encounter a new application and be disappointed that it is not flawless artificial intelligence. But all in all, Ikea's app is a curious and unique online campaign that engages customers and gets them thinking about Ikea's wares. It also gets them to allow Ikea access to their Facebook accounts.

BrandChannel

Hack an Ikea Bag Organizer into a Bedside Lamp for $5

2011-10-18T13:56:00.001-06:00

If you need a wall-mounted bedside lamp you can easily hack one together using an Ikea $1.99 Rationell Variera plastic bag dispenser by adding a cheap lamp socket and a piece of translucent plastic from a binder.

Maker blog CoreSince1984 gives detailed instructions and photos, but all that is necessary is to cut a hole in the bottom of the bag dispenser to feed the lamp socket through. After that is done just attach the dispenser to the wall, insert the plastic (an A4 or 8.5" x 11" piece should fit perfectly) to diffuse the light, and plug it in.

LifeHacker

IKEA Interactive App Uses Facebook Details to Personalize Bedroom

2011-10-17T14:06:00.001-06:00

17 Oct 2011

For their ‘Go Happy To Bed’ advertising campaign, IKEA UK has created an interactive app on YouTube that generates 3D bedroom mockups for viewers based on their Facebook details.
Viewers can log in to Facebook with the app; the app analyzes the user's data and living situations to create a bedroom fitted with IKEA furniture.
The generated bedroom would be personalized with details, such as framed up Facebook photos from the user's albums.
Furniture and items can be changed by the user, to reflect his/her personality; and are linked up to IKEA's website.
The home furniture company hopes to “turn your bedroom into the perfect sanctuary from the real world; a place that will guarantee you go to sleep with a smile on your face”.

[via PSFK]
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“EASY TO ASSEMBLE”'s 3rd Season!

2011-10-13T08:29:00.001-06:00

The IKEA Web Series “EASY TO ASSEMBLE” Launches Third Acclaimed Season

Published on October 12, 2011 by David Castillo

[PRNewswire press release] — After two and a half successful seasons, the IKEA produced award-winning web series EASY TO ASSEMBLE will launch its highly anticipated third season “Finding North” on October 18th, on MY DAMN CHANNEL www.MyDamnChannel.com/EasyToAssemble and EASYTOASSEMBLESERIES.com.

The show, written and produced by actress Illeana Douglas, has averaged over 10 million views and counting on sites like MY DAMN CHANNEL, You Tube, Koldcast, Hulu and IKEA Fans.com, becoming one of the most successful web series of all time, and a signal of how producing branded entertainment can pay off for marketers in providing unique ways for ad dollars to create nontraditional forms of programming as a way to attract consumers. For IKEA, the series is a fun way for IKEA to connect and communicate with their customers, in a medium that they like to use. Advertising Age awarded EASY TO ASSEMBLE one of the top five “Best Branded Deals” of 2010 and called it the most successful branded series of all time.’ The EASY TO ASSEMBLE Finding North Soundtrack will be released worldwide on Oct 18th, 2011 and will be the FIRST soundtrack to feature music from an award-winning web series.

“The web series was a perfect way for us to connect with our customers in a format that they frequent enjoy and use,” said Alia Kemet, US Media Manager. “EASY TO ASSEMBLE invites our customers to take a humorous ‘behind the scenes’ look at our stores and the culture of IKEA; a fun place to shop AND work.”

Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO of My Damn Channel says, “Illeana Douglas and IKEA set the standard for the best in branded entertainment. We’re impressed and inspired when brands embrace artists and empower them to create great, original stories that we can distribute to millions of fans.”

Each season of EASY TO ASSEMBLE is produced much like an independent film through Douglas’ production company, Eleven Minutes Entertainment and Illeanarama, Transmedia. The plot of the first two and half seasons involves Illeana trying to get away from show business and lead a ‘normal’ life by working at her local IKEA store. She soon finds she can’t escape Hollywood though, when fellow actress Justine Bateman is hired to add some show business sparkle and starts a talk show called ‘Forty and Bitter’ on the main floor of IKEA. Douglas is next forced to compete for ‘Coworker of the Year’ against Justine or risk coworker downsizing. She triumphs and this leads to the entire crew being flown to Sweden for her to collect her award and Justine to launch her talk show internationally. Season three’s “Finding North” picks up with the gang in Sweden going on a road-trip/journey through the country that by the end have them finding out who they are and what they are looking for.

The series has attracted a cornucopia of stars, including Jeff Goldblum, Craig Bierko, Patricia Heaton, Fred Willard, Corey Feldman, Tom Arnold, Kevin Pollak, Cheri Oteri, Tim Meadows, David Henrie, Jane Lynch, Ricki Lake, Justine Bateman, and Ed Begley Jr., among many more.

In recognition of its tremendous contribution to web-based entertainment, EASY TO ASSEMBLE 2010 was nominated for seven “Streamy” awards winning “Best Ensemble Cast” and “Best Product Integration.” It also picked up a nomination for “Best Individual Performance” for Douglas at the 14th Annual Webby Awards, and won “Best Branded Content” and “Best Comedy Episode” for its spin-off series SPARHUSEN. Additionally, Illeana received the ITV Fest 2010 Innovator Award and the 2010 “Best Online Performance Award” from the 2010 Banff World TV Fest. EASY TO ASSEMBLE and IKEA were also honored to receive the 2010 NATPE ‘Digital Luminary Award.”

“From the beginning IKEA agreed that nothing should get in the way of the entertainment value and throughout the 2 and a half seasons they trusted me to weave the story lines that fans of the show have come to love,” says Douglas. “What started out as an experiment is now emerging as the new independent film and that is just where I want to stay.”

IKEA has a unique corporate culture and long standing history of doing things in a fun and different way, which lends themselves perfectly to EASY TO ASSEMBLE and its tongue-in-check look into the world of the world’s largest home furnishings company.

Product Placement News

IKEA Chair Pads used to "Build Your Own iPad Case for $2"

2011-10-11T11:09:00.001-06:00

By Jillian

I have good crafting intentions. I happily buy all of the supplies and organize them with considerable care and attention. But in the end, I’m hopeless. But with that said, I think even I could craft this DIY felt iPad case. For just a few dollars in materials you can easily create a little something that will keep your tablet safely cradled in felt lined happiness.

The basis of the case is a pair of chair pads found at Ikea (everybody’s favorite store) and lined with anything soft you happen to have available (I’m thinking of the 2 zillion baby blankets I have stowed away in my son’s closet).

Assembly is very simple and requires only stitching around the outer edge. While a sewing machine would make very quick work of this project, it wouldn’t be hard to sew this one by hand.

For those of you more talented than I am, the sky is the limit with customizing this one. The nice thing is, it’s a very simple case and would even work well if you have your smart cover still attached. Not only that, with a little scissor action this could be made for any tablet or even a smartphone… or any electronics of similar size with a need for a little extra protection and cushion.

I love the idea of sleeve style cases for my iPad because it allows me to slide it inside a purse or satchel without worrying about my Smart Cover flipping open or the back of my tablet getting scratched (I’m a little obsessive that way). As I write this I am also thinking that it would be fun to create a few of these in a variety of colors to suit your mood or match your bags.

What I like best about this idea is knowing cases and accessories don’t have to be expensive to be functional and enjoyable.

PadGadget

IKEA beats out McDonalds. Huh?

2011-10-06T08:10:00.001-06:00

How Did Ikea Beat Out McDonalds for Germany's Most Popular Fast Food?

By Heather Horn

A new study ranks fast food joints, and the furniture store takes second place

An IKEA store in Wallau, Germany / Reuters

German newspaper Die Welt reports today that, in a study by the German Institute for Service Quality based out of Hamburg, Ikea comes ahead of McDonald's in the fast food realm. That's right: a European furniture store is beating American chains in the traditionally American realm of quick bites.
Inspectors apparently visited fast food joints ten times between July and September 2011, and in the resulting ranking of points (one to 100), Mövenpick Marché is at the top, with 78.7 points. Hard on the heels comes Ikea at 77.6, and, after a jump, McDonald's at 72.8 and Burger King at 70.0. Also rated are KFC, the fish option Nordsee, and even Subway.

What are these European top picks doing right? "Diversity of offerings, quality and freshness of food, and good service" are mentioned by the testers with regards to Marché, the Welt writeup notes. "Ikea as runner-up had only one problem with the 'activity level' of the staff." Tough crowd. Apparently McDonald's scored high on "quality of communication" though.

But here's the real question: why is a furniture store doing food so well? The answer might lie in the bizarre world of furniture company competition for German consumers. According to September story by the Deutsche Press-Agentur, a German news agency, breakfast at furniture stores is all the rage.
"Whoever wants to breakfast in the furniture store must often hurry if he wants to get a seat at all--[it's] now a nationwide phenomenon," notes the DPA. Ikea has competition, too: "Other furniture companies like Dodenhof, Kraft, and Höffner also attract with breakfast offerings." Apparently at Dodenhof there's even a "roof garden restaurant" as an alternative to the cafe; since "the Dodenhof furniture stores are located outside the city centers, the journey is long," and the company figured it made sense to offer a "'comprehensive' shopping experience."

In other words, furniture stores are pulling out all kinds of tricks to lure the German consumer. So even if you're just passing through and skeptical of German food, skip Burger King: your best option for a quick meal in the country might come while evaluating book shelves.

International - The Atlantic

Direct From The Front Lines of Life Improvement

2011-10-01T16:35:00.001-06:00

Helping people build better lives is as much a part of our business as our meatballs. In fact, it’s the best part of our job— that and bringing a little piece of Småland to your home. We can’t get enough of finding new ways to improve people’s everyday lives.

Find out what we’ve been doing to build a better tomorrow

Keep track of all the ways we help people around the globe through the IKEA® Foundation.

The Life Improvement Project

Nothing to do this weekend? Make A Phone Photography Stand From An IKEA Lamp

2011-09-30T17:00:00.001-06:00

By Angus Kidman

Arduino hacking site Arduino Arts was having problems holding an iPhone in place when filming tutorial videos. A clever hack with an IKEA lamp solved the problem.

The site used the $19.99 Tertial lamp to provide a simple way of fixing the iPhone in position when shooting videos. If you’re producing any kind of phone-related video, this could be a useful tip.

Lifehacker Australia

IKEA's Green Initiatives: Changing Our Opinion?

2011-09-28T09:52:00.000-06:00

Is IKEA mean and ungreen? Does it equate cheap, non-environmental furniture and accessories with poor design? People love IKEA, hate it, or wrestle between the two. People love IKEA for making modern design attainable for the mainstream public, but they hate that their affordable designs make it difficult for local designers to compete. People love IKEA's smart designs and notable international designers but hate the homogenizing effect of their global market. And last but not least, people question whether or not IKEA, a huge global corporation, is environmental enough.

Whether you hate IKEA or love them, there's no denying the big environmental strides they've made. No small deal when you consider a huge company like IKEA with worldwide reach. Greenopia named Ikea one of their Top 7 Green Corporations of 2010. In recent news, Ikea UK is on track to use 100% renewable energy.

Here are some highlights of IKEA's green initiatives, published in their Never Ending List and their Sustainability Report 2010.

IKEA As a Company:

• Top green employer three years in a row. In April, 2011, IKEA Canada was named one of Canada's Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Inc. in their "Canada's Top 100 Employers" list for the 3rd year in a row.
• Passes routine environmental audits in Canada.
• One of the earliest companies to phase out incandescent bulbs.
• Reduces climate impact by using sustainable transport of their signature flat packs.
• Education, philanthropy and manufacturing processes using green principles.
• Established a Waste Management Manual requiring all stores to sort waste into categories. This resulted in 80% of store waste (at the end of its life) to be recycled or used for energy production.

IKEA's Ban on Bad Chemicals:

• Formaldehyde! They cut formaldehyde from all lacquers. Then, they cut it from their adhesives.
• Years ahead of other companies, Ikea banned the use of Freon (CFCs) and HCFCs.
• Ceramic and glass products contain zero cadmium and lead, even though some countries allow trace amounts.
• Uses water-based lacquer.

IKEA's Wood:

• Doesn't accept illegally-felled wood, or wood harvested from intact natural forests. They hold suppliers accountable for tracing the origin of their solid wood.
• Maximizes the return on every tree trunk, utilizing the knotty top part of the birch tree instead of burning it as firewood or grinding it for chipboard production.
• In 1997, in cooperation with furniture and particleboard producers, they developed a new type of particleboard specially designed for furniture. Because of this, use of raw material was reduced by 85,816 tons.

IKEA's Textiles:

• Never uses optical brighteners in the textiles used in quilts and pillows. They don't contain hazardous substances, and they minimize the use of chemicals.
• Uses a whole lot of cotton, so they partnered with the WWF to run Farmer Field Schools in Pakistan and India where cotton farmers learn new and better ways to grow and harvest cotton. After two years, the cotton farms in Pakistan alone used 30% less water, 60% fewer pesticides and 40% less fertilizer.

IKEA's Plastic:

• Uses recycled PET plastic (some, not all products).
• Uses polyolefin plastic, not PVC (which contains chlorine and other harmful
chemicals).
• Only permits PVC in electric leads.

IKEA's Paper:

• Products are made of 80% recycled paper (some, not all).
• First major company in the world to print their color catalog on 100% chlorine-free paper.

IKEA's Green Initiatives: Changing Our Opinion? | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest

IKEA, along with American Forests, Continues the Success of Its 'Plant a Tree Program'; Together They Have Planted 1.9 Million Trees across America!

2011-09-27T15:49:00.001-06:00

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Sep 26, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The message is plain and simple. Improve your Life. Plant a Tree. Why? Because planting trees will help to clean the air and cool the globe.

Since 1998, IKEA US, in partnership with American Forests, has been dedicated to improving the lives of many people through its national in-store 'Plant A Tree' program, a campaign that asks customers to donate $1 to plant one tree. These contributions, together with money donated by IKEA, have resulted in the raising of $1.9 million dollars to plant 1.9 million trees across America.

On October 1, IKEA stores across the US will thank customers for their great participation and support for climate change by giving away free tree seedlings at each store location. The Plant A Tree program has been a partnership between IKEA and American Forests with generous donations from IKEA customers, as well as donations from IKEA to American Forests. Some of the IKEA donations resulted from customer plastic bag purchases during the phase-out of IKEA plastic bags.

Additionally on October 1, as part of the recently launched Life Improvement Project ( www.thelifeimprovementproject.com ), IKEA will be giving away more free seedlings at "surprise locations" in local communities. This is the first of several "Random Acts of Life Improvement" throughout the year, during which IKEA will be surprising consumers with small tokens of appreciation to help improve their day. The public can follow their closest IKEA store's Twitter handle to get clues about where the giveaway will take place in their city.

Trees from the Plant A Tree program have been planted in many forests across America. Designated by American Forests for specific locations, these plantings have included some of the following sites and amounts: 74,000 trees in the McNally Fire restoration in California; 15,000 trees in Arizona for the Warm Fire Restoration project; and over 100,000 trees in the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.

Why 'Plant a Tree' program?

Trees and forests are a crucial part of the Earth's ecosystem. Trees are green machines that clean our air and water by absorbing pollution and stabilizing the soil. The trees donated to American Forests are planted throughout the US in environmental restoration projects.

"Thanks to American Forests and IKEA US customers, we are celebrating the planting of 1.9 million trees across America. IKEA US continues to showcase its deep commitment to climate change and our quality of life by keeping the environment clean and green. Each tree makes a difference and 1.9 million trees planted will help to reduce CO2 pollution, while renewing America's forests," said Mike Ward, President, IKEA US.

"This closely aligns with our current Life Improvement Project, a national program to inspire consumers and provide them with tools to create a better everyday life at home and in their communities," added Ward.

"American Forests and IKEA have partnered for more than a decade to help restore and protect forests across the country and throughout the world," said Scott Steen, American Forests CEO. "Through IKEA and its customers' commitment to this important work, we have been able to undertake hundreds of ecosystem restoration projects and plant millions of trees. As a result, communities across America now have cleaner air and water, better wildlife habitats and less CO2 in the atmosphere. We look forward to continuing this work with IKEA in the years to come to support a greener, healthier planet," added Steen.

American Forests Gives Ten Reasons 'Why We Plant Trees'

-- Trees Save Energy and Money. According to the U.S. Forest Service, "Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating."

-- Trees Save Tax Dollars. Trees in a city slow storm water runoff and reduce the need for storm sewers. Tree shade also helps cool municipal buildings, lowering electricity bills.

-- Trees Cool our Cities. Urban 'heat islands' are caused by declining tree canopy in our communities.

-- Trees Clean Our Water and Air. From low level ozone in our cities to pesticide and fertilizer runoff from our farms, trees absorb harmful pollutants.

-- Trees Help Community Life. Tree planting and community-based forestry can add significantly to a local community's sustainable economy while restoring the environment.

-- Trees Protect Soil. By holding soil in place with their root systems, by deflecting pounding rain with their canopies and by adding nutrients each fall with their leaves, trees are crucial to keeping and improving our soil.

-- Trees Provide Habitat for Species of Many Kinds, including Endangered Species.

-- Trees Can Pay Your 'Carbon Debt.' Planting just 30 trees with American Forests will absorb the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is generated in the production of energy consumed by the average American lifestyle annually -- and put oxygen back into our atmosphere.

-- Trees Provide Clean Water and Natural Flood Control. Forests act as natural reservoirs and they protect watersheds, providing clean water for cities, bays and rivers.

-- Trees are a Beautiful Part of our Lives. Trees enrich our lives by simply being there; from the majestic sequoias to the littlest new bud.

MarketWatch

Dine for free at IKEA Centennial

2011-09-22T08:58:00.000-06:00

EAT FOR FREE! Dine in the restaurant at your local IKEA store and deduct your restaurant receipt total from any home furnishings purchase over $100! Valid Saturday, Sept 24 to Sunday Sept 25, 2011.

photo credit: Carrie Wheeler

Most know Ikea as a destination for cheap, difficult to assemble home furnishings with names you that are hard-to-pronounce. But in between filling your cart with ridiculously inexpensive knick-knacks and flat boxes, it's also one of the few places locally where a person can get any semblance of Scandinavian food.

Authenticity-rating: Meatballs and lingonberries sit along-side fried chicken tenders and fries. So, not the most authentic Swedish culinary experience, but in my mind, the experience is more about the process than the cuisine.

Eating at Ikea is similar to shopping at Ikea -- without the adjustment tool. It's a little DIY, with a decent selection of uncomplicated options for a great value.

photo credit: Carrie Wheeler

The Swedish meatball, mashed potato and lingonberry meal.

photo credits: Carrie Wheeler

From the top: Spinach and cheese crepes, salmon salad and lingonberry soda.

The ambience: Clean, streamlined, functional, just like the Ikea store.

Grab a strangely shaped cart and wander through the meandering aisle and view options from an array of well-styled food photos around the cafeteria space.

Pick up dishes from the warming or cooling cases below. If necessary, assistance is available. Once you've made selections, check out. Beverages (like the delicious lingonberry soda) are self-serve. Bus your own tray. Such self-service means cheaper prices -- just like in the store.

Vegetarian-friendly: Spinach and cheese crepes and salad are meatless options for diners.

Eating the World: Ikea Cafeteria

IKEA USA

IKEA Centennital temporarily closed this past Saturday

2011-09-18T15:55:00.001-06:00

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Popular Centennial retailer IKEA was forced to close Saturday afternoon due to a water main break, a store source said.

Southgate Water & Sanitation District spokesman Tom Mansfield said a 30-inch water main on South Yosemite Street between Park Meadows Drive and C-470 ruptured Friday. While the break didn't impact smaller businesses and homeowners, Mansfield said it affected IKEA because of the sheer size of the building.

Southgate was able to temporarily repair the water main, allowing IKEA to reopen Saturday evening. Mansfield said they were working on a 30-inch repair clamp, but that it could take several days to permamently fix to the pipe.

KMGH Denver

Is IKEA pushing printed books to the brink of extinction?

2011-09-16T13:09:00.000-06:00

Many are fingering the redesign of IKEA's classic BILLY bookshelf to better accommodate items that aren't books as a harbinger of print publishing's demise. But there's more to the story than you may think ...

Image: Simon Aughton/Flickr

As you may have, errr, read, Sweden’s most famous solar-powered lingonberry jam pusher, IKEA, has redesigned its medium-density fiberboard masterwork, the BILLY bookshelf, to sport deeper shelves (and optional glass doors) meant for decorative doodads. This has prompted a whole bunch of publications ranging from TechCrunch to Time to declare the 4-inch tweaking of BILLY (the shelves of the “original” BILLY measure 11 inches deep while the new model offers 15-inch deep shelves) as a clear signal of the demise of books in their non e-form.

MNN - Mother Nature Network

Upscale Wood Cubbies

2011-09-16T08:39:00.000-06:00

Materials: Moppe or Fira Wooden Box Set

Description: I base coated the cabinet and drawers with a spray paint. Then I taped all of the drawers together to treat them as one large surface, then stenciled and painted them. I finished off with some gilding to give it a more Oriental feel and upscale it a bit!
See more of the Moppe upcycle.
~ CraftTestDummies, Clevelandish

IKEA Hackers

First IKEA seminar scheduled for Centennial!

2011-09-13T09:10:00.001-06:00

We've hit the big times! While certainly fun to shop IKEA Centennial, this is one of the things I've been looking forward to … decorating & life improvement seminars. I wish it were sooner!

Home Truth Event

Oprah
01.14.2012 | 1pm - 3pm | IKEA Centennial

Each interactive seminar will be hosted by a Martha Beck Certified Master Coach who will teach you how to live your best life by surrounding yourself with things you love. You’ll learn what your house says about you and how changing things in your home – both big and small – can change your state of mind.

The Life Improvement Project

IKEA Hackers: Exclusive laundry

2011-09-12T19:49:00.000-06:00

Materials: Faktum, Nexus
Description: In our old house we had a cold and damp laundry in the basement. So when planning our new house I dreamt of a luxury one, and I got it!
It's situated next to our kitchen and with a door to the backside of our house. AND with a big window to make it bright.
It was important for me to get the washing machine and dryer up from the floor and have a lot of cabinets for all sorts of things from detergents, flowerpots and cake tins to gift wraps and craftstuff.
Here is the result!

Don't miss the perfect spot for the ironing board and scrubbing mop :-)
See more of the laundry room.
~ Helene Langborg, Sweden

IKEA Hackers: Exclusive laundry

IKEA Cuts Price of BILLY Bookcase

2011-09-12T14:41:00.000-06:00

Ikea, the world’s biggest home- furnishings retailer, has slashed the price of its Billy bookshelves in the U.S. by 17 percent as unemployment and a sluggish housing market weigh on consumer confidence.

U.S. outlets now sell the signature bookshelf for $49.99, compared with the $59.99 listed a year ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News from the Netherlands-based company’s website. Based on dollar prices, the average cost of the item in 39 countries rose 13 percent to $62.49 in that period.

Bloomberg

Ten awful tailgating foods you would only eat while drinking heavily

2011-09-12T11:21:00.001-06:00

Before the Denver Broncos take on the Raiders tonight, football fans will take on another tough tradition: tailgating.

Things are already cooking in the designated tailgating lot outside of the newly renamed Sports Authority at Mile Hi. The menu for a tailgating party should be easy: grill meat, add beer, watch game. So don't mess it up by making one of these dishes:

Denver Restaurants and Dining - Cafe Society

ÄDEL Medium Brown Kitchens

2011-09-11T10:58:00.000-06:00

ÄDEL Medium Brown is one of the most popular IKEA Kitchen cabinet door styles; otherwise known as AMB or ÄDEL MB, the medium brown color has been in the ADEL lineup since at least 2001 (that’s as far back as my catalogs go). It’s warm and contemporary without being too modern and fits in with a variety of home styles – traditional, contemporary, vintage — even has a bit of a bungalow feel to it.

Don’t accuse it of being common, though – as this kitchen and many others prove, ADEL Medium Brown can be interesting, versatile and maybe even edgy. Read on to see more ADEL MB kitchens we love!

IKEA FANS

IKEA anticipates death of paper books, tweaks bookcase

2011-09-10T16:30:00.000-06:00

Will this symbolize the death knell of the paper book?

Furniture giant IKEA will debut a new version of its classic BILLY bookcase that is intended to store everything except well-thumbed reading material, a report says.

Coming out next month, the tweaked bookcase will feature deeper shelves meant to display "ornaments, tchotchkes and the odd coffee-table tome -- anything, this is, except books," the Economist reported.

The Swedish furniture company is already pushing glass doors for its bookshelves, anticipating that customers will increasingly utilize bookcases for decorative purposes, the report said.

IKEA may be right. Certainly, times are changing -- and digitizing -- for the book business.

About 12% of American adults now own an e-reader, the first time that number has pushed into double digits since the gadgets became available. Sales of e-books in America finally surpassed those of adult hardbacks in the first five months of the year, and online retailer Amazon.com reported that it sells more digital books than ones printed on paper. Borders Group, once a book peddler to rival Barnes & Noble, is liquidating all of its U.S. stores.

Some have predicted that like the mastodon, bookstores too will go extinct.

latimes.com

Just in case …

2011-09-10T10:55:00.000-06:00

Here you will find the latest information about recalls on IKEA products.

Product recalls - IKEA

Year 2 of IKEA's Life Improvement Project will begin September 13!

2011-09-09T15:53:00.001-06:00

Meet Kyria Henry

Winner of last year's The Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest.

Hometown: Round Hill, Virginia

At just 12 years old, Kyria Henry founded paws4people, and later paws4vets, training and pairing service dogs with children, seniors, seriously ill and disabled people, and war veterans needing assistance. A year-long sabbatical will allow Kyria to devote her full attention to the paws4vets program, providing service dogs to assist retired and active-duty military veterans as a tool to ease emotional, physical and psychological traumas and help them return to normal life.

Out of nearly two thousand applicants, Kyria was chosen by you to spend a year (and $100,000) helping others.

Tack— that’s Swedish for thanks!
It’s been an inspiring journey. And it’s all because of you.

That’s why we know you’ll be thrilled to learn we donated $46,844 to Save the Children’s U.S. Programs.

You do a little. We do a little. Together, we improve a lot.

The Life Improvement Project

IKEA Hack: Extendable tierack

2011-09-08T16:52:00.000-06:00

Materials: KOMPLEMENT pull-out rack + LANSA handle
Description: Since the PAX wardrobe combination didn't offer a satisfying solution to store my ties, I decided to combine two products. The plastic hooks on the original Komplement pull-out rack were too small and I didn't like the storage compartments...

I fitted a new front (two kitchen handles) on the metal back-part of the pull-out rack. With a few screws it's fairly quickly modified.
The only tricky part is to re-drill the holes (otherwise the "pulling-out-system" won't work anymore as the bolts stick out too far).
~ Wim, Belgium

IKEA Hackers

Not able to get to IKEA Centennial? Try IKEA Home Shopping

2011-09-08T08:53:00.000-06:00

Don't have an IKEA store near you?
Is there just not enough time to get to your IKEA store?
No problem! IKEA Home Shopping offers a select range of our most popular furniture products to be purchased online and shipped directly to you!
It is as easy as shopping our products here on our Website and adding to your shopping cart when available.
IKEA Home Shopping accepts your IKEA gift card as well as VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

IKEA Home Shopping - IKEA

Just thinking ahead … How To Build an IKEA Gingerbread House

2011-09-07T14:45:00.001-06:00

IKEA Gingerbread House Instructions

IKEA FANS

Celebrate our American workforce this weekend!

2011-09-01T09:11:00.001-06:00

Colorado IKEA Fans will be back on Tuesday.

IKEA giving UN $62 million to expand overcrowded refugee complex in Kenya

2011-08-31T17:16:00.000-06:00

( Tobin Jones / Associated Press ) - Children line up for a government sponsored feeding program in central Turkana district, Kenya Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011. The U.N. says tens of thousands of people already have died in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti due to famine and has warned that the famine hasn’t peaked. More than 12 million people in the region need food aid, according to the U.N.

GENEVA — The IKEA Foundation is donating $62 million (42.8 million euros) over three years to expand the world’s largest refugee complex in Dadaab, Kenya, the U.N. refugee agency announced Tuesday

IKEA's Life Improvement Tip 10: Mattresses

2011-08-31T08:21:00.000-06:00

According to the latest study by the National Sleep Foundation, more than half of Americans say they experience a sleep problem almost every night.

Maximize your chances of a good night's sleep with the right mattress.

IKEA-USA

Create Your IKEA Bedroom On YouTube

2011-08-30T11:44:00.000-06:00

IKEA have used the results of a UK study to redesign their range of bedrooms in stores across the country. Over 2 million Brits were questioned about their home lives in an effort to create relevant designs that provide solutions for people’s needs. As part of a new bedrooms campaign, revolved around helping people go to bed happy, the IKEA UK YouTube channel features a tool for creating your own personalized bedroom.

Log in with your Facebook account to view a showroom designed to suit you, created using information from your profile. The bedroom even includes photos of your friends on the wall, for an added personal touch. You can view detailed product information for all of the items in the room and either click through to IKEA.co.uk to purchase any of them or print them off as a shopping list.

AdFlipoff

IKEA finds that using your laptop in bed could ruin your relationship!

2011-08-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

(Getty images)

When you're in bed, do you pay more attention to your computer or mobile phone than you do to your partner?

A study of two million Brits, carried out by IKEA, has found that up to 23 per cent of people admit to using a computer in bed - and relationship experts warn that 'night surfing' can spell disaster for relationships.

Christine Northam, a counsellor with Relate, says: "Modern technology provides us with brilliant tools but when its use becomes excessive and clutters the bedroom it can actually get in the way of relationships. "Technology is a major distraction and can lead others to think you're avoiding them." And the evidence speaks for itself: according to lawyers, Facebook is cited in one in five divorces, while a survey by website Divorce Online found that the phrase 'mobile phone' occurred in one in eight divorces citing unreasonable behaviour.

So if you're reading this in bed, it might be a good idea to switch off your computer and concentrate on your partner instead...

Does your partner think that you spend too much time online?

AOL Lifestyle UK

IKEA Kitchen Design - Assembly - Installation

2011-08-29T10:56:00.001-06:00

Introducing our newest friend …

Ikea Kitchen Design service

Independent Ikea Product Assembly and installation services

CALL 720 937 4424 or Email to schedule your installation

IKEA-DENVER.com | BEST PRICE, SERVICE AND WARRANTY

When it comes to Denver Ikea Kitchen design, planning, assembly and installation, we offer the best solution in Denver, Colorado. Although we are not certified Ikea installers, we provide professional, Ikea kitchen installation, and the best warranty.

OUR IKEA KITCHEN DESIGN, ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION PRICES ARE THE BEST !! 10 YEAR WARRANTY !

Competitive prices, the best professional service, quality Ikea kitchen cabinet installation.

Beginning with unsurpassed customer service, we offer a site check/measurement service for only $69.00 which may be used toward your kitchen installation cost. Please see installation cost for more details:

Ready to plan your Ikea Kitchen? Visit Ikea's site HERE for the Ikea kitchen planner to get started.

If you would like to see some cool Ikea kitchens - click HERE and give it a moment to load.

Ikea-Denver.com | Kitchen Design - Assembly - Installation

Casting Call for IKEA's "Fix This Kitchen" on A&E

2011-08-28T16:35:00.000-06:00

Kitchen dreams do come true.

Fix This Kitchen is back for its second season! Don’t miss this delectable TV series brought to you by IKEA. Fulfill your kitchen craving as a celebrity chef and interior design specialist shocks homeowners with the ultimate kitchen makeover!

Watch Fix This Kitchen Saturday mornings at 9:30AM/8:30C only on A&E.

IKEA | Fix This Kitchen

Still like vinyl (as in records, albums, etc.)?

2011-08-27T10:30:00.000-06:00

Vinyl lovers storage unit and DJ console

Materials: Expedit and Molger legs
Description: Simple !
I took a 5 x 1 Expedit, put it on its side and installed some 10 inch Molger cabinet legs (they go beyond the back a few inches).
The key to this hack is reinforcement. When I use an Expedit I always put it together with wood glue. Makes a huge difference. The Molger was attached to a piece of scrap wood that I grabbed from As-Is for $1, then attached to the Expedit. I used gorilla glue and bolts. It is sturdy and there is no chance of collapse.

Lots of style and storage for $80
Enjoy !
~ J. Rob McNeil 4th, Philadelphia, Pa

IKEA Hackers

Camping? Use an Orange Peel or Onion to Cook an Egg Over a Campfire

2011-08-26T13:34:00.000-06:00

Ready for some campfire cooking? Here's a Boy Scout method for using an orange peel as your pot to cook an egg.

You don't need pots or pans to make a campfire breakfast: Just crack an egg into the peel of half an orange and cook over hot coals for about 3-5 minutes.

The moisture of the orange peel prevents the egg from burning, apparently, and may impart a nice orange-y flavor to the egg.

If you like your egg a little softer, How2Heroes uses this unique cooking technique but wraps the orange-egg-combo with foil instead of placing directly on the coals.

For a different egg flavor, you could also cook an egg inside an onion on an open campfire.

Use an Orange Peel to Cook an Egg Over a Campfire

IKEA now caters to upscale clientele

2011-08-26T10:30:00.001-06:00

By Misty Harris, Postmedia News August 25, 2011

Next to empty pizza boxes, there's likely no greater presence in college dorm rooms than Ikea.

But ever since the economy took a nosedive, the Swedish retailer - long a brand people grew out of instead of into - has been quietly observing a shift in consumer demographics. Namely, that the rich are slumming it in their stores.

Not that they'd call it that. After all, the big-box retailer has made aggressive inroads in recent years to not only improve the quality of its offer but also its image in the public's eye. The sum effect was a nearly eight-per-cent rise in worldwide sales in fiscal 2010, despite a climate of lower discretionary spending and rising commodity costs.

"There was a bit of a need for a paradigm shift," says Madeleine Lowenborg-Frick, public relations manager for Ikea Canada. "People are now understanding that Ikea fits in million-dollar mansions as much as in regular homes."

In uncertain economic times, the company says its continued growth is partially explained by people who've never shopped at Ikea, or feel they've outgrown it, giving the brand a second look.

In Canada, events such as last week's exhibitIKEA - a pop-up gallery in Toronto blending art, fashion and home decor - are no doubt quashing stereotypes of the retailer as a mere rite of passage.

"There are a lot of factors at play," says Lowenborg-Frick. "But one of them is certainly that we're taking market-share from more expensive retailers."

Boston Consulting Group reports that Canada now ranks second among 20 countries globally in the desire to buy products "on deal." And in May, The Nielsen Company found seven in 10 Canadians whose household incomes topped $100,000 felt their financial situation either hadn't improved or worsened since last year.

As a result, Carman Allison - Nielsen's director of consumer insights - says "shopping at discount retailers no longer has the stigma associated with it."

Larry Compeau, noted expert on consumer behaviour, detects a "trickle-up effect" of the frugalista fad. But rather than pinching pennies, he describes the wealthy as simply "trading down."

"More affluent consumers are taking comfort in, and boasting about, finding some piece of furniture that cost less but really accomplishes what they wanted," says Compeau, professor of marketing and consumer behaviour at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. "It makes them feel like they're contributing to their financial stability."

edmontonjournal.com

Free Kid Activities at IKEA Centennial

2011-08-25T15:36:00.001-06:00

Bring the children for FREE fun activities!
Join us for these special events and get a stamp each time you visit us on your IKEA Kids Card. When you get three stamps you’ll get an IKEA surprise! Ask a Smaland co-worker for a Kid’s Card with details.

• Saturday, August 27

Balloon Art, 1:00 – 3:30pm

*All activities are held in the Children’s IKEA department on the Upper Level.

IKEA Centennial

Address: 9800 E. IKEA Way
Centennial, CO 80112

Phone: 303-768-9164

Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm
Sun 10am-8pm

Free Kid Activities at IKEA Centennial

IKEA's 'Playfight' Ad: A Sexy Bedroom Romp

2011-08-25T11:35:00.000-06:00

Those silly Brits!

Your bedroom isn’t just for boring, grown-up stuff like reading or sleeping. It can also be a venue for all sorts of youthful fun, like flirtatious pillow fights with your significant other, says IKEA.

The first spot in the brand’s “Happy to Bed” campaign, created by Mother London, opens on a young man who’s dozed off on his couch, when a stuffed animal—lobbed by an unseen culprit—catches him full on in the face. Startled awake, he gives pursuit through the backyard and up a rope ladder into a tree house, ostensibly meant to symbolize childhood nostalgia. There, he and his plush-moose-hurling wife engage in an epic, no-holds-barred pillow fight, set in what could easily be taken for an immaculate IKEA showroom.

As the frenzied couple flings bedding and socks back and forth, the contest escalates, and ultimately leads to a lights-out, under-the-covers tussle. The pair emerges breathless—him down to his boxers and her wearing his oxford. After a brief pause, the camera cuts to an external angle on the house, and we witness the defenestration of one last pillow. “Everything you need to go to bed,” flashes across the screen. "Happy inside." In other words, decking out your digs with color-coordinated trappings doesn't mean settling into a stuffy snooze-fest of an existence.

Matching furniture set or no, though, most married grownups probably don’t need to be told the bedroom is good for more than just a little shuteye.

Adweek

Welcome to…Design By IKEA!

2011-08-25T07:33:00.001-06:00

Our design blog, as well as the “Share Space” microsite, has been created as a space for our fans to trade ideas, discuss design and talk about the challenges of Life at Home. We hope to encourage you to share tips, ideas and inspiration, and to “steal with pride.” And maybe brag just a little bit about your own remarkable style?

I’m Janice Simonsen, and I’ve worked at IKEA for sixteen years, first as an in-store design consultant, and then within marketing as the national design spokesperson. Before IKEA, I worked as a graphic artist, and as the owner of my own business in residential design. Even so, my own home still presents challenges to me and will never be 100% finished, just like everyone else.

Pick of the Week

This week’s pick is Sheri’s well organized craft room ! Trying to organize a craft space can be notoriously challenging. There is a lot of small, odd shap... Read More...

IKEA Share Space

12 Ways to Store Bathroom Essentials

2011-08-24T14:36:00.000-06:00

Makeup, toiletries, hair care items, jewelry – bathrooms are full of little things to keep tidy. How do you manage it? IKEA offers a multitude of choices for bathroom storage and organization, from built-in units with pull-outs to decorative tins. There’s something for every style and budget. We look at 12 ways to store bathroom essentials at IKEA …

1. ANORDNA Pull-out Trays

ANORDNA LYX and ANORDNA MEST – These organizers were originally part of the now discontinued VATTERN line, but now fit nicely into the new LILLANGEN line of cabinets. They come with mounting brackets that allow them to slide into the 16″ cabinets like drawers and pull out for ease of use.

2. GODMORGON Storage Trays

Polycarbonate clear plastic trays designed to fit snugly into the drawers of the GODMORGON series bathroom cabinets. Store jewelry, facial cleansers, hair care items and more in an easy to see format.

3. DRAGAN Boxes and Jars

These boxes are very organic in nature and would fit in nicely in a spa like environment. Suitable for use in damp spaces, these boxes are great for storing lipsticks, earrings, rings and other small items as well as cotton balls, cotton swabs, hair clips and more.

4. LIDAN Baskets

Not just uitable for use in damp places, LIDAN baskets are even handwashable! The LIDAN baskets, bags – call them what you will, are excellent corrals for toiletries, makeup and bathroom basics.

5. FIRA Wooden Boxes

These wooden boxes are actually desk accessories, but who says they can’t be used for keeping hair clips, barrettes, headbands and other hair care items together? Paint to suit your decor, but don’t get it wet unless you’ve sealed it well – the drawers will swell up and stick shut.

6. SAMLA Inserts

These boxes are intended to fit into the 12 and 17 gallon SAMLA storage boxes, but why can’t they be used for storing cleaning supplies, or shampoos, conditioners or other bottled toiletries on a bathroom shelf? Made of clear plastic, they’re easy to clean and portable with a built-in handle.

7. AGEN Baskets

With three sizes to choose from, you almost certainly can find something within the AGEN line if your style is rustic or cottagey. 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ x 5 7/8″ high is the smallest, graduating up to 11 3/4″ x 11 3/4″ x 9 1/2″.

8. MIEN Wooden Storage Boxes

Kind of pricey for a tiny little box, but might fit an Asian aesthetic nicely. Birch veneer with a nitrocelluslose lacquer. Choose from two styles:

9. GÅSGRUND Stainless Steel Containers

These containers are intended for a variety of bathroom duties – soapdish, toothbrush holder, etc., but could be used to contain any number of makeup items or other toiletries.

10. FRYKEN Storage Boxes with Lids

A set of three round handmade baskets with lids for only $9.99? Yup.

11. GRUNDTAL Stainless Steel Boxes

GRUNDTAL is a classic line, with many accessories for the the bathroom. Shown below are only three – a tissue box cozy, a place for cotton balls, and cotton swab dispenser.

12. FLATEN Storage Tins with Lids

A set of seven decorative boxes with attached lids for storing Q-tips, cotton balls, hair clips and more in the bathroom. Be careful of dampness, though – these will rust over time.

We’d love to hear how you’re keeping everything tidy in your IKEA bathroom! How are you keeping the clutter under control? What secrets have you found in other departments?

12 Ways to Store Bathroom Essentials » IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

Our IKEAFANS.com friends feel the earthquake!

2011-08-24T11:32:00.001-06:00

Did you feel today’s 5.8 earthquake centered 87 miles Southwest of Washington DC? We sure did! Tell us in the comments that you’re ok and secondarily that all your IKEA furniture is still solid! (Just kidding, of course!)

Did you feel that?!? » IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

Meatballs & Lamps

2011-08-24T09:19:00.001-06:00

During my recent trip to IKEA Centennial, I intended to purchase new knobs for my kitchen cabinets. While any visit to IKEA is fun, I could not find what I was looking for! I wanted dark green knobs, but only found lime green, translucent ones. I'll continue to look … maybe even adapt to using the white ones I also found.

However, to make the trip productive & satisfying, I bought another bag of meatballs to take home … and a third Ogle Lamp for my bedroom (already had two, but still had a dark corner).

There's always something to find and satisfy at IKEA Centennial!

An interesting review of IKEA Centennial's opening

2011-08-22T10:49:00.001-06:00

Denver IKEA furnishes jobs

Don't you wish that you had one really good idea that made it big? We watched the movie FREQUENCY last night with Dennis Quaid, and I kept thinking about his son, with whom he was communicating in the future, telling Dad to "go and write down the word 'YAHOO'." The movie was set in 1969 and 1999, so there were a lot of other words that we thought of that we would have told someone to write down (Plastics, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Gold, Starbucks [seriously, a $5 cup of coffee?] :) ).

For a long while I dated the gentleman who invented the credit card swipe machine. HE KNEW, he believed in it, he never doubted, but how could anyone else have fully realized? And that's exactly how I feel about the new Denver IKEA. Who could have possibly known? Stick furniture, in a box, futuristic in design, taking the country (and world) by storm.
So it was last month, with a sense of excitement and disbelief, that people came by the thousands to open the new IKEA store in Denver (actually Centennial, on the outskirts of Denver). The first 38 customers received a white couch in honor of IKEA's opening of their 38th location in the U.S. So hundreds starting camping out a few days before. And still they come.

The Governor of Colorado did the Grand Opening. As they entered the store, thousands of customers were greeted with the deafening sound of Thundersticks, long plastic balloons that are struck together and used as promotional noisemakers, usually at political rallies or sporting events. IKEA even has a glass truck that drives around Denver with a completely furnished room inside. And people follow.

Hundreds of people have found employment, and thousands upon thousands visit weekly to enjoy the rooms, the staging ideas, the furniture, the restaurant, support the economy, and people watch. We make plans with our friends for 'someday' when we might be able to park near the store, and still they come. We laugh that we may be able to get in by Christmas, but I doubt it. Once the holiday season starts, I bet it's gonna be REALLY busy (what does THAT mean?).
While it is the second largest IKEA store in the country, it is anticipated that it will be the most popular. Denver is a hub for many major cities, is easily accessibly from many States. It should be a huge boost to the Colorado economy, for not only IKEA, but also for the hotels and restaurants in the area. Anyway, if you get a chance to visit Denver, come on down to Centennial and we can visit the IKEA store . . . as long as you plan on not doing anything else that day.

Denver IKEA furnishes jobs

IKEA ads to turn attention to bedrooms during UK X Factor

2011-08-21T08:56:00.001-06:00

Ikea is launching its latest ad campaign 'Happy to Bed' during the first episode of 'The X Factor' tomorrow (20 August … UK debut), positioning the bedroom as more than just a place to go sleep.

During ‘The X Factor’ ad breaks, Ikea will air a 60-second TV spot called ‘Playfight’ featuring a wife starting a play fight with her husband and descends into them throwing toys, pillows and socks at each other.
The bedroom ad follows the success of last year’s kitchen-based ad which followed two men moving between house parties to the Jona Lewie's 1980 hit 'You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties'.
The director of ‘Playfight’ was Martin Krejci at Company Stink, the producer was Ben Croker and the editor was Filip Malasek. Post production was by Tom Sparks at The Mill and One of Us.
The ad is set to ‘Asfalt Tango’, a track by Balkan Brass Band Fanfare Ciocarlia and audio Post Production was by Factory.
The integrated campaign, by Mother, aims to widen bedtime beyond brushing your teeth, taking off any makeup and putting on pyjamas and enacourge people to celebrate bedrooms and make them a "happy destination to go to sleep".
The campaign, negotiated by media agency Vizeum, will include 10-second spots inspired on Channel 4 running at10.30pm on ‘school nights’ (Sunday to Thursday) to remind people to go ‘Happy to Bed’.
The campaign will extend digitally through a free mobile app will set off a bedtime alarm at the right time to fit into the user’s sleep cycle and an independent writer will publish a post every day as part of the ‘Happy to Bed’ blog.
Ikea has also claims to have spent £2.5m redesigning its bedrooms based on research on how people live in their homes and will be targeted to local areas in order to inspire customers to create a happier space in their bedrooms.
Kemi Anthony, advertising manager at IKEA, said: "We want to be the experts in truly understanding peoples’ needs, wants and dreams to help them live a happier life at home.

"Through our research, we found that the bedroom is one of the most neglected rooms in the home. In the new campaign we want to highlight that IKEA has everything you need to go happy to bed all under one roof and at prices everyone can afford."

Ikea to turn attention to bedrooms during X Factor | Advertising news | Campaign

IKEA's Culinary Delights

2011-08-19T09:21:00.000-06:00

Mmm! (Photo via IKEA)

While it may not be your first thought for destination dining, the food at IKEA is more than serviceable—it's even pleasurable.

For starters, the store's beloved Swedish meatballs are not only a total steal—$2.99 for 10 meatballs with mashed potatoes, cream sauce and lingonberries—they're also quite delicious. Just ask Homer Simpson! Sure, the meat doesn't come from organic, grass-fed cows, but they're well-seasoned and have a great texture. Plus, they're tiny and fun to eat. The gravlax plate, only a few dollars more, disproves the theory that cheap seafood at a furniture store should be avoided. The thin, savory slices and lined with a ring of dill and come with an additively tangy mustard sauce (which is available by the bottle in the store's small grocery, FYI).

For dessert, it's worth it to pick up a 12-pack tray of the chain's massive, crusty cinnamon buns on your way out; though eat-in cafe diners have a bigger selection of bargain-bin Swedish pastries, like a crumbly almond cake or a dense Daim candy torte. And the aforementioned grocery, which has a separate checkout line that will save you from some modicum of madness, has a small but smart selection of hard Swedish cheeses, rye crackers and breads, and more jarred condiments than you can shake a fist at (sadly, the Cloudberry jam does not actually taste like clouds).

Gothamist

LIMHAMN Stainless Steel Shelving

2011-08-18T15:15:00.001-06:00

Another new IKEA Kitchen product range for 2012 – LIMHAMN stainless steel shelving comes in 3 sizes and 2 widths of wall shelves. Priced from less than $10 to $129.99, there’s something to fit every budget, and as you see in our quick video, something for every style.

Click through for the video, and prices on each combination…enjoy!

LIMHAMN Kitchen Shelving

VIDEO: LIMHAMN Stainless Steel Shelving » IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

IKEA Items as art …

2011-08-18T11:07:00.001-06:00

Photos by Jef Otte

Denver News - The Latest Word

Baby & IKEA Centennial share birthday!

2011-08-17T10:41:00.001-06:00

Nine months pregnant, Katrina Hoffschneider and her husband Randy had been planning to go to IKEA Centennial’s Grand Opening since the day the store announced it would be opening on July 27. The Hoffschneiders didn’t heed the advice of Katrina’s OB-GYN to avoid coming to IKEA because Katrina was set to be induced the next morning at 6 am. They were going to the Grand Opening no matter what.

The Hoffschneiders arrived two hours before the Grand Opening, stood outside in the hot sun and watched the opening ceremonies. They were excited to spend the gift card they received from being among the first 2,500 in line. Upon entering, they headed upstairs directly to the Children’s section to pick up last minute items before the baby’s arrival. Moments upon stepping into Children’s IKEA, Katrina felt a little “funny” – her water broke.

“I thought the baby was coming right then,” said father Randy. “We were so surprised. We like to shop and were excited to go to IKEA – it was like rock and roll there!”

The couple immediately found an available IKEA coworker, a gentleman from IKEA’s Service Office in Philadelphia, who whisked them back through the crowds to get them out of the store.

“We couldn’t have asked for anyone nicer,” said Katrina.

They declined an offer for paramedics as their doctor and hospital were just down the road at Skyridge Hospital. Katrina gave birth to a 6 pound 4 ounce baby girl at 1:04 am on July 28.

“Everyone there kept asking us if we were going to name her IKEA.”

They settled on Kennedy Grace.

Kennedy made her first outing since coming home from the hospital on Friday, August 5. Her destination? IKEA Centennial of course.

Kennedy has an older half-sister, 6-year-old Rylee. When asked about what she thinks about her new baby sister, Rylee simply replies, “I dunno,” and squeezes the stuffed golden lab puppy she took from Kennedy’s baby gift basket.

(Story and publication permission from IKEA-USA Public Relations)

IKEA Share Space–Fun for you!

2011-08-16T08:47:00.000-06:00

The IKEA Share Space is made by everyday people. You don't have to be an interior designer, just a lover of design. It's a place where you can admire rooms you like and save them. You can even select IKEA products to save to your wishlist. Get started by adding your own home, or just take a look through others. So come back as often as you'd like to inspire and be inspired!

IKEA Share Space

National Geographic features IKEA’s 3D printers

2011-08-16T07:24:00.002-06:00

No, IKEA is not selling 3D printers (yet), but they are using them. 3D printing has been used by large companies to test designs for a few decades, so it’s no surprise that Scandinavian furniture giant IKEA uses the technology as well.
What is a bit more exciting is the fact that National Geographic included a short segment on 3D printing in its IKEA special. The part about 3D printing starts at around 1:00 in the video.
National Geographic features IKEA’s 3D printers « Ponoko – Blog

IKEA Hackers: a place for ideas!

2011-08-12T14:57:00.001-06:00

IKEA Hackers is a blog which shows you how to be ultra-creative with IKEA products. Here's one:

Materials: LACK tables, Mending plates, wood screws, some self-adhesive felt
Description: I found a lot of cheap & simple or simple & stylish bed heads but none that was cheap & simple & stylish.
One day I saw those 3 tables side by side in an Ikea showroom and it was like revelation to me.
Then the "Bed made from Lack table and Expedit shelf" confirmed to me that a LACK bed head was good idea.
The hack is quite straightforward if you look at the pictures (especially the one of the back).

IKEA Hackers: Stylish LACK bed head

Treasure Hunt at IKEA in Centennial

2011-08-09T11:03:00.001-06:00

The first THREE people/groups to send me a photo of them AT IKEA Centennial holding the photo of my son get a $10 iTunes gift card from that boys father! I know it's there, on a shelf, you just gotta find it (IKEA's kinda huge!)

AND - the first person to send me a photo of them holding my son's photo at an IKEA outside of Colorado get a $25 iTunes gift card.

The TREASURE HUNT is ON! On your mark, get set... GO!!!

Denver Wedding Photographer

IKEA Centennial glass truck photos

2011-08-06T11:52:00.000-06:00

I crossed paths with this truck the other day (cloudy!). Thought I'd share these two photos. What a great marketing idea!

IKEA Expected To Boost Sales Tax Revenue In Centennial

2011-08-05T11:45:00.000-06:00

Shoppers line up outside IKEA in Centennial to be among the first to browse the store. (credit: CBS)

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- The Mayor of Centennial said the amount of money IKEA will bring into the area is huge. Although just how much is still up in the air.

Judging by the lines of shoppers waiting for the store to open on Wednesday, it could be quite a lot. All the hype is viewed as a good thing by many of Colorado’s elected leaders.

“I think anytime you get a shot in the arm like this, a real jolt of optimism, it’s a good thing,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “These people who are thinking about starting a business, they see all the excitement, they say, ‘Hey, maybe things are getting better.”

IKEA’s opening adds 400 jobs to the area. As for attracting customers, the 415,000 square foot superstore is hard to miss, from Interstate 25 or even from space.

IKEA Expected To Boost Sales Tax Revenue In Centennial « CBS Denver

IKEA to reinvent Its 200-million circulation catalog!

2011-08-04T11:21:00.000-06:00

Swedish retailer Ikea today said it has turned to McCann, New York -- and its Swedish chief creative officer Linus Karlsson -- to help redo its 200-million-circulation catalog.

Until now, the catalog's design and marketing has been handled by ICOM, Ikea's in-house team at its headquarters in Almhult, Sweden. Interpublic Group of Cos.-owned McCann's new global assignment doesn't affect the role of WPP's Ogilvy & Mather as Ikea's U.S. creative agency of record, or other assignments in regional markets. Those include Forsman & Bodenfors' work out of Sweden or Mother's work out of London.

"By bringing technology to the paper catalog, we will be able to tell the Ikea story in new ways whilst driving a more seamless connection to purchase," Mark Fallows, exec VP-creative technology at McCann, told Ad Age in an email. "Our re-architecture of the catalog will deliver an improved user experience and maintain its relevance throughout the year." McCann picked up the assignment in part due to the marketer being familiar with Mr. Karlsson's career, which began in Sweden.^* The agency last November hired him away from Mother in New York.

Overall, Ikea spends an estimated $300 million worldwide a year. At the Cannes International Festival of Creativity in June, Ikea was named Advertiser of the Year.

Ikea Asks McCann New York to Reinvent Its Catalog | Agency News - Advertising Age

IKEA iPad App - A First Look

2011-08-03T11:01:00.000-06:00

(thanks to our friends at IKEAFANS.com for the story)

IKEA has launched a full-featured iPad app for the 2012 catalog! With over 200 screens of content, many of them with additional content available on the vertical swipe, this app is sure to blow whatever free time you have for the next few months.

Don’t be confused (I was) – They’ve also updated their iPhone app for the IKEA Catalog to include support for the iPad – that one’s a simple app; little more than a digitized catalog with some fancy bookmarking and sharing features but great for just browsing.

For the discerning IKEA Fan, who needs something more robust, the IKEA iPad app is for you! Read on to see screenshots, learn about the features and see some early reviews of the new iPad app for IKEA Catalog 2012.

IKEA iPad App

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here! A modern, functional IKEA catalog all wrapped up in a shiny iPad app! Gone are the days of trying to read tiny text of poor resolution on an iPhone screen. You still can’t shop with the IKEA app, but it’s a vast improvement over the existing iPhone IKEA Catalog app.

IKEA iPad App Review

We had the opportunity to play with the app a few weeks ago at the 2012 IKEA Catalog Launch and I can tell you that it’s not only fun, but functional as well. This isn’t just an outsized iPhone app for the iPad – there’s loads of new content crammed into the app as well as the beautiful images and lots of product information we’re all used to from the IKEA catalog.

Hidden inside the shiny ‘pages’ are screens full of catalog ‘rooms’ with additional layers of information available when you swipe up. Find more small space and ideas on making the best of family living as well as lots of lower prices.

A particularly bright spot is the inclusion of six 2-3 minute videos that provide insight into IKEA’s design process, showcase small space ideas, and let you take a closer look inside the rooms featured in the IKEA catalog. Each one features an IKEA interior designer describing the room on the set and showing off the features. LOVE these! Look for them on the second through the seventh screens.

I do miss some of the features of the iPhone app, such as social bookmarking, additional product information and the fact that the entire catalog’s included, but I feel like this app’s value-added features make up for lacking in those areas. Look out for a comparison of the two apps sometime next week.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

IKEA iPad App - A First Look » IKEA FANS | THE IKEA Fan Community

IKEA iPhone Catalog App Updated for 2012

2011-08-02T16:28:00.001-06:00

Since the IKEA app for the iPhone was first released, we’ve been biding our time for more interactivity, more depth, more features. Welp, IKEA has just released the updated 2012 IKEA Catalog app for the US market!

Not only that, but the Catalog app for the iPhone is now available for the iPad and iPod touch as well. Also, exciting news for iPad owners - there’s an all-new iPad app released today as well!

Read on to see screenshots, read requirements and reviews and find out when your country’s catalog will be updated on the iPhone app as well as how to enter to win $2500 from IKEA!

IKEAFANS.com

1% or more discount on next IKEA purchase

2011-07-28T10:56:00.001-06:00

Did you know that you can get a 1% or more discount on your next IKEA Centennial purchase? Pay with your debit card and your receipt becomes a coupon for 1% off your next purchase. You may also save your receipts and use them together for a higher discount … I'm assuming there is a limit to how much of a discount you may accumulate.

Log cutting ceremony and speeches at today's opening …

2011-07-27T11:35:00.002-06:00

Photo credit: Patrick Anderson & IKEAFANS.com

Before the doors opened, Frieze welcomed the community with a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, bringing good luck to the new home and its guests. (Colorado’s own beetle-killed pine was used for this custom.) In addition to brief remarks by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon, and IKEA U.S. president Mike Ward, Frieze was joined by Colorado State Rep. David Balmer who raised the U.S. flag, Honorary Swedish Consul Donald Petersonwho raised the Swedish flag, and Colorado State Rep. Spencer Swalm who raised the state flag of Colorado. Local resident Claire Walker served as sign language interpreter of the opening ceremony.

Careful with where you park at IKEA Centennial

2011-07-26T11:38:00.001-06:00

Please park only where IKEA Centennial directs you. If you park anywhere else near IKEA Centennial, and don't have one of these hanging on your rear view mirror, you will be towed. These are placards given to the employees of surrounding office buildings.

IKEA Centennial's doors open tomorrow!

2011-07-26T10:52:00.001-06:00

If you haven't made plans to visit us for our Grand Opening festivities, be sure to do it now! With four days of exciting activities and free IKEA giveaways, this is one party you won't want to miss. Visit our website to see all of the scheduled events and learn everything you need to know about the new Centennial store.

If you've pre-registered for IKEA FAMILY, our brand new loyalty program, remember to bring in your print out to receive your card! Otherwise, you may sign up at the store.

Photo: Lines form outside IKEA, 2 days before opening

2011-07-25T10:42:00.001-06:00

Web Staff

10:07 a.m. MDT, July 25, 2011

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- The wait is almost over for Colorado fans of IKEA. The new home furnishings store in Centennial opens on Wednesday.

Even though we're still a little more than 48 hours away from that happening, some people are so excited about the opening, they have already started lining up.

People were already in place early Monday ready with tents to wait until the doors open Wednesday.

The first 38 adults in line receive a free couch. This is the 38th IKEA store in the United States, which explains the unusual number. The next 100 in line get an arm chair. There's a special plush toy for the first 100 children in line.

The store has some cool features, like more than 2,000 solar panels on the roof. They generate enough electricity to run 62 homes for an entire year.

IKEA says that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by 564 tons.

The huge building near County Line Road and I-25 also has a geothermal heating and cooling system that has 130 wells drilled 500 feet into the ground.

A special solution reflects the earth’s normal temperature and is used to cool the building in summer, and heat it when it’s cold outside.

The company is focused on environmental friendliness. If you take Light Rail to get to the store, you will receive 50 percent off of delivery.

Fox 31 Denver

Ikea's opening has metro-area furniture retailers on edge of their seats

2011-07-24T10:41:00.001-06:00

By Steve Raabe
The Denver Post

POSTED: 07/24/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

UPDATED: 07/24/2011 09:36:37 AM MDT

With Swedish meatballs already marked down from $3.29 to $2.99, can lower furniture prices for Colorado consumers be far behind?

That's one of the enticing questions arising from the scheduled opening Wednesday of Swedish furnishings behemoth Ikea.

Shoppers are expected to arrive in droves this week at Ikea's new Centennial store to take advantage of the chain's budget-priced product lines — as well as noshing on cafeteria food that includes the newly marked-down meatballs and other Swedish specialties.

BOXES AND BOXES. Ikea employee Brooke Nelson, who works at the Ikea in Bloomington, Minn., works in the furniture area at Colorado's soon-to-open store in Centennial. Nelson came from Minnesota to help with the opening of the new Ikea, which is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post).

Denver Post Article

Which one is yours?

2011-07-22T09:46:00.001-06:00

Photo credit: Knockout Performance

Preparing to shop IKEA Centennial

2011-07-21T09:32:00.001-06:00

Less than a week to go! IKEA Centennial is ready … now it is time for shoppers to get ready. Here are some tools to familiarize yourself with before opening day. Click on each item for a larger view. These 5 panels are all part of one brochure you may pick up when you begin your shopping experience on the upper level … along with a measuring tape & golf-style pencil. Have fun!

source: Press tour of IKEA Centennial 7/21/2011

Prize Schedule for Opening Days

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

· Rest Assured – The first 38 adults (18 and older) in line at the IKEA Centennial grand opening on July 27, 2011 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa.

· Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The next 100 adults (18 and older) in line at the IKEA Centennial grand opening on July 27, 2011 will receive a free POÄNG armchair.

· For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (younger than 18) in line at IKEA Centennial’s grand opening on July 27, 2011 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy.

· Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 adults (18 and older) to visit IKEA Centennial on July 27, 2011 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or frozen yogurt voucher.

· Mile High Birthday – Visitors who bring proof to IKEA Centennial on July 27, 2011 that their birthday is that day – the same as the store’s – will receive a gift card in the amount of $52.80, the elevation of the Denver-area.

· Enter our Home, Enter to Win – From July 27 through July 31, 2011, visitors to IKEA Centennial may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000 per organization) with a donation to Family Tree House of Hope, an agency helping families and youths of Metro Denver overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, and Mi Casa Resource Center, an organization providing a variety of services focused on helping low-income families achieve economic success.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

· Sleep Like Royalty – The first 38 adults (18 and older) in IKEA Centennial on Thursday, July 28, 2011 will receive a free queen-sized SULTAN HALLEN mattress.

· Take it Easy – The next 100 adults (18 and older) in IKEA Centennial on Thursday, July 28, 2011 will receive free home delivery for their purchases on that day.

Friday, July 29, 2011

· Swedish Food Shopping Spree – The first 38 adults (18 or older) in IKEA Centennial will receive an IKEA Food canvas bag and coupon to fill the bag up with whatever they want from IKEA Centennial’s Swedish Foodmarket.

· Early Birds Eat Free – IKEA Centennial will offer a free breakfast for all customers prior to 11:00 AM on Friday, July 29, 2011.

· Children’s Choice – Kids under 12 can eat for free at IKEA Centennial, on Friday, July 29, 2011.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

· Elevation Celebration – In honor of Colorado Day on August 1, the first 135 (the number of years Colorado has been a state) adults (18 and older) in IKEA Centennial on Sunday, July 31, 2011 will receive a baby blue spruce (the state tree).

credit: IKEA-USA press release

IKEA 2012 Online Catalog Unveiled

2011-07-20T06:41:00.001-06:00

View the IKEA 2012 Online Catalog in: English or Spanish

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA (July 19, 2011) – IKEA, the Life Improvement Store, today
announces the launch of the IKEA 2012 Catalog in the United States starting this August. Understanding the many factors influencing how people live and use their homes today, IKEA has filled this year’s catalog with innovative ways to improve life at home by offering new solutions to life’s everyday challenges, including smarter use of space. Additionally, to make it even easier to find inspiration and ideas for updating one’s personal space, IKEA is introducing new digital tools, including a Catalog iPad application and a new design focused Twitter handle, @DesignByIKEA. IKEA also plans to launch a design blog and photo-sharing community in August to further inspire and engage with home design enthusiasts.

“Whether looking for solutions to save time or money, create space for family, or to be
more sustainable, IKEA is committed to helping meet various design needs and dreams by making one’s space do more,” says Marty Marston, Product Public Relations Manager, IKEA U.S. “As the Life Improvement Store, our goal is to provide tools, products and solutions, at an affordable price, to help our customers address their unique challenges and to better enjoy life at home.”

2012 marks the 61st anniversary of the first IKEA catalog. This year, the catalog will be available in 59 printed editions, in 31 languages and in 39 countries. Starting in August, consumers can request a copy of the 2012 catalog, as well as sign up for inspirational emails and mobile text messages, at http://www.getmycatalog.com/2012.

For additional inspiration, consumers can visit the new design-focused IKEA Twitter handle, @DesignByIKEA, “Like” IKEA on Facebook, and starting in August, visit “Design by IKEA,” the new IKEA design blog, and “Share Space,” a new photo-sharing community (more information/link coming soon!).

Can you believe it?

2011-07-19T08:57:00.001-06:00

Just over 7 days until opening of IKEA Centennial!

Sneak Peek – IKEA Kitchens 2012

2011-07-18T08:40:00.001-06:00

Posted on July 16, 2011 at 8:59 pm

As we’re readying to head off to NYC to get a preview of the 2012 IKEA Catalog – due out on July 31, 2011 for the general public, we came across a few pictures that we just couldn’t wait to share! New for IKEA Kitchens in 2012…

New for 2012 in IKEA Kitchens

Did we fail to mention lime green (or maybe pea green?) as a color trend in our article about the IKEA Color Trends for 2012? Our bad! Lime green appears to be a very important color this year, in kitchens, kids’ rooms, and furnishings.

RUBRIK Lime Green Glass Doors

RUBRIK gets a new door in lime green as the RUBRIK Copper-effect finish is due to be retired. Keep in mind that RUBRIK doors are intended as ‘accent’ doors – limited sizes are available so it’s difficult to create an entire kitchen in one of these door styles, but it sure is fun trying!

New for 2012 IKEA Kitchen Faucets

“ALESKÄR tap has been designed with a modern expression. Easy to use and designed for saving money and water. The silicon spout has a swivel action and double functions – with the two buttons you easily switch between a concentrated water stream and one for hand spray. ALESKÄR has the function to reduce water flow without affecting the pressure, which saves water and energy.”

There’s much more to come – stay tuned for more sneak peeks, video and interviews from the 2012 IKEA Catalog launch, brought to you by IKEAFANS.com!

IKEA paving the way for grand-opening traffic

2011-07-15T12:16:00.001-06:00

By Penny Parker
Denver Post Columnist

The store at Interstate 25 and County Line Road opens July 27, with shoppers being allowed to camp outside on the property two days earlier. ( Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post )

The massive Ikea furniture store that's set to open near Interstate 25 and County Line Road at 9 a.m. July 27 may cause traffic issues in the area as early as two days before the store opens its doors.

The Swedish company is allowing shoppers to camp out on the property beginning at 9 a.m. July 25, although it's not known how many people will likely share shut-eye.

"This is my 27th store opening, and it's literally run the gamut," said Ikea spokesman Joseph Roth. "People in Colorado tend to be more outdoorsy than other people. It could depend on how crazy your monsoons are."

Traffic control will be staffed by the company's security personnel as well as a professional parking-management firm.

Streets within Centennial's business park will be temporarily changed from July 27 through July 31 to better handle the expected throngs of customers.

Here's what to know before you go:

• Access to Nichols Avenue between Chester and Dayton streets will be limited to credentialed vehicles for business purposes.

• The loop created by East Otero Avenue, South Dayton Street and East Mineral Avenue will become a counterclockwise two-lane, one-way street with no on-street parking starting July 25.

• In the days preceding the opening, electronic message- display boards will be on southbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road and northbound I-25 before the County Line Road exit directing shoppers to exit at County Line.

• In addition to the 1,500 spaces in the two-level parking lot, the store will have an additional 1,500 spaces in overflow parking off site.

• Free shuttles will operate between the RTD light-rail station at Dry Creek and the Ikea store between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. July 27-31.

• Customers using C-470 and E-470 will not be able to exit at County Line Road. Message boards will redirect traffic to exit at Dry Creek Road.

The Denver Post

Compare: May 4th, 2010 to July 12th, 2011

2011-07-13T08:19:00.001-06:00

It is simply amazing to me how quickly IKEA Centennial was built!

Groundbreaking on May 4th, 2010

Essentially the same view on July 12th, 2011

(Lots of rain here lately so the sky is abnormally cloudy for Colorado!)

IKEA 2012 Color Trend – Purple

2011-07-12T16:42:00.001-06:00

Is purple your favorite color? You’re in luck! This year’s IKEA catalog is showing purple in its many shades of splendor – from lavender and mauve to a deep dark eggplant, the purple spectrum is covered in hard and soft goods.

IKEAFans

IKEA Gift Card Offer!

2011-07-12T09:43:00.001-06:00

Saw this sign over the weekend at a Centennial apartment complex!

IKEA tackles traffic concerns before opening

2011-07-11T10:32:00.001-06:00

Submitted by KDVR Staff

The July 27 grand opening of IKEA Centennial will likely come with its share of traffic challenges, but the store and the city have spent more than six months preparing.

IKEA representatives began meeting with the City of Centennial, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, local fire districts, the Colorado Department of Transportation and other authorities in January to discuss how to handle traffic during the opening.

“We’re a very conservative company. We err on the side of being as prepared as possible,” IKEA spokesman Joseph Roth said.

The company is focusing on three main goals: getting people easily where they need to go, removing IKEA-bound traffic from public streets quickly and parking vehicles in an efficient manner.

Read more in the Centennial Citizen

2012 IKEA Catalog Preview – Color Trends

2011-07-10T18:06:00.001-06:00

Did you know that IKEA Centennial is being stocked with IKEA's 2012 collection?

Once again, thanks goes to IKEA Fans member Ted for his finding us a preview of the 2012 IKEA catalog! From France, Côté Maison.fr brings a first look at the 2012 IKEA furniture, trends and styles. Read on to get an early look at some of the color trends for 2012.

IKEA store opening instructions

2011-07-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

from Ads of the World

Products From IKEA and the Things That Share Their Names

2011-07-10T07:56:00.001-06:00

by Eric Limer | 12:55 pm, July 8th, 2011

Doubtless you are aware that IKEA Furniture tends to have Scandinavian (read: bizarre) names. If you weren’t aware, well, they do, and although they can be pretty hilarious in their own right, we here at Geekosystem thought a little juxtaposition was in order. IKEA has their own clever little naming process and in tribute, we approached matters in a similar matter. First, take the name of a piece of IKEA furniture (preferably one that sounds funny), plug it into a Google Image search, grab the most hilarious picture on the first page, stick the pictures together and slap the name on it. Easier than IKEA assembly, that’s for sure. Try it at home and see what you can come up with.

… more

IKEA Centennial Knock-Knock Facebook Game

2011-06-30T14:00:00.000-06:00

IKEA Centennial Knock-Knock Game on Facebook

Share the IKEA® Centennial Grand Opening news

2011-06-30T07:34:00.001-06:00

Schedule, address, phone number, games, virtual store tour, what to know before your go … Grand Opening day is almost here!

For Media Inquiries, click here.

IKEA Centennial

IKEA Bikers Take to the Road!

2011-06-28T09:50:00.001-06:00

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- It was December 2010 when 12,000 IKEA US co-workers were surprised to find out that IKEA US was gifting each of them with a brand new bicycle. Why? It was a big IKEA holiday gift ‘thank you’ for each co-worker’s dedication, commitment and great work. It was also another way to share a good healthy lifestyle message; biking is fun, sustainable and a great cardio-exercise!

Now the flat packed – easy to assemble - bikes are out of the cold winter boxes and on the streets across America. And many of these bikes have even been re-gifted to IKEA stores’ local charities.

On the charitable front, the list of organizations receiving the IKEA bikes is notable. The IKEA US home office in Conshohocken, PA and the distribution center in Perryville, PA donated 150 bikes to K.I.D.S., a global charity that’s committed to helping improve the lives of children and their families who are ill, living in poverty, or are victims of natural disasters. The Atlanta store donated 21 bikes to CHRIS kids, a non-profit organization that supports residential and community organizations supporting children, youth and families. IKEA Paramus donated 19 bikes to Youth Consultation Services. And IKEA Houston gave 20 bikes to two local youth inner-city organizations. IKEA Carson donated some bikes to the Carson Boys & Girls Club which in turn were used for the Carson High School Teen Program; a club of about 140 members who get educational and emotional support.

Recently, IKEA bikers on their IKEA gift bike were showing up for ‘Ride Cincinnati”, a breast cancer research fund raiser. One IKEA co-worker clocked in at 26 miles.

As for IKEA co-worker bicyclists, there has been an up tick on biking to work in some areas. Lorna Montalvo, IKEA Brooklyn local marketing specialist has seen an increase in bikers to the Brooklyn urban store. “On any given day, we see at least 10 IKEA bikes in our bike rack. I would say that about 8% of IKEA co-workers bike to work now.”

An IKEA Atlanta co-worker recently explained that she was excited to take her Dad on biking adventures. She gave the bike to her Dad for his 55^th birthday and stated that he was the 12^th of 13 children and never got to have a bicycle. “He had joined the military, they taught him how to ride in basic training, but after all his education, business success, world travels, he never had a bike of his own,” she commented.

Why a bike? Because when it comes to sustainable transport, a bicycle is a great option. And when it comes to healthy living, riding a bike is one of the best cardio forms of exercise. Here are some facts.

Bicycling is an excellent cardio-vascular exercise, which promotes heart health. Just like in any other aerobic workout, bicycling makes your heart pump harder. Also blood circulation increases and eventually, your resting heart rate will decrease. (Helium.com; Benefits of Bicycling by Erich Rosenberger M.D.)
On average, commuting 10 miles a day by bike in 30 minutes, instead of driving a car burns 110,250 calories (keeping off 30 pounds of fat each year). (Sources: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, RailstoTrails.org, Fitsugar.com, Adultbicycling.com)
Cycling just 20 miles a week can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. (Sources: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, RailstoTrails.org, Fitsugar.com, Adultbicycling.com)
Countries with the highest levels of cycling and walking generally have the lowest obesity rates. (Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia)

For Sustainable living, bicycling also has many benefits.

Bicycling reduces polluting emissions. A short, four mile round trip by a bike keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe. (WorldWatch Institute, www.bicyclinginfo.org)
In 2001 walking and bicycling accounted for 23 billion miles traveled, worth billions of dollars in fuel savings alone. (Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia)
In one year, riding a bike versus owning and driving a car will save an individual $8,000 in gasoline and general car maintenance and insurance costs. (Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia)

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 38 countries, including 37 in the US. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day to day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

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