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The Times had another article in their "On the Cheap" series in today's paper.  This one featured a man in his late 20's moving into his first apartment with no roommates.  The design services were free but the client had about $8000 to spend on furnishings and minor construction.  This sounds like a lot, but you'd be surprised how fast that money can go.
 
 
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Ikea has a reputation that varies wildly from chief producers of home furnishings crap to saviors from sitting/sleeping/eating on the floor.  It all depends on who you ask.  I do own a few pieces, upgrading to other items over the years as time and budget have allowed, the way most people do.  One department from Ikea I will never outgrow, however, are their textiles.  For simple drapery panels or duvet covers, they are a fantastic source.
 
Hacking good fun 01/07/2010
 
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I took a field trip last week to Ikea to pick up a few things for the new apartment.  Some folding bar stools, a curtain rod and assorted other items that managed to add up to about $150.  Isn't Ikea just like Target that way?  You go in for a few things and walk out a while later sort of dazed with a cart full of stuff.  And I walked in there with a list!