Good taste doesn’t cost anything extra at Ikea where you can sniff out simple, affordable household staples like quilts, pillowslips, duvet covers, glassware, plates and other essentials that look a lot more expensive than they are. Proof that when it comes to style, having the confidence to trust your eye is better than a try-hard label. Here’s our picks:
ONE: THE PUDERVIVA QUILT COVER
The well-tailored quilt cover and matching pillowcases come in a linen look in stone or moss colour that heavily resemble the expensive Belgian linen stuff. Try the quilt folded at the end of beds to instantly elevate any bedroom. King Quilt cover and 4 pillowcases, Natural, $149, www.ikea.com.au
TWO: FLODALEN BATH TOWELS
Thick, wavy white towels that add instant luxury to any bathroom, in white, stone, lilac or charcoal, $14.99
THREE: RATTVIK WINE GLASSES
Georgian-style rummers never looked so good – they’re good enough to use everyday and when guests come over. Rattvik Red Wine Glass, $2.99, www.ikea.com.au
FOUR: ARV DINNERWARE
A simple, functional rustic earthenware service for all occasions. It looks light and fine with a subtle self-pattern rim. Our choice: Arv 18-piece service, Comprises Plate (28 cm), deep plate (26 cm) and side plate (22 cm), 6 of each.
FIVE: IKEA 365+ TEA TOWELS
Checked cotton classics to keep your standards up in the kitchen, set of 2, $4.99. Our choice: the Black, www.ikea.com.au
SIX: LUDDE SHEEPSKIN RUG
A multifunctional soft piece you can use as a bedside rug during winter, or throw over the back of a chair for a luxe look. The added texture and drama is worth far more than the cost. Ludde Sheepskin Rug, Beige, $79, www.ikea.com.au
SEVEN: BILLY BOOKCASE
The bookcase is a stalwart of the modern home, serving as everything from a pantry to bookcase to wardrobe, inspiring dozens of knockoffs in the process (in fact, a Google search for “Billy bookcase” brings up just as many non-IKEA results as IKEA ones, proof that the style has entered our generic lexicon like Kleenex and Band-Aids. We love it when you add mouldings, to make it look like it’s been built-in to the space. Our choice: Billy Bookcase in black-brown, $110, 80x237x28 cm, www.ikea.com.au
EIGHT: VARDAGEN GLASSES
Glasses break; recognise the fact. When you find a style you like such as Vardegan, buy them in generous quantities. If you have 20 glasses, you’ll feel little pain when the number dwindles to fifteen, twelve, eight. A six pack, $5.99.
NINE:
Nils Stool Cover, A no-nonsense slip cover that you can put over a stool in a colour that will outlast fashion is always a good idea. A flexible piece, you can move around. Skiftebo dark grey, $15.
TEN: OTTAVA PENDANT LIGHT
A great looking light that suits virtually any style and is within most budgets, making it a true example of the Swedish brand’s devotion to democratic design. Ottava Pendant lamp, brass-colour, $79.
