ZombieKitten said:

Oh my gawd.

tackam said:

most of it's just little vases or lamps and stuff, I can spot the ikea thing in each photo

ZombieKitten said:

I want everything in those pics.

tackam said:

Exactly. Just because something is Ikea, doesn't mean it's cardboard that's gonna fall apart if it gets wet.

I happen to have fancy granite countertops from Ikea in my kitchen and bathroom. There's not a shoddy (nor cheap) thing about them.

I should say, I fully concede what went in may have been crap, and NOT up to the standards of the building, though, too. I can see either side winning, without knowing the details or seeing the kitchen first hand.

I'm just saying that just by the very nature of something being Ikea doesn't mean it's subpar.

CarrieMpls said:

Again, good for you.

I don't know why anyone would take my comments so damn personal. I'm obviously not talking about what YOU and regular folks put in their homes. I made that distinction repeatedly by specifically discussing THIS apartment. I CLEARLY said repeatedly, that it is not up to the standards of what someone buying a $10 million apartment or THIS co-op board would expect to see.

Just like anything (cars, leather, flooring) there are different levels of quality, and there are easily at least 20 grades/pricing levels for granite, to use your example. So just cuz you can get nice granite at Ikea, it still doesn't mean that it is of the SUPERIOR quality or uniqueness of what THIS co-op board deems acceptable. Regardless, particleboard is particleboard and ain't no way to even compare that to the quality of real, custom made wood cabinetry which would be STANDARD in a home in this price range. So, if the standard is real wood, by definition glued particle board cabinets ARE sub-standard. In Texas, almost all new homes have real wood cabinetry and putting particle board cabinets would seriously reduce a house's value.

Instead of everyone being so indignant, try focusing on what I'm actually talking about instead of what YOU think I'm inferring. Sheesh!
[Edited 2/26/10 7:18am]

SCNDLS said:

So we can't disagree?

I disagree.

CarrieMpls said:

You can disagree all day long. But if you think the quality of glued particle board and compressed wood are on par with real wood . . . ummmmm good for you.

SCNDLS said:

I'm posting just so it looks like I got the last word here.

Have we seen pics of this kitchen, BTW?

ZombieKitten said:

I could watch this sort of thing all day.

CarrieMpls said:

Well lemme post this as MY last word then.

http://www.kitchenspro.co...inets.html

Choosing the Right Materials
A good quality cabinet will have the doors and frame made of solid wood and the cabinet box made of plywood. All parts are finished alike. These are the strongest and best materials for cabinets. Wood adapts well to humidity, is very durable and does not split, warp or swell like the other types of cabinet construction (particle boards, MDF or melamine). If you are buying ready to assemble (RTA) cabinets, it would be best to buy ones that have grooves so that the wood has freedom to expand without splitting.

Particle board is a high-density wood made of pieces of wood mixed and glued together. It is an inexpensive alternative to solid wood, but can warp, sag, or split over time. Because of the changing temperatures and moisture in a kitchen, particle board cabinets will eventually need to be replaced or repaired.

MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, is similar to particle board since it is also an engineered wood. It is made of compressed and glued wood chips and sawdust. It is heavier than plywood and is susceptible to the same damage as particle board. MDF also contains formaldehyde, which may cause lung irritation when cut or split. Kitchen cabinets made from MDF will also need to be replaced or repaired after a few years of use.

Melamine is a plastic substance made from white crystalline solids and formaldehyde. The problem with melamine is that once it is scratched or cracked, it cannot be repaired like solid wood and plywood.

If you can afford it, solid wood and plywood are the best materials available. However, if you are on a budget, you can consider the cheaper alternatives.

Next is joinery. There are two types of woodworking joints to consider: butt joint and dovetailed joints. Dovetailed joints consist of a series of cuts that look like dove tails that interlock to create a strong joint that is difficult to separate. With dovetailed joints, there is no exposed connecting hardware, such as staples or screws. Butt joints do not interlock and require a visible connecting hardware such as staples, nails or screws to re-enforce the joint. A butt joint is two pieces of wood butted together at a 90 degree angle.

Typical Ikea cabinetry http://www.ikea.com/us/en.../S99869647

Every Ikea cabinet I clicked on said it's made of the following materials:

product description & measurements
Deep drawer front, set of 3:
Particleboard, Melamine foil, Polypropylene

Base cabinet frame:
Frame: Particleboard, Melamine foil
Back: Fiberboard, Acrylic paint

SCNDLS said:

Ah, is everyone picking on lil' SCNDLS.



Irrespective of SCNDLS personal felling may be about the inferiority of IKEA products, her basic point about the rules/regulations you must adhere to when signing co-op contract is spot on. I've had many instances (folks yelling and cussing) when I try to tell people we must adhere to facts of the case, the laws that may effect the outcome/ruling, and/or all contracts you've signed and hence agreed to. The court isn't interested nor will it allow you to tell your "violin story", unless you can prove deception or fraud.

When it comes to co-ops/condos there can be and is in most instances many rules and regulations you must adhere too, they aren't arbitrary. Just make sure you understand what's in that contract because if you don't then you could find yourself in a legal mess.

Haven gone through this myself. When we signed our agreement it became a lil' bit more involved because we did extensive remodeling. On ever other page in our contract it stated something as such, as the proprietors you here by agree and adhere to the bylaws of XYZ building. As the proprietors you agree and and adhere to maintaining the architectural integrity of the building inside and out. As the proprietors you agree to and adhere to and understand all materials used in renovations of your residence, must be of comparable worth.

=====
[Edited 2/26/10 9:12am]

TD3 said:

Chile, I'm not even fazed by anyone up in here stating their opinion. But it tickles me when folks get offended by me stating mine especially when 90% of what I'm saying is actually fact not opinion, as any carpenter can attest to, and based on my own experience functioning as my own general contractor on multiple renovations and new construction projects.

But, hey, knock yourselves out with that superior quality Ikea particleboard (just don't get that shit wet)!

SCNDLS said:

@ particleboard.

You know if you re-arrange the letters in IKEA it spells.....CHEAP

DesireeNevermind said:

But it's pretty tho.

Lol.....at this thread.
Ikea is cheap. I always thought that store was 4 furnishing college dorms.

Graycap23 said:

lawd....

Graycap23 said:

They agree


[Edited 2/26/10 15:26pm]

I'm sorry folks, but IKEA is cheap...it might look stylish - I like the style of some of it myself, but anyone that makes furniture would tell you it's made with cheaper materials.

Most people buy what they can afford and there is nothing wrong with that. If someone that makes 50 million dollars wants to put in an IKEA in their house, there is nothing wrong with that...but when you live in a 10 million dollar co-op and do it, I can understand why there would be an issue.

For many people it is about pretentiousness and they think that purchasing more expensive items makes them superior to people who can only afford less expensive items. I find that pathetic like many of you are saying on here...

But, stating that IKEA is not made with cheap materials (even if they do the job just fine) is simply not true. This is why it's so affordable.
[Edited 2/26/10 16:27pm]

JustErin said:

Who said anything about being superior to people who can afford less expensive items??? Where is that post at?

Speaking for myself, I have reiterated that my issue with Ikea is the quality, or lack thereof, of their cabinetry and the nuttiness of THESE people for installing it in such an expensive apartment. I could care less what anyone chooses to spend their money on or what they put in their homes.

SCNDLS said:

Where did I say that someone specifically said that in here??

I was commenting on the comments made already about the pretentiousness of some people who have money. I've seen it first hand in person and I find or both pathetic and amusing.

I'm still laughing at the fact that this couple possibly absconded with some bathroom and kitchen appliances.



But um yeah....I'm rollin' with SCNDLS....nobody is saying or implying that those who buy IKEA are inferior to those who shop for better quality items. It's all about personal preference and in the case of this Icelandic couple, cutting corners to a displeased rental property co..


IKEA is cheap....it looks cute but it's cheap and not meant to last long and definitely not all that durable. We all know the saying "you get what you pay for."

DesireeNevermind said:

I never said anyone in here said that...or even implied that...but the fact remains that there are many wealthy people who think that way. I'm not sure why anyone would take that comment personally unless they thought it applied directly to them because they also actually felt that way.

JustErin said:

This part of your statement: I find that pathetic like many of you are saying on here...

reads kinda funny, and could mean something else

SCNDLS said:

I read specific comments about the pretentiousness of some people with money...if it actually was about someone in here, this is news to me.

I didn't even think anyone posting in this thread was really wealthy so I didn't think anyone was taking things personally.

JustErin said:

Like I said, I misunderstood that part of your comment as it could mean something completely different.

SCNDLS said:

That's cool. I'm not sure what different way it could be taken but I certainly wasn't trying to attack anyone specifically in here. I'm just speaking on my own personal experience in response to a comment that was made.

I agree that people who can afford hiring Tina Turner for their party can probably afford more quality furniture than IKEA, but that's not the issue here.
I haven't even seen the alleged "tacky" interior but if that's the case, then chalk it up the couple's tackiness in style, rather than them being cheap-skates.
They bought the apartment in 2007 during the height of the Icelandic economic boom. I'm positive they were no different from other "viking moguls" at the time, that usually bought the most expensive stuff around, but often had questionable taste.
I could name another "viking mogul", Björgólfur Thor, who spent "his" money a few years ago, also borrowed from a now nationalized bank which his company bought with borrowed money from another bank that never got paid back after owning the bank for 5 years (!), to host a big birthday party for himself in Jamaica, having 50 Cent perform. Money can buy stuff, but it can't buy good taste.
Here they are with Björgólfur's father (the guy with the cigar), also a wealthy businessman before the bank they owned together crashed in 2008:


Sorry for my constant ranting about those viking moguls, but these guys are part of a small group of people that are the most responsible for the situtation causing the banking crash in my country in 2008, causing a deeper recession than in most European countries affected by the global recession. Just to clarify what I'm ranting about.
[Edited 2/26/10 17:40pm]

What exactly does "viking mogul" mean?