ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Room for Improvement goes shopping
February 27, 2009
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Denise Holtby
YOURHOME.CA
Now that Dean and I have a plan for a unique, custom desktop, our office overhaul is really starting to take shape. In fact, we actually bought the first item for our project last weekend.
We went to IKEA to look at basics such as keyboard trays, CPU holders and filing cabinets. I had no intention of buying a single thing, I swear. Dean and I just wanted to take a look at some of the items up close.
Oh, and Dean wanted to have lunch. He's got a thing for IKEA's macaroni and cheese. Yep, that's right, the one from the kids' menu.
One of the items we looked at as we toured the store was a rolling filing cabinet with a slide-out CPU holder at the base. I wasn't sure I liked the slide-out shelf and at $249, it was more than I wanted to spend on a filing cabinet, but I did like the dark finish and sturdy construction.
Or at least what I could see of it. Before I could take a closer look, I was pushed out of the way by a loud, aggressive woman who kept trying to demonstrate the features of the cabinet to her obviously bored spouse Mario. And wouldn't you know it? That same woman and I crossed paths over and over again as we made our way through the store.
We last saw the family in the children's department, as their "high-spirited" child tore over and under the beds and then pulled down a curtain. We ducked into the restaurant, hoping that they wouldn’t turn up at the table next to us.
After lunch, we made our way downstairs and, of course, picked up a few items in the kitchen department. I always see something I can use there, but Dean is actually worse than me for impulse kitchen shopping. He loves tools of all kinds, even if they're just for stirring soup.
We picked up a new water pitcher and a few more dishes to add to the 30 place settings we already have for backyard family barbecues (long story!), then it was on to the as-is section. I can never pass by this little nook at the Vaughan store. I rarely buy anything, but I have to look. This time, we lucked out.
There, looking forlorn, was a filing cabinet identical to the one I’d spied upstairs. This one, however, was half price! Dean noticed immediately that the drawers didn’t close properly. Apparently, it had been assembled by an employee who doesn’t read IKEA pictogram fluently, because the drawers and glides were installed incorrectly.
However, stuff like that doesn't bother Dean. He pulled the drawers out, took a good look at the construction and decided he could fix it. Twenty minutes later, we had our half-price bargain filing cabinet in the truck and were on our way.
As we headed home — with the brassy voice of Mario's wife still ringing in our ears — I couldn't help but think about what an adjustment our wintry weather will be for our daughter Emily when she returns on March 7.
After four months travelling from South Carolina to the Bahamas each week, Emily has become quite used to hot, sunny weather. But she’ll be in Ontario until April 11, so she will get to enjoy the arrival of spring!
Coincidentally, she;ll be home just in time to help put our office plan into action. Gee, you'd almost think I'd planned it that way!
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(Editor’s note: Get your own home office inspiration from Colin and Justin and Debbie Travis, along with some tips on office essentials and easy office crafts.)
Catch up on Room for Improvement's office overhaul:
- Solving the desk dilemma
- Time to test 'green' paint
- Dean does IDS
- Looking for inspiration
- Time for an office overhaul
- Of reader polls, antiques and home offices
- What's next for Room for Improvement?