Everything Yellow I’d Buy at Ikea
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We initially published this story as an exclusive for our newsletter subscribers on February 5, 2024, but we liked it so much we’re putting it up on the site, too. If you’d like to sign up for the Strategist newsletter,you can do so here.
Welcome toHow I Pick My Picks— a kind-of-regular newsletter series where we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day-to-day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and family won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk tohome, design, and baby-gearwriterLauren Ro.
Whether it’s figuring out why tasteful people like Laila Gohar are opting forwall-to-wall blood-red carpetingor scouting stylish folks for thenew Noguchi lamp, I’m a professional noticer of interiors. My latest discovery? In the world of kids’ décor, sad, beige nurseries and playthings are on the way out. I love Oeuf’s newtwin bedandnightstandthat are offered in tomato (a perfect red) and pea pod (a really nice, deep chartreuse). This mirrors the delightful display of color I recently saw atMoMA Design Store’s spring/summer 2024 press preview. I ogledtinyportable lampsin subdued jewel tones,Japanese glassware adorned with ’70s-inspired painted florals, and a zaftig bottle shaped like an eggplant (all exceptional gift ideas, by the way). The collection’s bright and cheerful color palette got me thinking that we’ve graduated fromkindercoreand onto something a bit more mature but still youthful. (I’m working out the new-coreterm; submissions welcome.)
What’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
I love getting texts from my pregnant friends asking me about the big-ticket items for theirregistries: Whatstrollershould I get? Whatcribdo you have? Does theSnoowork? (Answer: It did for me, but rent instead of buying it.)
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Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
I get why bedding is expensive because it’s such a large swath of fabric that has to hold up to a lot of wear and tear. That being said, you really don’t have to spend too much.Target’s Threshold sheetsare a really solid budget option: They’re smooth, durable, and soft for under $50.
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What’s the least amount of money you should spend on, for example, a sofa?
If you want asofathat’s well made, I think you need to spendat least$1,000, but $2,000 will get you something even better. I still love the (now discontinued) Crate & Barrel sofa we bought ten years ago, which cost around $2,000 at the time; it’s as comfortable and stylish as on day one and the cushions still look great.
What are you currently testing and researching?
As the Strategist’s bedding expert, I’m constantly doing the laundry and making the bed with all kinds of differentsheets— sateen, percale,linen, bamboo,jersey, you name it. I’ve actually loved getting to know each type of material, because each one feels so distinct.
What’s the last thing you bought?
I already own several pieces, but I’m slowly replacing all my cookware with All-Clad. I just bought this nonstick set from the brand’s latest factory-seconds sale for $70,$30 off the MSRP.
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What’s the most expensive product you own?
I’ve never bought anything this expensive so fast. I was fed up with the storage situation in our foyer that we’d been meaning to replace for over five years, then I saw this bench on Crate & Barrel — it was the right length, had drawers, and looked modern. I ordered the whole set without overthinking it and got it delivered immediately.
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If you had to spend $1,000 at Ikea, what would you buy?
The Strategist team often daydreams about taking a field trip to Ikea, but until then, here are a few things we’ve shared in Slack recently: I love this reissued-from-the-’70syellow side tablethat someone onXsaid was heavily inspired by a Marcel Breuer piece; continuing with the yellow theme, my colleague Liza Corsillo just bought thiscute little lampfor $18 that I’d love for one of the kid’s rooms, and this (also reissued)armchairwould tie it all together.
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What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
I’ve been coveting a Japanese donabe fromToirofor a while, but I don’t know which one to get. I want one that can make rice but also stews and other dishes. I love myCuckoo rice cooker, but rice can take 40 minutes, a lifetime when I’m rushing to get dinner on the table for two screaming kids. My friend told me that she can make rice in 11 minutes with her donabe, which sounds impossible, but now I’m dying to try it for myself.
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The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
