IKEA hits the Al-Can

My bedroom is about to undergo an extreme makeover. Before all of this spring sunlight, its cracking off-white walls, with strange patches of soot-looking gray lining the ceiling, blended right into the dark haze of winter. I chose to look past my century-spanning collection of furniture and threadbare bed linens (including two mismatched flower pillowcases that were my parents during the sixties) towards the hope of a brighter day. No longer can I ignore.

To clarify, this mix is not a hip fusion of shabby meets chic. Rather, it is a depressing cacophony of funky hand-me-downs meet beyond the bargain basement. And this season I would prefer that these so-called furnishings follow the ice flow of the Chena right out to the ocean, or at least to one of this town’s transfer stations. I have decided that since I spend more that 1/3 of my life in that room, it needs to sparkle with glee, sing out with soul, and simply be a welcome beacon for refuge and rejuvenation.

While an extreme makeover is in order, my tastes are much more grandiose than my bank account, and that’s why I’ve decided to spruce up with the affordable help of IKEA. A total face lift, including two bedside tables, two duvet covers (each with matching pillow shams), three throw pillows and a rug, will cost less than $250, including shipping, a fraction of what I would pay for the same stuff at any of the home furnishings stores here in Fairbanks. Plus, the clean lines and distinctive designs found in IKEA products, for me carry a more aesthetically pleasing style. So prepare for the purple cylindrical cushions, cerise quilt covers and Swedish fish, because IKEA is hitting the road.

Since online IKEA orders to Alaska only ship via UPS, calling IKEA’s phone order department and having them deliver the order to a freight forwarding company in Seattle is key. Here are some tips:

• To share delivery and shipping charges, combine IKEA orders with friends.
• Request or borrow a current IKEA catalog. Combined with the website, the catalog is very helpful for making decisions related to colors, size and style.
• Prior to placing the order, take time to make a list of items being purchased, including weight and dimensions. This information is found on the website for each item under a link called “package measurements & weight.” The freight forwarder will need to know the weights and dimensions of each pacakge being shipped.
• Lynden Transport (currently my favorite freight forwarder) ships out twice a week to Alaska. Place the order 2-3 days prior to the freight shipping date, so items can be gathered and delivered on time by IKEA.
• Call the Seattle IKEA phone orders department at 425-656-2980 or 1-800-570-IKEA, then press option 3. They’re open everyday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Know the exact local address of the freight company. From IKEA expect a handling fee of $15 and a delivery fee ($55 for orders with fewer than 30 items). At the end of the IKEA call, make sure to find out when the order is scheduled for delivery to the freight company.
• Then call the freight company and let them know that your order from IKEA will be arriving. Tell them how many packages it includes, and the dimensions and weight of each package. They will then give you an estimate for shipping. In exchange, you give them your credit card number.
• The order should arrive in seven days, and at that time you can either pick it up at the freight company or arrange for home delivery.