IKEA Dishes Rule

Since we're in Pittsburgh for the Steelers - Vikings game, we decided to swing by the local IKEA to pick up some odds and ends.

As the scent of Swedish meatballs wafted around us, we dutifully followed the painted arrows on the floor past all manner of home furnishings. The obligatory yellow shoulder bag slowly gained girth as we plucked small items from abundantly-stocked shelves.

The real score took place just past the kitchen section where we needed to find a cart to load up two sets of dinnerware for six, plus one for our daughter, at $29.99 each.

We've had IKEA plates and bowls before, and we've had excellent results with them. It's hard to argue with the blend of quality and price.

The $60 worth of dinnerware is replacing several hundred dollars worth of Crate & Barrel service that was as disappointing as it was stylish. More than half of the large plates, and a third of the smaller saucers chipped around the edges in the first year.

Nothing kills hip and trendy dinnerware more than gleaming white divots staring you in the face. And forget about entertaining with chipped plates. Martha Stewart would take away our club cards, Buffy.

So thanks, IKEA, for stocking quality dishes at reasonable prices. And nerts to you, Crate & Barrel.


-- Mobile post