Love it or hate it?

I'm going to start this post with a sentence that some may find controversial:

I love IKEA. 

There. Words that are sometimes met with delight and squeals of 'ooo me too!!!', and sometimes cause people to just, well, walk away from you.

I love the design, I love the choice on offer and perhaps most of all, I love the prices. So when my boyfriend suggested a trip to IKEA, I may have squealed. A lot. Partly because I love IKEA (have I successfully managed to convey that yet?) and partly because I've never been to an IKEA in Italy.

It was everything I wanted it to be, with extra little Christmassy touches that made it that extra bit more magical. (Yes, I know it's still November and Christmassy stuff this early does get on my nerves somewhat, but at IKEA anything goes.) I picked up some great bits and pieces, including some much needed wine glasses (ahem), a cheap and cheerful bookcase, jars for sugar and salt, some storage boxes, some cute postcards and a great desk chair.

 Here are a few other things I had my eye on though. Maybe next time...

Yes, EVERYTHING from this bathroom.

 What do you think? Are you an IKEA lover or hater?