Design & Decor Blog

I’m a total museum junkie. Sure, the shopping in Copenhagen was tremendous — unparalleled, even — but nothing compares to the splendour of the historic sites, like Rosenborg Palace and the Danish Crown Jewels.

That’s why one of the highlights of my time in Almhult, Sweden, (the “capital city of IKEA” that I mentioned in part one) was a little-known gem known as the IKEA Through The Ages Museum. 

Complete with curator, the too-cute collection traces the rise of the Swedish style giant from its inception in 1943 through to the present day, in decade-by-decade vignettes of original IKEA furnishings. In short — heaven.

Here’s a peek…

The gorgeously grained Lovet sidetable from 1956 was a first for IKEA — a flat-packed piece of furniture (in a box tied up with string — so sweet!) that could be assembled easily at home. I think IKEA should reintroduce this one… Absolutely stunning.

 

 

A flip through the IKEA Catalogue in 1954 would have shown living room furnishings like the Royal sofa and armchair, the Mary dining chairs and Jerez Wilton carpet. I love the ducks on the wall — such an authentic 50s touch! 

 

 

Retro-fabulous wallpaper and austere shapes define this vignette of IKEA pieces from the late 1950s, including the Farstrup sofa and armchairs and Tema bookshelf.

 

 

The early 1960s saw IKEA’s offerings increasingly influenced by the Danish modern design movement (a look that’s more popular than ever in 2009). The Estrad sofa group is 60s-spare at its finest.

And the related dining area…

 

Things start getting really colourful in the late sixties, with some of the IKEA releases from that period still available in one form or another to this day… I’ll share those tomorrow!

 

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