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ikea through the ages museum – part two

And now, as promised, we resume our tour of the IKEA Through the Ages Museum in Almhult, Sweden…

We’re delving deeper into the swinging 60s, and IKEA’s designs are taking a trippy, Warhol-esque, psychedelic turn. I love the marvelously low-slung Florida sofa (1969), and the satellite armchairs in lemon and orange pack some serious citrus punch…

late60s ikea through the ages museum part two

…Compare those chairs to the Skruvsta swivel armchair, still in IKEA stores to this day! Obviously, the design had staying power!

skruvsta ikea through the ages museum part two

Skruvsta swivel armchair in Almas Red, $169

 

 

The shag carpet may remain, but the colourway is toned down for the early 1970s, with the introduction of the denim-upholstered Tajt loungers (1973). And I think everyone, at one time or another, has purchased a set of the IKEA’s Bambu bamboo roller blinds, first launched in 1972.

late70s1 ikea through the ages museum part two

Another angle…

late70s2 ikea through the ages museum part two

 

 

A little further along, I came across something that very nearly blew my mind… I mean, who knew that in the 70s, IKEA was also your source for… Organs?!? Delightfully bonkers! It’s easy to forget that pianos were staples in many homes at the time, and electronic organs were an exciting new development — the iPod to the piano’s Discman, I suppose. icon wink ikea through the ages museum part two

rennorgan ikea through the ages museum part two

 

Tomorrow, we’ll complete the epic journey of IKEA up to the present day…

ikea through the ages museum – part one

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.

lovet ikea through the ages museum part one

 

 

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! 

1954 ikea through the ages museum part one

 

 

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.

late1950s ikea through the ages museum part one

 

 

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.

1960 ikea through the ages museum part one

And the related dining area…

1960dining ikea through the ages museum part one

 

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! icon wink ikea through the ages museum part one

 

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