Style & Decor Blog

…And now, for the third and final instalment of my journey through the hallowed halls of the IKEA Through the Ages Museum, I’ll take you from the 80s – the decade of Dynasty, excess and primary brights – through to present day.

Yes, even IKEA designs lived large in the 80s, as witnessed by this poor Klippan sofa (released in 1980, and still available in stores!), which is being strangled by a puffy, sleeping-bag-like quilted red slipcover, circa 1984. 

And here’s the tuxedo-style Klippan, 29 years on – mercifully sans sleeping bag.

Klippan loveseat in Frasig black leather, $599

 

 

1987 saw the release of IKEA’s first Stockholm Collection – furnishings at a slightly higher price-point, and having undergone a curious change of design direction. Certainly not something you’d ever immediately associate with IKEA, this must have shocked a few shoppers back in the day. (A second Stockholm Collection came out in 2006-2007, as you may recall, and it was gorge!)

 

 

…But it’s back to form in the 1990s with that iconic, Swedish simplicity that continues to inform IKEA’s contemporary designs. Light, bright and airy, the Tomelilla sofa and armchair (1993) in loose fitting white slipcovers are so relaxed and inviting, and the Egeby carpet (1998) has since become a decorating staple. 

 

 

A great experiment began in 1993, with the sale of 18th Century Swedish furniture at IKEA. Based on genuine Gustavian antiques, these were truly works of art. The line was discontinued about five years later… The curator of the museum explained that it was because the line just wasn’t selling enough units (the furnishings tended to be more costly than standard IKEA releases)…

 

And that, ladies and gents, brings us back to the 21st century, and the IKEA that we know and love today. And, of course, the reason I was in Almhult, Sweden, to begin with. Which I still can’t divulge. lol

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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