Looking back and going forward

SWEDISH FURNITURE and home furnishings giant Ikea celebrates its 75 years of business by bringing back a nostalgic vibe, introducing the Gratulera collection featuring the handpicked favourites created in three different periods – the 1950-60’s, 70-80’s and the 1990-00’s.

Classic Comebacks

“Each launch is very different, signifying its respective time period; from dark woods with a classic expression, to a very playful style with strong colours, and then to a more minimal look with natural light woods and graphic colours,” says Karin Gustavsson, creative leader of Ikea Sweden. 
The designs from the 1950-60’s, a time when Ikea introduced some of its most iconic products, capture a sombre expression where darker woods meet classic lines.

Lovbacken table

The Lovbacken table (previously known as the Lovet) is a great example with only three legs, and the tips covered in metal. It was Ikea’s first knock-down product. Ironically, the flat-pack idea came about by chance. Gillis Lundgren, an Ikea co-worker, spontaneously decided to remove the legs from the table to make it fit into his tiny car to avoid damage during transit. Today, almost all Ikea products are flat-packaged for easier transportation and fewer trucks on the road.

Ganget armchair

Ikea launched the handmade Ganget armchair in 1958 when its first store opened in the Swedish town of Almhult. During the grand opening, all the journalists had the chance to sit in the armchair’s round design - a representation of a more optimistic future.

The Klippan sofa and Raane armchair add a bold, colourful and fun vibe.

The ’70’s and ’80s saw the launch of the Klippan sofa, a tribute to the Memphis group, an ’80’s design movement that was very popular at the time. The Klippan sofa was one of the first affordable sofas the firm offered, which is why it’s an icon of its era. Launched when the living room was declared for children, it was created with the idea of a sofa that could withstand the human need to play. For the new collection, new covers will come in a bright yellow, fiery red and a cool cobalt blue.

When launched in 1983, the Raane armchair was called Jarpen. Designer Niels Gammelgaard wanted to challenge the idea of an armchair and see if it was possible to make it comfortable without any filling or fabric. The solution? Mesh material in a resource-efficient design.

 PS bench

The 1990s was a simple and minimal period, mixing untreated, blonde Scandinavian woods with graphic patterns. During this decade, Ikea went for a more natural expression. 
A small bench with wheels on one end, and legs on the other, was a design piece desired by so many people at the time it quickly became iconic. Its sleek design comes with a good dose of functionality thanks to its hidden storage. The Ikea PS bench was launched in the first PS collection back in 1995. With this collection, Ikea wanted to challenge and explore what modern Scandinavian design could look like.

Bjuran chair

The Bjuran chair, formerly known as Ogla, was first launched back in 1961. To this day, it’s still manufactured by the same factory in Poland, and the solid wood is bent in the same artisanal way. Place it by itself as a single pop of colour, or as a set around your dining table. The Gratulera limited edition vintage collection is available at Ikea Mega Bangna and Bang Yai. 
For more information, check out Ikea.co.th.