IKEA to open its own museum at the end of June
Calling Vintage IKEA Lovers
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IKEA Museum installation
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA Museum installation, including Staff clothing from the 1950s
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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Kolding Sofa, MTP Storage System, and Danske Dining Chair in laquered oak; some of the matching furniture available in the 1960s
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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Anna Childrens Furniture designed by Otto Nielsen; Ilex Curtains designed by Sven Fristedt
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA kitchen from the 1940s
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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Temporary exhibition of Metod Kitchen by Paola Navone
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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Temporary exhibition of Metod Kitchen by Matali Crasset
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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First IKEA store in Älmhult, Sweden
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad with Ögla Chair, Sampo Chair, Idun Chair, Tore Drawers
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA Catalogue cover 1970
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA Catalogue cover 1973
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
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IKEA in the 1980s
Image © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2016
Here at Pamono, we’ve taken note that the market for vintage IKEA furniture is really taking off. So when we heard that IKEA is set to open an IKEA museum—in the building that once housed the company’s very first showroom, no less—we just had to share the news.
All you diehard IKEA fans start planning a pilgrimage to Älmhult, Sweden. On June 30th, the IKEA Museum opens to the public, presenting three stories of installations showcasing IKEA designs and artifacts collected since its inception in the 1940s. To get the scoop, we reached out to the museum’s manager, Carina Kloek-Malmsten.
Pamono: How did the idea to create an IKEA museum arise?
Carina Kloek-Malmsten: After more than seven decades, Ikea has plenty of stories, of course. We think it’s time to share them with the public. The format—a museum—gives us the opportunity to show and explain who we are in a different way than we do in our retail environments. The museum project has been around for some years, but the concept reached a new level of intensity when we got the opportunity to establish the IKEA Museum in the original building that housed the very first IKEA store.
P: How will the museum be programmed?
CKM: The main exhibition takes you on a journey through different times and contexts—the ideas and driving forces, the people and furniture, the mistakes and lessons learned since the beginning. In one part of the exhibition, we highlight the stories of the longest-lived products in our range; for example, the Klippan sofa, much loved for its kid-friendly design and changeable covers. You’ll also find temporary exhibitions, which at the moment focuses on life in and around the kitchen. Here, there is lots of space for imagining what life at home will look like in the future.
P: We’ve noticed a spike in interest around collecting vintage Ikea designs. Do you have any thoughts on this phenomenon?
CKM: It always takes some decades to re-appreciate things, especially when they’re designed for every-day-use. The IKEA quality and design, which might have been taken almost for granted by one generation, gets a new value for the next generation.
P: What are some highlights from the museum collection that you’re especially excited about?
CKM: I think that the shifting projection of the patterns and textile designs on the Klippan sofa over the years is fantastic!
You can find details about visiting the IKEA Museum here. Save some meatballs for us!
More to Love
Turquoise Moment Sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea
Vilbert Chair by Verner Panton for Ikea, 1990s
PS Hasslo Chairs by Monika Mulder for Ikea, 1990s, Set of 2
Swedish Armchair by Gillis Lundgren for IKEA, 1961
Singoalla Chaise Lounge by Gillis lundgren for Ikea, 1961
Scandinavian Diana Safari Canvas Chairs by Karin Mobring for Ikea, 1972, Set of 2
Vintage Oti Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1980s
Bookshelf by Gillis Lundgreen for Ikea, 1950s
Vintage Swedish Premiär Easy Chairs by Per-Olof Scotte for IKEA, Set of 2
Diana Safari Chairs by Karin Mobring for Ikea, 1970s, Set of 2
Vilbert Chairs by Verner Panton for Ikea, 1994, Set of 2
Vintage Leather & Chrome Sofa from Ikea
Brown Leather Skye Chaise Lounge by Tord Björklund for Ikea, 1980s
Black Leather Skye Chaise Longue by Tord Björklund for Ikea, 1980s
Troika Arm Chair by Kai Kristiansen for Ikea, 1950s
Oti Armchair by Niels Gammelgaard for IKEA, 1980s
Vintage Swedish Model City Floor Lamp by Borje Claes for Ikea
PS Hasslo Chair by Monika Mulder for Ikea, 1990s
SaleVintage Hasslo Chairs by Monika Mulder for IKEA, Set of 2
Oti Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1980s
Nizza Chair by Bengt Ruda for IKEA, 1960s
Oti Green Metal Wire Lounge Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1986
Jarpen Wire Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1983
SaleTable Light from Ikea, 1960s
Lounge Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1983
White Jarpen Wire Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1983
Vintage Industrial Floor Lamp from Ikea
Vintage Coffee Table by Erik Wørts for IKEA
Troika Arm Chair by Kai Kristiansen for Ikea
Easy Chair by Bernt Petersen for IKEA, 1960s/70s
Vintage Jarpen Armchair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1980
Storvik Rattan Lounge Chair by Carl Öjerstam for Ikea
Duett Pendant Light by Bent Gantzel Boysen for IKEA, 1970s
Red Metal Wire Jarpen Chairs by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1983, Set of 2
Scandinavian Teak and Metal Desk from Ikea, 1950s
Moment Sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1980s
Skye Chaise Lounge by Tord Björklund for Ikea, 1980s
Danish Troika Armchair by Kai Kristiansen for Ikea, 1950s
Red & Yellow Gradient Duett Pendants by Bent Gantzel Boysen for Ikea, 1970s, Set of 2
Blue Duett Pendants by Bent Gantzel Boysen for Ikea, 1970s, Set of 2
Vintage White Duett Pendants by Bent Gantzel Boysen for Ikea, Set of 2
Kardinal Black Leather Sofa from IKEA, 1964
Swedish Kroken Lounge Chairs by Christer Blomquist for Ikea, 1970s, Set of 2
Moment Dining Table by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea
Ulvö Sideboard by Eric Wørtz for Ikea, 1950s
Vilbert Chair by Verner Panton for IKEA, 1993
Moment Sofa by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1986