When Scandinavia went Brazilian at Ikea

Don’t panic you’re in the right place. I saw these designs from Ikea the other day and I wanted to show them to you. It’s the perfect way to do colour Mad House style. In other words – with lots of black to bring some edge and to anchor the designs.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that teal/turquoise/blue green and pink are two of my favourite colours. Particularly when mixed with black. This is what happened when the Ikea creative team went to Brazil for 48 hours. It is a limited collection and it’s near the end now so if you like it, get in there QUICK.

Even though there are many similarities between Scandinavian and Brazilian design and architecture (it’s true – both cultures celebrate modernism and clean lines as well as an emphasis on natural materials), it is the differences in the Brazilian way of life that IKEA wanted to celebrate.

Mette Nissen, the creative leader of the Tillfalle collection, said: “Everything in Brazil is a bit more relaxed than what we’re used to in Scandinavia. Sizes are more generous, architecture more extreme and people are more lifeaffirming.

“During a 48 hour period we soaked ourselves in Brazilian culture – museums, markets, restaurants and street art and continued to the factory floor where we transformed our ideas into products.”

I think the textiles are particularly strong – those blue, green and black cushions above mixed with the pink as well. This is how to mix patterns without giving yourself a headache. I also like the black and white rugs and the large candlesticks. I was planning a trip to Ikea for all sorts of boring but necessary stuff – I think I might liven up my trolley with some of this Brazinavian mash-up. Or should that be Scandilian? What do you think?