Decorating & Design
See The Entire Capsule Collection From The 2019 IKEA Art Event
It’s rare that a rug is the first thing you think about when transforming a space, but IKEA’s latest collection proves otherwise. For their annual Art Event, the Swedish retailer rounded up eight creatives — like buzzy fashion designer Virgil Abloh — to each create a contemporary rug that will command attention in any room. The exclusive capsule collection will be available in-store on May 4 exclusively at Etobicoke, Ont., Montreal, Que. and Coquitlam, B.C. locations.
Scroll down to see the roster of artful rugs and hear from the designers and artists about their inspiration for the project.
“I wanted an ironic take on the traditional attitude to furnishing where the living room is just a showroom, not somewhere you sit,” says Virgil Abloh, the men’s artistic director for Louis Vuitton and founder of streetwear brand Off-White. “The parental ‘don’t ruin the furniture’ kind of thing I think has really impacted how younger people think of furniture today.”
“Inspired by spring time scenes in the deserts of the American southwest, the color blocks, squiggles, daubs and dots of this rug invite people of all ages to sprawl out, daydream and get lost discovering little moments of play and tactility,” says artistic duo Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao.
“With this rug I was interested in exploring the idea of paradise, of escaping reality. Of making a portal or doorway to transport us to somewhere better,” says London-based menswear designer Craig Green.
“I’m inspired by funny stuff, goofy stuff and hairy stuff — that’s one of the reasons why I loved doing this rug, it’s a very hairy object,” says Japanese artist Misaki Kawai. “I think it turned out great, it’s comfortable and has amazing colors. It’s fantastic that so many people will be able to enjoy it. Go ahead, please pet the big cats!”
“With this dhurrie, I wanted to bring the light of water inside,” says Korean-French artist Seulgi Lee. “I thought of northern Indian artisans, the city Ayodhya, ancient Korean Queen Heo Hwang-ok and, above all, the power of colors. Let’s be happy. As happy as a fish in water.”
“This rug depicts the whirlwind of interconnected life as our world tumbles through the universe,” says multidisciplinary designer Noah Lyon, who is based in Brooklyn and Gotland, Sweden. “It is inspired by the Navajo whirling log — the story of a man who encounters whirlpools and spirits that teach him things of great value to his people.”
“The idea behind the design was the notion of weaving, with the image refecting the mechanics of using yarn to build a rug,” says Polish graphic artist Filip Pagowski. “The abstract rhythm of an endless pattern built on the same grid results in a kind of charming, handmade imperfection.”
“I wanted to play with the concept of the classic animal rug,” says French artist SupaKitch. “I looked for an interesting animal to put on the floor and the snake came to mind. As a totem animal, the snake is a spiritual guide that heals. Snakes shed their skin and symbolize rebirth.”