MANILA, PHILIPPINES – For four decades, millions of people worldwide have enjoyed IKEA’s STOCKHOLM collection inside their homes — from comfy couches to sturdy tables, and rugs that rest in the middle of the room. Now as its 8th edition is being launched globally, it is the turn of Filipinos to experience the classic Scandinavian soul that is in the collection.
With 93 pieces in tow, the STOCKHOLM collection reflects the brand’s commitment to democratic design, a philosophy that has been with the company since its inception.
“STOCKHOLM has represented the best of IKEA, it is our most premium expression of craftsmanship, comfort, and style,” said Madel Mercado, IKEA Philippines’ Sales Leader during the launch of the collection on July 03 at Opus Mall.
Setting the scene for how the collection will look within the confines of the living room and dining room, the pieces were assembled into beautiful displays where modular couches, handwoven rugs, and textured lamps harmonize together in timeless comfort.
“Great design should be both accessible and enduring,” Madel explained while walking through the design rationale of select pieces: oak dining chairs with curved back, carpet inspired by the bird’s eye-view of Stockholm, and lighting that capture the colors of nature. Through these pieces, Sweden’s beautiful landscape and design heritage are showcased beyond just looks but also in emotional resonance.
Design with purpose
Each piece bought off IKEA is enriched by the democratic design principle, something that was brought on by their roots and culture. It comes with the five pillars:
- Form, making sure that the products are beautiful in its setting
- Function, more than beauty, there needs to be a real challenge that the product solves meaningfully
- Quality, which ensures the longevity and enjoyment of the product for the long-term
- Sustainability, that products were made with consideration for social and environmental impact
- Affordability, ensuring the price range is reasonable for many.
For IKEA’s Country Retail Manager Ricardo Pinheiro, his very first IKEA piece — the Lack coffee table — has been the embodiment of these five; something stylish that’s intended to last for years, and in his case, for more than 30. He recalled purchasing the table at a price that did not break the bank and how it’s still lovingly used in his home even now.
“Our vision is to create a better everyday life for everyday people, and these democratic design principles are how we materialize that vision,” he said.
IKEA prides itself on the quality of its pieces; the attention to detail articulated in the form and feel of each piece of furniture in its stores. For the STOCKHOLM collection, Ricardo shared that its sensory details — the touch of the wooden surface, the bounce of the pocket springs — make them different from any other brands in the Philippines.
More importantly, affordability isn’t a compromise for IKEA — it’s where the design begins. That means that the STOCKHOLM collection, despite its premium materials and thoughtful craftsmanship, stays within reach of many.
“The first thing that we design is the price,” said Ricardo. What comes after is the tireless research and development of how families live and how they interact with the furniture. That way, each design is made not just for design’s sake but thoroughly made and built to last.
Waste is not a friend of IKEA
Among the five pillars, the country retail manager confessed that the balance between affordability and sustainability is often the challenge. But steadfast in their principles, IKEA set up its very first sustainability shop in the Philippines which was a sold out success.
“In the Philippines, sustainability is often connected to high prices,” said Ricardo but when consumers saw that sustainability can be affordable too, the shop further proved that being sustainable does not always come with an intimidating price tag.
“Today, sustainability cannot be an option, it’s a must,” he added. “Our products need to live longer.”
From switching its lighting from incandescent to LED bulbs, 25-year guarantee on select items, choosing raw materials, and removable sofa covers, IKEA shows that sustainability is not an afterthought. Another feature that is unique is its flat-packing, making sure that furniture can be disassembled and packed tightly into boxes, saving on transport emissions, reducing packaging waste, and keeping prices affordable.
“Sustainability will only become reality when it becomes affordable for many people,” declared Ricardo.
The collection sets out to be the centerpieces of Filipino homes whether bought together for a complete look or individual pieces that can stand on their own.
For a collection that has been as enduring as STOCKHOLM, there’s still something new to discover in each of its iterations. As witnesses to the memories made and vessels for how families live everyday, STOCKHOLM lends itself to bring a sense of classic comfort into spaces where people dwell.
Check out IKEA’s pieces online at ikea.com/ph or visit their store at Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
