less is a bore

the swedish design team, jantze brogård asshoff has been working their ...magic, helping ikea embrace chintz and curvilinear design by introducing a few key pieces to the otherwise, modern, mostly angular, collection.
the interesting thing is that for years, ikea had an ad campaign chiding the english for their taste of mock-Edwardian reproduction furniture going so far as to call them, "life-hating snobs and neurotics, telling them to “stop being so English” and “chuck out the chintz.” i guess they decided change is good and less is a bore. personally, i love the option. don't you think the collection has that brocade home feel ?

Comments

Dianne said…
It doesn't look "thought out" to me.More like they just added a few curly q's to the bottom. It's their basic piece sitting on a different base. Am I being too critical?
katiedid said…
It does have that brocade home vibe.....and just in time cuz brocade has bit the dust! I was on Turquoise LA yesterday and discovered the news.
72 and sunny said…
dianne, i think critiquing is a good thing. i've always seen this look as a tongue in cheek take on the fancy, edwardian, look. so i think that it looks sort of 'cut-out' or silhouetted is intentional.

katie, I KNOW IT. can you believe they threw it in? I was on their site and noticed a message saying that they were trying to fill all orders but, {sic} don't hold your breathe.

and you know, PT&E, i'm all about more. i try to be spartan. but i like too much. i'm great at editing other people's homes...but come to my house and you'll see that i could heed a bit of the restraint!
Anonymous said…
I was in love with these pieces until I saw them in the store. While I still think they rock, they seemed a bit under-scale - especially the side table with the shelf - it's hobit sized! But I still have my eye on the buffet. . .
Ivy Lane said…
Looks like mid century mod gone glam..I would like to see these pieces in an actual setting...then they wouldn't be so boring...
marthalena said…
Brocade is done? No! But yes, it's very, very Brocade.
Pigtown*Design said…
thanks for the link to the UK adverts. They're HILARIOUS!!!
Visual Vamp said…
Mark my words - English Country decor is coming back big time. Chintz, clutter, antiques with a twist - all of it. It will be a glorious reinvention!
Visual Vamp said…
PS I just watched the Stop Being So English link - hysterical! But it would be funny too, if the campaign did other countries too: Stop Being So American (French, Swedish, Italian, Spanish - you get the picture).
72 and sunny said…
vis vamp~ you're so right. chintz, english country, it's coming back in FULL force.
Dianne said…
Your explanation is perfect. I get it now !! Sometimes I feel so old. lol
Unknown said…
Is the Ikea YouTube for real?? It is a riot! So very funny. It is playing in the background as I type this..thanks for the laugh(s).

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