Ikea is right on trend.
Its big, blue box stores match up with what's expected to be one of the top colours in home-decorating circles for 2011: blue. Talk about being ahead of the curve: Exterior store colours were chosen decades ago to correspond to the Swedish flag.
Blue is one of four hot trends the home-furnishings retailer is predicting will make inroads into houses across Canada. Picture its iconic BILLY bookcase in blue, which, by the way is available, should you decide to go that route.
All shades of blue are riding the colour wave, from turquoise, indigo and cobalt to the deepest navy. Expect to see more clean lines and simplicity, as architectural style also takes its place as one of the new decorating looks of the new year. It's a design must for any home, according to Ikea, whether it's incorporated through furniture pieces or accessories.
Also likely to be popular is industrial styling, or the New Utility, as Ikea calls it. Otherwise known as utility chic, think exposed parts, open lofts with ductwork or vintage signs, with furniture made from wood or steel predominant.
Heading in a completely different direction, Ikea is saying embroidery and hand-sewn details with birds, flowers or fruit should be on your decorating radar systems. This exuberant embellishment is the new haute folk style, called Folkloric. It's all about interpreting ethnic and global influences and bringing them into your immediate surroundings.
"At Ikea, we do our best to stay ahead of the curve by placing our focus on design-forward, functional products with broad appeal," says Thom Kyle, marketing manager, Ikea Canada. "Each year, we refresh about a third of our range, introducing new, affordable products in a diverse collection of styles for every home."
But with four distinct trends, which should you opt for, especially if more than one captures your attention?
The simple answer, says Adisen Bell, visual merchandising manager at Ikea Edmonton, is to go with what works for you.
"If you love it, if it makes you comfortable, buy it," says Bell. "If you're buying what you love, it will end up going together in some way, shape or form. In essence, that is your style. It is you."
If you're still unsure, Bell suggests visualizing the furnishings or accessory pieces at an Ikea store.
"That's where our room sets (displays) come in handy. They show people how they can mix and match it," adds Bell.
For example, the trend may seem to be contemporary, but you want more of a country look. They can be mixed.
But the four trends for 2011 are not the only changes Ikea has on tap for Canadian homes in the coming year.
The familiar HEMNES bedroom line now includes solid wood choices for the living room; Ikea Stockholm -- the line, not that city's store -- includes cushions, rugs, throws and vases in deep blues; the GYLLEN wall lamp, a modern take on the type of chart you'll find in your optometrist's office, could be equally at home in an architectural style or new utility designed room; and the new KARLSTAD tufted leather sofa are just a few of the highlights for your decorating options.
There's also the KLIPPAN Navestad two-seater couch in white with a floral pattern, or the SKRUVSTA Krokek, a swivel armchair in white with bird graphics for those leaning toward a folkloric theme.
Part of what makes Ikea so successful, says Bell, is that the company's product lines lend themselves well to mixing and matching, not limiting buyers to purchasing one matching set of furniture.
"When you come here, have the ability to decide if you want the matching (set) or the ability to co-ordinate and mix and match, based on your own preference," says Bell.
So what are we buying when we shop Ikea?
In no particular order, the top five furniture bestsellers are:
-- BESTA TV media storage: modular and customizable in a number of finishes and colours;
-- MALM Series: bedroom furniture that sells like hotcakes, says Bell;
-- TOBIAS dining chairs: a plexilike moulded hair in clear transparent or smoked grey;
-- KARLSTAD leather sofa: available in black or white, and;
-- BJURSTA dining tables: modern with clean lines and expandable.
As for accessories, again in no particular order, the top movers are:
-- Ikea STOCKHOLM bowl: a laser-cut, stainless-steel floral pattern in the shape of a bowl;
-- CHOSIGT grader: an oval-shaped storage container that comes with a lid, rubber bottom and two different graders that fit over top of the container. For 2011, it comes in sky blue;
-- RIBBA picture frames;
-- KOMPLEMENT multi-use hanger: a set of circles with a hanger on top, for scarves and belt storage, and;
-- Ikea PS MASKROS pendant lamp: a ceiling light designed after the white puffball dandelions (a globe ceiling light that looks like a dandelion that's gone to seed).
-- Postmedia News
Catalogue at 60
The Ikea catalogue, a decorating bible to some, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the newly released 2011 edition. Here are some interesting tidbits about what has become one of the largest publications in the world, with a circulation of 198 million copies:
-- The first Ikea catalogue was introduced in 1951, with 250,000 copies distributed. It was a nine-page advertising insert for a newspaper.
-- In 1964, with just two Ikea stores, one in Sweden and one in Norway, catalogue distribution reached two million copies.
-- In 1994, distribution jumped to 72 million copies, with 124 Ikea stores in 26 countries.
-- In 1999, the first online version of the catalogue was launched on the U.S. Ikea website.
-- In 2000, catalogue production went digital. Film was no longer used.
-- In 2008, Ikea shrunk the catalogue size from 210 x 250 mm to 192 x 224 mm as a test in some markets.
-- In 2010, the smaller size became the standard for all 56 editions of the catalogue, which was printed in 27 languages. Also in 2010, there was an app for that, with the 2011 edition available via the iPhone or iPad.
