As much as we love all things vintage, every once in awhile we are totally guilty of getting lost in the maze that is Ikea, and filling our yellow plastic bags to the brim. Winnipeg does not have an IKEA yet, but there is one being built as we speak, but we're pretty sure that once it opens, it will lose some of it's charm. We thought we would take you lovely followers back in time, to when Ikea first started!
Did you know that IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer, was founded by a 17 year old (gasp!) in 1943? True story! The letters that make up IKEA are an acronym of the founder's name (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd, in Småland, South Sweden). The first store was opened in Sweden in 1958, and the first catalogue was published earlier on in 1951!
We love the look of these space age IKEA lamps!
An old school IKEA kitchen!
Bright patterned fabric from IKEA, thankfully some things never change!
I love the IKEA VW!! I'm guilty of hitting it up a couple times a year but it does lose it's charm once it's in your city. You start to see the SAME stuff in everyone's house which is no bueno!
ReplyDeleteI love the lamps! I had no idea it had been going so long.
ReplyDeleteit's all so lovely! I didn't realize Ikea was that old! I wanted to let you know that I featured your suitcase DIY on my blog today.... if you'd like to come see!
ReplyDeletelove, polly :)
woww, old timey ikea is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for this post! I had no idea IKEA had been around for so long. Or that it was founded by someone so young. I live in Lawrence, Kansas and we don't have an IKEA here but there is one in Minnesota where my mom grew up and I love going to visit it. It's so big and so much fun! XO, Rae
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i would DIE to have any of that stuff. awesome awesome. i hafto drive to dallas (abt 6 hrs) for ikea but it's worth a once per year trip even for stupid stuff like kitchen scrubbers and gifts for xmas. where'd you find these images?
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I want this stuff.
ReplyDelete♥ sécia
www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com
everything is so timeless! it's wonderful.
ReplyDeletexoxo
http://tinylittlehappies.blogspot.com/
One of my favorite textile designers, Lotta Jansdotter, is also from Smaland, which name sounds like a mythical land to me! They must have something in the water there to produce such talented people! Thanks for sharing, the vintage pictures are awesome, especially the one with the guys unloading the van. Love their hats!
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Whoa vintage ikea ruled.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I think I like the old ikea better than today's. Thnx for sharing :) I really like your blog; great style and pictures!
ReplyDeletethis is an awesome post! i throughly enjoyed it xxo
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting post! And I just love the first IKEA's catalog! It's so pretty! Those lamps are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI am slightly obsessed with the IKEA here in Chicago. I may be even more obsessed with these catalogs though! I had no idea the company was formed so long ago. Thanks for sharing the goodness!
ReplyDeletexo,
melissa
i had no idea Ikea has been around that long! these old products are so fun!!
ReplyDeleteThat polka dot couch is excellent!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have a bit of a moral dilemma shopping at Ikea ever since I read that old Ingvar was a member of the Swedish fascist movement in the 40s.
Yikes.
How awesome! Love the Ikea VW!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.I enjoy it.
ReplyDeletedsquared2dsquared2
SWOON
ReplyDeleteThat you for the fun IKEA history lesson!!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that it has been around for such a length of time or that it was founded in Sweden!!
Fun!!
xoxo
so awesome. ikea is definitely not the place to find every single piece for your home, but it has some really awesome gems that can fill things out and serve a need without breaking the bank. the shine probably will wear off a little, but i doubt you'll be able to resist the occasional trip. plus its really fun to walk around all the rooms!
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Oh my word, I wish that was IKEA now!
ReplyDeletegood bed
ReplyDeleteLove this vintage Ikea tour- it's so cool to look through! How do you make Ikea even more absorbing? Make it vintage! :)
ReplyDeleteSo neat to learn the history!
ReplyDeletexo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
I heart Ikea. I especially am loving the polka dot couch! I want one!!
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oh yay. love this post. it'd be great if some of this stuff was still in the catalog.
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about the store. it must mean there is a better space waiting.
loving this! definately my kind of ikea! xx
ReplyDeleteThat orange SKOPA chair...wow!
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I just find your post after I published mine about vintage ikea catalogues, it's fantastic, I love the first picture! These old catalogues look so great, I could almost frame some of the pictures! :) Lovely blog you have!
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