IKEA + Marimekko Launch Self-Care Centered BASTUA Collection

Two of the biggest Nordic brands have united to bring us the BASTUA collection, launching globally in March 2023. The limited-edition series of 26 products, created by home furnishings giant IKEA and iconic printmaker Marimekko, brings together Nordic design and self-care rituals. From furniture to glassware to textiles, vibrant patterns reflect nature back at you.

“Collaborating with Marimekko was a natural choice for IKEA as we are both committed to enabling a better everyday life at home, and with the BASTUA collection, it begins with focusing on wellness first,” says Henrik Most, Creative Leader at IKEA. “The collaboration encapsulates the sensations of endless summers and the simple and aesthetic beauty of Nordic nature in furniture and accessories for the home.”

“BASTUA” describes a sauna in Småland, the region in southern Sweden where IKEA was founded. Self-care and Nordic sauna were the starting points of the collection that’s meant to be used when relaxing outdoors in warm weather or simply winding down at the end of a long day.

The launch of BASTUA marks the first time that Marimekko has designed prints exclusively for a brand collaboration. “Capturing the essence of Marimekko’s Finnish roots and its connection to the historic origins of sauna culture was a fundamental part of the design journey and the creation of the BASTUA prints,” says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko. When gathering inspiration from nature, the brand gravitated towards the large, decorative rhubarb leaves that are often found growing near saunas in Finland. You’ll find it throughout the collection, including on the ever-popular FRAKTA bag.

Within the BASTUA collection lies furniture, glassware, and textiles that include robes and towels – and even the first-ever sauna bucket – among other items. These are all things one might traditionally use when enjoying a sauna, or right before or after the ritual. You’ll find elements that can be used during a meal, a place to sit and feel grounded, and even a candle infused with the scents of elderflower, rhubarb, and sweet vanilla.

BASTUA’s furniture pieces are inspired by classic Nordic design. A side table offers a clever feature: the collection’s patterned trays fit perfectly on the top. You may even want to pull up the coordinating bench to enjoy a relaxing moment of Zen.

“Nordic furniture design has always been characterized by clean lines and simple constructions that focus on function” says Mikael Axelsson, Designer at IKEA. “The BASTUA side table is my take on this heritage, as it is made of birch veneer and with a high edge that keeps things in place.”

The BASTUA collection feels like a perfect partnership, neither pattern nor design overshadows the other. It’s a wonderful marriage between two brands that complement one another in harmony.

To learn more about BASTUA, visit ikea.com.

Lee Broom Exhibits Within the “British Capsule” at Maison&Objet

This year, British designer Lee Broom had the honor of being invited by Maison&Objet to share his work in an exhibition that featured iconic pieces, fresh developments, and collaborations from some of Britain’s top designers. For the “British Capsule” Broom included his new Divine Inspiration collection of lighting, as well a selection of complementary furniture and decor.

“We are thrilled to be selected to join the British capsule at Maison&Objet. In the spirit of Maison’s theme ‘Take Care’, we are showing an edited selection of pieces that bring a sense of the comfort of the home combined with an element of spirituality and mysticism,” Broom declared.

Inspired by the light and shadows created by lancet windows found in church arches, the highlight of the exhibit is Broom’s four meter tall Hail light. The elongated aluminum elements and reeded glass lightbulbs are asymmetrically placed, while its impressive size adds to the drama.

Alongside Hail were the Vesper Duo lights. Dramatic in their own right, Vesper’s prolific design leans on the simple geometry of Brutalist sculpture and modernist cathedral lighting. (The shared inspiration between Hail and Vesper doesn’t go unnoticed.) Using extruded aluminum, the lighting’s rectangular cube-like shapes are joined together by illuminated spheres.

Broom’s portion of the exhibit resembles a dining room setup, using light greys and brushed silvers to create a modern calm. His round Musico Table and Musico Chairs make a statement with their hand-bent, twisted stainless-steel tubes. Two Fulcrum Candlesticks, made in Nero Marquina Marble, reside on each side of the booth. And reflecting it all back on the viewer is the Split Mirror hanging on the back wall. With a precisely cut vertical slice that’s shifted upward, it reveals an unexpected oak-trimmed view of the black frame.

Musico Table and Chairs

To learn more, visit leebroom.com.