IKEA will be introducing their latest limited edition series, SVÄRTAN this September which is a new collection consisting of textiles, paper items, glassware, ceramics and metal objects designed by Swedish fashion and textile designer, Martin Bergström. When I visited IKEA last year for the Democratic Design Days in the spring of 2015, this was one of the collections I was most excited about.

The inspiration for it was drawn from inner-city environments of India and is full of subtle textures and abstract patterns taken from objects that are usually overlooked, encouraging us to see beauty in the seemingly mundane. 

“My idea was to create a modern interpretation of India and its heritage, a country with designs that are perceived in the West as colorful, golden and shiny.” Martin Bergström

Martin Bergström, a Swedish fashion and textile designer has been working in the fields of fashion, art and design for over a decade. Known for his bold and avant-garde designs, he uses everything from ink stains to forgotten handicraft techniques to bring his ideas to life.


To create an image of what contemporary India looks like, 25 students from NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) in New Delhi were invited to a workshop with Martin Bergström. The students used inspiration coming from unexpected places; patterns in surfaces and distressed walls, from dangling cables hanging over the streets, and then made imprints or drawings of them. The goal was to strike a balance between the organic and the abstract, to find poetry in things that some people may overlook.

“We made over 2000 drawings in the workshop, while in the final collection there are around 15 patterns." Martin Bergström

"With their angular, slightly unpredictable look, these mouth-blown glassware pieces are a good example of Bergstrom's imperfect designs.

The textiles come in reversible sheer fabric, bedding (twin duvet set), wool throws, pillows and rugs.

Our favourite piece, the SVÄRTAN tray table is foldable and made of powder coated steel (and only $59 U.S. / $99 CAD)

Decorative bowls. 

SVÄRTAN side table/stool made of tinted, lacquered, solid mango.

 SVÄRTAN also comes in paper goods from journals, art cards and posters.

Stay tuned for the SVÄRTAN this September at an IKEA near you!