Urban understatement: Ikea launches deliberately low-key homeware range

Unveiled at the 2015 Stockholm Design Week, the Sinnerlig collection, created by multi-disciplinary designers Studioilse, is a range of 30 products equally at home across a variety of interiors, countries and spaces around the world.

‘It’s supposed to work in a bathroom in Mumbai as well as a kitchen in Neasden. It has to fit into people’s lives,’ says Crawford. ‘We see it as a background. It’s not trying to compete with these fantastic icons of design – it’s a different thing.’

The deliberately low-key collection features cork as a central material in its minimalist designs used as a thinly layered surface for tables, seating and a day bed. Cushioned upholstery is made from an energy-efficient cotton blend, and dried seagrass has been used for baskets and concertina lampshades that fold away easily in true Ikea fashion.

Watch our interview with Ilse Crawford for more on the designer’s re-imagining of home spaces.