VARMT HUND fabric from IKEA, 59″ wide (39″ repeat) / $3.99 per yard
One of my favorite things about IKEA is that they almost always attach the name of the designer to their products. This isn’t a practice that’s typically associated with lower-cost retailers, but it is in line with IKEA’s emphasis on promoting “good design for all”. When I saw IKEA’s new VARMT HUND textile design, I immediately looked for the name on the tag: Danish textile designer, illustrator and artist Kristine Mandsberg.
After Googling her name and discovering Mandsberg’s website, I became an immediate fan. Interiors, collages, clothing, and even an opera! Very cool stuff, and she’s probably someone I would never have come across without IKEA giving her credit for her work. I wish other retailers would do the same thing.
All images from KristineMandsberg.com.
13 Comments
Wow – her work is fantastic!! Thanks for the great find. I’m off to go explore her site! 🙂
I’m loving the pattern with the mushrooms!
i was surprised when i saw this printed dog! o-O
i saw them in 2 of my favorite blogs in a row today. check out Svanna’s! http://carpeitem.blogspot.com/ i guess Anna and Svanna have a kind of same taste;-)
Hey Anna
Thanks for the pointer on Kristine Mandsberg. I love that about Ikea too. There’s a British store, I’m sure you’ve heard of – Habitat – that does the same. They’re a bit pricier than Ikea, but their aesthetic is similar, and they always work with up and coming designers and really push them by producing their work on a variety of goods – glassware, crockery, table linen, notebooks etc and spread them throughout the store.
I was in my local shop nabbing up some Hennie Haworth-designed cups and glasses a few months ago, and there were a couple of women standing near me looking at the same range, umming and ahhing. I uncharacteristically spoke to them, and told them they should scoop them up, as she’s going to be a big name. They looked at me like I’d just barked like a dog. (Apparently some people don’t like being advised what to buy by a stranger.)
Oh well, more Hennie stuff for me.
Here’s some links, in case you’re interested:
http://www.habitat.co.uk
http://www.henniehaworth.co.uk/
@chika: Thanks for the link to Svanna’s site! I’d never seen it before, but it appears we do have similar taste. 🙂
@kellee: Yes, I am familiar with Habitat (they are owned by IKEA!), but sadly we don’t have them in the US. Off to check out Hennie Haworth now. Thanks!!
the sort of crazy looking pug on top is really cool. Ikea is such a lifesaver sometimes.
And kudos to you for showcasing her here.
Lovely stuff.
I’ve been following your blog now for almost a year – lurking while enjoying your style, your DIY-skills, your great photos and your great ability to find interesting “stuff” around the web.
And now you’ve found a danish artist I didn’t know – cool!
“Varmt hund” is actually a nonsense-title – if the artist had called it “Varm hund” (without the “t”) it could be translated to “Hot dog” – which gives me funny pictures and makes me giggle;-)
Oh yeah, I do vaguely recall hearing about Ikea buying out Habitat. I really like both stores, but the nearest Ikea to where I live is a three hour car ride away, so it’s a rare treat. I did manage to get a friend to pick me up some fabric a while ago though, so I’m all stocked up with Cilla Ramnek material for a while. Think you might like her work too (the pieces I have are also on a black and white tip):
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30153973
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30153973
Love her! Great find 🙂 IKEA’s textiles have been shite lately, but this is very cool. Here’s hoping for more stuff like this.
Would love to see if could find her fabric of a bird sitting on a hand in red. I found the fabric in a purple color (called Monalis) at IKEA today, but wanted to use the fabric to frame for artwork. Any ideas?
Ms. Mandsberg designed a fabric for Ikea named Monalis. It is no longer available on their website. Does anyone know where Ican find it?
John, IKEA never sells their fabrics online—you have to buy them in the store.