Kristine Mandsberg for IKEA.
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.
Wow – her work is fantastic!! Thanks for the great find. I’m off to go explore her site! :)
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I’m loving the pattern with the mushrooms!
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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;-)
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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/
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@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!!
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the sort of crazy looking pug on top is really cool. Ikea is such a lifesaver sometimes.
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And kudos to you for showcasing her here.
Lovely stuff.
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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;-)
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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
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Love her! Great find :) IKEA’s textiles have been shite lately, but this is very cool. Here’s hoping for more stuff like this.
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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?
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Ms. Mandsberg designed a fabric for Ikea named Monalis. It is no longer available on their website. Does anyone know where Ican find it?
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John, IKEA never sells their fabrics online—you have to buy them in the store.