5 Things Ikea does that makes you feel Swedish.

Although this may not be within the scope that I would usually write about, I do have something on my mind and I guess it is travel oriented of sorts, it is Ikea, yes ikea the international flat box store that has many item with name that frankly most North Americans find absurd.

Products

The Billy, now that is a bookcase, why is a billy a bookcase? The Nelserikl, yes  this is word that most North American have never heard of and it is a standing work stool. If a Billy is a bookshelf, why is Neilerik a stool? Are these scandinavian words, or just an imaginative person in the marketing department?

The Art of Design and Names.

Aside from the products – which are vast, from Bedrooms to Workspaces and all stops in between Ikea never fails to amaze me. All the blue and gold and very attractive people available to help at the quick drop of a non Swedish phrase, like “excuse me can you direct me to the Kivik (sofa) that I viewed online?”

Sometimes I like to roam through the showroom just to get a sense of what is perceived to be contemporary European design at least Scandinavian design. The bent wood, the sleek Volvo like lines; do you sit in or watch it grow? As mentioned early, the name on the piece really doesn’t give you much of an indication as to its purpose. Is for a children’s playroom or a decorative lawn feature. Looking around the department doesn’t seem to help either as their are always young women with strollers- a pram. Or they too looking for a pendant light?

A Carbon Footprint?

I also like how they claim that their showrooms are completely solar powered. I am no engineer and would never claim to be, but is this really possible, how many solar panels must they have, perhaps it is wind turbine or maybe three ponies that are over worked? Either way there is environmental magic in such a claim. Funny really, a company that is so environmentally friendly, it business model is based upon you driving a carbon incendiary machine to get your items home. Perhaps they should invest in a uber like shuttle- EV of course.

The Scandinavians Among.

I often wonder if Scandinavian actually shop there or is it a ruse for the naive among us? I love the poster of the guy riding the bike in the snow of winter with 5 boxes stacked on a machine that i have never seen- it is truly brilliant. Yet i can’t seem to find the bike to buy. If I had the right name for it, this may prove easier…Bicycle? No that can’t be it.

Aww the confectionary.

What visit is complete without going to the hot dog/ cinnamon bun vendor and getting a dog and and a cup of lingonberry drink…Is that consistent in all all Ikeas, “a dog and a pop?” Or in London, it is chips, in Germany bratwurst, in Israel a falafel, do they have an Ikea on the west bank, and if so what holidays are they closed on?….Ikea never fails to amuse me.

Personally on a rainy day, when I have exhausted everything else entertaining around the home, I like to visit my local Ikea for all the reasons mentioned above. I find it instructive, entertaining and most of all it allows me to get some exercise- those showrooms are huge. Who knows I may even leave with a couple rolls of Fullfolja and a glass on lingonberry juice.

If you have an Ikea experience that you would like to share please a let me know in the comments area.

VTE