We show you photos of the complete collection
Cheap, cheerful and mid-century authentic, get to it: Ikea recently reissued 26 pieces of furniture and accessory designs from Ikea catalogs from the 1950s-1970s. Many of the chairs, sofas, tables, lighting, textiles and dishes in the new ÅRGÅNG collection are quite affordable. Lookie that pretty red “Sila” pendant light — straight from 1956, and just $80.
Only available in stores
Ikea tell us that these products available in select stores. However, you can take a look online and get more information about sizes, materials, etc.. Right now, we know of no single link to the collection as a whole. We’ve asked Ikea about that, but meanwhile, here’s our suggestion for how to get to each of the 26 items:
- We have every single product in the collection in our slide show at the bottom of this page. Find the product name in our captions — type it into the search box at Ikea — and you then can ogle.
I guess we could put all 26 links in this story. But yikes. Ikea: We need a collection link, pretty please!
(Note: In the lead image above, the fabric and tripod lamp are not available in the U.S.)
From the press release:
A bit of history.
IKEA has throughout history always worked with fantastic designers. To the left you see an extract from the 1956 IKEA catalog with some of our designers whose pieces are now making its way back into history. It’s the IKEA circle of life.
To celebrate IKEA turning 70 years, we let a whole collection of faithful old servants from the 50s-70s reappear. The ÅRGÅNG Collection includes everything from furniture and lighting to textiles and tableware. It’s a great trip down memory lane for everyone interested in interior design. Still the simple timeless design will make each and every solitaire in the collection a centerpiece in homes of today.
We found plenty of inspiration and picked out “jewels” to give a new life. The collection ended up with 26 strong products, all with a true IKEA identity. Through this collection we strengthen the IKEA brand, add vitality – and some history – in our stores. Retro design is a big trend right now, so the timing for ÅRGÅNG Collection is just right!
A stroke of genius.
“A lovely little table, ultramodern in design with turned legs in two pieces. Top in beautiful rosewood and black copper-tipped legs. A table that was an immediate hit with ‘the connoisseurs’ at the store in Älmhult. Assemblable.”
That’s what Ingvar Kamprad himself wrote about LÖVET in the 1956 IKEA catalog. To help him he had his loyal friend Gillis Lundgren who served as the company’s marketing director at the time and who would later become the designer of some of the most classic pieces of IKEA furniture, including BILLY bookcase, ÖGLAN chair and TORE drawer unit.
- See our original story on the Lovbacken table (above), which was released last year.
Even though Gillis Lundgren didn’t design LÖVET, he has a strong link to the table. How? Well, when Gillis tried to put the table in his car, he discovered how bulky it was. So he removed the legs to make it easier to transport. This action led to the birth of the concept of flat packaging at IKEA. Furniture took less room to transport and customers assembled it themselves at home. Transport was expensive even back in those days and that stroke of genius helped IKEA to save money. Savings that allowed us to continue to lower our prices on quality furniture, like LÖVET. The idea that was born in 1955 with LÖVET table went on to define our entire approach to designing furniture. Then, now and in the future..
In addition to the LÖVBACKEN table, some of my favorites from the collection include the EKENÄSET armchair above…
The GÅRDSKÄR pendant light…(above)
The GAGNET, hoop style chair…(above)
The two styles of ARJEPLOG pendant lights… (above and below)
And the SKOVEN rug in orange and black, (above) which could be a fun addition to a tiki lounge seating area or 70s style space.
Pam says she’s digging the dinnerware, too.
To see the entire ÅRGÅNG collection, view the slideshow below. Mega thanks to Mod Betty from Retro Roadmap, who was first to tip us to the story. Several other readers followed close at hand. Thank you, aa!
Readers — which pieces are your favorite?
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… click anywhere to move forward and look for previous and next buttons within photo to move back or forth… you can start or stop at any image:
Scott says
Okay, the LÖVBACKEN side table “layered” with the coffee table idea in the lead photo sent me into orbit. I’m doing blue, black, and walnut in my home office and that would look amazing.
Hopefully EKENÄSET sells well and they add a more vibrant color option or offer slip covers like they do some of the sofas. This chair in something like peacock, avocado, or royal would make it a real screamer.
Karin says
Thank you, RR! Thank you Ikea! I love them all. This is so exciting. Proof indeed that the midcentury trend is not going anywhere soon. The lighting in particular is incredible. Bravo Ikea! Thanks, Pam and Kate. You made my day. Now I can do my kitchen lights on a budget. How great is that!
Kathy says
I love the GAGNET hoop chair. My parents had a set for the covered patio very similar to that and I loved them then too. So comfy and lightweight. My parents outfitted the whole house in Danish Modern as newlyweds and used a lot of it for many years. My brother has the sideboard and my stepbrother has the dining room table and chairs. I think the rest eventually wore out after several moves and slipcovers. My Dad had the bedroom set for a long time–I really liked the huge dressers and the headboard with the sliding doors for book cubbies.
Sadly, most furniture doesn’t last for decades like that anymore.
eliza16t says
I heard about the reissue and wanted to see them for myself, but didn’t really have plans to buy anything. There were no Ekanaset chairs on display in the Houston Ikea, so I thought they were sold out. Lo and behold, I found them in the “as-is” section, in their unopened boxes, for half off ($99 instead of $199). The sign said “discoloration on cushion back,” but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it as far as I can tell. You better believe I bought one.
Marcia says
Good eye, girl! You could always put the “discolored” side toward the wall.
Scott says
What a deal and I always forget to check that part of the store, good tip.
And don’t forget about creative lamp placement, think dark side of the moon. 🙂
Desirae says
I got my Arjeplog light a week and a half ago. I rushed to get it afraid that they might sell out. Out of all the stores in California, they only seemed to have them in Sacramento and West Covina. I was shocked that they chose to stock them in Sacramento instead of the Bay Area. I would assume more interest would be around San Francisco. But, fortunately, I have friends and family that live in Sacramento, and they were able to run out and pick it up for me (though I still have to get it from them. 😉 )
Kate says
Isn’t it great to have friends and family help with things like this? I have my mother-in-law checking on the orange rug for me at her Ikea. We are two hours from the nearest one! 🙂
Mstark says
They have it at the hiuston store. Saw it this weekend. It’s hideous imo. Too dark!
midmichigan says
All of it is really cool; I especially like the lighting. Retro “reissuing” seems to be trendy now because I see that Burger King is reissuing the Yumbo sandwich I remember from the late 60’s. They were delicious.
Kate says
I just saw that commercial last night and it made me crack up! hehehe Yumbo! What a funny name.
I wonder if you’ll think they are as delicious now as they were then? I find that a lot of things I thought were delicious when I was a kid are not very tasty anymore…might be my taste changing?
midmichigan says
It looks like they’ve changed it a bit, Kate. It used to be served on a round, toasted and buttered bun with cheese about the size of The Whopper and The Whaler sandwiches. Looking at the picture of the “reissued” Yumbo, it’s on a longer deli-style bun. I’m going to try it!
Kate says
ohhh ok, so it is “reissued” with slight design tweaks. hehehe 🙂
Mike says
Let’s just hope they’re not NOS like a lot of the stuff available on Ebay!!!
Marcia says
The Lovbacken coffee table would be my choice. The price is right. In Texas it’s only available in Houston. The Ekenaset chair looks pretty good too, although it lacks the pizzazz of Joybird’s Soto. I just checked and it’s out of stock at all three Texas stores. Anyone know if items will eventually be restocked?
Yasmine says
Worth noting: if you see the table on display and they are out of stock, you can ask the manager for the floor model, which is what I did. They also took 30% off it as an “as is” sale. They know they are not going to get any more stock, so they are happy to sell the display.
Rebecca prichard says
I have always loved IKEA!
Jennifer says
Some items were gone before most of us knew the reissue had happened. IKEA did a poor job of gauging interest on the Ekanaset chair, for example.
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says
I’ll check out my local Ikea to see what pieces they may have to offer.
Bummed that the floor lamp is not available, and wish my hacienda had tall enough ceilings for that pendant lamp – I love the profile of the shades!