IKEA Is Kicking Off The Holiday Season With An Exciting Collaboration Line

This holiday season, IKEA is teaming up with Swedish designer Gustaf Westman to create a collection of tableware and decor pieces that are anything but traditional. The twelve-item ensemble is full of striking yet neatly-balanced colors, and focuses on bringing more light to seasonal get-togethers. The ribbon red and pine green that you might typically associate with Christmas are present, but mixed together with pastel pink and an airy, lightweight blue. This helps establish a distinct palette that's bright, welcoming, and suitable for all sorts of end-of-year celebrations. In an IKEA press release for the collection, Westman notes that he aimed to establish "a sense of playfulness and boldness" with the collection, and this certainly comes across in each of the products he helped create.

If you take a quick glance at the plates, cups, and candleholders that come with this new IKEA line, you'll probably immediately notice that there isn't a single straight edge anywhere to be found. In the press release, Westman says he believes that "a rounded form has no clear ending", and "gives an object more life." The flowing forms that come with this collection arguably also make it more approachable. Although the individual objects have a somewhat informal aesthetic on their own, they're not lacking in elegance. Picking up a few of the pieces from this collaboration is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to incorporate fresh minimalist decor trends in your home this year. The collection goes on sale in stores on October 1st, and online on October 3rd.

Many of the pieces in IKEA's new collection draw inspiration from Westman's (and the brand's) Swedish roots. An especially notable one is the VINTERFINT serving plate. It was created for serving a staple of Swedish cuisine that's especially popular during the Christmas season: Meatballs. However, even with its distinct shape, the plate could still be handy for all sorts of other appetizers and aperitif-style foods, like olives, nuts, and cheese. Another Swedish-holiday inspired piece in the collection is the STRÅLA candelabra. Its shape is a modern take on classic Swedish adventsljusstakens, or electric advent candlesticks, which appear in windows in Sweden throughout the month of December.

Westman also designed several other pieces for the collection that are perfect for illuminating holiday gatherings. The VINTERFINT candlesticks have dramatic, heavy curves that are nice for establishing focal points on the dining table. The STRÅLA table lamp, on the other hand, is perhaps a bit more universal; you could put it on a media console in your living room or pair it with a sleek catch-all tray to make the perfect minimalist entryway table display.

If you're interested in styling your home with mid-century modern decor, the curved lines and bold accent colors that you get with this new IKEA collection probably appeal to you for more than just the holidays. The VINTERFINT dishes and vase, in particular, might perfectly contrast with your wooden furnishings or other nature-inspired decor elements. In fact, all of Westman's designs could be perfect for trying out new color combinations that will transform your interior.