The buzz around a one-off sale of classic IKEA designs is surely proof that the Swedish icon has been rightfully propelled to collector status.
Launching on 26 November, archive project BILLY will shine a spotlight on over 100 discontinued pieces, from chairs and tables to lighting and accessories. With smaller items starting at £50, it's appropriately accessible for the brand that built an empire on bringing well-designed, functional furniture to the masses.
Standouts of the collection, which spans five decades, include Verner Panton's 'VILBERT' chair, Niels Gammelgaard's 'TED NET' chair and Harry Allen’s 'KILA' lamp. There's a particular focus on punchy pieces from the late '80s and early '90s, when IKEA landed with a splash in the UK.
The BILLY venture – named for that beloved bookcase – is the brainchild of artist Harry Stayt, whose interest in the flatpack favourite was sparked while studying at Camberwell College of Art.
His inventory was invigorated with the discovery of 40 IKEA catalogues during a trip to Älmhult in Sweden, the birthplace of its founder Ingvar Kamprad and the home of the IKEA Museum. Dating back to 1970, the stash proved to be an invaluable resource for hunting down historic design pieces.
Follow IKEA tribute account @billy.forsale for a taste of the treasures on offer, before heading to the new website for the big reveal. billy.forsale
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