A first look at IKEA and Marimekko’s colourful new collab

Well, it’s official. All of our dreams, hopes and prayers have been answered with the release of one collection: BASTUA.

For the first time ever, Finnish design and textile house Marimekko has designed a set of prints exclusively for a brand collaboration. And in case the collection’s name didn’t give it away, the brand in question is none other than everyone’s favourite Swedish meatball slingers: IKEA. The design stars have truly aligned!

While the collection is not available quite yet (watch this space), a sneak peek reveals blocky, organic and colourful prints plastered across robes, serveware and towels, faceted glassware and timber furniture, and a limited release of IKEA’s super-handy carry-all totes. All up, it’s a total of 26 products that champion clean lines and simple construction, hallmarks of Nordic design.

Inspired by Nordic nature, sauna culture and self-care rituals, the collection is designed to be enjoyed year-round: whether you’re heading home after an ocean swim in summer, or you’re cosying up on the couch with a cup of tea as a form of TLC.

“Collaborating with Marimekko was a natural choice for IKEA as we are both committed to enabling a better everyday life at home, and with the BASTUA collection, it begins with focusing on wellness first,” says Henrik Most, Creative Leader at IKEA.

“Capturing the essence of Marimekko’s Finnish roots and its connection to the historic origins of sauna culture was a fundamental part of the design journey and the creation of the BASTUA prints,” adds Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko.

The BASTUA collection, which falls within IKEA’s usual budget-friendly price guide, will be launched in all IKEA markets in March 2023. You can get a sneak peek of the collection here.

Our top picks from the Batsua collection

BATSUA strip green kimono, $45, IKEA

BATSUA leaf shaped green tray, $20

BATSUA LED lantern, $35

BATSUA large carrier bag in orange/green leaf pattern, $4

BATSUA floral pattern water bottle, $19

BATSUA bath sheet in blue/green, $29

BATSUA glass 30cl,$6.50 (each)

BATSUA solid birch rack with 5 knobs, $29

Writer Lucy Francis Senior Content Producer

Lucy Francis has a long-standing love affair with homes that began with a childhood spent picking out the nicest house on each street from the back of her parents' 2000s Subaru. Years later, after completing both a Diploma of Interior Design at Design Centre Enmore and a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University, she dipped her toe into PR at a bespoke firm specialising in architecture, then went on to produce social media and editorial content at a Sydney agency before settling right at home in…homes. Following a brief stint with Better Homes and Gardens, Lucy has spent several years writing under Homes To Love and managing the digital presence of Inside Out, Real Living and Country Style. It’s here that she can combine her great loves every day: design, architecture, lifestyle, homes, and, of course, words. In her free time, she finds her dream home over and over on real estate websites and spends far too long browsing Facebook Marketplace for mid-century furniture.

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