IKEA's Colorful Exhibition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Features Playful Designs, Including Banana Patterns and Broccoli Motifs, Showcasing a Spectacular Display of Maximalist Artistry
In the heart of Edinburgh, the Dovecot Studios is currently hosting a vibrant and immersive exhibit that showcases IKEA's rich textile design history. The Magical Patterns exhibition, originally organised by the IKEA Museum in Älmhult, Sweden, is running until January 17th, 2026, and offers a comprehensive, colourful survey of IKEA's textiles.
The exhibit spans six decades, highlighting contributions from both historic and modern designers, including Inez Svensson, Göta Trädgårdh, Sven Fristedt, Zandra Rhodes, and Marimekko. It presents 180 designs that have influenced Scandinavian design aesthetics with their distinct use of colour, print, and accessible design.
One of the featured patterns is ANNIKEN, designed by Ida Petterssen Preutz, which is inspired by the famous RANDIB BANAN by Inez Svensson. Preutz discusses the importance of creative liberties and their role behind the scenes at IKEA, crafting food-inspired patterns such as Anniken, a broccoli-inspired design that continues IKEA's tradition of blending playfulness and cultural storytelling.
The exhibit also showcases various products, such as the STRANDFLOKA Place Mat, an example of tidy maximalism and measuring 180 x 180 cm. The BUSENKEL Rug features a harlequin pattern that is 35 cm in size, while the BANJANTRÄD shower curtain is 130 x 160 cm. For those who cannot make it to the exhibit, there are patterned products available for purchase at IKEA.
Anna Sandberg Falk, the exhibit's curator, describes the exhibit as "happy, inspirational, and overwhelming (in the best way)." It offers a peek into IKEA's journey over time and an air of excitement over indulging in colourful textiles. The exhibit also highlights the brand's commitment to fun textiles and crazy patterns, as seen in the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS Chair-bed with its bright pattern of blue and green colors, and the NYTILLVERKAD collection's retro-sleek tubular metal chair.
The exhibit also includes the STOCKHOLM 2025 Table Lamp from IKEA's newest collection, featuring a verdant green and white print. The JÄTTEBJÖRN lidded box, measuring 45 X 35 cm, is another product on display.
During the exhibit's run, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place from August 1st to August 25th, making it an ideal time for art and design enthusiasts to visit both events. Whether you're a fan of IKEA's iconic patterns or just curious about the brand's design history, the Magical Patterns exhibit is not to be missed.
- The Magical Patterns exhibit at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh offers a comprehensive, colorful survey of IKEA's textiles, spanning six decades and featuring contributions from various designers.
- One of the featured patterns, ANNIKEN, designed by Ida Petterssen Preutz, is inspired by IKEA's historic designs and continues its tradition of blending playfulness and cultural storytelling, with a broccoli-inspired design.
- The exhibit showcases various products like the STRANDFLOKA Place Mat, BUSENKEL Rug, BANJANTRÄD shower curtain, and STOCKHOLM 2025 Table Lamp, all characterized by their distinct use of color, print, and accessibility, embodying Scandinavian design aesthetics.
- For art and design enthusiasts who cannot attend the exhibit, patterned products are available for purchase at IKEA, allowing them to indulge in the brand's commitment to fun textiles and crazy patterns, such as the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS Chair-bed and the NYTILLVERKAD collection's retro-sleek tubular metal chair.
- During the exhibit's run, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place from August 1st to August 25th, making it an ideal time for visitors to explore both events, immersing themselves in art, design, and the vibrant lifestyle associated with home and garden.
