The OMMJÄNGE collection

Back to our roots

The OMMJÄNGE collection combines modern Scandinavian design with Swedish folklore, authentic materials and a crafts heritage. Weaving forgotten traditions into modern living in today’s home.

Folklore is the bridge to our past, our heritage and identity. It’s a wish to connect with traditions and history. It reflects our desire for authenticity, craftsmanship, rituals and simplicity. OMMJÄNGE – a unique, limited, 20-piece collection designed by Maria Vinka and Matilda Hunyadi – reimagines Swedish folklore through a contemporary lens.

Playful and poetic, the collection takes its name from the Swedish word “umgänge” – to socialise. Drop-leaf tables, mouth-blown glass jugs and cupboards that dare you to open the door and peek inside embody the conviviality and charm of the OMMJÄNGE collection.

Once upon a time

At IKEA, we are proud of our deep Swedish roots. Folklore is a strong part of our rich Småland heritage. It tells the stories of our history, time-honoured traditions and keeps original crafts techniques alive.

The OMMJÄNGE collection takes inspiration from life in rural Sweden in the 1800s. A frugal time, families lived in small cabins where they often ate, slept, socialised and even worked in one modest room. While today's small space living is more often connected with urban lifestyles, practical, flexible solutions are just as relevant now as they were back then.

A red-orange OMMJÄNGE stool with a glass and objects on top, next to a wood base bed and a chequerboard floor.

“I want to pay tribute to the roots of our Swedish heritage and show that folk art can be both inspiring and exciting.”

– Maria Vinka, Designer

A pink cupboard hangs on a wood wall above a colourful storage bench from the OMMJÄNGE collection.

The candle holder was inspired by a Swedish wedding dress from the 1800s. Back then, it was also common for the bride to wear a crown. This stoneware queen is sure to brighten up any dark corner.

A pink and orange OMMJÄNGE candlestick with an illuminated candle stands on a wood table with a cushion in the background.

An aerial view of a pair of hands holding a pale wood tray inside a larger orange wood tray, above a wood surface.

Maria's drop-shaped trays were inspired by the "svepask" – a traditional Swedish storage container in round or oval, made from heat-bent wood.

A table and two blue chairs stand in a wood and glass roomset, with a yellow lamp hanging above.

Everything has a tale to tell

Every piece in the collection tells its own story. Take Matilda’s drop-leaf table and chairs for example. The tabletop has an unconventional shape and blue legs that match the chair. Matilda remembers as a child, her mum painting the legs of a folk art table, "I wanted to honour that in a way," she recalls.

“The key was to create distinct silhouettes, which is clearly visible in my interpretation of a classic rustic chair, in the table’s shape and in the graphic expression of the cabinet doors. With the furniture I want to invite everyone to explore folk art’s history and heritage – and celebrate playful design.”

– Matilda Hunyadi, Designer

Objects are placed on top of a red and pink OMMJÄNGE wall-hung cabinet.

A fun, colourful cupboard with scalloped-edged doors offers a slight peek at what's inside, while rattan is handwoven around a metal frame to create a large, stable clover-shaped basket with plenty of space for logs, throws or pillows.

A blue and wicker basket filled with wood stands on the floor.

Folklore inspiration

For Maria, the starting point for the collection was a 19^thcentury illustration by the travelling painter Nils Månsson Mandelgren of a bride from the Swedish countryside. Mandelgren was well known for documenting life in rural Sweden in the 1800s through painting and illustrations. “What I liked about the image of the bride was the mix and match of patterns and jewellery, lots of ornamentation,” says Maria.

The designer also delved into her own past. She remembers the colourful florals embroidered by her Sámi grandmother, “My farmor (grandmother) took whatever threads were available, so the flowers had purple and orange petals, black stems, some olive green in there. It was very beautifully done, but the colours were all over the place.”

A pink and red OMMJÄNGE candlestick on a wood surface, in front of a colourful wall decoration.

An aerial view of an OMMJÄNGE rug, with a pair of legs standing on the rug.

Flower-shaped metal OMMJÄNGE hooks on a wood wall with a top hanging on a hanger.

The corner of a colourful, patterned OMMJÄNGE cushion on a white bed.

The circular pattern on the rug resembles the voluminous skirt of a colourful 19th century Swedish bridal gown, while the dainty wallflower hooks pay homage to traditional wire twisting techniques.

An aerial view of hands holding sketches of products from the OMMJÄNGE collection, over a wood table.

A small red, pink and natural chequered basket sits on a stool next to a similar, larger basket. They are filled with textiles.

With age comes wisdom

Authentic materials in solid wood, glass and wool are crafted – many by hand using time-honoured techniques – to create a collection of products that are truly unique and made to last. Take the beautiful two-tone glassware, or the chequered braided storage boxes, made by hand out of thinly sawn strips of poplar wood using 19^th-century braiding techniques.

Craftsmanship is one of the most thrilling aspects of creating the collection for designer Maria Vinka, who hails from a family of makers, including carpenters and weavers. She recalls accompanying her father to basket weaving courses as a child, “I remember sitting there with older people making baskets out of birch bark. I think it really sparked something.”

Shadows fall on an orange and white OMMJÄNGE jug with a green stem. It stands on a wood surface next to a wall hanging.

Mouth-blown by skilled artisans, each glass object has a unique character and pattern. Combining two types of stained glass instead of painting on the glass ensures that the colours stay true over time.

The edge of an orange and white OMMJÄNGE bowl.

A close-up of the handle of an orange OMMJÄNGE tray.

A close-up of a wooden OMMJÄNGE bench leg on a colourful rug.

A glass OMMJÄNGE tealight holder on a wooden shelf.

A colourful past comes back to life

What’s one of the things that sets the OMMJÄNGE collection apart? Colour! And plenty of it! While old folklore designs may appear faded, muted and outdated, patterns often hidden behind cabinets and furniture, untouched by the sun, reveal a much more vibrant colour palette and patterns that fit perfectly in today's homes.

Close-up of a colourful hanging tapestry on a wood wall, next to a vase of flowers.

“The colours were super important to us in this collection. We wanted to show the vibrance of folk art and at the same time use shades and combinations that feel contemporary.”

– Matilda Hunyadi, Designer

A yellow, pink and orange lamp hangs in front of a window and above a bed with cushions.

The cushion features a traditional pattern in a dobby weave that creates a naturally crinkled effect with a unique, tactile touch.

Three colourful cushions on a white bed, in front of a window.

Almost two centuries later, the OMMJÄNGE collection proves that despite all the advantages of modern living, not everything has changed. Long-lasting objects with impressive craftsmanship and smart functions are just as relevant as ever.

Welcome a piece of Swedish tradition into your home today

OMMJÄNGE is a unique and limited collection, available online and at IKEA stores from September, depending on your location. Don't see it at your local IKEA yet? Try checking back, and in the meantime, you'll find plenty more inspiring new collections by clicking below.