Plates designed specifically for meatballs, a vase made from a single bubblegum-pink metal spiral, and table lamps that double as eye-catching contemporary art. It’s all part of a brilliantly bold 12-piece holiday collaboration between IKEA and celebrated Swedish designer, Gustaf Westman. Featuring vibrant tableware and home objects, the limited-edition collection – a special addition to IKEA’s annual VINTERFINT winter range – injects a playful twist into traditional holiday decor. With each item in the collection priced under $50, this dream team collaboration offers striking conversation starters this holiday season (and throughout the year) without breaking the bank.
In a virtual interview from Stockholm, Gustaf Westman said the collection is about celebration and gathering, calling the IKEA collaboration “a dream come true,” especially for a Swedish designer. Westman admits he was initially “scared” at the prospect of the collaboration, however, worrying that the IKEA brand may not fit his aesthetic. With his bold, curvy sculptural designs and use of colour, Westman is known for his unconventional (and highly instagrammable) designs. The IKEA collaboration also needed to be more affordable than his typical creations. “It was two design worlds meeting,” said Westman. But, he was up for the challenge.
“For me, this was an opportunity to take traditional holiday decor aesthetics and turn it on its head, instead, introducing a sense of playfulness and boldness,” said Westman. “This is my interpretation of the holidays; it’s a new design for a new generation.” This interpretation is one that extends beyond the festive season, with Westman noting that it’s not particularly “Christmas-y.” Instead, it pairs traditional red and green with playful, modern pops of punchy bubblegum pink and baby blue, ensuring the colours work for any celebration.
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The vision was for the pieces to easily mix and match and to “concisely weave everything together,” says Westman. Each piece can easily pair with other items in the collection to form a festive (or not) and photo-worthy (for sure) tablescape. “Togetherness is in the heart of the collaboration,” says Westman, calling the collection “a weird family that fits together.”
Items include things like a dark green or pink oversized cup and saucer (perfect for mulled wine), sculptural candlesticks, candle holders, a rechargeable lantern that transforms from a layered orb into an expanded sculptural shape, and a modern take on the traditional Swedish candelabra-style lamp.
For many, especially the long-time lovers of IKEA’s iconic meatballs, the Meatball Plate, which displays the addictive balls of goodness lined in a row, is the star of the show. “It’s nice that the meatballs finally have their own plate,” says Westman. The arrival of the Meatball Plate coincides with the beloved IKEA dish’s 40th anniversary.
As for Westman, his favourite item is the basic plate. “It’s a simple product design; I like the simplicity of it,” he says. He also calls the Bouncy Vase, which bounces when flowers are placed in it, “really fun.”
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This sense of playful simplicity and expression in Westman’s work is exactly what Carmen Ciesielski, Home Furnishing Design Leader, IKEA Canada, highlights when discussing the new winter collection. “At IKEA, we believe seasonal design should spark joy, feel welcoming, and reflect the many ways people come together to celebrate,” says Ciesielski. “This collaboration with Gustaf Westman brings a fresh, expressive energy to our winter collection — infusing tradition with bold colour, sculptural forms, and a sense of play. It’s a perfect example of how IKEA continues to deliver high-quality, design-forward products at prices that make great design accessible to everyone.”
The IKEA VINTERFINT collection in collaboration with Gustaf Westman will be available in stores and online starting October 1, 2025, for a limited time.
(Including the most IKEA product ever…the Meatball Plate.)
