Gustaf Westman and IKEA have just given us a first taste of their collaboration, teasing the inaugural piece of their upcoming collection: the ‘Meatball Plate’. Here's everything we know about the team-up so far
When thinking of IKEA, beyond its easy-to-assemble, minimalist, and accessible furniture, one other thing instantly springs to mind: meatballs.
So it feels only fitting that the first piece unveiled from the upcoming hotly anticipated collaboration between the Swedish furniture giant and acclaimed designer Gustaf Westman is dedicated to the delicacy that’s been served at IKEA’s stores since the 1980s – one that has become a cornerstone of Sweden’s culinary identity. Enter: the ‘Meatball Plate’.
Arriving in vibrant turquoise that nods to IKEA’s iconic royal blue while blending with Westman’s signature candy-hued universe, the eye-catching, rounded-rectangle porcelain serving plate cradles precisely 11 meatballs (or veggie, salmon, or chicken balls, depending on your diet). They sit neatly side by side, ready to be snacked on or scooped onto your plate with a side of mashed potatoes, of course. When the duo announced the collaboration last June, they stated that the team-up would be “reimagining celebrations” – a notion where the ‘Meatball Plate’ fits seamlessly. After all, these comforting orbs claim a spot in many Swedish celebrations such as Midsummer and Christmas, the latter of which inspired Westman in this teaser.
Photo: IKEA
Much like other IKEA products, the 'Meatball Plate' arrives with instructions . Photo: IKEA
“I love designing objects for a specific function – it brings a touch of humour and makes them instantly easy to grasp. In Sweden, meatballs mean Christmas, and this plate is my way of honouring that tradition,” he explains. “The design is simple, lining up the meatballs so each one is visible, like they’re sitting on little thrones.” Maria O’Brian, creative leader at IKEA of Sweden, adds: “This collaboration is about taking the traditions of gathering in the home and reimagining them through playful and unexpected designs. Together with Gustaf Westman, we’ve created a new design that is bold and expressive, using an unconventional shape and colour to give this Swedish staple a new stage.” Although designed with meatballs in mind, both note that the plate is also perfectly suitable for serving other bites, such as olives, fruit, or sweets.
While the ‘Meatball Plate’ has just been introduced (conveniently timed with Swedish Meatball Day on August 23), we’ll have to wait a few weeks before Westman and IKEA unveil the full 12-piece collection, which is set to launch on September 9.
