Swedish ambassador, IKEA exec share design preferences at new collection launch

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MANILA, Philippines — Warm lights and a pop of color are among the primary design elements preferred by Anna Ferry, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of the Philippines.

Last July 2, Ferry welcomed select guests and members of the media, including Philstar.com, to her Makati residence for the tenth and latest PS (Post Scriptum) Collection launch of Swedish home company IKEA.

It marked the first time the Swedish ambassador ever hosted the brand at their home since IKEA opened in the Philippines back in 2021, and since the first PS Collection was released just over 30 years ago.

The collection, which serves as "a love letter to customers," is composed of fun pieces that are good for small spaces, resulting in furniture items that blend playful forms and practical living.

Ferry recalled her fondest memories of the collection were from the debut edition, specifically a storage bench that could go in any room.

Meanwhile, IKEA Philippines' Country Selling Manager Sarah Cox shared that a personal piece of furniture that brings her joy is a 14-year-old sofa that has survived five different countries.

Related: IKEA Pasay celebrates 'Store of the Year' honor, hall of fame status

The new PS Collection takes into account modern spaces with over 30 pieces that focus on useful, functional designs with an unexpected element of playfulness. 

These include inflatable chairs with chrome frames, a table clock that looks like a periscope, a three-foot half-moon lamp, a layered utility cart with circular trays, and a multipurpose rattan ottoman.

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Cox later shared that two household problems she believes that IKEA has solved are storage and wasting food, both of which are popular sources of dispute among families.

As such, she even brought out from her pocket one of the brand's Bevera colored clips, which secures food packages, quipping that it doubles as a hair clip.

The executive then explained that Swedish design resonate with Filipinos because Swedes emphasize cleanliness and simplicity but are never boring, rather utilizing pieces that are always functional and accessible.

Cox also said Filipinos and Swedes both value inclusivity, reiterating the need for storage that is clinical but able to showcase what they store.

"[This] new collection makes one smile because of the stories they can tell, and Filipinos always smile so much," she added.

Speaking about her Makati residence, Ferry shared that her favorite part of the house was a cozy corner in the back where she sits and relaxes after a tiring workday.

In terms of specific pieces, her favorite items are lamps of all kinds — from the table to the floor — noting how dependent humans are on natural light for circadian rhythm and recalled asking Sweden's Public Health Agency to look into whether lamps could do the same.

For Ferry, the best lights are ones that are warm and soft, which is why she has at least five of them in the house to help decompress and destress after work, adding that she is personally sensitive to light.

The Swedish ambassador ended by also citing the importance of color in the house for one's wellness, another contribution brought by the new PS Collection.

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