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Tags: Sweden Travel / Exhibitions / Art Galleries / Art Museums / Furniture Tourism / → All Tags

IKEA Furniture Not For Sale in Stockholm Art Gallery

While the name of the Swedish gallery Liljevalchs Konsthall may seem like a bit of a mouthful, its English subtitle "The Stockholmers' own public art venue" explains it pretty well. We can't pronounce it, but we want to go there, because starting this month they have a special IKEA exhibition happening.

We should admit, to be fair, that half our furniture has its origins at the local IKEA, so we're natural candidates for this kind of exhibition. The retrospective looks at the history of IKEA over its 50 years: starting back at the first flat-pack table it sold back in the 1950s and showing how furniture designs changed and developed over the decades.

There are also interesting anecdotes about IKEA life. For example, back in the 70s there was a big spate of denim-covered furniture, but it wasn't really about style – that was because the founder bought up a huge supply of denim at a bargain price from a Chinese factory that was going broke.

The IKEA exhibition runs until August 30 in Stockholm, and getting in will cost you 69 SEK (less than $9). In summer the Liljevalchs Konsthall is open every day except Monday (but on Mondays, of course, you can go shopping at the real IKEA instead).

Related Stories:
· Liljevalchs Konsthall [Official Site]
· Ikea Exhibition Showcases 50 Years of Functional Furnishing [Guardian]
· Stockholm Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: ktpupp]

Tags: Furniture Tourism / Odd Tourism / Boston Attractions / → All Tags

The Strange World of Furniture Tourism

Ask any Boston area college student what the oddest thing about Boston local television is and within five seconds he or she is likely to blurt out: "What's with all the furniture commercials?"

If you watch Boston local channels for any length of time multiple thirty second furniture spots, all delivered in that grating Boston accent, will confound even the most intelligent television viewer.

Why do these local furniture companies spend top dollar to run their ads during prime time shows? Well, it turns out furniture shopping is a contact sport in Massachusetts, no scratch that furniture shopping is an actual tourist attraction in the Bay State.

Jordan's, the Michael Jordan of the Massachusetts furniture store scene, offers visitors to its Reading, MA store an experience.

What does that mean? Water fireworks, carnival games, fast food, trapeze lessons, ice cream, an IMAX theatre and the world's largest Wally the Green Monster.

We are not sure this helps sell leather couches, however, this place is always packed with gawkers.

Don't believe us? Photographic proof is above and video evidence is after the jump.

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