Ikarus Design is an interior designer’s dream with a simple philosophy: Make good design available to everyone, everywhere. If you don’t believe us, take a peek at their beautifully curated Instagram account, @ikarus.design. The German retailer’s classic mid-century aesthetic, paired with pleasantly surprising pops of color and an intense focus on high quality textiles, makes them a Tivoli favorite.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Volker Hohmann, the founder of Ikarus Design, about what sets them apart in the interior design space – and why Tivoli has been in their warehouses since our founding in 2000. Here's what he had to say.
Tell us about Ikarus Design. How did you get your start?
We were founded in the early 1990s. At the time, the only way to learn about design was by reading specialized design books and magazines like “Schöner Wohnen,” or by visiting flagship design stores in major cities. It wasn’t accessible at all. So we decided to create a kind of reference book, where you could easily learn more about, and order, beautiful products for your home or office.
Scandinavian brands like @g.a.d_furniture, @swedeseab and @stringfurniture focus on simple, timeless design and natural resources. This set uses wood from the Swedish and Finnish forests.
© G.A.D
In 1994 our very first catalogue, “The Ikarus Design Katalog,” was published. It has since become a leading design reference book, with 650,000 copies published and distributed each year.
Sustainable design and iconic lighting: The PH 5 pendant lighting fixture and PH 3½-2½ table lamp from @louispoulsen
© Louis Poulsen
In 1997 we were one of the first furniture sellers to launch an online shop. It was a big experiment for us – no one knew where the internet was going to take. Over time, of course, it grew, and with it our online shop did as well. Today we sell over 25,000 products, available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. But our key philosophy is still the same: To provide our customers with an excellent selected range of design products, thorough background information, and a touch of inspiration.
Pli Side Table, 2016 by Victoria Wilmotte for ClassiCon and Bibendum Armchair, 1926 by Eileen Gray
© Elias Hassos for ClassiCon
What does your store specialize in?
We specialize in providing a complete overview of each design product. We tell you the latest design trends, the best brands and designers to watch, and the pieces on the market with the best price to performance ratio. Most importantly, we comb through the huge field of product design to give you a curation of the very best work.
Who wouldn't want to work in an office filled with Bauhaus classics from @thonet_gmbh?
© Thonet
We also make sure to offer something for every room: not just lighting, tables, and chairs but also beds, cupboards, desks and accessories for the complete look and lifestyle. Particularly well-designed and manufactured upholstered furniture is our personal passion.
Must-have accessories to personalize all spaces from @swedishninja
© Swedish Ninja
Describe "that something special" that your brand looks for when choosing products.
We love pieces that not only to serve the purpose for which they were designed but are also considered a “design” or piece of art in themselves.
Broset Copenhagen (above) makes candles that bring hygge to any room. Meanwhile, we can't get enough of the bright pastels featured in this Montana Furniture line (below).
© Broste Copenhagen / © Montana Furniture
Within this, it is most important for us that we offer a good mix of new and trending designs and designers, as well as the classic labels and basic pieces. For instance, we feature products from designers like Hans J. Wegner, Jasper Morrison, and the Eames couple, as well as pieces by Maria Gustavsson, Kristina Dam and Sebastian Scherer. We also look for good value pieces, offering entry-level as well as high-end home and living products.
@amesdesign brings the heat, as featured in the summer Ikarus Design catalogue
© Ames Design
How do Tivoli Audio products fit in with the rest of your overall concept?
We’ve included Tivoli Audio in our range since it was founded in 2000. The reason for our trust was the design, the excellent technology, and the good price to performance ratio. That is still the case today: Tivoli customers get a mix of both classic and modern design with the latest technology. Your products showcase passion for music, quality and design, and reflect our own passions in this as well.
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If you like what you’ve seen, visit www.ikarus.de or follow @ikarus.design on Instagram.
