All the interior design fairs in the world can't compete with the release of the 2010 Ikea catalogue, the hottest event on the Home Beautiful calendar. 

Helen Adams, HB Homes Editor
 
If you look at the international interiors calendar, there are a number of annual events to mark the passing of the months. Maison & Objet in Paris is a must for January next year; Italy’s Milan Furniture Fair - the famous Salone Internazionale del Mobile - is in April; and, closer to home, professionals can check out Melbourne’s DesignEx in early May 2010.

One of the most influential diary dates is less publicised but has more immediate impact - and that is the release of the new Ikea catalogue. I’ve recently been immersed in tracking down 50 of Australia’s best kitchens for Home Beautiful’s Essential Guide to Kitchens, on sale this week, so it was a month or so after the August release when I finally sat down and devoured the catalogue, and it was well worth the wait.

As usual, it is full of inspiring new products and interesting stories. Who knew the humble Billy bookcase was 30 years old and that over 40 million have sold worldwide? The item at the top of my Ikea wish list is the PS Maskros pendant light. Based on the form of a dandelion, designer Marcus Arvenon designed it to “imitate a dandelion ready to be scattered by the wind. And when lit, the shadows on the walls resemble just that – the room dissolves and transforms.” It is such a beautiful light that it could be showcased at any of the international fairs, but the best bit about it is - being from Ikea - it's affordable. I don’t know if it will be like the Billy bookcase and go on to sell over 40 million, but at $199 I’ll certainly be buying one.  

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