Styles: A Swede Upgrade

| Print Post This | Like (0) | Comments (0)

IKEA: BRAND of newly graduated 20-somethings, recently divorced men and those who enjoy hammering and cursing as recreation. Now the ever-growing Nordic import has introduced the Stockholm collection, which combines luxurious materials like mohair, cowhide (cowhide is considered luxurious?) and hand-blown glass with the same reasonable prices the store is known for. Ten top Swedish designers created the 82-piece line, which includes the extra-wide armchair by Niels Gammelgaard shown at right ($699), an armless easy chair by Tod Björklund ($399) and accessories like the skyline-printed Stad cushions ($13) by Maria Vinka.

» LIGHT ON THE LIPS: "Subtle" and MAC don't often go together, as the line is most famous for its rich, often wild colors. But they toned it down for the new Tendertones ($14.50, maccosmetics.com), a lip gloss/balm hybrid for summer. The fruity taste is like a high-end Lip Smacker. We were impressed by the variety of color, which ranges from bronze to lime green, but they all go on quite sheer. Our favorites were Tender Baby, a hilariously neon pink, and Purring, the tangerine that's straight out of the '80s. Testers really appreciated the light feel, since summer lips don't need as much hydration as winter-dry ones, and the SPF 12 is a bonus.

Photo courtesy Ikea