UK in love with Ikea, says Ulrika Jonsson

The 43-year-old, who has appeared in programmes such as Shooting Stars and Gladiators, was speaking at the launch of the Ideal Home Show yesterday.

The fortnight-long exhibition includes a showhome featuring Swedish design.

Jonsson, who has been a keen supporter of Scandinavian craftsmanship, said: “I love Swedish design as being practical and beautiful. It’s the principle of design as a form of foraging – things from the land.

“There is a great openness about Swedish design.”

Asked whether Swedish newcomer to the homeware scene Clas Ohlson could rival Ikea in popularity, she said she believed the older original had won over British hearts and would be difficult to replace.

“I think it would be pretty hard to catch up,” Jonsson said.

“It’s been a part of my life since before I can remember.

“It was one of the favourite parts of my childhood – getting meatballs at Ikea.

“It’s a really exciting time for Sweden.

“There are so many products and companies like H&M now that people love – they are a lot more open to the idea.”

The Ideal Home Show, which is now in its 104th year, is open until 1 April and attracts more than 270,000 visitors annually to its Earls Court base.

Jonsson also said that she believed she would always consider herself to be Swedish at heart – and soul – despite living in the UK since 1979.

“I absolutely believe that my soul is Swedish,” she added.

The Swedish House was built by Götenehus with interiors supplied by Ikea and is designed to be functional and energy efficient.