The Syrian conflict has damaged millions of homes, leaving millions of people dead and others homeless. One IKEA store has highlighted this crisis through a showroom depicting this disturbing reality.
The retailer's flagship store in Slependen, Norway recreated a 25 square meter space to look like a real home in war-torn Syria.
"It is not one of the picture perfect homes that are usually on display. The apartment is based on a real home outside Damascus, Syria," as mentioned in a video about the display.
The recreated home is that of Rana and her nine children.
"Having visited Rana and learned how she and her family survive outside Damascus, we wanted to rebuild her home as truthfully as we could," Snorre Martinsen, POL art director, told Adweek.
"It would have been easier to just put up wallpaper, but it wouldn't have felt the same. People who had fled war themselves have told us, 'This is how it feels.' 'I remember this.' "
The posters and price tags in the space aren't regular posters and price tags. In collaboration with the Red Cross, IKEA placed donation slips – disguised as price tags – in an effort to raise funds to support the humanitarian organization's work in Syria.
