Ikea has successfully indoctrinated the Western world with its version of furniture and Swedish-inspired living, so don’t feign shock that the corporate giant now plans to open its own community outside of London, it was reported on 10 April.

LandProp Services, a property-developing branch of the Ikea company, purchased roughly 27 acres of unused industrial land outside of London and is working through plans to turn it into Strand East, a mix of Ikea-chic and historic homes with tow...