Architecture stories

The renovated interior of Hotel Royal in Vaasa combines bold colors and unique patterns

The renovated tower building of the Original Sokos Hotel Royal in Vaasa opened in February 2024. The interior design was led by the award-winning Helsinki-based KOKO3, which even designed completely new upholstery fabrics for the hotel. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales supplied a large portion of the hotel’s furniture. Read the story

Sponda’s Helsinki office embraces hybrid work

What kind of office space best supports the evolving ways of working? This was the question tackled by Studio Joanna Laajisto’s team as they designed the new premises for real estate development company Sponda in downtown Helsinki. Some of the furniture for the project was sourced through Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales. Read the story

The Aalto House in Helsinki surprises with its timelessness

The Helsinki home of Alvar and Aino Aalto, and later Elissa Aalto, remains as modern today as it was nearly a hundred years ago. Discover the charming home of the Aaltos in Helsinki with Design Stories! Read the story

The Sandbox’s headquarters in Los Angeles serve as an entryway into the metaverse

The new headquarters of gaming company The Sandbox in Culver City, Los Angeles, mimic the virtual world in a tactile way. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales had the pleasure of participating in a project that will help put Finnish interior architecture on the map. Read the story

Finn Juhl’s House is an embodiment of Danish style and cozy atmosphere – with discreet splashes of color

Finn Juhl is one of the best-known Danish designers and architects. He designed his home, located north of Copenhagen, to be a “total work of art”, including the architecture, clever color choices and sculptural furniture. Join us on a tour of the Finn Juhl House! Read the story

César Manrique: The visionary artist who transformed Lanzarote

César Manrique left an indelible mark on Lanzarote, blending art, nature, and community. Explore his life, works like Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Río, and his enduring legacy. Read the story

Renovation turned a dark and dreary house into a cozy and spacious home for a family with children

Now that the extensive renovation project is almost complete, the atrium house built in the 1970s no longer resembles a haunted house but provides an attractive home for a family with children. The goal was to restore the original atmosphere of the brick house. Read the story

Modern log house Villa Havu delights with its light-toned spruce surfaces

The vision of interior designer Laura Seppänen on light spruce surfaces combined with timeless interior decoration creates a serene atmosphere for Villa Havu, one of the favorite houses at the 2023 Loviisa Housing Fair. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales had the pleasure to be involved in furnishing Villa Havu. Read the story

Matri House is a cozy B&B in the Mathildedal ironworks village – and a resort where a good night’s sleep is a matter of honor

Finnish bed manufacturer Matri has opened an intimate boutique B&B in the picturesque Mathildedal ironworks village. What makes the place particularly interesting is that the old building is decorated with modern Nordic design. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales helped furnish the stunning B&B. Read the story

The doors to Hotel Sandsund are open! Join us on a tour of the exclusive rooms in the historic villa

In spring 2022, Design Stories interviewed a group of friends who embarked on an ambitious project to transform historical Villa Sandsund into a new kind of boutique hotel offering effortless luxury. Hotel Sandsund is now open for reservations, and Design Stories returns to Tampere. Read the story

Café Savoy brings an elegant French atmosphere to the center of Helsinki

Restaurant Savoy, a true Helsinki classic, now has a French sibling located in the same building. The interior of the new Café Savoy was designed by Studio Joanna Laajisto. Read the story

The refreshingly retro Lunain is a piece of Paris at its finest

Get ready to be swept off your feet and transported to the heart of Paris with this stunning Art Nouveau apartment renovation. With a mix of vibes from the 1920s and the 1970s, the apartment balances modern comfort with timeless elegance. From the original stained-glass windows to the striking marble marvel of a bathroom, this apartment is a one-of-a-kind oeuvre. Read the story

Say goodbye to dull home offices and stuffy corporate spaces – Linden Palais is a luxurious oasis for office returnees

Norm Architects and TOG teamed up to create a stunning office space in the heart of Berlin that’s so chic, you’ll forget you’re actually being productive. Don’t believe us? Take a peek inside the recently opened Linden Palais, where work and play are perfectly balanced. Read the story

Newil&Bau builds new and renovates old while respecting the spirit and identity of each area

The Finnish apartment developer Newil&Bau has become known for its innovative projects that blend visionary architecture with concepts created by interior architects. One of the company’s latest projects, 76&Piha, is located in Helsinki and involves transforming a former office complex into a modern residential building. Read the story

More room, less rooms – Edition Office’s Melburnian replaces linearity with a lavish labyrinth

Melburnian, a unique high-rise apartment designed by Edition Office, invites you to explore and interpret living space from a new perspective, without traditional room divisions. The simultaneously open and intimate space creates an experiential framework for both core everyday activities and rest. Read the story

Captivating contrasting colors – Futurice’s new Helsinki office supports the active atmosphere of the working community

Futurice, an outcome-focused digital transformation company, has built its workspaces around the company’s highly interactive organizational culture. The result is a relaxed and playful yet stylish office for a new age, designed by Rune & Berg Design. Take a tour with us! Read the story