At the top of a hillside neighborhood in Seoul lives a creative couple, Dora and Egg 2. Design Stories visited this elegant home to meet the owners and learn about their inspirations, daily life, and the thoughtful renovation that brought their dream home to life – complete with a curated collection of vintage Artek pieces.
THE SHARED ENTRANCE hallway doesn’t reveal much at first glance. Only after stepping through the front door of their half of the house do you step into a curated space inspired by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.
From terracotta tiles to carefully chosen materials and an impressive collection of Artek pieces, the couple’s home in Seoul, South Korea, reflects their shared inspirations. When they first met, Dora and Egg 2 – [ed. note: one a nickname, the other an artist name] – had very different interior design preferences. Dora leaned toward an eclectic, mix-and-match style, while Egg 2 preferred a Japanese and Zen-inspired aesthetic.
“So, we needed to negotiate”, they joke. “That’s why we picked Finnish design. It felt like a mix of Western and Eastern. We thought that Finnish design will become our middle ground which is why we went to Helsinki to feel and experience it ourselves”.
Dora had already researched interiors extensively on Pinterest, where she discovered Alvar Aalto’s work. “He has a unique style, so I studied more of the same era. He was focused on local culture and mixed modernism with nature”.
Dora describes Aalto’s designs as quiet but luxurious: “Some people might not discover the point but all the lines and everything is very calm and beautiful and smooth. We like that”. Egg 2 agrees: “Simple and functional”. “But still very analogue,” Dora adds.
The couple has already visited Finland five times, taking inspiration for their home from Alvar Aalto’s work.
Dora and Egg 2 have visited Finland five times. They’ve toured Aalto University and the Savoy restaurant in Helsinki for inspiration and still have landmarks like Villa Mairea, Säynätsalo Town Hall, and the Muuratsalo Experimental House on their bucket list. During one visit to Helsinki, they discovered Artek 2nd Cycle, where they sourced nearly 70% of the furniture they now own. They shipped these vintage gems directly to Seoul after their trip.
Though they are thrilled with their purchases and overall vision, not everyone was immediately on board. “My mother said that this house looks like a grandparents’ home. She didn’t know about the design,” Egg 2 tells, laughing. Their previous home was inspired by Alvar Aalto’s private residence, while their current one – where they moved about two years ago – draws from Villa Mairea and Maison Louis Carré.
THE SEARCH FOR their new home began when the building they lived in was undergoing a noisy renovation, and they longed for something calmer and closer to nature.
“We looked at many places before realizing that this area is a very old neighborhood where people don’t like to change things. We liked the concept, and it felt adventurous,” Egg 2 says.
After finding the perfect spot, they began the renovation process, tearing everything down to the concrete to create a blank canvas. They even replaced the windows to open up views of the surrounding hills and peaceful nature.
“Before the renovation, the windows were very small. Almost all Koreans don’t look out the windows and they are always closed as Koreans like to live very private”.
Dora collaborated closely with the interior designer and construction team to blend outdoor and indoor elements, creating an inviting space to gather.
At the heart of the renovation was one clear priority: a dining table big enough to bring people together.
“We are quite introverted people, but we want this house to be like a public space and we want to have places like a fireplace. More of a traditional European style. And a big table to entertain and invite guests”.
Last Christmas, Dora and Egg 2 hosted people from various backgrounds to celebrate. “There was a big, tall tree and gifts and games”.
Artek's Aalto stools are the couple’s favorite pieces in their home. They have collected the stools over time and purchased new ones during their travels or to celebrate special occasions.
In addition to Aalto’s work, the couple also enjoys other modernist designers such as Poul Kjærholm, Eileen Gray, Isamu Noguchi, and Arne Jacobsen.
The couple shares their styling tips with Design Stories’ readers. “Think about the lifestyle and the structure first. And then only place the furniture,” Dora shares. Egg 2 agrees and continues, “I always say we have to know ourselves first. And what I like really. What is my lifestyle. So first we must talk to ourselves”.
Get inspired
611 chair
A201 pendant
Resting cat
Stool 60
Eames Lounge Chair
A331 pendant light
Siena cushion
Atelier bar stool
Puttonen Ruska is a London and Helsinki-based Creative Studio founded by the creative duo Mikko Puttonen and Lucas Ruska Martin. When Lucas and Mikko are not in London, traveling or attending fashion weeks you can find the couple at their second base just outside of Helsinki, probably hiking in the forest or cooking.
See also:
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
• All Alvar Aalto designs >
Text and images: Puttonen Ruska
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