The new summer exhibition at Finnish Design Shop’s showroom showcases the hottest new outdoor furniture

Now there’s also color in outdoor furniture! Showroom Manager and interior architect Maija Rasila introduces the most interesting items in our showroom’s new summer exhibition. In addition to the latest outdoor furniture and summer home decor products, there is also inspiration from Italy, trendy bright green accents, and some carefree summer atmosphere.

HAY Sobremesa Stripe vase
Morning coffee “al fresco” is one of the highlights of summer. Fermob’s popular Bistro collection helps create the perfect setting for enjoying a nice cup of coffee even on a small balcony. The cheerful Sobremesa Stripe vase completes the carefree summer vibe.

“SUMMER’S JUST around the corner, and we’re already eagerly awaiting the midsummer heat. At our showroom, summer 2023 is all about cheerful and inspiring colors, light materials and playful combinations – with the focus on leisurely time spent both indoors and out.

Right now, colors seem to be everywhere, and the collections of many manufacturers include outdoor furniture in truly delectable tones. There are, however, also more understated yet equally functional alternatives for the patio and balcony, featuring materials such as classic teak, increasingly popular pine and sleek metal. Outdoor interiors are easy to perfect with rechargeable mood lighting, as many rechargeable table lamps have an IP rating that also enables use outdoors.

Fatboy Paletti outdoor sofa
Fatboy’s modular Paletti outdoor sofa is an ideal choice for lounging on leisurely summer days. The rounded shapes get a nice contrast from sleek plastic and metal furniture, such as Vitra’s galvanized Metal Side Tables and Driade's playful Roly Poly chair.
Flos Bellhop table lamp, brick red
Flos’s brick-red Bellhop lamp, recommended for indoor use, provides a nice contrast to the galvanized coffee table. Vitra’s LKR chair in the front has the same shape as the other models in the classic collection and brings joy both indoors and out.

In addition to our furnished summer lounge, our showroom now hosts a wide range of chairs suitable for outdoor use – just pick the model that suits you best! There are also some delicious items for decorating indoor spaces, as well as an even more extensive selection of summer-themed small objects that are just as perfect for updating your own home as for giving the host when visiting someone’s summer cottage.

Our showroom has recently expanded to the upper floor as well, so now is the perfect time to visit Turku and get inspired by summer interiors and new outdoor furniture!”


Sera Stresa lounge chair, white - black
Serax's Stresa lounge chair is a unique piece by artist and blacksmith – and former professional dancer – Antonino Sciortino.

A touch of Italy for the balcony

Are you dreaming of a carefree Mediterranean atmosphere but lacking a view of green olive groves and the shimmering Adriatic Sea? Not to worry! With a few tips, it’s easy to create an elegant Italian atmosphere anywhere. The key is to use slender, rounded shapes, light and beautifully curved metal details, cheerful accent colors and relaxed rattan – not to forget lush plants and herbs that add the finishing touch to your inviting, laid-back summer oasis.

“Lush plants and herbs add the finishing touch to your inviting, laid-back summer oasis.”

We created our own Southern European summer spot using Serax’s Stresa lounge chairs. The charmingly light yet comfortable and sturdy chair was inspired by the childhood summers the designer Antonino Sciortino spent in Northern Italy in the 1950s, so authentic style is guaranteed. We combined the chair with Emu’s airy Heaven table as well as Sika-Design’s ottoman and Carlo Exterior trolley, which add a touch of warmth to the set including streamlined metal furniture. All you need now is a lemon tree and an Aperol Spritz to feel like you’re in Italy!

All outdoor lounge chairs >

Flowerpot VP9 portable table lamp, signal green
The portable Flowerpot VP9 is a cordless version of the iconic Flowerpot table lamp designed by Verner Panton.

Bright accent colors and soft gradients

Now the trendiest summer homes are full of color! Colorful details on furniture as well as lamps, pots and vases provide a subtle yet effective way of adding a splash of color and giving your home a contemporary look, and as long as the individual colorful elements remain small, the atmosphere is easy to alter without making significant changes to the interior.

We predict that the portable, cordless Flowerpot lamp will be a real hit this summer. The lamp is available in several exquisite colors. The green lamp in the picture looks particularly good alongside the softer green of the plants. The Standard chair and EM Table, designed by Jean Prouvé in the 40s, continue the soft gradient of colors.

All designs by Jean Prouvé >

Fredericia Delphi 3-seater sofa
Fredericia’s Delphi sofa brings luxurious elegance and well-thought-out aesthetics to your living room.

Green and pink

The combination of muted colors and pastels also works: the light-pink wall beautifully accentuates the deep dark-green shade of Fredericia’s Delphi sofa, giving the set with dark tones a lighter overall look. Dark wood and cool marble complement each other in an interesting way, and steel details liven up the whole.

Fredericia’s Piloti coffee table reflects the elegant Mid-century Modern style without being the least bit retro. The New Works shelving system gives you the freedom to create just the combination you need: the products in the collection can be used as both individual shelves and shelving systems covering an entire wall, equally suitable for creating beautiful arrangements and storing and displaying books.

All products by Fredericia >

Artek dining table
Artek’s popular dining tables can also be modified into coffee tables of various heights.

Around a large table

One of the best things about summer are the casual get-togethers around a large table, often extending late into the night. Particularly in larger lounging areas, creating an inviting ensemble also requires a similar scale in furniture: a sizeable sofa set, a sufficiently large table and a great big rug to bring it all together.

“One of the best things about summer are the casual get-togethers around a large table, often extending late into the night.”

It can sometimes be difficult to find large enough coffee tables that fill the space, but luckily also dining tables can be used for that purpose. For example, Artek’s popular dining tables can also be modified into coffee tables of various heights – the table legs are just shortened at the factory to achieve the desired height. You can choose from three non-standard height options or order legs with dimensions completely customized to your needs. There are numerous sizes and options to choose from; the tables on display at the showroom are Artek’s tables 91 and 90B (diameters 125 cm and 75 cm), combined into a large nesting table-type set. Artek’s tables with a special height can be ordered through our showroom or customer service.

All Artek dining tables >

Flowerpot VP1 pendant, black - white
Black and white patterns sharpen the otherwise serene interior of the summer home.

Wild patterns

This summer, more is more also in patterns: stripes, checks and various geometric shapes are particularly prominent at the moment, and patterns are also mixed and matched boldly. HAY’s quilted Quilton sofa is already an eye-catcher on its own, but with lively black-and-white patterns by its side, it is even more so and looks very contemporary. The iconic Flowerpot lamp, designed by Verner Panton and manufactured by &Tradition, is also available in a 70s-inspired wavy pattern, and HAY’s Shadow vase, designed by artist Jessica Hans, also features similar shades and patterns.

A few splashes of color, which are easiest to add with some bright-colored flowers, complement the perfect summer interior. Try, for example, trendy crane flowers or cut orchids to give your home a new twist! You can also compile a contemporary summer bouquet using flowers from your own yard – bright colors and carefree mixing and matching are the thing right now.

All vases >


Finnish Design Shop showroom
Finnish Design Shop's showroom expanded to the upper floor in May. Welcome to Aviatie to get inspired!

Welcome to get inspired!

Finnish Design Shop’s showroom in Turku, Finland is open on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The summer exhibition will be on display until August 2023. Welcome to get inspired at Aviatie!


Maija Rasila

Showroom Manager and interior architect Maija Rasila sets the summer table with a carefree checkered tablecloth and fun fish-themed dishes designed by Paola Navone for Serax – summertime allows for a bit of whimsy.


See also:

Finnish Design Shop's showroom >
All items at Finnish Design Shop >

Text: Maija Rasila Images: Suvi Kesäläinen

Previous story
Next story




Sign up to Finnish Design Shop’s newsletter and enter a monthly gift card prize draw!

Sign up

For the love of design

Design Stories is Finnish Design Shop's own online magazine, that takes you to beautiful Nordic homes, introduces new products and beloved icons – and much more!

Go to the Design Stories front page

Shop Nordic design

Design Stories is provided by Finnish Design Shop, the world’s largest online store specialized in Nordic design.

Discover our selection

Buy & sell authentic vintage

Franckly.com is a curated online marketplace for pre-owned design maintained by Finnish Design Shop.

Find treasures at Franckly