The Monocle Guide to Building Better Cities

We stepped inside the Antwerp home of designer Marie Michielssen and her husband, Serax co-founder Axel Van Den Bossche. Come take a look.

Tucked on a wetland at the edge of Reykjavik stands one of Alvar Aalto’s most overlooked works – and one of his most politically charged.

Dima and Guy are documenting their hands-on renovation of a Kreuzberg apartment. Their home is built on contrast, and Vaarnii’s pine furniture fit right into that mix.

Julia Ruuskanen’s home in Helsinki is a serene mix of timeless design, coveted design classics and a relaxed approach to decorating.

Vitra’s new Bascule lounge chair settles around you like a favourite jacket, adjusting to your weight and your every move on its own.

We visited Achille Castiglioni’s studio in Milan, where prototypes, sketches, and everyday objects still sit exactly where he left them.

Designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Sunila was Finland’s first modern forest suburb. Today, it’s also home to design enthusiasts who are devoted Aalto fans.

Interior architect Maiju Kianta's home in Kauniainen, Finland, which she shares with her children, is a joyful play of color, where design furniture and bold hues play off each other beautifully.

A few carefully chosen pieces of furniture, good reading light, and a touch of softness can turn even the smallest corner into a cozy Scandinavian reading nook where the pages seem to turn themselves.