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Designed by Alvar Aalto, Villa Skeppet is located near the center of Ekenäs, Finland. Aalto designed the house in the late 1960s for his close friend, writer Göran Schildt, and Schildt’s wife, Christine. Villa Skeppet would become the last private home Aalto designed during his career.
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The new junior suites at Hanaholmen hotel in Helsinki are designed by interior architect Jukka Halminen of KOKO3. Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales supplied part of the suites’ interior products.
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At the foot of the Levi ski slopes in Finnish Lapland, you’ll find a penthouse rental defined by its modern, understated elegance. Finnish Design Shop’s Studio took part in designing this high-end leisure retreat in Levi, creating a setting where contemporary design meets the dramatic Arctic landscape.
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In Helsinki’s Vallila district, behind the historic walls of the old Kravattitehdas, Reima's new office celebrates the beauty of time, play, and patina. Step inside to see what happened when design studio Fyra and Finnish Design Shop's Trade & Contract Sales joined forces to create a space filled with character and an effortless sense of well-being.
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Alvar Aalto designed nearly 30 buildings in and around his hometown of Jyväskylä, located in Central Finland. Among them are some of his most internationally acclaimed works, which encapsulate his multifaceted and human-centered approach to architecture. The city also features lesser-known early projects, whose tradition-inspired architecture may come as a surprise.
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How did an abandoned canopy kiosk spark the transformation into this summer’s liveliest meeting spot? Design Stories met up with Hilma Kotkaniemi, who – together with Olavi Uusivirta – turned a forgotten “lippakioski” site on Helsinki’s Mustikkamaa island into the wildly popular Lippa restaurant. The cozy, sun-drenched terrace was brought to life in collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales team.
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High above the rooftops of Helsinki, Tove Jansson made her home in a quiet studio where creativity took center stage. Comforts were secondary – what mattered most was the work. Design Stories was given the rare opportunity to visit this atmospheric space, sure to move any fan of the Moomins.
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When Alvar Aalto designed a new building for his architectural practice in Helsinki in the mid-1950s, he created a light-filled studio space with gently curved walls and a view of a courtyard shaped like an amphitheater. Join Design Stories for a visit to Studio Aalto – a place where creativity, architecture, and everyday life intertwined.
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Located on the Hervanta campus of Tampere University, the newly renovated TEK Lounge is a welcoming hub for technology students. We spoke with designer Ilkka Palinperä about the redesign of this popular space and the seamless collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales team, who supplied nearly all of the lounge’s furniture.
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Law firm Dottir is anything but conventional – and it doesn’t try to be. This is evident in its office designed by KOKO3, where a bold interior filled with contemporary art feels more like an art gallery than a traditional law firm.
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Joiku Ski & Lake Chalets is a newly completed complex of 17 luxurious villas, located in the heart of Finnish Lapland. The interior design of the standout flagship villa, The House of Northern Lights, was curated by Finnish Design Shop Studio.
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Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Flight Center at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport has been reimagined as a luxury airport hotel. Opened in 2019, the TWA Hotel beautifully preserves Saarinen’s visionary design while celebrating the spirit of the 1960s.
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Located in the heart of Helsinki, Finlandia Hall has reopened its doors to locals and visitors alike after an extensive three-year renovation. The iconic event venue, designed by Alvar Aalto, now offers a unique opportunity to stay overnight, as two former staff apartments have been restored and transformed into accommodation.
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Bouchon Carême offers sweeping views of bustling Aleksanterinkatu, right in the heart of Helsinki. Set within the historic Lundqvist building, the restaurant blends French elegance, market hall-inspired design, and an inviting atmosphere. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales helped furnish this exceptional space.
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A vacation home on Kimitoön in Southwest Finland underwent a complete transformation when Finnish Design Shop’s Studio redesigned its interior. The gray cliffs, archipelago pines, and the home’s unique details served as inspiration for the design.
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From art installations to surprising dining setups, every detail of Brooklyn restaurant Nin Hao is crafted to invite curiosity and connection. Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales were involved in curating the unique scene – join us as we explore this ever-evolving space where culture, design, and community come together!
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Finnair’s new lounge areas offer a calming respite before boarding. The airy spaces decorated with Nordic design were created by Studio Joanna Laajisto. The majority of the products were ordered via Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales.
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The Paimio Sanatorium is considered to be one of Alvar Aalto’s most important works. The functionalist building was built as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It is situated in the middle of a beautiful pine forest in Paimio, Finland, and is an impressive site up to this day.
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Kantola, designed by Alvar Aalto, is part of the culturally significant Sunila residential area in Kotka, Finland. This unique factory manager’s home has always been more than just a residence – it’s a space for hosting and gathering together.
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Set in the turquoise embrace of the Aegean Sea, Piperi House by Sigurd Larsen is a striking architectural feat. Enjoy the breathtaking images and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this experiential residence.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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 storyThe architecture stories on Design Stories explore the built environment, homes, and spaces through a design-focused lens. We publish articles on contemporary Finnish and Scandinavian architecture, as well as selected architectural destinations from Finland and around the world.
In the Architecture category, we look at private homes and public spaces alike, covering new builds, renovations, and the relationship between architecture and interiors. The selection also includes reference projects from Finnish Design Shop’s Trade & Contract Sales and Studio interior design services.
Design Stories is the online magazine of Finnish Design Shop, created to inspire and delight design lovers everywhere. We hope you enjoy exploring with us! Have a story tip or thoughts on our content? We’d love to hear from you.
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