Design
Ilmari Tapiovaara’s Domus chair steps into a new palette
First introduced in 1946, the Domus chair is a Finnish design classic whose slender proportions and exceptional comfort continue to win over new generations. To mark its 80th anniversary, Artek presents the chair in a selection of fresh colors and updated upholstery options.
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Kalevala Jewelry – a vibrant messenger of women’s rights and Finnish cultural heritage
Kalevala Jewelry traces its roots back to the 1930s, when a group of forward-thinking women launched an ambitious cultural project inspired by Finland’s national epic. Since then, the company has grown into the country’s largest jewellery manufacturer, yet its mission remains much the same: promoting equality and doing good through jewellery design.
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Muuto’s Stacked storage furniture can be stacked in an endless number of ways
Muuto’s popular series of shelving units, Stacked, was born of a desire to combine a unique design style with practicality. The infinitely adaptable storage system that also encourages creativity is the handiwork of architect and designer Julien de Smedt.
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We listed 10 time-tested HAY favorites – can you guess what’s on our list?
Danish brand HAY is known for their clever, color-packed creations – perfect for adding a touch of joie-de-vivre to the home decor. We hand-picked ten iconic HAY pieces, keep reading to see if your favorite made the cut!
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The union of craft and design – Nikari’s cabinetmakers create furniture built to last
In the red-brick building of the Fiskars village in southern Finland, a group of cabinetmakers craft furniture entirely by hand, from start to finish. At Nikari’s workshop, traditional woodworking skills meet the vision of leading designers. “These wooden pieces are made to last for generations,” says Johanna Vuorio, CEO of Nikari.
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Easing back into work: 7 tips for maximizing home office comfort
As the holiday season winds down, it’s like turning the page to a new chapter. Some embrace it with outright joy, while others, well, maybe a tad more reservedly. But we can all agree on one thing: a thoughtfully set up workspace provides a gentle, refreshing boost as we ease back into the work groove.
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Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Experiment chair captivates again – Studio Kukkapuro and Hem collaborate on a refreshed edition
Studio Kukkapuro, based in Yrjö Kukkapuro’s atelier home, took on a unique project when the Swedish company Hem reached out with a proposal: to reissue the Experiment chair, an iconic symbol of postmodern design. Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom shares insights with Design Stories on updating the classic.
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What will the office of the future be like? “A social pit stop”, says the expert
The coronavirus pandemic has transformed our ways of working. We asked Service Designer Virve Penttilä how she would construct the office of the future. We also explored Vitra’s office concept, Club Office, and got to know their new Comma product family. They offer creative, fresh ideas for dynamic working spaces.
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Untreated wood pining for brushstrokes: Lundia’s comeback classic is all about creativity
Design Stories sat down with Karri Koskelo, CEO of Lundia to discuss the return of the Lundia Classic shelves in untreated pine and the all-new Knot mirror. Get inspired by the beautifully treated samples – this iconic Finnish design gives you carte blanche to choose any color!
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Nordic design in Asia: Jun Nan and Jax style their home with instinctive flair
In this series, Design Stories meets Asian creatives who open the doors to their homes to showcase some of their most beloved Scandi-style design pieces. This time, we visit the Singapore-based architect couple behind OPEN Studio.
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Space Copenhagen revamps the beloved Gravity lamp with stylish upcycled marble
The Gravity Upcycled-Marble Edition table lamp by Space Copenhagen, available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop, showcases sustainability in style. In an interview with Design Stories, the designers share how upcycled marble offcuts were turned into a unique two-tone base, giving the Gravity lamp a fresh story and a delightful twist.
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Miguel Milá, the father of the Cesta lamp, trusted in a process of craftsmanship
The Spanish designer and artisan Miguel Milá left his mark on the history of European design with his Cesta and Cestita lamps and many other delicately crafted pieces.
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Introducing: Fritz Hansen
Attention, design lovers! Your wait is over: these cherished pieces from Fritz Hansen have just landed in Finnish Design Shop. Experience the beauty of Scandinavian design with their classic furniture, adding timeless elegance to every corner of your home.
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The Knot cushions by Design House Stockholm tie together whimsy and tactility
In the universe of design, accidental discoveries sometimes lead to the most innovative creations. One such story is that of the Knot cushion, which has evolved from a teddy bear project to a sought-after design piece.
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The building blocks of storage: TAF Studio’s Relief collection joins the String family
TAF Studio’s Gabriella Lenke and Mattias Ståhlbom designed the minimalist and versatile Relief storage system for the Swedish brand String Furniture. The design duo aimed to create a foundational piece as versatile and essential as a white T-shirt – always practical, always combinable.
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Firmly on the ground: Vaarnii’s Peace outdoor lounge chair by Faye Toogood exudes strength and serenity
Vaarnii’s latest release, the 015 Peace outdoor lounge chair, is crafted with the northern climates in mind. It’s the perfect piece to welcome the early rays of spring sun, even as the final patches of snow still linger in the ground. Dive into the interview with British designer Faye Toogood to discover the inspiration behind the Peace series.
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Exploring &Tradition: How Danish design classics meet modern innovation
Dive into the world of &Tradition, where Danish design heritage and innovative modern pieces merge beautifully. Discover the story and favorite products of &Tradition with us – and remember to visit the brand’s showroom next time you’re in Copenhagen!
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Kwangho Lee’s Hunk lounge chair and Glyph side table extend a warm invitation
South Korean artist Kwangho Lee doesn’t shy away from making a statement. The substantial Hunk lounge chair and the convention-defying Glyph side table introduce a fusion of playful whimsy and grand visionary flair to the collection of the Swedish brand Hem.
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Before and after: Stunning bedroom transformation – check out the photos!
A small basic bedroom got a luxurious hotel-style look when Finnish Design Shop’s interior designer updated the space with furniture and textiles.
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Paavo Tynell’s coveted lamp classics come to life in GUBI’s new collection
In 2018, GUBI unveiled its first collection of iconic Finnish designer Paavo Tynell's lighting designs in Milan. Now, the Danish brand is launching a total of ten new Tynell lamps, including a fairy-tale-like special edition of the 9602 floor lamp.
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Say hej to String System, a design icon from Sweden with (almost) no limits
The iconic String System shelf is the ideal piece of furniture for all spaces both in terms of form and function. Its refined components can be used to build exactly the kind of storage unit needed. The high-quality and durable shelves are still today manufactured in Sweden by String Furniture.
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Before and after: How our interior designer created a remote workstation in a bedroom
Finnish Design Shop Studio created a stylish and functional workstation in the corner of a bedroom. See the fabulous result and be inspired by the interior designer’s furnishing choices!
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Visiting the Artek factory in Turku – see how the iconic stool 60 is made!
Did you know that all bentwood furniture by Artek is made in Turku, Finland, which is also the home of Finnish Design Shop? Design Stories visited Artek’s a-factory to see how the 90-year-old stool 60 and other Artek classics are made. Join us for a tour!
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Aalto stool 60 Kontrasti celebrates the ingenious construction of the classic L-leg
Artek’s three-legged Aalto stool, the iconic stool 60, turns 90 this year. Artek is marking the anniversary with special editions, the first of which underlines the innovative structure of the stool. Here comes stool 60 Kontrasti!
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Design in Depth
These stories go beyond the surface of the objects we find most compelling. We explore new releases and reissues, visit the workshops and factories where design is made, and take a closer look at the ideas, materials, and craftsmanship behind individual pieces – from a freshly recolored Finnish classic to a lamp base shaped from upcycled marble.
In the Design category, you’ll find articles spanning the full breadth of contemporary design: brand histories, product deep-dives, factory visits, and the creative collaborations that keep the field moving forward. It’s where curiosity about Nordic design has room to breathe.
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.
