Nordic design in South Korea: A house inspired by Alvar Aalto on the hillside of Seoul

Egg 2 and Dora in their dining room with Artek designs — Egg 2 and Dora live in a renovated apartment on the hills of Seoul. Their home is filled with Alvar Aalto classics, like the A201 pendant lights and 611 chairs.

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.

Text and photos: Puttonen Ruska

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”.

Artek designs in the living room — The couple’s living room is filled with Artek design. They acquired most of the furniture secondhand in Finland.

Alvar Aalto fan-legged coffee table — Dora describes Aalto’s designs as quiet but luxurious. Featured, the fan-legged coffee table.

Egg 2 and Dora, sitting and smiling in their living room — Egg 2 plays in the Korean band Standing Egg. He and Dora first met at a concert – a fleeting encounter that turned into something lasting.

Artek Aalto pendant A331, Beehive — The A331 pendant from 1953 – nicknamed ‘Beehive’ for its distinctive shape – is one of Alvar Aalto’s most iconic and popular lighting designs.

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.

In the corner, an Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman provide the perfect spot for reading or relaxing.

Egg 2 playing piano in his living room — Egg 2 is an independent musician and has his own company. “I’ve always wrote songs and acoustic music. My artist name is Egg 2”.

Vitra Resting cat figure — There’s also a touch of contemporary design: Vitra’s Resting Cat, a delightful glazed ceramic figure curled up in sleep, was designed by the Swedish design duo Front.

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”.

Artek Atelier bar stools — In the kitchen, oak surfaces complement the terracotta-tiled floor beautifully. The Atelier bar stools by Artek were designed by TAF Studio.

Kay Bojesen Wooden monkey — While the home is classic and elegant, there’s still room for a playful touch – like Kay Bojesen’s iconic wooden monkey, bringing a bit of cheer to daily routines.

A portrait of a woman browsing a book — Dora wears many hats. With a degree in fine arts, she now works as a photographer, director, and DOP – that is, director of photography. “It is kind of a 360 approach to video production”.

Artek A333 pendant lamp — In the dining area, the A333 pendant light, table, and chairs are all Artek. A sculptural, oversized floor lamp by Isamu Noguchi adds an artistic touch.

A woman browsing books — Recently, Dora has been working on music videos, fashion films, and commercial projects. “I did my first short film, which I enjoyed a lot. That is also the reason why I am playing with the thought of becoming a movie director”.

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”.

Black and white image of a couple looking outside — For their home in Seoul, Dora and Egg 2 drew interior inspiration from two of Alvar Aalto’s architectural masterpieces: Villa Mairea and Maison Louis Carré.

A shelf full of books, CDs and vinyls. — Books and music are proudly on display in this creative home – whether it’s lifestyle magazines, favorite vinyl records, or beloved CDs.

Artek Aalto stool 60 — A towering stack of Aalto stools ensures there’s always a seat – even for a crowd.

Santa & Cole Maija table lamp — Designed by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara, the Maija table lamp is part of Santa & Cole’s collection.

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”.