Homes
A new cabin in a familiar spot: Inside the Puotila family’s summer retreat on Lake Saimaa
The Puotila family has been spending summers on the shores of Lake Saimaa since the 1950s. When their old log cabin finally called for a major overhaul, the family arrived at an unusual solution: tear down the original and build a new one in exactly the same spot. Everything that had worked well was recreated – only better.
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The Danish Karstad family enjoys cabin life between the sea and the forest
At Mikkel and Camilla Karstad’s cabin just outside Copenhagen, outdoor cooking and year-round sea swims are part of everyday life. At the heart of their forest-surrounded retreat are Muuto’s outdoor furniture pieces, which set the scene for a relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
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Visiting Serban Ionescu’s whimsical home and atelier
Celebrated for his sculptural approach to furniture and architecture, artist Serban Ionescu welcomes us into his newly established Paris home and atelier. It’s an exuberant space that reflects his singular creative vision and irrepressible imagination.
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At home with Katrine Møbius: A 19th-century farmhouse shaped by everyday life
Just outside Copenhagen, photographer Katrine Møbius lives with her family in a characterful 19th-century farmhouse. Defined by a pared-back aesthetic, collected objects, and Vaarnii’s solid pine furniture, the home embraces the beauty of everyday life and a slower pace.
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This Tokyo home is shaped by a lifelong love of Finnish design
Design Stories teamed up with Helsinki Playground to explore inspiring homes from their community in Tokyo. In one of them lives Yuta Ikawa, a vintage dealer who shares the home with his family. His interior reflects a lifelong connection to Finnish design and a deep appreciation for mid-century aesthetics.
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In perfect harmony – A serene Helsinki home shaped by design
Stepping inside, the entrance and the view unfolding through the window instantly put the mind at ease. Guided by a pursuit of harmony, Juha Koskinen and Pauliina Tenho have shaped their home into a cohesive and refined whole, where precise lines and a carefully curated palette of materials flow seamlessly from one space to the next.
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Layers of living: At home with Simone Noa
In her Copenhagen home, content creator and artist Simone Noa has found that the most personal spaces are rarely the most perfect.
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Gabrielle Toledano’s calm, layered home above the Luxembourg Gardens
A home shaped by many places and lived experience, Gabrielle Toledano's Paris apartment balances clarity with warmth – soft materials, thoughtful details, and subtle splashes of deep blue and red.
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Vitra Home Stories: Dutch couple Vera Köller & Lukas Cober live in an old miner’s house
The Swiss brand Vitra takes us behind the scenes of homes as individual as their owners. In this story, we meet Vera Köller and Lukas Cober, whose former miner’s house near Maastricht reflects their love of craftsmanship, color and life close to nature.
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In search of atmosphere: Mikko Puttonen and Lucas Ruska Martin
Known for their keen eye for beauty and mood, Mikko Puttonen and Lucas Ruska Martin have found a home in Finland that they are shaping gradually – living in it, one piece at a time – into a space that feels entirely their own.
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Living with Fredericia, part 2: Three Danish homes, three ways
What makes a home truly meaningful? In these three Danish homes, design is shaped by values, memories, and everyday life rather than trends. From a pioneering sustainable house in the countryside to a carefully curated Copenhagen apartment and a home that doubles as a gallery, Fredericia’s furniture becomes part of lives defined by craftsmanship, longevity, and personal stories.
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Where Japanese craft meets Finnish design: A home in Tokyo
Design Stories joins forces with Helsinki Playground to explore inspiring homes in Tokyo, curated from their creative community. This time, we visit the forest-side home of jewelry designers Ryu Hinata and Yui Taira, founders of Ryui, where Japanese craftsmanship meets a quiet appreciation for Finnish design.
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Homes on Design Stories
These stories take you inside homes that stop you in your tracks – spaces where personality, warmth, and a genuine love of living well come through in every corner. We visit people who care deeply about their surroundings, whether they’ve spent years curating every detail or simply have a natural eye for what feels right.
In the Homes category, you’ll find interiors from across the world, from Scandinavia and Finland to Tokyo, Paris, and New York. Different as they are, these homes share a certain sensibility rooted in Nordic design: a quiet confidence in materials, a respect for space, and an eye for objects that earn their place.
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.
