Ask the Customer Service: “How can I bring a spring feel to my home?”
Get a head start on spring and store the first tulips of the season in HAY's Juice vase.
THE INCREASING LIGHT awakens dreams of spring within us. Tulips bloom in vases, lightness appears on the table settings, and we look at the possibility of rearranging or even replacing the furniture. The sunshine and revival of spring can be brought home with minimal effort. This is a time for experiment and play!
This Design Stories column provides answers to some recurring questions from our customers, which may be helpful and inspirational to others, as well. We have recruited Miina Lindblad from Finnish Design Shop’s customer service team to answer your conundrums.
1. How can I bring a spring feel to my home?
“The first rays of sunshine on the walls of a home are a signal that spring has arrived – and you definitely want to capture those long-awaited C vitamins in your interior, even if it's still cold and frosty outside! As a quick fix, try switching to lighter or brighter textiles in your home.
For table settings, hide heavy ceramic and replace it with lighter glass. Among our new additions, you'll find fresh colors from the beloved Kastehelmi range, now updated with lighter green hues, and Aino Aalto drinking glasses, dressed in a new heather shade. The salmon-red Aalto vase practically invites you to fill it with cut flowers, candies, or tomato seedlings. The Taika Sato tableware and Marimekko's anniversary Unikko also bring a springtime spirit to the table.
My personal favorite is the adorable Villiyrtit tablecloth by Lapuan Kankurit. The linen cloth can also be used as a lightweight summer blanket or even hung as a curtain. While waiting for the summer clouds, I look at Normann Copenhagen's playful Illu mirror, which also doubles as a clever luminaire. Contrasts are especially in this spring so try experiments with styles from different decades and various color combinations. And don't forget to check out Franckly, where you might find some cool secondhand treasures!”
2. I'm looking for a new dining table and chairs. What should I take into account?
“When choosing new dining table, the first step is to consider its true purpose: will it primarily serve as a spot for everyday meals, the centerpiece of celebrations, or perhaps a children's crafting table? After that, it's important to think about the required size and shape, and how many chairs should fit around the table. Remember to check if the armrests of the chairs fit under the table surface. Also, don't forget about extendable tables!
The material of the tabletop should be chosen carefully to ensure that it can withstand heavy wear and tear if necessary. Find out how furniture is maintained and whether it may need to be treated before use or annually. Finally – and most importantly – you should consider which of the many options will provide the best dining experience for your family and friends.”
3. What storage furniture is suitable for a small space?
“When you're planning to upgrade the storage system in a small space or make more space in a cramped room, I recommend starting by making use of the walls and freeing up floor space. Modular shelving units are a lifesaver for smaller living rooms and kitchens, as they allow you to combine traditional shelves with cabinets, drawers, and countertops tailored to your special needs.
In a home office or nursery, you can integrate a work desk into the shelving system and release space for different activities like kids' playtime or stretching during the workday. The configurators are a great help, and so is our professional customer service, who will sort it all out for you!”
Miina Lindblad works as a design sales representative in Finnish Design Shop’s Customer Service team. She is currently renovating an almost hundred-year-old house, and the interior seamlessly combines the new and the old. Miina’s newest design treasure is Vitra’s chrome Wire Chair, which fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the old house.
For help with your design purchases:
• Finnish Design Shop’s Customer Service >
Text: Miina Lindblad Illustration: Evi Rinkinen
Published on 21 Feb, 2024
