Looking for freshness – Maija Rasila’s January favorites
“Houseplants freshen up spaces. I spray mine regularly with water to refresh them and remove dust from their leaves. I dream of a big, bright bathroom like the one in Marimekko’s spring collection photos, with room for a large bathtub and some lush houseplants. The beige-white-green Unikko bathrobe is from the latest collection.”
“IN JANUARY, I don't dare dream of spring quite yet, but I like to add some winter freshness to my home with houseplants, bright colors and timeless, classic design basics. As lovely as it is to put up Christmas decorations, it feels almost as wonderful to put them away after the holidays: to tidy up, let the light in, and enjoy a more fresh and airy look.”
Carefully curated
I love products by the Swedish brand Asplund. They are the perfect blend of quality, timelessness, and relaxed but luxurious Scandinavian design. I will never give up my sideboard from their Frame collection, and I would love to pair it with other pieces from the brand. For some time, I've been considering a Tati Console table, which would serve several purposes. It has a gorgeous shape and comes in a range of unbelievably beautiful colors.
• Asplund Tati Console table >
For decades to come
I like to surround myself with furniture that will stand the test of time. I'm particularly fond of timeless, slightly anonymous design that leaves you uncertain of the brand and when the item was designed. The Damsbo dining table by the Danish Form & Refine ticks this box by representing sleek Danish design at its best. The table blends easily to a range of interiors and will last for decades.
• Form & Refine Damsbo dining table >
“The Damsbo table blends easily to a range of interiors and will last for decades.”
Check your plants
Now is the time to go through your houseplants and get rid of the ones that didn't survive the darkness. For the spring, I'm going to get fresh-looking citrus plants that look great in the kitchen and elsewhere in the home. And, of course, they need a beautiful plant pot: the planter is a big part of the plant’s look. The pots in Hay's Botanical Family collection are simple and delightfully modern, letting the plant itself take center stage.
• Hay Botanical Family pot >
Everyday beauty
Beautifully designed but practical everyday items never lose their charm. The Sand tableware collection by Design House Stockholm was designed by one of my favorite designers, Carina Seth Andersson, so it’s no wonder I’m drawn to them. Originally created for the NM& restaurant at Stockholm’s National Museum, these simple and stylish dishes are only partially glazed, giving them a beautifully natural and soft feel.
• Design House Stockholm Sand tableware >
1990’s aesthetics
The trendiest lamps are now inspired by 1990’s design. I just love the Matin table lamps by Hay, which have a classic form but are still highly modern. Created by design star Inga Sempé, the collection includes lamps in two sizes in a range of exquisite colors. Sempé has used metal and PVC-laminated cotton as materials.
Bold bedroom design
Marimekko's spring collection is brimming with fresh and energetic tones typical of the brand. I'm especially keen on the Tiiliskivi collection’s new gray-green tone. This color is particularly beautiful in bed linen: the grid pattern printed on cotton brings a crisp look to the bed and new energy to the whole bedroom. Stripes and checks are this year's emerging trends, and they seem fresh and interesting again to me, too.
• Marimekko Tiiliskivi duvet cover >
“Marimekko's spring collection is brimming with fresh and energetic tones typical of the brand.”
On the reading list
The Touch, by Nathan Williams, co-founder of Kinfolk, and Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects, has been on my reading list for a long time. The book presents a total of 25 private and public spaces from around the world, providing inspiration in the form of pictures, texts, and tips. The book focuses on haptic design; how one's spatial experiences can be enhanced and new dimensions added by stimulating all of the senses. Light, materials, and nature are strong elements in the spaces explored. This is the perfect read for all those hungry for inspiration for the new year.
• Gestalten The Touch: Spaces Designed for the Senses >
In this column, interior architect Maija Rasila picks the most inspiring products, objects and issues of the month from novel and classic items. She spices up modern Scandinavian style with plenty of details, surprising colors and personal touches.
Text: Maija Rasila Photos: Osma Harvilahti and manufacturers
Published on 8 Jan, 2020
