Finnish Design Shop presents the Tones of Modernism Collection in collaboration with The Met
The Tones of Modernism collection celebrates Helene Schjerfbeck’s exhibition at The Met. Pictured: Artek’s Stool 60s in special colors.
TO CELEBRATE the opening of the exhibition Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Finnish Design Shop has collaborated with The Met on a special collection of furniture and interior objects titled the Tones of Modernism Collection.
The limited-edition series celebrates Seeing Silence as the first exhibition of the beloved artist’s work in a major U.S. museum, marking a historic moment for Finnish art. The collection features special colors, finishes, and materials from leading Finnish design brands, available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop.
“When The Met reached out to us, we were absolutely thrilled,” says Noora Tirkkonen, CEO of Finnish Design Shop. “Together with The Met and the Finnish brands selected for this collaboration, we want to continue the legacy of Helene Schjerfbeck’s art by bringing an element of the quiet, tranquil beauty of her work into people’s homes.”
Helene Schjerfbeck's "Self-Portrait with Black Background" from 1915. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Hannu Aaltonen.
All pieces in the collection embody the same understated elegance, natural materials, and sense of calm that define both Schjerfbeck’s work and are typical of Finnish design.
“Finnish Design Shop is internationally recognized for its thoughtful selection and commitment to quality,” says Stephen Mannello, Head of Retail & Global Licensing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “This collaboration helps us share the beauty of The Met exhibition with the global design community in a new way, offering the opportunity to be inspired by her body of work to enjoy celebrated Nordic design at home.”
“At Finnish Design Shop, we believe that art and design share a common language,” Tirkkonen continues. “We’re guided by strong values, and we see it as our mission to bridge these worlds, making art and design accessible to a broader audience. It’s a vision that follows in the footsteps of Finnish design legends Alvar and Aino Aalto, who, together with the other founders of Artek, set out over 90 years ago to bridge art, design, and architecture.”
Iittala is featured in the collection with two different Aalto vases and a bird by Oiva Toikka.
The seats of Artek’s three-legged stools are upholstered.
THE LIMITED-EDITION collection brings together five distinguished Finnish design brands: Artek, Iittala, Lapuan Kankurit, Nikari, and the natural scent house Hetkinen.
Each was selected by Finnish Design Shop for its strong design heritage, craftsmanship, and shared commitment to modernist design principles, as well as its ability to capture the colors found in Schjerfbeck’s art. The serene and sophisticated palette draws directly from her most cherished paintings, transforming her delicate tones and modernist sensibility into contemporary design.
Artek's yellow Riihitie plant pot.
Artek: Aalto Stool 60 and Riihitie plant pots
Artek’s Riihitie plant pots, originally designed by Aino Aalto for the family’s home in Helsinki, are among the most beloved classics of Finnish modernism. Their timeless ceramic form now appears in two new shades – yellow and pink – introduced for the Tones of Modernism Collection. The limited-edition colors subtly echo tones found in Helene Schjerfbeck’s paintings and bring a gentle, refined character to contemporary interiors.
Alvar Aalto’s Stool 60, designed in 1933, remains a cornerstone of modern design thanks to its innovative L-leg structure and enduring practicality. For the Tones of Modernism Collection, the stool’s familiar birch frame is paired with contemporary color combinations: honey with mint or terracotta, and walnut with blush pink or chestnut. These carefully curated tones give the iconic stool a fresh, quietly expressive look while honoring its original spirit. All versions are produced in a limited edition and available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop.
Iittala's Waiter glass bird was designed by Oiva Toikka.
Iittala: Aalto vases and Waiter glass bird
Oiva Toikka’s beloved Waiter bird appears in a vibrant seville-orange plumage, continuing Iittala’s long tradition of expert glassblowing. Since the first Birds by Toikka were created in 1972, the flock has grown to hundreds of unique, collectible glass birds, each mouth-blown and finished by skilled artisans at the Iittala glass factory. The Waiter carries forward this heritage with a playful, upright presence.
Alongside the bird, Iittala introduces two special editions of the iconic Aalto vase. Celebrated for its flowing organic form since the 1930s, the vase remains one of the most recognisable pieces of Finnish glass design. Handcrafted at Iittala’s own glass factory, the white frosted version gives the classic silhouette a softly translucent, contemporary character, while the Rio brown vase – mouth-blown into a wooden mould – features a warmer tone and a more lively surface.
Lapuan Kankurit’s Kotona blanket combines subtle colors with the softness of lamb’s wool.
Lapuan Kankurit: Kotona blankets and Nyytti towels
Lapuan Kankurit presents two refined textile classics – the Kotona wool blanket and the Nyytti towels – each woven at the family-owned weaving mill in Ostrobothnia, Finland. Both designs appear in new, carefully curated tones: the Kotona blanket in natural beige paired with either brown or light blue, and the Nyytti towels in yellow or brown shades.
The Kotona blanket features a softly contrasting two-tone pattern and is crafted from Finnsheep wool sourced from certified Finnish farms. Naturally breathable and luxuriously warm, the throw makes an inviting companion for quiet evenings indoors or cool nights outdoors. The Finnsheep wool lends the blanket its gentle feel, lasting quality and beautiful, organic texture.
Designed by Elina Airikkala, the Nyytti towel is defined by its elegant, natural weave and exceptionally functional construction. Made from a soft blend of linen and Tencel-cotton yarn, the towel is lightweight, highly absorbent and quick-drying, perfect for daily use or packing for travel.
Nikari’s practical Alvar tray features a distinctive blue laminate.
Nikari: Alvar tray
Nikari’s Alvar tray takes its name from its designer, Alvar Aalto, who originally created the birch tray for a community center in Seinäjoki, Finland. Made from sustainably grown Finnish birch, the tray now features a blue laminate top inspired by the palette of Helene Schjerfbeck’s works. This distinctive hue, also known as “Alvar’s blue”, brings a quiet, serene character to modern kitchens and dining spaces.
The blue Alvar tray is produced in a limited edition and available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop.
The cosmetics brand Hetkinen created three entirely new scents for the Tones of Modernism collection.
Hetkinen: Hand soaps, scent diffurers and sauna scents
Hetkinen introduces three harmonious fragrances – Soft Sage, Northern Pine and Blush Bloom – across a collection of hand soaps, scent diffusers and sauna scents. Crafted from pure, plant-based ingredients, all products reflect the Finnish brand’s dedication to natural formulations free from parabens, artificial fragrances or colors, mineral oils and plastics.
The hand soaps combine high-quality vegetable oils with gently aromatic notes, offering a thoroughly cleansing yet non-drying wash for hands and body. Each scent creates its own atmosphere: Blush Bloom brings soft floral warmth with a hint of cherry, Northern Pine evokes the freshness of evergreen forests, and Soft Sage offers a calming, herbaceous character accented by subtle rosemary.
Hetkinen’s scent diffusers provide a multi-sensory finishing touch to any space. Presented in elegant glass bottles with pine diffuser sticks, they release their fragrance gradually for up to three months, adding a subtle and decorative element to the home.
For bathing rituals, the sauna scent set includes all three fragrances. A few drops mixed into the water pail infuse the steam with soothing aromatic notes, floral, forest-like or herbal depending on the scent. Designed for use in the sauna only, the oils elevate the experience with a naturally relaxing atmosphere.
The Tones of Modernism Collection is available worldwide at Finnish Design Shop. Illustration: Anna Meck.
The Tones of Modernism Collection is available exclusively at Finnish Design Shop from December 5, 2025, coinciding with the opening of the Seeing Silence exhibition at The Met in New York. Products are available in limited quantities, making each piece a future collectible.
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Published on 5 Dec, 2025
