Design Stories
In the spotlight
A summer house in the Finnish archipelago built on nature’s terms
This waterfront retreat blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Robert Holmström designed it as an uncompromising, deeply personal family escape.
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Nani Marquina: The art of the everyday rug
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Settling back in – the most inspiring new products of the month
Though July is still high summer, our thoughts are already turning towards autumn and the rhythms of everyday life. This month’s five new arrivals bring stylish additions to your desk for the months ahead!
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Alvar Aalto’s architecture joins the UNESCO World Heritage List
The Aalto Works series, comprising 13 sites designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto, is Finland’s eighth addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Discover the newly inscribed World Heritage sites on Design Stories!
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Vauhtikisat 2026: Welcome to the joy of speed
Skateboards flew, crowds cheered, and the July sun turned Sinebrychoff Park into a glowing arena for one of Europe’s most thrilling downhill races. Our photo report from Vauhtikisat 2026 takes you right to the edge of the track – from the first daring runs to the nail-biting final and the moment the custom Vauhtikisat Chair One found its champion.
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Introducing JOY OBJECTS – Welcome to Fredrik Paulsen's World of Joy
What do you get when you combine aluminium, a love of subculture, and a designer who grew up on a skateboard? The answer is JOY OBJECTS – a Swedish brand on a mission to make design fun again.
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Guardian of light – Inside the Frederiksberg home of Nuura's Nadia Lassen
Nadia Lassen spends her days thinking about light as the CEO of the lighting brand Nuura. At home in her Frederiksberg villa, that same thinking shapes a house she shares with her husband, four children, and one very photogenic dog.
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A studio in the archipelago: “Here it’s just us, the forest and the sea”
Built over three summers from raw timber and nails, this studio in the Turku archipelago gives Copenhagen based artist Linn Henrichson and art director Staffan Sundström a place for creative work, quiet thinking and the Finnish summer.
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At home with Ida Lauga: A Stockholm rowhouse full of life
Just a small 1960s brick rowhouse in Stockholm, yet somehow enough room for three kids, two pets, a French husband and an ever-evolving interior. Stylist and designer Ida Lauga has made it her mission to create a home that works hard and looks good doing it – with Vaarnii's enduring pieces at the center.
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Nani Marquina: The art of the everyday rug
Spanish designer Nani Marquina set out to reinvent the rug, and ended up building one of the most distinctive textile brands in the world. In this exclusive interview, she talks creativity, craftsmanship and what drives her after almost 40 years.
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Keep your summer simple – the most inspiring new products of the month
Summer life is easy and carefree, and our interiors should be, too! We've gathered June's new arrivals to make those warm days simpler, whether you're at home, at the cabin, or out enjoying the great outdoors.
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A summer house in the Finnish archipelago built on nature’s terms
This waterfront retreat blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Robert Holmström designed it as an uncompromising, deeply personal family escape.
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Snøhetta plans a hotel and spa for the Aaltos’ Paimio Sanatorium
Paimio Sanatorium, one of the most iconic buildings in modern architecture, is set for a new future. Renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta has developed a Masterplan for the sanatorium, completed in 1933 and located in Paimio, southwestern Finland – and the vision is as ambitious as the building itself.
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New life in a historic house
Few law firms can claim a home quite like this. Dittmar & Indrenius is headquartered in Helsinki's historic Grönqvist Building, and after a year-long renovation, the staff spaces have been given entirely new life. Come and take a look.
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How to set a summer tablescape – 7 ideas for an inspiring outdoor table setting
Set a summer tablescape with ease, and let the outdoors guide the mood. The secret to a beautiful outdoor table setting is not perfection, but atmosphere: hand-picked flowers, natural materials and layers of time come together to create an inviting scene, whether for a garden party or a weekday breakfast.
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Jordan and Matthew’s guide to 3 Days of Design 2026
Three days are never quite enough. Content creators Jordan Bunker and Matthew Spade explored Copenhagen's 3 Days of Design as Finnish Design Shop's eyes and ears. Here are the highlights from the festival that made the cut.
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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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Inga Sempé finds beauty in the everyday – and turns it into something extraordinary
From her Paris studio, French designer Inga Sempé creates objects that are witty, precise, and utterly her own: lamps, sofas, and everyday things that don’t take themselves too seriously. We sat down with her to talk about daily life, long processes, and why good design should always be worth fighting for.
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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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Onni Alanko’s paintings bring color to summer at Finnish Design Shop
Once again, Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop has shifted into summer mode. Alongside fresh design and delicious food, visitors can immerse themselves in the paintings of visual artist Onni Alanko – read the artist’s interview on Design Stories!
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A century of light: Louis Poulsen launches the PH Centenary Collection
In 1926, Poul Henningsen invented a three-shade lighting system that would change the way we experience light at home. One hundred years later, Louis Poulsen celebrates the anniversary with the PH Centenary Collection: a small group of heritage pieces crafted in aged brass, including the long-awaited return of the iconic PH Chandelier.
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TOP 5: Ready for summer's gifting season – the most inspiring new products of the month
Is your summer calendar already filling up with graduations and birthdays? Our newest arrivals offer gift ideas for all ages – pick your favorites and save them for the season ahead!
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Villa Skeppet: Alvar Aalto’s last private home is monumental yet intimate
Designed by Alvar Aalto, Villa Skeppet is located near the center of Ekenäs, Finland. Aalto designed the house in the late 1960s for his close friend, writer Göran Schildt, and Schildt’s wife, Christine. Villa Skeppet would become the last private home Aalto designed during his career.
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What's new: Saana ja Olli's Joutilas collection
There's a quiet luxury in moving at your own pace and letting the hours unfold without a plan. Finnish design brand Saana ja Olli invites you to embrace exactly that with their new home textile collection, In My Own Time. Step in, slow down, and find the pieces that make space for your most unhurried moments.
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Marimekko’s beloved prints come to life at its own textile printing factory
“About one million metres of fabric are printed at Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki each year,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Marimekko’s Design Director, Home & Print Design. In her interview with Design Stories, Kemell-Kutvonen shares why the company’s own printing factory remains at the heart of Marimekko’s print design – and what happens before the brand’s bold colours and expressive prints become fabrics, clothing and home textiles.
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Meet Tenten: Finnish Design Shop launches its own brand
Tenten is Finnish Design Shop’s very own brand, debuting with a collection of high-quality home textiles. Brand Manager Anu Soiniitty shares more about the new label and reveals her favorite pieces from the Tenten collection.
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Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026: Trends and highlights from the Milan Furniture Fair
The design world gathered once again at Salone del Mobile, held in April at Milan’s Rho Fiera exhibition center. Finnish Design Shop’s interior designer Riikka Soini-Ferraguto visited the fair to explore the ideas, aesthetics and emerging directions currently shaping the industry.
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Shirley Villavicencio Pizango’s colorful world comes to life with Serax
In Shirley Villavicencio Pizango’s work, people and objects exist side by side in richly layered interiors. Now, her imagined ceramics have become real in a collaboration with Serax. We visited the artist in her Ghent studio.
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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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Milan Design Week 2026: The exhibitions, moments and Milan magic we loved this year
Spring in Milan means early-morning espressos, sunlit streets and a city buzzing with design lovers. During Milan Design Week 2026, our photographer captured the exhibitions and atmospheres we loved most, from the Eames Houses at Triennale to Marimekko’s floral osteria and Alessi’s playful table installation. Here’s our visual roundup of the moments that defined the week across the city.
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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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What’s new: Créme Atelier's Soft Serve lamps
A home doesn’t have to be serious to be stylish – quite the opposite, in fact. The Soft Serve lamp by Stockholm-based Créme Atelier brings a touch of joy to home décors with its delightfully sweet design. Come and treat yourself!
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Out of love for Aalto – Virpi Suutari worked on her documentary at a cottage in the Turku archipelago
Documentary director Virpi Suutari was reading love letters sent between Alvar and Aino Aalto at her summer cottage. These and numerous other sources, along with filming trips around the world, became the foundation for her acclaimed documentary Aalto.
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Savory-sweet goat cheese and berry tart for sunny summer days
This summery tart brings together the sweetness of fresh berries and the rich savouriness of goat cheese in one delicious bite. It’s equally at home on a festive summer table or enjoyed with a chilled glass of sparkling wine on a sunny afternoon.
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Erik Bryggman's Resurrection Chapel is a gem of Finnish architecture
Amidst the tumult of the Second World War, architect Erik Bryggman designed a peaceful cemetery chapel in Turku, in which death is encountered with respect and gentleness. It has become a landmark of Finnish architecture.
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Ilmari Tapiovaara – life, oblivion and rediscovery
For Ilmari Tapiovaara, work was his whole life, and at times, his family was also left in its shadow. The Finnish designer died an almost forgotten great, but then the retro boom began.
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From paper to plate: Fish “en papillote” and lemon aioli are the perfect easy weekend lunch
Fish “en papillote” is as easy as the fishy business gets. Simply wrap fish in parchment, whip up some lemon aioli, and you’ve got an easy, effortless, and tasty weekend lunch. Catch these fresh spring recipes and treat yourself – bon appétit!
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The Aalto House in Helsinki surprises with its timelessness
The Helsinki home of Alvar and Aino Aalto, and later Elissa Aalto, remains as modern today as it was nearly a hundred years ago. Discover the charming home of the Aaltos in Helsinki with Design Stories!
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Home tour
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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Layers of living: At home with Simone Noa
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In focus
Interview
Marimekko’s beloved prints come to life at its own textile printing factory
“About one million metres of fabric are printed at Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki each year,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Marimekko’s Design Director, Home & Print Design. In her interview with Design Stories, Kemell-Kutvonen shares why the company’s own printing factory remains at the heart of Marimekko’s print design – and what happens before the brand’s bold colours and expressive prints become fabrics, clothing and home textiles.
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Inside the world of Alberto Alessi
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Summer is here!
Summer Shop
Sunny days, light-filled evenings, and nowhere in a hurry to be – are you dreaming of a perfect summer day? Finnish Design Shop’s Summer Shop has every dreamer covered. Whether your daydreams drift towards new furniture for the summer house or a laid-back lounger for basking in the sun, here you’ll find everything you need to create your own perfect summer oasis.
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What’s new: Créme Atelier's Soft Serve lamps
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Design Stories – Exploring contemporary Nordic design
Design Stories is an online magazine published by Finnish Design Shop, focusing on Finnish and Scandinavian design, interiors, and architecture. We cover the latest design releases, explore timeless classics, and step inside inspiring homes in Finland and around the world.
Design Stories brings together stories on design and interiors, interviews with designers, and design-minded travel and culture tips. The content is created by Finnish Design Shop’s editorial team in collaboration with an international network of contributors, with selected articles produced in partnership with Asun, Mondo, and Avotakka magazines. The editor-in-chief of Design Stories is Mikko Vaija.
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.
