The Muuratsalo Experimental House functioned both as a summer residence of Alvar and Elissa Aalto and a test site for architectural elements. The Experimental House, located in Central Finland, gave Alvar Aalto the opportunity to play with construction materials and test new kinds of structural solutions. Read more
Pertti Männistö has collected an incredibly extensive collection of lamps and furniture designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto. The collector’s home in Kaarina, Finland, is also decorated with Aalto furniture that exudes timeless beauty. Timeless indeed – the newest furniture in Männistö’s Aalto collection was made in the 1960s. Read more
Meander housing, designed by American architect Steven Holl and Newil&Bau, will be built in Töölö, Helsinki. In the meandering shape and under the green roof of the building, there will be a variety of apartments of different sizes, all sharing the beautiful light that changes with the seasons. Read more
Säynätsalo Town Hall was built in the early 1950s to serve as a town hall for a municipal of only 3,000 residents. Today, the building is open to visitors and offers guest rooms for an overnight stay. Take a tour around the town hall together with Design Stories! Read more
Artek has launched Alvar Aalto’s classic textile pattern, Siena, in three new colorways inspired by Aalto’s material world. Among the new additions are two versions of “Shadow Siena”, a beloved variation recently rediscovered in the archives. Read more
In the early 1930s, Alvar Aalto designed several chairs made of bentwood and plywood. The Bob W apartment hotel, to be opened in Helsinki in spring 2021, will feature these Aalto classics made by Artek. Bob W acquired the chairs second-hand – in the spirit of circular economy – through Franckly. Read more
The Finnish brand Artek has reached the respectable age of 85 and celebrates the anniversary with a collectible poster. The art poster was commissioned from Finnish artist Karoliina Hellberg, who captured a detail from the Aalto House’s terrace in her painting. Read more
Known as Alvar Aalto's masterpiece, the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland is an intoxicating ensemble of Aalto's detailed imprint and timeless elegance. Let Franckly's lifestyle images shot at Finlandia Hall offer you inspiration. Read more
Director Virpi Suutari's documentary ‘Aalto’ examines Alvar and Aino Aalto not only as talented architects and modern cosmopolitans, but also deeply human characters. Design Stories interviewed Suutari about the film’s premiere. Read more
Numerous buildings testify to Alvar Aalto’s intensive design activity outside of Finland. Of the six buildings which he completed in Germany, three are to be found in the city of Wolfsburg: the Alvar-Aalto-Kulturhaus and two churches, Heilig-Geist-Kirche and Stephanuskirche. Read more
Fashion professional and dancer Pete Rahikainen lives in Katajanokka, Helsinki, in an apartment where it always seems to be summer. The apartment features muted tones, a mix of styles and eras as well as a touch of Italian-style effortless elegance. Read more
The magical world of the beloved author and artist, Hans Christian Andersen, comes to life in Odense, Denmark, where the H.C. Andersen House opened its doors in 2021. The dreamlike architecture creates the setting for an unforgettable exhibition that introduces a new perspective to Andersen's classic fairy tales. Read more
This holiday home designed with emotion, skill, moderation and common sense offers a calm contrast to the everyday city life of interior architect Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhänen. Read more
Founded by Rolf and Mette Hay, HAY is a Danish – and increasingly international – design company that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In an interview with Design Stories, Rolf Hay talks about recipes for relevant and timeless designs as well as HAY’s plans for the next two decades. Read more
“For some, peeling paint on an interior door is beautiful, whereas some instantly put it on their list of things to fix,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen, challenging conventional thinking. Read more
Cabinetmaker Kari Virtanen is the winner of the Kaj Franck Design Prize 2022, one of the best-known design prizes in Finland. Over the years, Virtanen has designed a wide range of wooden furniture for Nikari, a company he founded in 1967, and collaborated with Alvar Aalto and even Kaj Franck himself. Read more
Iida Lappalainen, the founder of vintage store Curated and an expert in sustainable clothing, lives in Helsinki with her boyfriend Antti and dog Kaapo. Iida’s new home made her realize that the way she decorates her home has something in common with the way she dresses: carefully selected pre-owned treasures and colorful patterns. Read more
Beautiful green spinach crêpes, wonderfully fluffy ricotta blueberry pancakes and frothy iced coffee make the most delectable breakfast of the spring. Check out the recipes and whip up tasty treats for a Mother's Day brunch or as a surprise for overnight guests. Read more
The beautifully decorated home of Jenny and Santeri Carlsson is really easy on the eyes. The apartment, located in a semi-detached house in Pakila, Helsinki, has a calm and cozy atmosphere. Read more
The seats are often literally overshadowed by the table, but these captivatingly colorful dining chairs might end up taking center stage. Design Stories chose nine beautiful chairs packed with character to brighten up the mood of your kitchen or dining area and to make dining even more fun. Read more