The Paimio Sanatorium 90 poster competition was received with tremendous enthusiasm both in Finland and abroad. The international interest and overwhelming number of entries, 444 in total, took the jury by surprise. Here are the winners – take a look! Read more
The capital of Norway is already competing with Stockholm and Copenhagen for the title of the most interesting city in the Nordics. Mondo picked the most essential spots in Oslo: affordable eateries and new cultural and architectural attractions, such as the largest art museum in the Nordics. Read more
Finnish Design Shop’s new logistics center was designed to blend in with the surrounding forest and meet the strict requirements of the environmental certification BREEAM. In an interview with Design Stories, interior architect Joanna Laajisto describes how the large warehouse was made cozy and inviting. Read more
The Jyväskylä University Library Lähde still exudes the fresh spirit of the 1970s but now, thanks to the renovation completed in 2021, it also meets the needs of today. Join Design Stories on a tour of the Lähde library that won the 2022 Finlandia Prize for Architecture! Read more
Sculptor Pekka Jylhä thinks that his home is at its best in the afternoon when the sun shines in at the right angle. He approaches home decoration the same way as artistic work. Take a home tour with Design Stories! Read more
The Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection includes a special birch wood version of the Paimio armchair, as well as Aalto stools dressed in forest green, sun yellow and sky blue colors found in the sanatorium. Additionally, Artek introduces new colors for Aino Aalto’s Side Table 606. Read more
In downtown Helsinki, under the spires of a castle-like Art Nouveau building, there’s a home whose residents value a cozy atmosphere and design from past decades. Join Design Stories on a visit to this charming home! Read more
The Belgian capital has plenty to offer for architectural aficionados and those who enjoy comics and beer. You might also visit some of the interesting museums in Brussels or take a trip to the neighboring areas by tram. Read more
In the color palette of this beautifully restored home in Stockholm, hues of rhubarb, masala, truffle and oatmeal take turns. Luscious salmon-red tiles and wild floral wallpaper have also claimed their own spaces in interior designer Gabriella Gullberg’s home, showcasing her confident choices. Read more
The Milan furniture fair, or Salone del Mobile.Milano, is one of the most essential events in the entire design industry. While the fairgrounds are dedicated to presenting new product launches, the city’s many palaces, galleries, showrooms, and courtyards are always bustling with inspiring exhibitions – and guests lined up to get in! Here are the Finnish Design Shop team’s favorites from the design week. Read more
Alvar Aalto designed a home for composer Joonas Kokkonen that blends beautifully into the landscape, and inside opens up like a fan around the studio and grand piano. Come and explore Villa Kokkonen with Design Stories! Read more
Ceramic artist Karin Widnäs loves the feel of clay between her fingers and gives a physical form to images conjured up in her mind. When she dreams, she dreams big. Often these dreams come true – like her atelier home in Fiskars and, more recently, the KWUM ceramics museum next door. Read more
Get ready to be swept off your feet and transported to the heart of Paris with this stunning Art Nouveau apartment renovation. With a mix of 20th and 70th century vibes, the apartment balances modern comfort with timeless elegance. From the original stained-glass windows to the striking marble marvel of a bathroom, this apartment is a one-of-a-kind oeuvre. Read more
Finland is the happiest country in the world for the sixth time in a row, and also the other Nordic countries rank in the top ten of the UN World Happiness Report 2023. As we celebrate the International Day of Happiness, it’s worth taking a closer look at the relationship between Finnish design and happiness. Read more
The Finnish apartment developer Newil&Bau has become known for its innovative projects that blend visionary architecture with concepts created by interior architects. One of the company’s latest projects, 76&Piha, is located in Helsinki and involves transforming a former office complex into a modern residential building. Read more
Norm Architects and TOG teamed up to create a stunning office space in the heart of Berlin that’s so chic, you’ll forget you’re actually being productive. Don’t believe us? Take a peek inside the recently opened Linden Palais, where work and play are perfectly balanced. Read more
The lush trees hide a quiet, beautiful terraced house like a little treasure. Tomi Hämäläinen and Marjaana Nikula’s home is located in the seaside village of Tammisalo in eastern Helsinki. Read more
Ilkka Kärkkäinen, head of the jury of the Paimio Sanatorium 90 poster competition, wants to engage with an open mind in things that stand the test of time. In this Design Stories interview, he talks about the effect of Aino and Alvar Aalto on his work as a graphic artist – and gives a few tips on those submitting entries to the poster competition! Read more
Tanja Nikunen has a knack for spotting true design gems among numerous flea-market items. The home in a semi-detached house built in the late 1970s gets a unique look from the fixtures built by Tanja’s husband, who is a carpenter. Take a peek at this lovely home with Design Stories! Read more
Made by Choice co-founder Niclas Ahlström is passionate about many things: art, books, and especially chairs. Many of the pieces found in Ahlström’s home have been made in the company’s own factory in Halikko, Southwest Finland. Read more
Designed by Avanto Arkkitehdit and Studio Joanna Laajisto, Finnish Design Shop’s logistics center is competing for ArchDaily’s Building of the Year Award 2023 in two different categories. You can vote for your favorite projects until February 14th. Read more
Design studio Juslin Maunula teamed up with Finnish brand Finarte to create a striking rug collection that plays with textures, colors, and proportions. In an interview with Design Stories, the duo talks about their design process and the inspiration behind the collection. Read more
Have you heard the buzz about blue? Many intense colors were on display at Stockholm Furniture Fair, but only one hue truly stole the show: bright electric blue. Capture the sparkling shades of blue and give your home a fresh, vibrant new look! Read more
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen takes humor seriously: “Aesthetic humor is anarchism, gently challenging ingrained habits and acquired attitudes.” Read more
A new international poster competition organized by the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation and Grafia is now open for entries, interpreting Aino and Alvar Aalto’s vision of the human relationship with the environment. Finnish Design Shop is pleased to be involved as a partner. The competition runs from 10 February to 10 March. Get to know the jury and read head of jury Ilkka Kärkkäinen’s comments about the competition. Read more
A modern 1960s city apartment in Helsinki was transformed into a timelessly beautiful and warmly luxurious home for a family with children. Poiat Studio was responsible for planning the renovation – already the second time for this family. Read more
When Johanna and Tomi sold their detached house, the buyers also wanted to buy their furniture. Why not, they said, and started from a clean slate when decorating their new home for two. Read more
Interior designer Petra Majantie restored a detached house designed by Aarne Ervi in Espoo, Finland. Even though Villa Koivikko was completed in 1958, its extremely innovative use of space and living-room decor that reflects the past still manage to impress 60 years later. Read more
In 2022, Design Stories opened the doors to dozens of homes around the world. Now it’s time to cast one more admiring glance at the astonishing residences and return to the most popular home and architecture stories of the past year. The top ten features refreshing colors, a hefty dose of a sensual 70s spirit, and unique design gems – let us take you on an inspiration-inducing tour! Read more
Restaurant Savoy, a true Helsinki classic, now has a French sibling located in the same building. The interior of the new Café Savoy was designed by Studio Joanna Laajisto. Read more