Column: Christmas every week
“Christmas is becoming one of the last islands of tranquility that Sundays used to be only a few decades ago,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
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Column: Thinking before buying
“If getting rid of each cup and garment took as long as it will take to get rid of the ink on my skin, I’m sure I’d have thought twice about getting them in the first place,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen about her past purchases. Read more
Column: On a coffee break
“There are no rules, the Finnish coffee culture is very liberal – as long as you drink coffee,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen when commenting on Finns’ habit of building their days around steaming cups of joe. Read more
Column: In good hands
“The craftspeople I’ve met have taught me much more than I could have imagined,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen as she reflects on what makes handmade objects so special. Read more
Column: On permanence
“Some things are based on universal, immutable facts,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen, justifying the resistance to change she has discovered within herself. Read more
Column: I and Artek’s stool
“You can climb on the four-legged stool, but never on the three-legged one,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen when describing her relationship with the classic chair designed by Alvar Aalto. Read more
Column: Home envy
“It’s really difficult to internalize that what we see in the endless stream of images on our screens is not something we all should strive to achieve,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen and admits to also having felt home envy herself. Read more
Column: Can you hear me, Kondo?
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen has something to say to Marie Kondo, who has given up the KonMari Method used for tidying homes. Read more
Column: With humor
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen takes humor seriously: “Aesthetic humor is anarchism, gently challenging ingrained habits and acquired attitudes.” Read more
Column: Knowledge makes life meaningful
“Without background information about things, they’re just empty, meaningless, and don’t really tell me anything at all,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Column: Matters of taste
There are different tastes, but what kind of a taste is good? Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen thinks that we don’t have to look far for the answer. Read more
Column: Nightmare before Christmas
“Avid Christmas enthusiasts give me nightmares,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. This year she has decided to face her fears. Read more
Column: I dream of a timeless interior, but fear it impossible
“Are my interior design solutions timeless, and how could I ensure that they are?” asks Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen, who wants a home that she can maintain unchanged for years to come. Read more
Ask the Customer Service: “How can I find sustainable gifts for the holiday season?”
Elevate your festive season with the perfect blend of cheer and conscious choices. By embracing the path of sustainability, you can make your celebrations not only joyous but also more mindful. Dive into our tips for discovering sustainable holiday gifts from the carefully curated selection at Finnish Design Shop. Read more
Winter wonderland of design – Holiday season at Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop
Bursts of vibrant red, energetic blue, and timeless evergreen welcome visitors to Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop this holiday season. Warm scents and lights, soft music, and timeless design envelop guests in the serene and unhurried ambiance of Nordic Christmas. Read more
Top tips from design experts: 8 gift ideas from the Finnish Design Shop team
To help you decide what to get your loved ones this gift-giving season, we asked eight Finnish Design Shop employees to pick their top gift recommendations from the online store's selection. Our team works with design every day, so don't miss these expert holiday gift ideas! Read more
Column: Great things ahead
“The warmest season of the year is already so extraordinary in itself that it’d only be fair to also leave uplifting activities for the other seasons,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Step into the Holiday Season Shop!
Wool socks are on, candles are lit, and the first box of chocolates is opened. We guess now is the time to finally admit it: the holiday season is approaching fast. To help you get into a festive frame of mind, we have opened our traditional Holiday Season Shop – step inside and get set for the season ahead! Read more
Column: It just feels right
“The feeling of inauthenticity creates bad energy,” writes Design Stories’ columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Column: Summer at home
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen ponders whether you can enjoy the feel of a summer cottage without leaving home. Spoiler alert: you can. Read more
Ask the Customer Service: “Can I order a lower version of an Artek table?”
Artek’s product selection includes several classics of Finnish design, such as Alvar and Aino Aalto’s furniture and lamps. Our customer service is there for you when you want to know more about Artek’s products, have questions about the material options – or just want to order a new set of wheels for your Aalto tea trolley! Read more
Mona Bling’s column: “Even the most beautiful space can be unsafe”
Helsinki Pride, which promotes the rights of sexual and gender minorities, is celebrated from June 27 to July 3, 2022. The theme of this year’s Helsinki Pride Week is “Encounters”. In this Design Stories column, social media influencer and trans activist Mona Bling reflects on the importance of a sense of security in everyday encounters. Read more
Column: Breaking the rules
“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
Column: Those who seek, find – sometimes even when they do not want to
“It’s not necessary to get everything you want or own everything you like” is a principle that Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen keeps saying to herself and even lives by – at least every now and then. Read more
3 Days of Design 2023 – check out the highlights from Copenhagen!
Copenhagen showed its best sides in June, as the sun was shining and the summer warmth embraced the visitors in the city. During the three festive days, the doors of showrooms, stores, galleries, and courtyards were open to all design enthusiasts. The team of Finnish Design Shop was, of course, present – check out our 10 favorites from the 3 Days of Design! Read more
Ask the Customer Service: “What would be a good foldable sun lounger for the beach?”
Elevate your summer escapades by packing only the essentials: lightweight and practical items. Whether you're heading to the beach or exploring on your bike, opt for easily portable gear that won't weigh you down. When form meets function, your summer experiences become even more delightful and memorable! Read more
Column: Routines bring peace of mind
“Recurring events and routines bring structure and peace of mind to life. You can cherish these, but sometimes also disrupt them,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Column: What if we would celebrate femininity on Women’s Day instead?
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. What if we were to celebrate femininity regardless of gender instead? In this Design Stories column, The Soft Collective from Helsinki shares their thoughts on how we could update the celebration to the 21st century. Read more
Column: What’s essential in a home?
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen is temporarily moving house, and this time, she’s determined to travel light. Here she considers which items are essential to daily routines that take place within the four walls of a home. Read more
Ask the Customer Service: “I’m looking for durable wooden table and chair set. Any tips?”
The sun is out, doing good to body and soul, but just like rain, it is relentless to most outdoor furniture and textiles. With good care and protection, you can extend the life of your product by many summers. Read more