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
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
In this Franckly Friends column we have a chat with Olavi Koponen, a Finnish architect who specializes in wood construction. We meet Koponen in one of his designs, the Villa Lena in Espoo, Finland, which exhibits his signature element – simplified beauty. Read more
Franckly is a thriving pre-owned online design marketplace run by a team that’s passionate about curated vintage design and responsible consumption. Design Stories interviewed Franckly’s Sales Manager Lotta Kuuteri, who has found her calling in the marvelous world of pre-owned design. Read more
Design industry influencer Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom and researcher and architect Aija Staffans from Aalto University sit for a chat on a 1960s Ateljee sofa in Aija’s home. The discussion starts with the sofa itself, moves on to what makes for quality design and a good home, and finally to sustainable development and living in the way that best suits one’s own tastes and aspirations. Read more
Albert Madaula is known for his expressive and colorful paintings. Design Stories had a chance to visit Madaula’s beautiful home-atelier, called Palmera Estudio, in Barcelona. Take a tour with us! Read more
When the pandemic forced Supercell employee Sheila Ndungu to work from home, she began to see her home in a new light. Ndungu’s two-room apartment in Helsinki is beautifully laid out with both contemporary and classic design that will last for long and retain their resale value. Read more
Paimio Sanatorium was Alvar Aalto’s international breakthrough and a functionalist “total work of art”. Now the building is on the verge of a new era, under the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation. The Franckly Visits column takes you on a tour to inspiring architecture and design destinations – nice to have you with us! 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
Franckly Friends, dedicated to friends of pre-owned design, is a column that visits the homes of interesting individuals and delves into stories behind their design treasures. In the second part, we meet stylist and interior designer Lela Louhio at her home in Helsinki. Lela’s home reflects her love of Scandinavian design and her home country, Brazil. Read more
In the spring of 2021, Franckly and the short-stay apartment hotel Bob W joined forces to find vintage Artek chairs in Finland. Read what these two advocates of the circular economy and sustainable development achieved together! Read more
For two years now, Franckly has been providing its customers with stunning pre-owned design treasures. Now, it’s time to celebrate and wrap the past year in a pretty package. Read about what’s new with Franckly and check out the recipe for a vegan birthday cake at the end of the article! Read more
Franckly Friends, dedicated to friends of pre-owned design, is a column that visits the homes of interesting individuals and delves into stories behind their design treasures. First up, we had the pleasure of exploring designer Fanni Lyytikäinen’s home, full of surprises – a forgotten pearl of 70s architecture in Espoo's Olari district. Read more
Finnish textile designer Johanna Gullichsen has won the Kaj Franck Design Prize 2021. According to the prize jury, an appreciation of natural materials, handicrafts and the preservation of the weaving tradition are clearly visible in her textiles. Read more
The graduation celebrations are right around the corner! Congratulate the high school or college graduate with tons of wishes and thoughtfully chosen gifts. The team members of the Design Stories shared their own gift tips from the Finnish Design Shop’s selection. Read more
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
Together, Finnish Design Shop, Franckly and UN Women Finland strive to take concrete action to protect human rights, even in conflict. Please consider making a donation – you’ll find a link at the end of the article. Read more
Architect Flemming Lassen was one of the pioneers of Danish functionalism. One of his most famous pieces of furniture is The Tired Man easy chair, which was re-introduced in 2015 by the Danish brand By Lassen. 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
While there is still a lot to be done to promote equality, it is sometimes good to look back at the things we have already accomplished. To celebrate International Women's Day, we teamed up with UN Women Finland to list some significant moments of equality in recent years. Read more