Nordic design in South Korea: The ever-changing, colorful home of Pilwoo, Saerom, and Seojin

The playful home of illustrator Saerom Kim, book and magazine publisher Pilwoo Nam, and their 7-year-old son Seojin is an ever-evolving mix of styles. Design Stories visited their vibrant mountainside home near Seoul to talk about creativity, family life, and their love for Nordic design.

VISITORS ARE WELCOMED at the entrance by artwork from 7-year-old Seojin – nature-themed drawings from the young artist in the making. The parents, Pilwoo and Saerom, share that their favorite pieces in the home are the fun ones, just like their son’s art. Their interior ideology is to mix and match different styles.

“At first, I decorated my house only with famous designer furniture and props, but at some point, it lost its individuality,” Pilwoo explains.

He wants to avoid making their home look like a furniture showroom, instead preferring to combine different styles and materials. The couple didn’t do any renovations after moving in in 2018, but they added mirrors to create unexpected effects and installed indirect lighting to enhance the atmosphere.

“Here, people like bright homes, and a lot of our friends ask why it’s so dark,” Saerom says, laughing.

Saerom’s style is colorful, while Pilwoo prefers minimal and simple designs. The couple never argues over interior choices; they believe that by combining their styles, they’ve created a space that is both calm and lively. They don’t plan the interior meticulously – items find their places over time, and they’re patient about waiting for favorite pieces to become available.

Pilwoo and Saerom enjoy DIY projects and are always exploring new ways to curate their space. Their latest project was using tape on the kitchen counter to imitate a metal finish. They’ve also changed the layout over 20 times already! “It’s like Howl's Moving Castle as everything keeps on changing,” says Saerom.

A home in motion – Pilwoo and Saerom love experimenting with their space, having already rearranged it over 20 times.

Since having a child, some of their furniture choices have changed; for example, they swapped three-legged Artek Aalto stools for four-legged versions to prevent tipping when Seojin climbed on them. However, they kept one three-legged stool because it holds special memories. The vintage Aalto stool, from before the ’60s, was bought second-hand from Finland.

“There’s a trace of the leather part of the stool being chewed on from when Seojin was young, but I think it’s meaningful because it’s part of our story.”

While the couple enjoys vintage pieces, they value functionality alongside beauty. “I like vintage items that I can actually use rather than ornamental vintage items. I feel burdened by items that I have to cherish too carefully. I call myself a 'practical romantic,’” Pilwoo explains.

During a visit to Finland in 2016, they handpicked tableware for their collection; a green vintage Arabia cup from a second-hand shop is one of their favorites. Nordic furniture has grown in popularity in South Korea in recent years and is often blended with the traditional Hanok style.

Pilwoo appreciates Nordic furniture for its purposeful straight lines and curves. “Nordic design is simple and has a purpose,” he says. The couple owns several Artek tables and chairs.

PILWOO WORKS in multiple fields, from art licensing to graphic design, and runs his own publishing company, where he produces and creates books and magazines. Already a multitasker, he dreams of becoming a musician one day.

His office shelves are filled with items that hold personal significance, from old film cameras and books to his favorite fragrances and sleek electronics – all carefully curated and organized.

Pilwoo and Saerom both work from home, turning their space into a creative hub where even Seojin joins in with his origami.

The kitchen table, surrounded by mismatched chairs, is Saerom’s favorite spot; she works there on her freelance illustration projects. Sunlight bounces beautifully around the room, reflecting off a large pastel-yellow mirror the couple designed and hand crafted by a local artist in Busan. Saerom admits that the sculptural mirror makes the perfect selfie zone.

The ceramic lemon art piece on the kitchen table, by an artist friend, is another favorite of hers. During our visit, Seojin shared the workspace with her, making origami with colorful paper.

When we ask the couple if this is their forever home, they reply, “Actually, Saerom and I want to get out of here. We really want to, haha.” The apartment is convenient and quiet, surrounded by forest, but they dream of living in a detached house with a yard.

“To be exact, we want to build a house just the way we want to live: a bigger window with better lighting, a spacious kitchen, and so on. We’ll probably still be here in 10 years, but wouldn’t it be great if we could achieve our dreams in 20 years?”

Puttonen Ruska is a London and Helsinki-based Creative Studio founded by the creative duo Mikko Puttonen and Lucas Ruska Martin. When Lucas and Mikko are not in London, traveling or attending fashion weeks you can find the couple at their second base just outside of Helsinki, probably hiking in the forest or cooking.

See also:

• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >

Text and images: Puttonen Ruska Interpreter: So Hyun An

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