Jenna Kiuru is a visual storyteller who, when buying an object, carefully considers both the necessity for and care required by it. Jenna and her spouse live in downtown Helsinki, leading a wonderful life in their compact home. Read more
Iina Hautala and her partner Axel, both charmed by the allure of old buildings, discovered their ideal rental home a couple of years ago just outside the heart of Turku, Finland, in a wooden house built in 1914. Design Stories got a peek into this home brimming with history and stories – come join us! Read more
“At the heart of Iittala has always been an experimental, open-minded, and bold approach to design,” says Iittala’s creative director Janni Vepsäläinen. Read the exclusive Design Stories interview to find out how the beloved Finnish brand was revamped, logo included – and what Vepsäläinen’s own Iittala favorites are! Read more
For the architect couple and their six children, the holiday season is a time for candlelight, evergreens, and the aroma of good food. While these elements contribute to the festive atmosphere, what truly matters in creating the holiday spirit is the relaxed togetherness and the art of savoring the moment. Read more
In the poster competition organized to celebrate the anniversaries of the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation and Grafia, the Association of Visual Communication Designers in Finland, the participants were invited to interpret Aino and Alvar Aalto’s vision of the human relationship with the environment, architecture and design. We asked the designers awarded in the poster competition what inspires them most about the Aaltos’ design legacy. Read more
The classic Eames Lounge Chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames to improve on something that already existed. The same kind of thinking still prevails at Vitra, which is now relaunching the fabric-upholstered version of the Lounge Chair. Slightly less-well known than the chair, the story behind it began already in the late 1950s. Read more
Anni Korkman, the Program Director of Helsinki Design Week, sees the sustainability shift in the design industry as an opportunity to challenge our notions of beauty. She also hopes to create space for a more diverse group of creators. See what events Anni Korkman recommends from the 2023 program – and how Finnish Design Shop is involved! Read more
One can easily gather clues about the Japanese couple’s fondness for Nordic design in their Helsinki home, which exudes a delightful mix of light and warmth. But it’s only when you take a moment to sit down at their kitchen table that the stories behind their cherished items come to life. Let’s listen! Read more
Choosing a frying pan can feel like navigating through a jungle of options – should you go for a non-stick frying pan or perhaps a timeless cast iron classic? Or maybe a generously sized wok pan is the way to go? Fiskars' Senior Product Manager, Emmi Härus, shares the best tips for selecting and maintaining your frying pan. Read more
If you feel like your old beloved cottage sauna needs a fresh look, it can be easily accomplished without renovations or painting the surfaces. We have gathered eight products that will bring a luxurious spa-like atmosphere to your summer cottage sauna. And of course, these products also make great cottage gifts! Read more
The enjoyment of cooking comes from having good kitchen equipment. We’ve picked out seven top-of-the-range kitchen utensils that everyone should have. With these seven top-tier kitchen tools, you can elevate your own cooking or indulge a gastronome friend moving into a new home. Read more
The material and finish of wooden outdoor furniture determines how it should be cleaned and maintained. You should spare a moment for the maintenance of both brand new outdoor furniture and any taken out from winter storage. This will help you enjoy your furniture for decades ahead. Read more
A couple who work with wood live with their children in the Maununneva district of Helsinki. At first glance, you wouldn't guess from the art gallery-like space that many of the items in the home are pre-owned – and that it’s a place for spontaneous ball games. Read more
Shoes are maintained most handily when the entrance hall is functional and the main care items are on display. We’ve picked six beautiful and practical products to help you create the ideal space for footwear maintenance in your hallway. Read more
Because of its durability, teak furniture is nowadays a common sight at vintage shops and homes. When maintaining old furniture, good instructions and, if necessary, professional advice are invaluable. Furniture expert Sanna Laurila explains how to refurbish an old teak table and answers most frequently asked questions about proper teak maintenance. Read more
Sometimes objects age best when you do nothing to them. If you have brass objects, you can decide whether you want to enjoy the patina they have gained over the years or polish them to make them look new again. Jenna Kiuru wanted to polish Iittala’s brass Nappula candleholders for a more festive table setting, and now the candleholders look as good as new. Read more
If your household textiles are looking worn, restoring them to prime condition is easy when you know how. With just a few tricks and tools, Jenna Kiuru made this Marimekko wool throw look and feel exactly as it did when bought. In the Well Kept series, we talk about wisely chosen quality materials and how to maintain them. Read more
In the summer kitchen of Jenna Kiuru’s dreams, what brings her most joy are uncluttered spaces and the little things that make for carefree living. And for a beautiful and practical summer kitchen, natural materials are a must. In this article in our Well Kept series, textile care expert Jenna Kiuru discusses carefully made choices, materials that suit one’s own lifestyle, and how to care for them. Read more
When well kept, the items we most value will always be a pleasure to wear and use, and will remain beautiful and functional for a long time to come. In this article in our Well Kept series, textile care expert Jenna Kiuru discusses carefully made choices, materials that suit one’s own lifestyle, and how to care for them. Read more
Ceramic artist and Franckly’s content producer Elena Palomo fell in love with the worn plank floors in the two-room rental apartment. They provide a perfect background for ceramics, vintage and good design. Read more
Refurbishing a wax-oiled wooden chair may sound difficult, but small-scale maintenance can even be carried out at home. Franckly wants to promote furniture repair and maintenance. We had the privilege of watching how a used December chair by Nikari became as good as new. Read the expert tips and check out the photos! Read more