Ceramic artist Akiko Mori favors Christmas gifts that carry memories. Get inspired by gift ideas that are sure to make a lasting impression!
Hi Akiko! How and where will you spend the holidays this year?
“My family and I will visit Switzerland again this year. My Grid Bird House sculpture is being exhibited during the Christmas holiday at VitraHaus at the Swiss-German border. So we have several reasons to go to Switzerland.”
Do you have any Holiday traditions?
“Almost every year, we spend Christmas at my in-laws’ in Switzerland, but we start the countdown at home in Finland with a Christmas tree. I add new decorations each year and write the year on them, like cataloging museum pieces. Writing the year in white paint makes them feel even more like artifacts. Every year, seeing the years on these decorations brings back a sense of history.”
” I add new decorations on Christmas tree each year and write the year on them, like cataloging museum pieces.”
What’s your most cherished Christmas memory?
“Christmas at our little Swiss chalet. It’s high up, so in winter, you need a snowmobile to reach it. Being in a small chalet lets you feel close to family. It’s similar to how Finns feel about their little mökki cabins.”
Gifting tips by Akiko:
Stool 60 by Artek
“In my studio, I use the practical four-legged version because I often need it as a step stool. But personally, I love the Aalto stool 60's three-legged design when stacked; It looks like a sculpture. The neatly aligned legs create a great pattern, almost like a staircase. Three legs to look at, four legs to use.
I find myself adding an Aalto 60 stool often, yet there’s never enough. Someday, I’d love to build a tower of these stools — a ceiling-high sculpture.”
• All stools >
Wooden Doll No. 7 by Vitra
“Recently, I had a small operation for something in my breast. I was so scared, but thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious. While waiting for the results, I regretted not going to the doctor sooner, as I’d put it off for years.
Now, I want to gift this wooden doll, designed by Alexander Girard, to my female friends as a gentle reminder to check their breasts regularly, before it’s too late.
My own Girard dolls were gifts, and I always add a little piece of tape with the year and the name of the giver, like archiving artifacts in a museum. It feels special, preserving those memories as a personal history.”
Eames House Bird by Vitra
“I’m a huge fan of Vitra! VitraHaus in Weil am Rhein, Germany, near the Swiss border, is their flagship store and an amazing piece of architecture designed by Herzog & de Meuron. I highly recommend visiting the Vitra Campus if you are an architecture fan.
This Christmas, my Grid Bird House sculpture is being exhibited at VitraHaus. A milestone achievement for me and a dream come true!
I’d love to gift this Eames bird to Simon, my husband, who always supports my work and our family. This Eames bird will feel right at home with him, perched proudly by his favorite Eames lounge chair, like a small trophy celebrating his pride and joy.”
• All products by Vitra >
• Read also: Akiko and Simon want their home to feature the original architecture >
Paper shade by HAY
“Mies van der Rohe said, “Less is more.” My ceramic work is influenced by this principle. But sometimes: "Too much is never enough". I do love extremes.
I have a large rice paper shade by HAY in my studio. Even though it might get in the way, I hang it extremely low so it floats like a giant planet. It arrives flat, barely a centimeter thick, but when opened, it becomes an expansive paper world. Minimum to maximum!”
Design and art books
“I believe books make some of the best gifts, especially art books, which are always appreciated. Rather than waiting until right before Christmas and wondering what to buy, I like to pick up a book whenever I see one that reminds me of someone.
For my nephews and children, I also choose books as gifts. I feel that giving knowledge lasts much longer than some other material gift.”
• All art books >
See also:
• Akiko Mori Ceramics >
• The best holiday design gifts at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Design Stories Images: Mikael Niemi and manufacturers
Gifting made easy
Why not wrap up lifelong joy and gift evergreen design? Finnish Design Shop offers a wide range of both beloved classics and exciting new arrivals – delivered to your front door!