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.

“THE HOLIDAY SEASON HAS ARRIVED at Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop to delight us during the darkest time of the year. The showroom’s exhibition is adorned with inspiring Nordic Christmas setups, and the store is filled with gifts that are sure to bring joy to the recipients.

Safely twinkling LED candles, tempting sweet treats and snug wool blankets are ideal treasures to wrap up as heartfelt gifts. When choosing gifts, remember that the darker it is outside, the more important it is to create a cozy atmosphere inside,” says Finnish Design Shop's interior designer Riikka Soini-Ferraguto. For this article, she picked some perfect holiday gift tips from the exhibition. If you happen to be nearby, welcome to Turku for gift shopping!

• Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop, Aviatie 2, Turku

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Exceptionally exquisite

Holiday gifts don’t always have to be personal – you can also fulfill a larger, long-desired purchase for the home as a shared gift for the whole family. A new, inviting sofa or a well-crafted dining set can be enjoyed not only by family members but also by visiting guests.

If Santa’s sack contains a product from a numbered special edition, it might bring home a future collector’s rarity. Alvar Aalto’s Paimio armchair 41 in oiled birch is part of Artek’s Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection, produced in a limited and numbered edition of only 90 pieces.

The GUBI x Pierre Frey 9602 Special Edition is an enchanting take on Paavo Tynell’s classic floor lamp. The hand-pleated fabric shade is adorned with a magical pattern by the Parisian textile house Maison Pierre Frey, depicting a lush palace garden.

First impression matters

The entrance is said to be the home’s calling card, and how delightful it is if the inviting holiday atmosphere starts right at the front door! Small elements often suffice to bring about a significant change in the space’s ambiance, and they don’t necessarily have to be traditional holiday decorations.

Adding a potted evergreen or flower to the entrance chest and lighting a carefree LED candle immediately elevates the overall atmosphere. Aino Aalto’s classic Riihitie plant pot and Oki Sato’s striking Nendo candleholder make excellent gifts that can be left on display even after the holiday season is over.

Delightful delicacies

A classic gourmet basket stands out as a top-tier choice for memorable holiday gifts. It allows you to curate an assortment of diverse and even exotic delicacies to bring joy to the recipient. It leaves a lasting memory of delightful taste experiences, without cluttering up cabinets with unnecessary items.

If you happen to visit the Finnish Design Shop showroom & store in Turku, you can create a unique combo of Nordic delicacies: perhaps aromatic coffee from a small roastery, soft herbal tea, Finnish spruce shoot honey, and handmade Swedish sweets from Pärlans – all packed in a birch basket by Verso Design. And why not add a package of napkins and a few candles to adorn the coffee table.

Twinkle in the dark

In the darker seasons, it’s nice to have many small light sources sprinkled around the house, making lamps and candleholders wonderful gift options. Recently, compact portable lamps have gained popularity, yet there’s still a place for traditional wired table lamps as well. Take HAY’s Matin table lamp, for instance: with its fabric shade, it gently diffuses light, creating an enchanting and intimate glow.

If you find yourself running out of fresh gift ideas every Christmas, consider this excellent alternative: a modular candleholder that can be expanded piece by piece, year by year to form a fully unique piece. STOFF Copenhagen’s Nagel candleholders come in four different colors, with a range of matching candles available.

Set the table for a festive feast

While the treats take the spotlight at the Christmas table, an elegant setting also plays a vital role. By starting planning well in advance, you have ample time to acquire the perfect tablecloth or update your glassware with the most charming champagne glasses imaginable.

The gorgeous cinnamon-colored Aamu tablecloth by the Finnish weaving mill Lapuan Kankurit can be completed with matching fabric napkins. With proper care, high-quality linen textiles will become cherished family heirlooms. Ferm LIVING’s Ripple champagne saucers add a touch of elegance to serving Christmas cocktails, with the simplest one made by mixing mulled wine with sparkling wine.

Kitchen essentials for everyone

This holiday season, the showroom’s kitchen space offers a colorful surprise: HAY’s Kitchen Market collection features functional kitchen products from the popular Danish brand, ranging from ice cube trays and eye-catching salt and pepper mills to French press brewers and George Sowden toasters.

The selection offers fantastic gift ideas that cater to diverse budgets, appealing to both those who adore vibrant colors and those with a penchant for a more neutral style. And if you throw in a small culinary treat, the gift is sure to be cherished by any passionate home chef.

Interior designer Riikka Soini-Ferraguto, who works at Finnish Design Shop’s showroom, appreciates functional and beautiful design and strives to make long-term choices. Natural materials and vintage finds give any space character and softness.

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See also:

• Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop >
• New arrivals at the Holiday Season Shop >

Text: Riikka Soini-Ferraguto Images: Suvi Kesäläinen