When the sun warms your neck until midnight, a gentle wind caresses your face and the waves shimmer temptingly in front of you, you have reached the heart of Nordic summer. Sink your toes in the sand and explore these picks from Finnish Design Shop’s product range that will make your day at the beach just perfect.
Hide from the heat
If the summer sun is shining with no clouds in sight, you can cool off in a do-it-yourself shadow with this Fatboy Miasu beach tent. During their trips, French designers Hortense Pontabry and Valériane Voirin found that it was difficult to carry a traditional parasol around. To protect travelers from harmful UV radiation, they designed the portable Miasun beach tent, which features collapsible aluminum legs and can be rolled up into an envelope. The tent is easy to set up and only weighs just over one kilogram, but can still accommodate up to two adults and two children.
• Fatboy's Miasu beach tent >
• All parasols >
Carry-on comfort
The roll-up mattress from Ferm Living’s True series will make your day at the beach even more enjoyable. The mattress can be spread on the sand for some added comfort on your beach visit, or used as a cushion for a beach chair, for example. The mattress cover is a natural blend of linen and cotton, while its interior is made from recycled polyester. The mattress can also be rolled into a tight roll and conveniently carried around with a shoulder strap.
• Ferm Living's True quilted rolling mat >
A bagful of colors
Swimsuits, towels, snacks and beach toys all fit comfortably in HAY’s Candy Stripe shopper. The deliciously candy-colored bag is adorned with the Hay logo and made of polypropylene, which makes it light, durable and easy to clean. The colorful bag is also easy to spot even on a crowded beach, making it easier to find your way back to your spot among other towels and blankets.
• HAY's Candy Stripe shopper >
Not just a towel
A large, thin towel with good drying capacity is a must-have for any beach lover. Langø’s multi-purpose cotton towel helps you dry off after a swim, but can also be used as a picnic blanket, sunshade, sarong or a tablecloth for more casual occasions. The towel is ideal for traveling or boat trips, as it dries quickly and only takes up a little space once folded up. In Langø towels, a Nordic color scheme meets the Turkish bath tradition. There are three refreshing colors to choose from: pink, light gray and gentle yellow.
Remember to hydrate
Whether you prefer a cold juice on the hot sand or a steaming hot coffee on top of a cool cliff, the Dopper drinking bottle is there for you. Designed by the Dutch Rinke van Remortel, the thermally insulated bottle keeps hot drinks warm for nine hours and cold drinks cool for up to a whole day. The bottle is dishwasher safe, and when turned upside down, its cap transforms into a handy cup. The climate-neutral and recyclable bottle is good not only for the environment but also for society: 5% of the bottle’s proceeds go to the Dopper Foundation, which promotes access to clean drinking water in Nepal in collaboration with local organizations.
• The Dopper drinking bottle >
• All drinking bottles >
Foldable style
The Danish Skagerak’s Lise sunchair is as fresh and light as a summer day. Designed by Hans and Lise Isbrand, the chair has a lightweight, foldable galvanized steel frame that makes it easy to carry around. The striped seat canvas is water and dirt-repellent. It can withstand sunlight without fading and can be machine washed if necessary. The chair is comfortable, but the sitting position is still pleasantly upright, which makes it perfect for picnics or even outdoor events.
• Skagerak's Lise sunchair >
• All deck chairs & daybeds >
Feel-good summer books
A perfect day at the beach would not be complete without a fascinating book with a suitably light plot. A good example is Tove Jansson’s beloved classic, Moominsummer Madness. The book leads its reader through a flooding Moominvalley and into the mysterious world of theatre. The Moomins’ gentle outlook on life is sure to entertain even the smaller members of the family, so the book is also well suited for reading aloud. You can also find other Moomin books published by Sort of Books in the Finnish Design Shop’s collection – maybe this summer you will have time to read them all?
• Sort of Books' Moominsummer Madness >
• All children's books >
See also:
• The Summer Shop at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Kaisa Mikkola Images: Manufacturers