Danish design blogger Sofie Amalie Rolandsen chooses her six favorite items from the Finnish Design Shop. The choices would beautifully integrate into her bright and colorful Copenhagen home, where she playfully mixes design classics with second-hand finds.
SOFIE AMALIE ROLANDSEN started her blog Thus the Fuss three years ago to document the renovation of her apartment and to share tips, inspiration, and beautiful pictures of her home. She can’t wait to get her hands on her next project: a country retreat for her young family.
Sofie Amalie, could you tell us a little about yourself and the path that led you to where you are today?
“On Instagram, I go by the name Thusthefuss, but in real life, people call me Sofie Amalie. Until recently, I worked for an international design agency, but I just quit my job to try and grow my hobby within interior design. My style is a colorful mix of design classics and thrift shop finds, and I love working with contrasts.
Interior design and home decor has been always been the preferred 'sport' of my family, with second-hand shopping, design classics, and DIYs being a passion of mine from an early age. Three years ago, I started an interior design Instagram account when I and my boyfriend started renovating our first apartment and wanted to share the process. Now we are on our second apartment and just recently became a family of three when our son Walter was born.”
"My style is a colorful mix of design classics and thrift shop finds, and I love working with contrasts."
What would be the creative project or collaboration of your dreams?
“I love the story of Marimekko and Armi Ratia, the power woman behind the brand, and it would be awesome to collaborate with this colorful and graphic brand.
Also, we are currently looking at summer cottages and I dream of getting my hands on an old one from the 60s or 70s that we could shine up and make our country escape from the city.”
How would you define the concept of good design? What makes a design classic?
“To me, good design is both beautiful and functional. Something that makes your every day more pleasant through comfort and appearance. A true classic is something that you don’t grow tired of using and that ages well even with wear and tear.”
Sofie Amalie's 6 design picks:
1. Icy textures of glass
“I’m pretty hooked on Iittala's Ultima Thule glassware by Tapio Wirkkala. The retro series was quite recently relaunched with new pieces. Glass is so popular right now, and I love how this series works with the texture of glass.”
• Iittala's Ultima Thule carafe >
• All drinkware >
2. Mugs to mix & match
“I try not to take my interior too seriously and appreciate the colorful and playful world of Marimekko's patterns. I already have many Marimekko Oiva mugs, they are just the perfect size, and I like to mix and match their patterns and prints.”
• Marimekko's Oiva Siirtolapuutarha mug >
• All cups and mugs >
3. Aalto lamp in mid-modern style
“Originally I had my heart set on Artek's A110 lamps by Alvar Aalto for our kitchen, but the size didn’t fit. Hopefully, I’ll find a spot for them some time. I think the sleek silhouette is very elegant.”
• Artek's A110 pendant >
• All pendant lights >
4. Contemporary Finnish weaving
“I just recently became familiar with the Finnish textile designer Johanna Gullichsen and her many pretty textiles. It gave me a new appreciation for traditional weaving techniques and textures. I think one of her woven cushion covers would be a nice contrast to the rest of my sofa cushions.”
• Johanna Gullichsen's Doris cushion cover >
• All cushions >
5. The all-time favorite vase
“I remember my parents having Iittala's Aalto vase in my childhood home, and when I moved out on my own, it was one of the first things I bought. For me, this vase goes hand in hand with fresh tulips and I don’t see it ever going out of style. Mine is the classic clear version, but I would like to add one of the new colored versions to my collection.”
• Iittala's Aalto vase >
• All vases >
6. The classic tea trolley
“Artek's iconic Tea trolley 900 by Alvar Aalto is high on my wishlist. I hope that someday I’ll have the money and the spot for it!”
• Artek's Tea trolley 900 >
• All kitchen carts & trolleys >
See also:
• Thus the Fuss on Instagram >
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Silvia Filippelli Images: Manufacturers