“With acts of solidarity, we can curb the use of shame in attempts to assert control over sexual and gender minorities. I propose adopting an early support model to address problematic behavior,” says Eero Nurmi in the column that also serves as a reminder of the necessary steps forward Finland has yet to take. Read more
As the joke goes, when you do it yourself, you get what you get. In her last Design Stories column for now, Hanna-Katariina Mononen reflects on what else besides new skills we could learn by doing things ourselves. Read more
“Christmas is becoming one of the last islands of tranquility that Sundays used to be only a few decades ago,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Jutta Tanninen and her partner bought this apartment as an investment, but it quickly became their dream home. Combining bold colors, art, and custom design solutions, this space reflects Jutta’s love for experimentation and authentic materials. Join us for a tour of this vibrant home in Turku, Finland! Read more
A designer lamp is like a piece of jewelry that enhances the entire room. Sometimes, simply changing a lamp can transform the whole interior. We asked an expert from Louis Poulsen what to consider when selecting a designer lamp and which type of lamp is always a safe choice. Read more
“If getting rid of each cup and garment took as long as it will take to get rid of the ink on my skin, I’m sure I’d have thought twice about getting them in the first place,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen about her past purchases. Read more
“There are no rules, the Finnish coffee culture is very liberal – as long as you drink coffee,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen when commenting on Finns’ habit of building their days around steaming cups of joe. Read more
“The craftspeople I’ve met have taught me much more than I could have imagined,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen as she reflects on what makes handmade objects so special. Read more
How do you create a meaningful Holiday season? For stylist and designer Anna Pirkola, it’s about cherished traditions, thoughtful gifts, and time with loved ones. From a unique gift exchange ritual to family recipes and shared laughter, Pirkola shares the moments that make each Holiday memorable – whether spent at home or hosting friends from around the world. Read more
Our friends from abroad find it hard to miss: we Finns love to entertain in the comfort of our homes and often choose to snuggle up rather than head downtown. To warm up the chillier seasons, may we present 9 products made for comfy gatherings. Read more
Emma and Philip renovated the apartment into a peaceful home, perfected by earthy tones, timeless surface materials and a myriad of lovely design items. The couple likes decorating with Danish design and has also managed to make great second-hand finds. Read more
“Some things are based on universal, immutable facts,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen, justifying the resistance to change she has discovered within herself. Read more
“You can climb on the four-legged stool, but never on the three-legged one,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen when describing her relationship with the classic chair designed by Alvar Aalto. Read more
“It’s really difficult to internalize that what we see in the endless stream of images on our screens is not something we all should strive to achieve,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen and admits to also having felt home envy herself. Read more
The recently popular Japandi phenomenon combines Scandinavian practicality with Japanese design language. Uncompromising respect for old manufacturing techniques brings a new perspective to the interior decoration trend. We discovered how the Finnish Nikari and the Japanese Ariake both continue traditions in their own ways in modern furniture design, fully in the spirit of the Japandi trend. Read more
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen has something to say to Marie Kondo, who has given up the KonMari Method used for tidying homes. Read more
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen takes humor seriously: “Aesthetic humor is anarchism, gently challenging ingrained habits and acquired attitudes.” Read more
When there are four seasons, one of which you wish would last half a year, it's wise to be early with your garden and patio purchases. Summer feels significantly longer when the outdoor furniture is ready right from the warm day! Read more
“Without background information about things, they’re just empty, meaningless, and don’t really tell me anything at all,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
There are different tastes, but what kind of a taste is good? Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen thinks that we don’t have to look far for the answer. Read more
Spring is made of light, melting snow and, above all, fresh spirit. Using them to create something new in your interior can be surprisingly easy and fun! Check out our customer service team’s tips for light spring decorating. Read more
“Avid Christmas enthusiasts give me nightmares,” says Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. This year she has decided to face her fears. Read more
“Are my interior design solutions timeless, and how could I ensure that they are?” asks Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen, who wants a home that she can maintain unchanged for years to come. Read more
Elevate your festive season with the perfect blend of cheer and conscious choices. By embracing the path of sustainability, you can make your celebrations not only joyous but also more mindful. Dive into our tips for discovering sustainable holiday gifts from the carefully curated selection at Finnish Design Shop. Read more
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. Read more
To help you decide what to get your loved ones this gift-giving season, we asked eight Finnish Design Shop employees to pick their top gift recommendations from the online store's selection. Our team works with design every day, so don't miss these expert holiday gift ideas! Read more
“The warmest season of the year is already so extraordinary in itself that it’d only be fair to also leave uplifting activities for the other seasons,” writes Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Wool socks are on, candles are lit, and the first box of chocolates is opened. We guess now is the time to finally admit it: the holiday season is approaching fast. To help you get into a festive frame of mind, we have opened our traditional Holiday Season Shop – step inside and get set for the season ahead! Read more
“The feeling of inauthenticity creates bad energy,” writes Design Stories’ columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen. Read more
Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen ponders whether you can enjoy the feel of a summer cottage without leaving home. Spoiler alert: you can. Read more