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1. Casting a long shadow
French designer Inga Sempé definitely has a flair for reinvention. After all, it’s hard to believe that the humble candleholder could be reimagined to be so classic and contemporary at the same time. This cast-iron creation is quite a sight when bare, but proves its charm underneath the gentle glow of the candles it is designed to securely hold.
In our fireplace, we burn more candles than firewood. HAY’s pitch-black Fonte candleholder turns invisible before the sooty walls of the fireplace, making the candles look as if they were floating in mid-air. And when you do want to light a real fire, having to lift out only the multi-candled Fonte is handier than removing several, mismatched candlesticks.
2. Art for art’s sake
For some time now, I have been longing for a new woolen blanket. And as soon as I saw the fabulous wool throw in Finarte’s Väre collection, I knew this was The One. Its irresistible color combination and timeless, abstract pattern won me over in the blink of an eye. I became even more enthralled when I read that Marianne Huotari, the designer of the Väre collection, was inspired by renowned Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s Kalevala-themed frescoes on the ceiling of the foyer of the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki, as well as his designs for murals that were never realized.
The throw, and the other fine items in the collection, are based on the Väre (ripple) theme that Huotari designed in collaboration with the National Museum of Finland. The dark green and peach throw is made of 100% wool and is so wonderfully soft and plush that every member of the family will want to wrap up in it. It’s also a superb Christmas gift idea!
3. Dotted delights
Iittala’s latest Oiva Toikka collection is an exhilarating tribute to a giant of Finnish design. I simply fell in love with the Helle theme – a glorious blaze of colored dots that Toika originally designed in the 1980s. These living colors look as fresh and vibrant as ever. We use Iittala’s Moomin mugs every day in our home, and the Helle mug sits beside them harmoniously. And this is no wonder, as both are based on Iittala’s classic, handily-shaped Teema mug.
Helle mugs look especially appealing on the breakfast table on a lazy Sunday morning beside plates stacked with freshly made waffles. The Helle pattern now also adorns the Fiskars X Iittala scissors, which have the same essential features as the classic orange-handled Fiskars scissors. They add a touch of vibrancy to crafts and everyday tasks. These mugs and scissors also make excellent gifts, as the Helle collection has proven its popularity beyond a shadow of a doubt.
4. Walls of salted caramel
The thought of house painting is not necessarily thrilling, but the results can be very much worth the effort. When your walls have taken on a different tone, your home will look and feel like new. At the moment, I find caramel shades of brown particularly inviting – mouthwatering, even!
And if this is what your heart desires, look no further than Finnish paint manufacturer Cover Story’s LB3 MIO salty caramel. It’s part of Cover Story’s Capsule Collection, designed by Linda Bergroth. This delightful caramel hue lies somewhere between burnt orange and warm brown, and pairs excellently with choices such as bright red, gentle coral, and light blue. Cover Story paints are made in Finland, and are also a safe choice for children’s rooms, as they are plastic-free, water-soluble, and odorless, and do not release harmful compounds into the indoor air. Who knows, maybe Santa Claus or his little helpers might be willing to lend a hand with the painting too?
5. Hem sweet Hem
Our home is built in the architectural style that was typical in Finland in the 1950s, with small rooms that require slim furniture. In my dreams, I would have the leisure in the dark autumn evenings to master the captivating art of embroidery, immerse myself in a novel, or enjoy a good movie. All of these would be simply heavenly pastimes in the comfort of a cozy armchair and footstool.
Hem’s plush Hai lounge chair has a lovely vintage feel thanks to its sleek metal tubular legs. Nonetheless, it’s a modern creation, by the Italian designer Luca Nichetto. The mottled coral upholstery is my favorite.