Talking with 3 Creators of Nordic Happiness: “The best part? Sharing a passion with others”

UNITED BY THE LOVE for design and interiors, no matter the distance – this trio of exalted social media frontrunners knows a thing or two about the power of an online community.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Annaleena Leino, Suvi Melender-Lågland and Allan Torp, who are among the Creators of Nordic Happiness, comprising an international group of inspiration-sharing individuals shortlisted in the first-ever FDS Influencer Awards.

Annaleena Leino: @annaleenainteriors

Hello, Annaleena! You’ve delighted friends of design and interiors for a longer while, first with your blog and now on Instagram. Where did it all start for you?

“I could’ve never imagined that blogging would get me to where I am now – when I started over ten years ago, we only did it for laughs! Back then, no one made a dime with their blogs, which felt like online diaries.

As time passed, people began to consult me on home remodeling, colors and so on. Fast forward and I had started my business, worked on a variety of home stories for magazines, and embarked on interior styling studies at Beckmans Akademi in Stockholm.”

How does your work as an interior stylist impact the content you post?

“I usually always post about professional projects on my Instagram account, which has morphed into a portfolio of sorts. Not too long ago, interior stylists were required to compile extensive portfolios, which could cost a pretty penny – these days, social media is often enough to portray the same aesthetic sentiments! When it comes to paid collaborations, I’m very picky and only choose to promote items that I have faith in and could imagine in my own home.”

How has your personal style evolved over the years?

“With firm Finnish roots, I identify as a proper Finn here in Sweden, both in terms of family background and aesthetics. While new color and product crushes occur, I believe my style will always be fairly modern and minimalist. What really strikes a chord with me is merging Nordic design with mid-century modern influences.

The wealth of inspiration on social media has certainly had an impact on my journey. My blog, which started as a platform to share the renovation of our first home with my husband, led me to discover a blossoming community for exchanging ideas with individuals from the United States, New Zealand, Germany – or wherever!”

Suvi Melender-Lågland: @suvim_valkoinenharmaja

Hi, Suvi! Your name is bound to pop up when discussing the Finnish interior blogging scene. What keeps things interesting for you after more than a decade?

“From my point of view, the interior is never fixed nor complete, as there's room for endless fine-tuning. Those small yet essential changes are exactly what continue to delight me.

For me, decorating is a way to relax and recover from the busy working life. By far the best part is being able to share that passion with likeminded individuals. I get inspired by different kinds of interiors and love to receive tips from colleagues and followers – I hope to be able to pay it forward! I find it important to showcase a timeless, more sustainable style of decorating on platforms that often revolve around short-lived trends.”