A few weeks ago the huz took a business trip to Finland. Until his return, all I knew about Finnish design fit into three words: Alvar Aalto and Marimekko. So imagine my delight when he returned with reports of the best vintage furniture shops he's ever seen---and a stack of Finnish design mags! Now I'm itching to go to Helsinki--but in the meantime these scrumptious images will do just fine!
The variety of decorating styles represented in these pages is remarkable--everything from Scandinavian Modern to rustic organic and beyond. Plus every space looks completely livable, as though the owners have just popped out for a coffee and will return home soon.
I really love the idea of arranging a set of favorite dining chairs around a low table in the living room. It creates such a casual, congenial atmosphere. Plus it's perfect if you're like me and you have more chairs than you do places to put them!
Can paradise exist in kitchen form? It can if it has rough hewn plank walls, a concrete floor, open shelving and a delicious shade of grey on the walls!
I'm not much for country decor, but Finnish country has me at 'Hello'. (Or should I say 'Haloo'?) Muted hues, vintage wallpaper, and timeworn furniture make for a sunny, welcoming vignette. I'm imagining this house set in a field of wildflowers...
An adorable bedroom for all those adorable Finnish kidlings--no plastic toys here! This clean, bright space is the ideal mix of childish and grown-up, and it's completely gender neutral in spite of the touches of blue.
What a striking mix! A single wall of damask meets bold black and white stripes for a bedroom rife with drama and panache. Throw in a lucite table lamp and ornate chandelier, and you're set for some very stylish dreams indeed.
The best part of this cheerful kitchen? The oversized yellow and white checkerboard floor--though the trestle table and whimsical stools are a close second. Just looking at this shot makes me wish I could spend the day baking bread and making jam. What a happy Tuesday that would be!
Image Credits: 1, 2, 7. Plaza. 3. Divaani. 4. Deko. 5, 6, 8. Kodin Kuvalehti.
I really admire the clean, classic lines of these designs. The Finns certainly know their style!
Posted by: Emily | October 06, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Light-filled and lovely! I love that they have a little of the Swedish romanticism but with a much more rustic touch!
Posted by: A Life More Fabulous | October 06, 2009 at 08:56 AM
love that living room, with that mix of chandelier and modern chairs! xo
Posted by: caroline - patagonia gifts | October 06, 2009 at 09:19 AM
That first kitchen is so dreamy. I want it :) The kidling bedroom is so sweet and those chandeliers... YUM!
Have fun flipping through those fabulous magazines (and keep sharing! ;)
xo Isa
Posted by: Isa | October 06, 2009 at 09:26 AM
So lovely. My in-laws lived in Helsinki for two years and I still kick myself that we didn't visit. Babies interfered, but that's really no excuse. I hope you get to go next time!
Posted by: Heidi | October 06, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Oh, I LOVE that little game table!
Posted by: PS~Erin | October 06, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Everything looks so natural and calm. I want to cook in that last kitchen!
Posted by: Jenny | October 06, 2009 at 12:38 PM
oh wow. these are some of my favorites. Finnish me!
Posted by: paige anderson appel | October 06, 2009 at 04:39 PM
LOVE that first kitchen with the wood plank walls. Yes, I think a kitchen crush is perfectly reasonable.
Posted by: Kristin @ Contented Me | October 06, 2009 at 04:44 PM
I am a huge fan of open shelving, so that first kitchen rocks my world, and the last kitchen knocks me out with those yellow tiles! I love yellow and white in kitchens. And now I'm sort of hankering for some blue and white after all those blue and white rooms... love the kids' room (although I'm pretty sure an American kid would think they were being severely PUNISHED if they had to live in that toy-bereft bedroom :-))
Posted by: Lilah | October 06, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Cheerful sums up that kitchen beautifully, Anne!
Posted by: Shell Sherree | October 06, 2009 at 07:47 PM
great post! I'd love to get some Finnish magazines. I grew up with kids from Finland and I always loved their house. Their mom and dad had amazing style and even at a young age I appreciated it. This post brought back some great memories...
Posted by: Jacquelyn | October 07, 2009 at 07:44 AM
really great pictures, lovely furniture and nice articles. If you like finnish design you can get a look at http://www.articdesign-designfinlandese.blogspot.com/ and http://www.shopfinnishdesign-articdesign.blogspot.com/
Posted by: MJ | October 08, 2009 at 01:04 AM
That yellow and white kitchen floor has me ready to pull up my tiles, and I love how the child's bedroom is minimalist without being harsh.
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This looks like really nice construction for a chair. It is hard to find things that are solidly built these days. I appreciate the fact there are still manufacturers out there willing to build quality.
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