At the top of a hillside neighborhood in Seoul lives a creative couple, Dora and Egg 2. Design Stories visited this elegant home to meet the owners and learn about their inspirations, daily life, and the thoughtful renovation that brought their dream home to life – complete with a curated collection of vintage Artek pieces. Read more
When Alvar Aalto designed a new building for his architectural practice in Helsinki in the mid-1950s, he created a light-filled studio space with gently curved walls and a view of a courtyard shaped like an amphitheater. Join Design Stories for a visit to Studio Aalto – a place where creativity, architecture, and everyday life intertwined. Read more
Alvar Aalto designed a home for composer Joonas Kokkonen that blends beautifully into the landscape, and inside opens up like a fan around the studio and grand piano. Come and explore Villa Kokkonen with Design Stories! Read more
Located in the heart of Helsinki, Finlandia Hall has reopened its doors to locals and visitors alike after an extensive three-year renovation. The iconic event venue, designed by Alvar Aalto, now offers a unique opportunity to stay overnight, as two former staff apartments have been restored and transformed into accommodation. Read more
In 2024, Finnish Design Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special reissue of Alvar Aalto’s wooden relief from 1933. This handcrafted relief is a unique opportunity to own a rare piece of Finnish design history and celebrate a true Nordic classic. Read more
The Paimio Sanatorium is considered to be one of Alvar Aalto’s most important works. The functionalist building was built as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It is situated in the middle of a beautiful pine forest in Paimio, Finland, and is an impressive site up to this day. Read more
Alvar Aalto's creations share not only a timeless design language but also a distinctive sense of humanity. Aalto designed his products with life at the forefront – they were made to be lived in, experienced, and built to withstand the everyday and special moments alike. Discover Aalto's armchairs with us, each one meticulously handcrafted and upholstered in Turku, Finland. Read more
Trends come and go, but the timeless allure of classics transcends decades – Artek's iconic furniture and lighting have brought beauty and functionality to homes worldwide for nearly a century. We selected seven Aalto favorites: read on to discover the stories behind these beloved products. Read more
A memorable place to stay can transform your travel experience – or inspire a staycation right in your own city. Design Stories rounded up a selection of design-driven accommodations, from Finnish hideaways to Mediterranean escapes, from cityscapes to countryside serenity. Read more
Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & shop invite you to explore the space where art and design meet. Discover a curated selection of Juhani Melender’s bold and colorful abstract works alongside iconic pieces of Nordic design – welcome for a visit! Read more
Artek kicks off its anniversary year with a special collaboration featuring the Moomins. The Artek + Moomin collection showcases early Tove Jansson illustrations, laser-engraved onto a stool and a cabinet. Read more
Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eight time in a row, and also the other Nordic countries rank in the top ten of the World Happiness Report 2025. As we celebrate the UN’s International Day of Happiness, it’s worth taking a closer look at the relationship between Finnish design and happiness. Read more
Built by their grandfather in Helsinki’s Munkkiniemi district, this cherished family villa has found new life as a home for a blended family of seven. Here, old traditions are honored, and new ones are joyfully created. Read more
In 2024, Finnish Design Shop celebrated its 20th anniversary with the launch of its first-ever collection consisting of games and instruments, along with a rare Alvar Aalto relief. Throughout the year, Nordic design found its way to 92 countries, shipped from our own logistics center in Finland. Read more
Wooden furniture and differen shades of red were in the spotlight at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Design Stories visited the fair to discover the freshest new designs for spring 2025 – check out our top picks! Read more
Enso-Gutzeit’s head office was a total work of art for Alvar Aalto, whose office designed every detail of the building from the interior to furniture and lighting. Also known as the Sugar Cube, the building is one of Aalto’s most controversial works and still evokes strong emotions. During Helsinki Design Week, anyone can finally explore it. Read more
Aino Aalto brought the modern interior design ideals that she thought were practical to Finland. Her style can be seen, for example, in the interior of Villa Mairea. Read more
Some things never go out of style – traditional craftsmanship is one of them. Finnish Design Shop’s final top 5 collection of the year celebrates the beauty and timelessness of meticulous, handcrafted design. Happy New Year! Read more
Artek’s new Crafted Through Time collection invites us to explore layers that bridge past and present. With reimagined classics and carefully curated pieces, the collection celebrates timeless forms and materials that age beautifully, adding richness and meaning to modern homes. Read more
Finnish influencer and stylist Kirsikka Simberg shares her gift picks, focusing on items that bring joy to everyday life. She plans to spend Christmas in Helsinki with her family, enjoying holiday traditions like baking cookies, listening to Cher’s Christmas album, and taking a swim in icy waters. Read more
Ceramic artist Akiko Mori favors Christmas gifts that carry memories. Get inspired by gift ideas that are sure to make a lasting impression! Read more
Kantola, designed by Alvar Aalto, is part of the culturally significant Sunila residential area in Kotka, Finland. This unique factory manager’s home has always been more than just a residence – it’s a space for hosting and gathering together. Read more
As autumn arrives, the lush greens of summer give way to the cozy tones of the new season. These warm hues also find their way indoors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Visit Finnish Design Shop’s showroom & store in Turku and let yourself be inspired by the spirit of fall! Read more
Black is often avoided in interior design, but there’s no need for that! Instead of making a home feel gloomy, dark furniture and accents add depth and structure to a light interior. In honor of Black Friday, we’ve listed eight ways to decorate with black. Read more
Founded in 2004, Finnish Design Shop has transformed over two decades from a humble small business into one of the world’s leading online stores for Nordic design. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we’re taking a look back at the key milestones along the journey. Read more
The Muuratsalo Experimental House functioned both as a summer residence of Alvar and Elissa Aalto and a test site for architectural elements. The Experimental House, located in Central Finland, gave Alvar Aalto the opportunity to play with construction materials and test new kinds of structural solutions. Read more
Finnair’s new lounge areas offer a calming respite before boarding. The airy spaces decorated with Nordic design were created by Studio Joanna Laajisto. The majority of the products were ordered via Finnish Design Shop’s Contract Sales. Read more
The Aalto vase is a true icon of Finnish design, capturing hearts worldwide since the 1930s. Alvar Aalto's legendary creation debuts this fal… Read more
A walk along a rocky seashore made the Japanese-Swiss couple see Finland in a different light. The vintage classics in their home in Suvikumpu, Espoo, are not only a passion but also an investment. Akiko and Simon see beauty in pebbles and whiskers alike. Read more
Do you know what Alvar Aalto and skateboarding have in common? The Pool, a new summer exhibition at Jyväskylä’s Aalto2 Museum Centre, delves into how Aalto’s 1930s Villa Mairea swimming pool has influenced the global skate culture from Finland to California. Read more