Helsinki Design Week 2016: Design Takes Over the Finnish Capital

Helsinki’s 12th annual design week took place at the beginning of the month, centered around the 47th iteration of Habitare, the main design show established in 1970. More than 250 events across the city and the show itself were organized around the theme of “better.” Here are some of our favorite finds – including a minimal wardrobe by Laura Huusari (above) that hangs from the ceiling to maximize floor space.

These simple stools are made from three interlocking squared wooden arches by Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences graduate Tia Aitola and were showcased in the new designer area of Habitare.

Rusko by Finnish designer Maija Puoskari is a collection of three mirrors inspired by mountains and chains of small ponds. Doubling up as coat hooks, they can be used on their own or arranged in overlapping compositions.

The Aava pendant by Laura Väre was created as part of a project with Aalto University to explore the roots of Finnish design in the Nuuksio Forest. Inspired by a tree trunk, the curved edges of the nested plywood sheets also recall inverted landscapes of mountains and auroras, while the plywood filters the light creating a comfortable light source.

The Tovi shelf by Finnish design duo Hanna-Kaarina Heikkilä and Anni Pitkäjärvi is a modular system that comprises ceramic, cork, metal, wooden and mirrored elements that come together to make functional ‘micro-shelves.’

Piipou by Studio Kaksikko is a two-cup pot designed for small space living. It is equally suitable for making tea or filter coffee and therefore replaces a lot of bulky kitchen paraphernalia. It is available in black or white and is made in porcelain by the designers themselves.

Exhibited as part of Protoshop, Habitare’s exhibition of prototypes by new designers, Party stool comprises three identical plywood forms, combined together to create a durable seat. Its designer, Carlo Raymann, has recently completed a BA in Interior Architecture at the University of Art and Design at Aalto University.

The Crescent wall lights, which rotate to create different effects, are by Hanna Anonen, a graduate from the Applied Arts MA program at the Aalto University School of Art, who has also worked as an industrial designer and studied in France.

Designed for small space living, the ADB&B (Armchair, Divan, Bench & Bed) by Japanese designer Yuka Takahashi is as multifunctional as its name suggests. It is made from PEFC certified Finnish wood and designed to flatpack so people can move it from one home to the next.

And finally, the Block & Brick collection by Tuulia Penttilä is handmade in Finland from locally sourced wood and designed to be as flexible and durable as possible. Different formations provide everything from dog dining tables to spice racks.

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/hdw16-design-takes-finnish-capital/

A Tel Aviv Apartment Gets an Injection of Color

Working under architect Amir Navon, Rotem Hanan and Sivan Livne Hakim designed this 105-square-meter (~1130 sq ft) apartment that’s located in the center of Tel Aviv. The outdated interior needed a renovation that restructured the layout for better functionality, which was made difficult thanks to its diagonal footprint.

To help define areas in the apartment, they incorporated different colors and materials within niches. The living room’s floor became a light grey tone, which aided in lightening the space up. The floor within the blue living room niche was replaced with a wooden parquet that they painted to match the wall and ceiling color.

The graphic bathroom features a shower that’s outfitted with matte black tiles from floor to ceiling. The rest of the bathroom has white tiles with contrasting grout.

Photos © Gidon Levin 181 Architecture Photography.

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/colorful-apartment-tel-aviv/

3 Pattern Designers Re-Think Natuzzi’s Re-vive Chair

Italian furniture brand Natuzzi Italia employed the skills of three of the top UK-based pattern designers on a special collaboration where they were asked to reimagine the company’s iconic Re-vive chair. Dubbed the “world’s first performance recliner,” the best-selling Re-vive received three distinct looks from Patternity, Eley Kishimoto, and Camille Walala for Re-thinking Re-vive, an exhibition that allowed the public to test them out during the London Design Festival.

Patternity

The designers worked all summer to create their own designs, which took inspiration from the brand’s concept of “harmonious living” through three elements tied to their native region of Apulia – the sun, olive trees, and leaves, handcrafted lace, and classical architectural motifs. The designers were given two recliners to customize, one for display at the main store in London and the other for a live event that engaged the audience on September 19th. For the display chairs, the designers were encouraged to customize the white quilted leather cover any way they liked using paint, vinyl, applied materials, or anything else they chose. The results are pretty remarkable and completely unique, and will be sold with proceeds going to charity.

Patternity

Eley Kishimoto

Eley Kishimoto

Eley Kishimoto

Camille Walala

Camille Walala

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/3-pattern-designers-re-think-natuzzis-re-vive-chair/

Fresh New Tools and Utensils for Fall

With Back-to-School in full force, we’ve been reminiscing of the joy we used to get from shopping for new school supplies. Amidst the rows of pencils, paint tubes, and stacks of paper, remembering that feeling of excitement of a new semester and a fresh start.

Though our fresh starts aren’t quite as ritualistic anymore, we do still feel excitement and enthusiasm when we stumble upon a quality tool in our field or clever new design. This month we explore both – first a collection of fine dining cutlery, and then a look at bespoke utensils you would never have dreamed of!

Everyone has heard the saying; “the right tool for the right job”, and “you are only as good as your tools.” These sayings are very true when it comes to the choice and use of tools. While many people choose to ‘make do’ with what they have at the time… “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

The truth is that having the tool that is specifically designed for a specific job, especially if it’s a job that you perform repeatedly, is a wise investment.

So to put it in food terms… You can have the most perfectly cooked steak, but if you’re left with only a butter knife to dive in… you will most likely be disappointed with the meal and have a bad experience. Investing in good knives is a must for those who are constantly searching for the ultimate dining adventure.

The inaugural launch of Cédric Ragot’s collection of specialty knives designed for Maison Henri Mazelier, a fourth generation knife maker from Thiers, France, was in 2012. Up until now, the only carriers of Mazelier knives were select European 3 star Michelin restaurants. Patrons could purchase the knives from the restaurants directly… but now they are finally making their way to the US…and let us tell you, we cannot wait!

We are very taken by the craftsmanship and design of this collection. From the Katana knife inspired by the art of samurai, with its sleek protective and magnetic cap which acts as a knife rest, to the “Haussmann” knife evoking Parisian heritage by using dynamic lines and shapes paying tribute to modernism and creating a twist on art deco stylings. This collection brings a thoughtful and refined experience to the table.

And then there is the over-the-top creative collection of bespoke utensils by Steinbeisser…

Because sometimes the right tool hasn’t even been invented yet… And when the right tool does not exist, why not create one.

Steinbeisser launched the “Experimental Gastronomy” initiative in 2012, bringing renowned chefs and international artists together to realize a one-of-a-kind creative, gastronomic happening. For these events artists create unique, bespoke and experimental cutlery and dishware.

Driven by a search for new ways to enjoy food, these pieces don’t follow the normal rules of usability. Instead, they challenge diners to reconsider preconceptions about the relationship between tableware and the user. They can be loved for their thought-provoking function but also for their beauty. All pieces are exclusive artist collaborations and available on the Steinbeisser site.

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/fresh-new-tools-utensils-fall/

Rupture: A Wall Cabinet by Filip Janssens

Filip Janssens is known for his custom, made-to-measure storage pieces that look as if there’s a tear in them and now he has designed his first freestanding wall cabinet with fixed measurements. Rupture features a similar look with the front appearing to have an irregular torn exterior. The cabinet is made up of a series of closed white compartments in various sizes that surround a collection of open modules, some of which have colored mouth blown glass fronts. The piece can also be customized with the addition of indirect LED lighting.

Rupture will be unveiled at Design Biennale Interieur Kortrijk 2016 beginning October 14th, 2016.

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/rupture-wall-cabinet-filip-janssens/

Friday Five with Jon Burgerman

Born in the United Kingdom, NYC-based Jon Burgerman is a contemporary artist, or one might say, a professional doodler and his signature bold, graphic style is quite infectious. He began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Nottingham Trent University before moving to New York in 2010. Since then, he’s been exhibiting his work all over the world and even became one of the first artists to exhibit artwork in the White House, which led to a personal note from Vice President Joe Biden. This year he’s been focused on making books but he recently launched a coloring book, called Burgerworld, that gives you the opportunity to partially jump inside his creative mind while exploring your own. Burgerman’s playful and distinctive approach to art will make you want to dive right in and in this week’s Friday Five, you get to do so.

Movie still

1. Adam Green’s Aladdin
I went to Adam’s exhibition at the Hole Gallery in NYC earlier this year and loved all the sets and props from his Aladdin movie (which I’ve not actually seen yet). I’m a bit worried the movie might just be terrible (name one good movie with Macaulay Culkin in apart from Home Alone) but I really like the lo-fi cardboard DIY aethestic of the whole project. Rather than try to be super slick and clean everything is hand made, a bit rough and full of personality.

2. Chuck Jones
Chuck Jones directed, amongst many other things, my absolutely most favourite animation ever, One Froggy Evening. He also created characters (Marvin the Martian, Road Runner) brought many to life (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck) and defined believable, strange, wonderful worlds within animation.

Edward Gorey and his set for Dracula. Photo courtesy of the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.

3. Edward Gorey
I recently went to The Edward Gorey House museum on a trip back from Nantucket. I didn’t know Gorey’s work that well but now I’m a complete convert. I love anything that’s got a seemingly innocent exterior but is dark and naughty inside. His drawings and line work are excellent, full of macabre humour. Looking over his work I though that Tim Burton really owes a huge debt to Gorey. In fact you can see a lot of Edward Gorey in today’s comics, zine’s, poster scenes.

4. Norman McLaren
I love the work of Scottish Canadian animator Norman Mclaren. The abstract, playful, cheeky films he made are truly inspiring. I mean he made a film called Boogie Doodle! It’s amazing to think he made these back in the 1940s. I can only dream to make something as beautiful as Dots on my ipad, it just doesn’t seem possible. Through Mclaren’s work I’ve discovered lots of National Film Board of Canada animation I love, and more abstract animators, playing with visualising sound, like the amazing Mary Ellen Bute.

Purple Abstraction, 1939, oil on canvas

5. Esphyr Slobodkina
The influence of Esphyr Slobodkina is evident today in a lot of illustration and graphic design but I don’t think she gets the credit she deserves. Her abstract works and picture books are wonderful, abstract and still feel fresh. Less is often more and I think you can see her influence on artists like Stuart Davis (currently showing in the Met) who then laid the foundation for someone like Nina Chanel Abney.

from Design Milk http://design-milk.com/friday-five-jon-burgerman/