Eino Mattila (1912-1971) was a moldmaker for Riihimäen Lasi but is better known for his later woodwork by his own design. On the side of his work at the glass factory, he worked with the designer Nanny Still on wooden household items using teak and rosewood with her design. In the late 1950s he started his own small … Continue reading Eino Mattila – Finest Finnish artisan
The church needs to pivot
We spent this year's Good Friday morning with friends at a local café followed by a visit to the gym while my wife went shopping at the mall. I don't remember when society suddenly decided that commerce trumps tradition, but it is a sign of the times and the church is in trouble - the … Continue reading The church needs to pivot
Teak figures by Richard Müller and Bo Långhjelm
It was a few years ago I happened upon a kangaroo, made out of teak and leather parts in a thrift shop in Tammisaari, Finland. Seeing I have written about virtually all teak manufacturers in both Finland and Sweden, I was puzzled that I had stumbled upon something new. The figure was marked but I … Continue reading Teak figures by Richard Müller and Bo Långhjelm
The rise and fall of Norrmark Handicraft
Together with the silver smith Bertel Gardberg (1916-2007), glass designer Nanny Still (1926-2009 and Birgitta Bergh (1911-1998), Maire Gullichsen set up shop in Noormarkku near Pori on the western coast of Finland, with the intention of revitalising the area and preserving the handicraft traditions.
Merivaara – a pioneer in iron, steel and design
Merivaara or Helsingin Uusi Rautasänkytehdas manufactured bent tube furniture from the early 1900s up until the 1960s. Here's the company's history.
How we learned to work lean in 10 easy steps
At work I have a few rules and practices that I stick to, mainly for the reason that it allows people to get the most out of their time and abilities - to focus on creating value. I believe that when you strip away the power structures, drain the silos and add transparency, what you're … Continue reading How we learned to work lean in 10 easy steps
The Asko magazine 1955-1964
I'm always on the lookout for old design magazines and catalogues as they always tidbits and valuable information about items that might not yet be identified or even known. Many years ago I started looking for a thin magazine issued four times per year between 1955 and 1964 by the company Asko Tehtaat Oy, which I've … Continue reading The Asko magazine 1955-1964
7 brilliant online services you need in your life plus 3 you can do without
Every so often along comes a fresh app or utility so genius you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Here's a selection of the best of best of 2016 so far. Get downloading. SNAPSTER What's the most shameful track in your collection? A tune so embarrassing it would drag your family's name in shame, were … Continue reading 7 brilliant online services you need in your life plus 3 you can do without
Do not hire a man who does your work for money
Something has to change. I was the safety representative at a previous company some years ago and did not think much of it. We had to have one and it might as well be me. I had only filled in some standard paper work and that was it. Some time later I had been working … Continue reading Do not hire a man who does your work for money
A series of unfortunate economic events
In a way my now 35 year life has been a series of economic crises - the Nordic financial downturn of 1991-1996, the IT bubble crash of 2000-2002 and the great recession of 2008-who knows when. That's more than half of my years on this earth and it has definitely left a mark on me. The … Continue reading A series of unfortunate economic events
