KAUNIS KOTI (Beautiful Home) was first issued in 1948 as a trade magazine for the growing handicraft industry in Finland. It was however also directed at the general public, which in the postwar years had more money to spend on interior decorating. The magazine finally merged with the still existing Avotakka (Open fireplace) in 1972 and a excellent publication was terminated. Over the years people such as J.S. Siren, Yki Nummi, Antti Nurmesniemi, Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck, Olof Ottelin, Ilmari Tapiovaara and many more contributed to the magazine with texts, drawings and photographs, giving their views on the emergence of Finnish design.
The magazine urged for beautiful but cheap everyday goods for the people and reported national news but also
international events. With the Finnish success at the Triennales in the 1950’s and 60’s the magazine became more bold and artistic in it’s appearance and the covers are often pieces of art in itself.
There used to be a well organized site on design at www.kotikaunis.fi but it was closed for unknown reasons. Please mail wmhost and ask them to contact the contributor and demand for it to be reopened.
The images show the first and the last issue of Kaunis Koti
Forthzine - Jonas Forth 