In November of 2014 we quickly decided that we needed more space and started looking around for something that would fit our needs: > 100 m2, well planned, good location and architecturally pleasing. But we quickly found that there few houses on the market of this size in the area and the ones we found didn't … Continue reading Our home in Tapiola and its history
On the concentration of good stuff in the hands of the few
"The rich get richer faster than the poor get richer. This is because returns to capital are greater than the growth of income. So over time inequality increases." - Thomas Piketty The economist and author Piketty has outlined how wealth is concentrated to a few and it got me thinking about design about how much of … Continue reading On the concentration of good stuff in the hands of the few
Eva Hidström – enamel designer
As often it's a random thriftstore find that leads me onto a path to discover a designer or a manufacturer that I never knew before. This time it was Eva Hidström (1930-). Today's #thriftbreak yielded a small enamel plate by the little known silver smith and jewellery designer Eva Hidström. Exquisite. A photo posted by … Continue reading Eva Hidström – enamel designer
Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs – a designer unknown
I stumbled across the designer and architect Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs many years ago when I saw his lounge chair and sofa combination at a local flea market. This is more than 10 years ago and I could probably had them for nothing, but I didn't pick them up. They were well made and had a certain … Continue reading Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs – a designer unknown
10 fabulously curious things about Tom of Finland and its creator
Touko Laaksonen (8.5.1920- 7.11.1991), the artist behind Tom of Finland, is one of the most notable internationally acclaimed Finnish artists. Say what you will about his art, it leaves no one untouched and in a way you either love it or hate it. For me it's just well made underground art, that's slowly making its … Continue reading 10 fabulously curious things about Tom of Finland and its creator
Finel – beautiful colorful enamel products from Finland
Finel is a trademark under which Wärtsilä and Järvenpää Emali sold enamel metal items such as bowls and pots starting in the early 1950s. At first the designs had to be bought from abroad but soon Wärtsilä's subsidiary company Arabia assigned well known designers to make new models. Designers such as Seppo Mallat (pots and … Continue reading Finel – beautiful colorful enamel products from Finland
How three chickens taught me how to run a business
During the summers of 1987-1989 I was temporarily the proud owner of three chickens (unfortunately I don't remember their names), given to me as a loan/present from the mother of a childhood friend. They arrived beat up, half featherless but left a few months later well fed and in great condition after having spent the summer … Continue reading How three chickens taught me how to run a business
I like when things end
Many enjoy watching sports but I really never cared much for it. I recently started thinking about it and it occurred to me that it must be because I like things that have an exact beginning and end. As in, if one of the teams wins the world championship in any sport, then that team would … Continue reading I like when things end
TV formats in progress
Does you mother know? aka Busted aka People have a right to know This format I came up with around 2009 when Facebook had changed their terms of use for the umpteenth time to the horror of people around the world. It got people thinking and talking about privacy in a way no one really had before. … Continue reading TV formats in progress
5 Finnish design companies that sort of just vanished
There's been a number of legendary design companies in Finland and some of them are even still around - companies like Artek, Orno, Vivero, Arabia, Taito, Martela and Skanno to only name a few. But then there are those who made epic stuff just to quietly fade away and never be heard of again. Here are five … Continue reading 5 Finnish design companies that sort of just vanished
