Stories

Raami is our new dining collection designed by Jasper Morrison, launched in the beginning of 2019. Raami – Finnish for ‘frame’ – gives space for the shared, lasting moments. The carefully composed pieces of the collection work together to promote a good atmosphere around the table, from the morning to the evening.

A former garage in Stockholm’s Södermalm district functions as the studio of Matti Klenell, known for his distinctive glass art and designs for companies like Iittala, Moooi and Källemo. It’s a space that allows for creative experiments and acts as a base for the designer in between his many travels. We sat down with Klenell to talk about creativity, inspiration and his most ambitious project to date—the new restaurant at Sweden’s renovated national gallery.

We visit the Iittala factory with one of Finland’s finest glass-blowers, Heikki Punkari — who grew up at the factory and has worked with the likes of Timo Sarpaneva —to discover the magic of molten glass and what it takes to become a master of this craft.

As the collaborator—and wife—of the late Timo Sarpaneva, Marjatta Sarpaneva had a front-row seat to the history of Finnish design for decades. We met her at the family’s private gallery to hear stories about Timo Sarpaneva and the beauty of glass.

In light of an upcoming collaboration with Iittala, we sat down to chat with British designer Jasper Morrison to discuss why creating the right atmosphere is essential to his work.

Jasper Morrison – Objects and Atmosphere exhibition is curated by Jasper Morrison himself. The exhibition displays objects that he has created throughout his illustrious career and a film A World without Words.

Iittala embraces the essence of Nordic living. It is about functional yet refined aesthetics, but it’s also about a deep respect for the progressive ideas that that shape our way of life. For us, design is a human issue. It is a way of looking forward.

We are all curious. We are all pioneers. We cherish progress and never settle or cease to strive for something better. The longing for better living is an undefined feeling within us that constantly pushes us onwards. It is a way of looking forward. A hunger for better.

Light is an essential part of Nordic life. From the eternal midnight of winter to the limitless sunshine in the summer. Embrace the darker season with soft ambience, created with light. It may be the glow of a candle flame or the soft radiance of a delicate lamp, use light to create the perfect ambience.

Richard McCormick is a Helsinki-based chef, restaurateur and food visionary. He rose to fame in 2013 with the Moroccan- and Middle East -inspired restaurant Sandro. Several restaurant enterprises later, Richard McCormick's newest restaurant, YesYesYes, opened in November 2017. The new restaurant and bar focuses on vegetarian dishes.

When the ice starts to melt after a long winter, it draws its ebb and flow across the snow-covered land. Inspired by the melting ice of the far north in Lapland, Ultima Thule is Tapio Wirkkala’s most famous work. It is the epitome of Nordic craftsmanship — the result of thousands of hours spent perfecting the glassblowing technique required to produce its signature undulations. It carries within it both the light and the shadows of untamed wilderness.

Combine your favourite flowers with floral foundlings to create your perfect bouquet. Match delicate florets with thorny stems and fresh blossoms with beautifully wilted leaves. Forget the rules and follow your instincts.

Wild Things is a new kind of flower shop in Helsinki. Situated in the heart of the design district the store sells lush and wild weekly flower bouquets and a selection of evergreen plants.

Vieno Motors is an anarko-florist performance initiated by visual artist Ilona Valkonen. During the performance artists tie flowers with other materials, such as old electric wires or leftover pieces of household pipes, resulting in imaginative arrangements and wild wearable pieces.

Iittala is known around the world for its expertise as a producer of coloured glass. We have over 100 years of experience in producing this type of glass and are committed to further developing our capabilities in this area. Getting the most out of glass and developing an extensive colour palette calls for a thorough understanding of the materials used and a willingness to experiment. Colour know-how is part of the heritage of our glassworks.

Iittala’s Design Talk at Iittala’s flagship store in Stockholm’s Östermalm brought together professionals of colour to talk about the importance of hues and shades. Matti Klenell, Lotta Agaton, Katri Saarikivi and Jeremiah Tesolin took a deep dive into colours and their effect on us, our well-being and our brains.

So small was the budget for the Finnish Pavilion at the 1951 Milan Triennale that hiring local technicians to build it was out of the question. The pavilion’s designer and curator Tapio Wirkkala had no choice but to construct it himself together with his skilful carpenter. One morning he arrived on site to see that someone had spelt the consoling words “Viva Finlandia” in the dust on a sheet of glass.

Hanging on the wall of the information area of the Paimio Sanatorium in Turku, Finland, a framed painting catches visitors’ eyes. With its multi-coloured patches, laid out in a large, open V-shape, the painting looks like a work of abstract art. Closer examination, however, reveals that this is, in fact, the floor plan of the sanatorium – and represents a colour map of the original tones used in different parts of the hospital.

Iittala’s iconic Teema tableware range was created in 1952 by the master of Finnish everyday design, Kaj Franck. When designed, it was a revolutionary concept: uni-coloured, simplified objects were created in opposition to the decorative, full dinner sets that predominated at the time. The smallest details ensure each dish is perfect for use, multi-functional, stackable and suitable for everyday use as well as festive occasions.

"I wanted to design a case study house by the time I was 50," says Häberli. "Not for me personally, but one that sets an example. One that makes a contribution through its aesthetics and its inherent way of thinking. That was my dream." Häberli got a chance to fulfill his dream in designing a model home for Baufritz, revealing new dimensions of ecological and healthy wooden architecture while showcasing expert timber construction.

Designer Harri Koskinen and Iittala have embarked on a journey of discovery into the world of glass, colour and optics. For this exhibition, Koskinen, who works extensively both in the arts and industrial design, has created unique optical objects, lenses, and prisms made of coloured glass.