Author: Verónica

Johanna Gullichsen Textiles

| Verónica

One of our must-stops while in Helsinki was the Johanna Gullichsen design studio. Located in the Helsinki Design District, (they have another store in Paris), the storefront features table linens, bags, and pillow covers made out of the artist’s bold and geometric woven textiles. The second room contains bolts and bolts of her wonderful fabrics. They are available for purchase for furniture upholstery and there were several chairs in the studio covered in them. While we were there, the designer was in consultation with a client so we did not get an opportunity to speak with her. Nonetheless, we did revel in the various textiles.

The bold geometric design of this bag caught my attention. I love the way the pattern gives the illusion of rolling waves, like looking at a mirage of water on a hot pavement. The bag is large with a nice wide bottom and can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body.

Tetra sack in Doris black fabric with orange strap, 100% cotton. The Doris pattern is also available in blue and bordeaux.
Tetra sack close-up of geometric pattern.

The iPad sleeve was a relatively new product. The colors were particularly attractive and the simple row design keeps it balanced. The sleeve has an inner fabric fold and a velcro closure to keep the iPad safely tucked inside.

Multicolor iPad sleeve.
iPad sleeve with iPad inside (not included).

We picked up a few of these catch-all bags for cosmetics or to corral chords for electronic devices.

Small bags in Nereus black fabric, 100% cotton. The Nereus fabric is also available in blue and bordeaux.

For more about Johanna Gullichsen, read her biography on her website.

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Stella Design

Image | | Verónica

While I perused the rest of the Icelandic Contemporary Design exhibit, I couldn’t help but smile at these fun and whimsical drinking glasses. All the people pictured on them seemed so cheery. I particularly liked the one of the grandmother (I presume) knitting with a big ball of red yarn at her feet. I did a little research and discovered that the glasses were designed by the studio of Stella Design. Stella Design is a young studio established in 2005 by Dagný Kristjansdottir, a multimedia designer, and Ingibjörg Hanna Bjarnadottir, a graphic designer. The glasses are part of a collection they call “My Family” which was “created to brighten up the mundane domestic life.” In my opinion, they succeeded! To learn more about Stella Design and see more adorable pictures of the “My Family” collection, go here.

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Visual Inner Structure

| Verónica

During our time in Helsinki, we practically ran into this exhibit featuring designers from Iceland. The Icelandic Contemporary Design exhibit showcases modern Icelandic designers in the categories of furniture, product design and architecture. What caught my eye was this chair – it was covered in thick white yarn! The chair is called “Visual Inner Structure – Second Life of a Chair” and it is the work of Icelandic designer Gudrún Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir. According to the exhibit, the designer was inspired to create the chair from her experience working with refugees. The chair represents the life of a refugee who is stripped of everything – her past, family, belongings – to start a new life in a new land. The designer then uses yarn to weave a new life for the chair. Here are various views of the piece.

Visual Inner Structure - front view.
Visual Inner Structure - side view.
Visual Inner Structure - back view.
Visual Inner Structure - back view.
Visual Inner Structure - close up of seat springs.
Visual Inner Structure - close up of chair leg and ball of yarn.
Visual Inner Structure - angled front view.

The designer studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven and formed a company called Studiobility, which strives to bring together art and product design. Read this press release about the Icelandic Contemporary Design exhibit in Helsinki. The press release lists all of the designers in the exhibit with links to each of their biographies or websites.

Out and About in Helsinki

| Verónica

It’s no wonder that Helsinki was chosen as the most livable city in 2011 by Monocle’s annual Quality of Life survey. After spending just a few days there, I was ready to pack up and move. There are several reasons why I loved Helsinki. It’s a walkable city. We walked everywhere. There are wide open sidewalks and pedestrian walkways between buildings. Everything seemed to run smoothly, including the public rail system. It’s unpretentious. The skyline is modest with only a couple of recognizable rooftops on the horizon, including the immaculate white walls and green domes of the Helsinki Cathedral. Everyone was nice. Period.

I loved the emphasis on good design. Walking along the boutiques and workshops in the Design District was inspiring, if not humbling. Everywhere there was an appreciation for all things handcrafted. I even liked the weather. Granted, we were not there in the peak of winter, but it was certainly cold by Texas standards. Nonetheless, I found the cold refreshing and walking around in only 6 hours of sunlight was interesting. Here are my memories of Helsinki.

Helsinki Cathedral in the evening.
Along the harbor next to the Baltic Sea before sunrise.
At Kauppatori Market Square. The sign says it all.
Fruits and veggies inside the old market hall. You could also find fresh salmon steaks, herring and reindeer at the fresh meat stalls.
A Finnish breakfast - grilled salmon, fried herring, salty rice cake, cheese and fresh bread.
Sun's coming up. Time is about 10:30 am.
Hand knit items inside.
The Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church that sits on a hilltop overlooking the city.
The golden spires of the Uspenski Cathedral.
View of the Helsinki Cathedral around noon time. This is the brightest it got during the day.
Detail from the Pohjola Insurance building, designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen between 1899-1901. The motifs on the stone facade are of Nordic nature and mythology. Note to Texans: The Gulf Building in downtown Houston is designed after Saarinen’s 2nd place entry in the Chicago Tribune Tower competition.
Building across Hotel Kamp. Aarikka has a storefront in this building. Aarikka mostly designs jewelry and decorative items all of which are created in Finland.

Not-So-Common Thread

Link | | Verónica

I ran across this great post on Design Sponge and was amazed by the beautiful hand embroidery by Maricor/Maricar. The attention to detail is exquisite and I love their use of color – the embroidery pops off the screen. I am always on the look out for unique and  modern uses of the “domestic arts” of the past and Maricor/Maricar’s work brings embroidery solidly to the present. The post by Design Sponge does a great job of telling you about their work so please read it here. Also, visit the Maricor/Maricar website and blog.