I'm in love with Marimekko & Finnish design

I was just reading Skimbaco Home's blog and became enamored with the colors of these Marimekko items in the images above. Reds aren't in my home's color palette - I have greens, yellows, earth tones and black accents - but lately I've been noticing red more. Maybe it has something to do with the holidays coming soon, or maybe it's because I received a red glass Maribowl  as a gift during my recent trip to Finland to visit my husband's family and friends. It's the first red decor item in my house and I love it! It's small but gives a pop of color in my earth tones bedroom where the only colors are the brown stained woods of my floor and furniture and the greens of my plants - my bedding is all white and my walls are a warm creamy cappuccino color.

I first noticed this goblet-like Maribowl (designed in the 50s) on my 2007 trip to Finland and I wasn't too crazy about it. But during my recent trip (just in September), I saw them in many Finnish households, where they collect as many colors as they can. I became mesmerized by all of the beautiful colors and how pretty they look all together, or served with sugar, tea, small fruit or candy in them. It's not your typical minimalist Finnish design, but that's what makes it stand out in the shops against all of the other wonderful and also colorful glass wares (like the famous Aalto vase or bowl that I keep sugar in).

Anyway, back to Marimekko... it's a Finnish textile company that's been around since the early 50s and made fashionable in the 60s in the U.S. by Jackie Kennedy. I love many of the new patterns, including some of the ones you see at the top of the post, but my favorite is the highly recognized floral Unikko pattern, designed in 1964 by Maija Isola - unikko is Finnish for poppy.

The Unikko pattern is recognized worldwide and I've seen it on everything from sheets, housewares, furniture, wallpaper, bags, shoes and even cars! Sometimes I get tired of looking at the busy and bright pattern, but yet whenever I see an item decorated in that pattern I'm always drawn to it. I know that Marimekko designs are coveted outside of Finland (especially in Japan) - I've seen vintage Marimekko fabric go for big bucks on eBay and I'm always amazed and wonder who's buying.

If you want to see/read more about Marimekko, I recommend going to AlwaysMod's Marimekko blog. They've done a great job accumulating images of the hip styles from the 70s, as well as great examples of modern ways the fabrics and patterns are used. The Marimekko Christmas 2009 catalog can also be found there.

OK, enough of this design talk... gotta get back to my favorite subjects of food, eating and gardening! Though I still have more to say about Finnish design... but later.

{Drives away in her Unikko-clad car - just kidding!}

Sweet Aalto bowls

I got this Aalto mini bowl (the 5.5" in blueberry color) as a gift from my mother-in-law, about five yrs ago. I use it as my sugar bowl and it's filled with sugar cubes I picked up during my last two trips to Finland. I also have the larger 7" bowl (or sometimes called tray) in white which works well for candy.

I love this classic glass design made by the famous Finnish architect and designer, Alvar Aalto. It's modern yet it's organic shape gives it a warmth and versatility that works well in even a more traditional setting.

I have lots to share about my recent trip to Finland so I hope to get organized and post something soon. It's an obscure country that I think many people don't know much about but you'd be surprised to learn about the design heritage the country has, especially if you're into mid-century modern decor. Stay tuned.

If you need to find one for yourself or as a gift for someone, I recommend buying from FinnStyle.com. I've made at least 4 or 5 purchases from them over the last few years and I've had a great experience - fast shipping and secure packaging. Their current promotion is a $100 Holiday Shopping Spree giveaway so check it out and sign up before the deadline! There will be 5 winners... wish me luck and I'll wish you luck too! :-)