Finnish Design Blog

Hurry and take advantage of the huge Marimekko Clearance Sale at FinnishGifts.com. Now offering over 250 Marimekko items priced at up to 50% off! This Marimekko clearance sale runs now through July 15th, 2009. Items in all categories are heavily discounted, including popular Marimekko products in bedding, fabrics and handbags. Most items are only on sale through July 15th or while supplies last so you’ll want to act fast. Shop the Marimekko Mega Sale now.

Posted in Marimekko

2009 iittala Arabia Flora & Fauna Plates

In 2000, iittala Arabia started a collectors’ series of art plates named Flora & Fauna. These two art plates depict the animals and plants that appear in Finnish fables or folklore. For 2009, iittala Arabia presents us with the Wolf and the Mushroom. This pair of art plates is based on the fable titled, “The wolf carries the fox on his back.”

Posted in iittala

New Limited Edition iittala Toikka Summer Finch Glass Bird

Oiva Toikka has graced us with color as iittala has released his latest creation, the Summer Finch glass bird. It’s a limited edition bird with a production run of this summer only. It’s by far the most colorful of the 2009 iittala Toikka birds as Oiva has incorporated iittala’s recent passion for the apple green hue (see Apple Green Aalto Vases post). The Summer Finch’s translucent apple green body with tiny air bubbles trapped inside, adds some visual texture to the bird as it refracts light. Another unique piece about this bird is its colorful tail. The rose-olive tail will appear a rose color in natural light and olive green under artificial/fluorescent light. Simply put, the Summer Finch is visually stunning.

Posted in iittala

As wallpaper makes a comeback in the interior design world, Marimekko has reintroduced a line of its popular design prints on high quality wallpaper. FinnishGifts.com is excited to be one of the first retailers to offer Marimekko Wallpaper in the United States. We currently have 10 different designs in stock but will be adding more in the future. Let us know what you think about these new wallpapers and if there are other patterns or designs that you would like to see offered.

Posted in Marimekko

It’s almost time for FinnFest 2009, and as he does every year, Oiva Toikka has created another masterpiece to honor this year’s event. The Alaska Loon is this year’s FinnFest bird. Only 500 of these limited edition Iittala glass birds were produced so be sure to hurry and get yours now before they’re gone forever.

Posted in FinnFest, iittala

Iittala Teema dinnerware is now dressed to attend black tie events as Iittala has released several dishes in a black color option. The modern design of the Teema porcelain dinnerware collection continues to make it one of Iittala’s most popular dinnerware product lines. The Teema square vegetable dish, rectangular serving platter, rectangular dish and serving bowl are now available in this classy black color.

Posted in iittala

Marimekko is apparently in love with the color beige. They have recently released a new beige Unikko umbrella, a beige Kivet rain poncho and several beautiful beige bags. It may not be the bright or bold color that we’re used to seeing from Marimekko, but at least you can coordinate your apparel when it rains.

Posted in Marimekko

Hot off the Marimekko line are several new bags each with the same new print. The beige & black or beige & white print are available on the Marimekko Presto shoulder bag, the Marimekko Kvintti Handbag and the Marimekko Kvartti Tote Bag. These bags are a part of Marimekko’s 2009 summer collection. More to come soon!

Posted in Marimekko

Iittala has brought some fresh colors to Alvar Aalto’s classic Aalto vase collection. New colors include: apple green, turquoise and mauve/purple. The black vase (although not a new color) is now available in new sizes! If you’re looking for a truly iconic piece of home decor, the Aalto vase is definitely it.

Posted in Alvar Aalto

The Magisso Kitchen Cloth Holder is a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing solution to the eternal problem of where to store your dripping dish cloth. The Magisso solution is so simple that it can be installed in seconds. The holder is applied using two magnets; one (located the holder/bar) that is attached on the inside of the sink, and one that is placed on the outside of the sink’s wall. The end result leaves you not having to see your dingy dish cloth hanging on the faucet as it’s now hanging out of sight, yet still within reach. Another unique thing about the Magisso kitchen cloth holder is that it can easily be removed and repositioned at any time without damaging your sink. If you ask me, this innovation is sure to be a big hit.

FinnishGifts.com is excited to offer three different Magisso models: a curved stainless steel holder, a straight stainless steel holder and a curved plastic holder. Visit the Magisso Kitchen Cloth Holder product page to see more pictures, an install video and more.

Posted in Uncategorized