Inspiration: Japanese minimalism

Lately I've been inspired by Japanese minimalism. Here's some of my current favourites, starting from above left:

1. Paper Honey pop chair designed by Tokujin Yoshioka in 2006
2. Muji pre-fabricated huts launched at Tokyo Design Week in November 2015
3.Minimalistic clothes of the label Black Crane, designed by Alexander Yamaguchi and Momoko Suzuki (their home is really inspirational as well, just take a look!)
4. KonMari book by organizing consultant Marie Kondo who promises to make tidying up life-changing. In Finland people are crazy about this book, and the hype has also made me wonder about my cluttered closets (ahem).
5. Tornado installation made from two million straws (!), also by Tokujin Yoshioka, 2015.

Photos: Artnet, Archdaily, Black Crane, Adlibris, Dezeen.


PS. I've noticed that in the New Orleans Museum of Art will be an exhibition 'The Essence of Things - Design and the Art of Reduction' this summer. The picture has very Japanese vibes, no?

Ikea at auction

Usually we think about Ikea when we want to furnish our homes cheaply. And that's not so bad - after all, Ikea was established so that everyone could be provided with good and affordable design (if you're interested in Ikea's history, I highly recommend you to read this book).

But did you ever expect to encounter Ikea products at auction, sold with thousands of euros? Apparently some of the older Ikea products are so wanted items in Sweden that their prices are skyrocketing. For example a set of two wire chairs pictured above, designed by Niels Gammeldaard and produced in 1980-89, can be bought with 975 € (!). Here's some other examples:


'Ulvö' oak sideboard designed by Erik Wørts, manufactured in the 1960s. Available for 3500 € from 1stdibs. 















A set of two 'Amiral' chairs designed by Karin Mobring in 1971. Sold at Bukowskis with ca. 1 291 €.




'Åke' armchair upholstered in lambswool designed in the 1950s. Sold at Stockholms Auktionsverk with ca. 2100 €. Another similar armchair was sold in England for 1,5 million Swedish krona, which is about 161 424 €!


These examples prove that there are some true hidden design gems in Ikea. Jonas Forth has already given thought about the contemporary Ikea products which will be sold at auction in 2030. I would like to add to his list at least the following items: the PS 2014 clocks designed by Dutch design duo Scholten & Baijings, PS 2014 Pendant by David Wahl (awarded with the Red Dot Award) and the future JASSA products designed by Piet Hein Eek (available in 2017). 

So keep your eyes open for the potential Ikea treasures!

Sources: Retromania, Leva & Bo and Ever Classic.

Marimekko for Target

Ok, this is a second post about Marimekko in a row, but I can't help it - since I'm  writing my thesis about Marimekko, it seems as if this company is (almost purposely) continuously coming up with interesting news. But after this post I will take my head out of Marimekko's poppy field, promise.

Now for the news: On March 2, Target, one of the biggest retail chains in the US,  announced a new design partnership with Marimekko which means that the goods sold at Target will be adorned with Marimekko patterns. The goods will hit the stores pretty soon, on April 17 to be exact.

After that I heard the news for the first time I felt bummered that the collaboration takes place in the US (and therefore the chances were big that the collection would be unreachable for me). But no worries, it seems that Target ships internationally! So maybe I will end up putting that lovely black-and-white dotted bag in my cart...

Source: Target and Apartment Therapy
Photos from Marimekko