Christmas at Teurastamo

Are you still looking for some last presents for Christmas? Then try your luck at Teurastamo this Saturday and Sunday. The old abattoir that is famous for its excellent and modern food and urban culture turns into a Christmas market for one weekend.

by Mirri Creative

You can find beautiful products from the region. The list of participating vendors is extensive and can be viewed on the event's Facebook page. But of course you also don't have to miss out on what Teuramasto is known for. All of Teurastamo's bistros and restaurants will be open as well.

Teurastamon Joulumarkkinat is open both days from 10:00 to 16:00.

Six looks for Guggenheim

How should a potential Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki look like? This question drove teams from 77 countries that sent in 1715 design suggestions for the new look.

Now the six finalists have been chosen. Non of them comes from Finland though. The winner will be announced in June next year. The finalist's designs can be found online.

What do you think about the designs? Do you have your own favorite already?

Milk, butter and some Iittala

There are serveral small Iittala shops in and around Helsinki offering the companies wonderful glassware. But did you know that you can also get most of Iittala's classic products at many bigger supermarkets? Prisma, K-Citymarket and also Antilla have Iittala shelfs where you can actually get the same products much cheaper.

Not only do they often have special offers. Also the regular prices are usually a few euros less. Take a look when you go to buy your groceries next time.

Design Market at Kaapelitehdas

There is a lot to do this weekend. The Helsinki Design Week is on. As every year the Design Market in Kaapelitehdas is again part of it and will be held this weekend. Here you get great Finnish design products from numerous designers from around the country and if you are lucky find some amazing deals. Also several workshops are offered at the market. Music comes from DJ Borzin.

The market is open both on Saturday and Sunday from 11 till 17.00. The entrance is of course for free.

Helsinki Design Week

Tomorrow the Helsinki Design Week starts. It is Nothern Europe's biggest design event. At its 10th anniversary the Design Week turns the city into a big meeting place for design professionals and enthusiast.

 

Everywhere around Helsinki you can find discussion forums, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and of course also music and films. The Helsinki Design Week offers a full program with alltogether over 150 events and is on till September 14. Find out more from their website and have a great time.

Felt Design Pop-up

Tovi at Lasipalatsi is a space for pop up stores in the heart of Helsinki. This week's tenant is Dekorando with their Feel Felt products. Till Sunday you can get innovative and decorative Finnish design products made of felt here. 

You can find out more about the products and the company under dekorando.fi. The pop-up store is open on weekdays 11 - 19.00 and on the weekend 11 - 18.00.

How the Aalto vase is made

You probably all know the famous vase from Alvar Aalto with its distinctive curved shape. But have you ever asked yourself how it is actually made?

This infographic from Finnstyle explains it quite well.

A drink by the fire

You want to check out something new in Helsinki this weekend? If you are a fan of modern design and lounge style you should visit the bar at Hotel Haven by the sea.

Bar Haven is a really nice stylish hangout where you will always still find a free table or sofa. Even during the busy pikkujoulu weekends there is always enough space.

And they have quite and amazing selection of drinks. You can find big varieties among spirits and wines.

Bar Haven is an upper price location but definitely worth visiting at least for one drink. So make yourself comfortable next to the fireplace and enjoy the weekend!

Hyvä Helsinki at Design Forum Finland

The Design Forum Finland just started its campaign Hyvä Helsinki/Awesome Helsinki. The Design Forum is without doubt one of the best places to look for Finnish design in the city. And with their shop-in-shop campaign they feature several great design companies from throughout the city.

Till February 1 you will find everything from fashion to furniture, from interior items to textiles. Featured brands are Costo, Diohel, Kauniste, Mifuko, Trash Factory, Uusix workshops and Woodnotes.

The Design Forum is always worth a visit. But especially during the following four months. Check it out!

The Aalto Vase

The so called Savoy Vase from Alvar Aalto is probably one of the most popular Finnish design products of all times. It can be found in almost any Finnish household and is – like most Finnish design products – timeless.

The famous designer Alvar Aalto created it together with his wife Aino Marsio for the luxury Savoy restaurant in Helsinki in 1936. With the vase Aalto also participated in a design competition of then Karhula-Iittala glassworks factory.

Even though the vase is extremely popular till today Aalto never made any money with it since the design was owned by the factory.

If you are searching for a nice souvenir from Finland this is probably one of the most typical gifts you can find. The vase is sold in several different sizes and colors nowadays and can be found from almost any department store or online.

Great deals on Finnish design

Today and tomorrow you can make real good deals on top Finnish design products. As part of the Helsinki Design Week the big Design Market takes place at Kaapelitehdas this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday both from 11:00 till 17:00 small and big design companies from all over the country sell their products with significant discounts. For all list of all participating companies and further information visit the Helsinki Design Week website.

If you are into Finnish design this event is a must. Have a great weekend!

Design District Helsinki

Over 100 shops in Helsinki together form the Design District. One big passion unites all those smaller and bigger shops: Finnish Design.

And should you be into Finnish design yourself then this gives you the perfect opportunity to find brands and products you probably wouldn't find otherwise. Just look out for the Design District Helsinki stickers on the windows of participating shops to know where to go. You can also find all members on the official website.

Haven of the Kalevala

Build in 2010 by the American architect and professor Travis Price and his students the wonderful wooden chapel at the southern end of Seurasaari has already become part of the landscape.

Over that many people already forgot that this installation was actually just planned to be here for a limited time. And this exhibition time will end at the end of August. After that the installation that invites people in everyday to come in and relax will be removed again.

This month you still have the possibility to visit and enter Shaman’s Haven of the Kalevala daily from 12 to 15. It can also bebooked for private events for a fee of 30 Euros.

Marimekko celebrates

This weekend the popular Finnish design brand Marimekko has its annual summer party to celebrate its anniversary. Today is the last chance to get their special offers for this occasion. Most products are 15 % off.

So drop by to see if there is something for you. The Marimekko stores in the center are open from 12 till the late afternoon. For more information see also their website.

Have a nice Sunday!

Pick your favorite design for the Crown Bridges

A big project for the Helsinki region is the connection of Kruununhaka and Kruunuvuorenranta via Korkeasaari by bridge. But how should this long bridge look like?

Ten international teams entered design suggestions and are competing for the project. But the decision is not made just by the City of Helsinki. The citizens are also asked to give their opinions.

Therefore all ten designs are displayed in Laituri at Kamppi till 9 March and everyone is welcome to give their comment on them. You also find more information on theprojects website.

Take a look and let the city know which design you like most.

Timeless Finnish design

Finnish design convinces through its simplicity. Most classics were already designed several decades ago. Still they are as popular as ever fitting into almost every surrounding.

Some objects might not be produces anymore these days and can be tough to find. If you are searching for those old pieces one way is the internet. Otherwise pay a visit to Jatkasaari. In one of the old warehouses you find the Vintage Design Market. Some real treasures are awaiting you here. Take your time to browse through the old pieces. It’s worth taking a closer look at some of them. You might spot a real rarity.

The Vintage Design Market is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 12 to 18.00 and Saturdays from 11 to 16.00.

Design Camp at the airport

While waiting for your flight at Helsinki Vantaa Airport Terminal 1 it’s always worth paying a visit to the Design Lounge next to Gate 13. There are changing exhibitions on Finnish design.

Should you happen to be there during the next days and weeks you can take a look at the Design Camp Finland. In this small exhibition you’ll find installations on the internationally most popular Finnish design products, quotes of famous Finnish designers and much more.

Take a look and have a good flight!

Coffee at the glass palace

Café Lasipalatsi is one of the most traditional cafés in Helsinki. But not just the café, the whole building is an important part of Helsinki.

Lasipalatsi (the glass palace) was built in the 1930s. It is one of the most notable buildings in Helsinki designed in the famous functionalist style. After undergoing some mayor renovation is was reopened in 1998 together with Café Lasipalatsi. This café’s interior is a great example for functionalist inside design. 

But it’s also a great place for a coffee break. Try one of their delicious pastries, an Italian soda or just go for a cup of coffee. While sitting next to one of the big windows you can observe the city life on Mannerheimintie. And during the summer you can sit outside on their huge terrace.

Enjoy!