Peony therapy

On a rainy day like this it seems unreal that there has been so much light and so much colour only 3 months ago. Looking through these photos is actually an inexpensive and effective antidepressant - it's peony therapy.

Women's magazines often have features about flowers. This used to baffle me. I got why you would want to read about fashion, food or celebrities but why would one want to look at pictures of flowers? But now I know. It's one of those things that you don't get until you're ready to take it all in. Another thing I never understood: why do people move perennial flowers from one place to another. Now I know that too. I moved a group of moon lilies five times this summer (I'm trusting google translate with the botanical vocabulary, hope it's going ok).

These pictures are from the allotment gardens in Vallila. It is a densely built area of small summer houses each with their own little garden. There are several of these allotment gardens in Helsinki and they are open to the public during the daytime in the summer months.  The one in Vallila was built in the 1930's. There is a strict policy on building and renovating so the houses look pretty much as they did 80 years ago. There is one house which has been kept as a museum and it gives visitors a chance at a closer look.

Best though is to befriend a person who has a house there and have them invite you to dinner. I can thoroughly recommend this alternative.

Sometimes it feels like it's all too cute for comfort. But sometimes excess of a good thing is ok.

Welcome to Protoshop 2011!

We are happy to invite you to our 3rd PROTOSHOP exhibition at the Habitare design fair starting next Wednesday, 14.9.2011.

This year we exhibit 11 works from 13 designers. The prototypes are new product ideas, which are not in production yet, so the main idea of the exhibition is to find possible producers and interested partners to develop the works together with the designers.

Our opening event is at 11am on Wednesday. At the opening Saara & Elina from Imu design present briefly the concept of Protoshop, and the designers are at the stand to tell more about their works. Our stand is at the new hall: 7s21.

We're looking forward to get your comments about the works. 

The photo above:

THE DECIDER - Sanna Mander & Veera Kulju

A candle holder, which will decide for you. In the end your answer is lit: "yes" or "no"?

CORD - Kasper Nyman

Cord is a pendant light, which collects the extra cord inside the transparent top.

L'EDGE - Panu Kontkanen

A concrete curbstone with built-in led lights.

TICK - Jakob Schenk

Tick is a system - a leg made of a bent steel wire - which turns any board into a table without screws or tools.

PANELLED - Antti Ek & Riina Ek

A light that can be integrated to most common interior wood panel types.

LINA - Jakob Schenk

A multifunctional sofa system, which allows the cushion elements to be rotated.

CANDLE TRAY - Julie Scheu

A tray which has a built in candle that allows you to take the ambience of candlelight where ever your drinks go.

ANIM SERIES - Simo Serpola

With the nod of its head, the lamp lights up or down either sitting down or standing up straight.

TOMC - Minna Korhonen & Kristina Sandell

A coat rack, which also divides space, absorbs noise and works as a mirror.

LUUKKU - Satoshi Ohtaki

A chair and a stool, which bring out the elastic nature of ash.

KALA - Maija Puoskari

A carpet made of ecological felt and it can be hung on the wall from a hook.

More information of the products from Protoshop's website.

Self promotion

We designed this reflector together with Saara for a Finnish company called Saintex. Reflectors are life saving little devices especially in Finland where the winter months are very dark. We wanted to create something that men, women and children could equally make their own. We also wanted to make something that wouldn't scream "I'm a reflector" but that would be naturally jewellery-like. Since feathers have been used as jewellery since the beginning of time we wanted to do our own take on them. 

There are a few versions; a big feather, a small feather, one that combines the two and one that can be attached to your boot with a clip. They will be available soon in stores and here (but not yet, I see).

photos: Aino Huhtaniemi