Home & Decor travels 12 hours across the globe to Helsinki, where Habitare – the country’s annual and prestigious interior, design and furniture fair – is taking place.
Home & Decor travels 12 hours across the globe to Helsinki, where Habitare – the country’s annual and prestigious interior, design and furniture fair – is taking place.
You may be familiar with names like Marimekko, Magisso and Artek, but how much do you really know about design in Finland? For one thing, it’s in everything the Finns do – from their sustainable and functional products (hello, Fiskars scissors!) to the way the city is planned. The capital of Helsinki was awarded the biennial World Design Capital in 2012, which praises cities that use innovative design in urban development.
MICRO & COSMOS TRAYS BY TERO KUITUNEN
These trays were the result of Tero’s interest in “controlled coincidence”. Glitter, pigment and acrylic paint were sprinkled into water, and Tero would see the final pattern only when he turns the glass over. The trays feature leather rims and brass accents.
WHAT’S TRENDING IN HABITARE
TREND #1
Functional Art
FRINGE MIRROR BY TERO KUITUNEN
Fringe Mirror was inspired by the designer’s fondness for vintage fringe lampshades, and the playful urge to run his fingers through the fringes! Always experimenting with colour, Tero picked vibrant hues that can brighten up an interior.
LIEKE BY SIMOSE
Hung like an art installation, Lieke is an OLED-driven pendant light with adjustable aluminium light panels. Depending on the direction, it can give both direct and indirect light. The word “Lieke” was proposed by the famous philologist Elias Lonnrot as the Finnish word for electricity, but it was never made official.
LANDSCAPES BY WOODIST
Enthralled by the beauty of nature, particularly the hills in the Lapland, Woodist modelled his birch lamps after the topographic silhouettes often seen on maps. Landscapes currently count the hills of Luosto, Saana and Kaunispaa as part of its collection.
YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Textile and surface designer Reeta Ek impresses many with her rhythmic and expressive illustrations. The Arts and Design graduate studied in Aalto University School, and has worked with textile and wallpaper companies like Marimekko, Feathr, and Lapuan Kankurit. Her prints are available for purchase at www.reetaek.com.
TREND #2
Made So Simple
TOGETHER CANES BY LANZAVECCHIA + WAI
These walking aids by Italy-Singapore design studio Lanzavecchia + Wai chucks stereotypes out the window. With Together Canes, our grandparents – or anyone who needs a walking aid – can get the support they need while enjoying teatime or a good game of Angry Birds. Together Canes were part of Habitare’s Signals Exhibition, which featured an “Ageless” section that challenged conventions of the young and old.
PALAT BY MAIJU USKI
The perfect serving trolley! Not only does it come with a drawer for cutlery and a rack for condiments, Palat features a made-to-fit tableware collection, too. The latter consists of wooden cutting boards, porcelain plates, and soapstone and cast iron platters that help keep food at the temperature you prefer.
TAI BY MAIJU USKI
We see Tai, a versatile storage system designed for small spaces, as an ideal foyer accessory. Hang umbrellas or keys, and store your shoes in the cupboard. Tai does not require a wall fastening, and can be placed anywhere you want it to be.
NAPPI BY GRANDESIGN
This unassuming shelf is more than meets the eye. The Cut version allows users to mount the wall rack vertically or horizontally, or place it upright on the floor. Made of birch plywood, the stackable Nappi comes in colours like white, grey and yellow.
ROD BY KRISTOFFER HEIKKINEN
This wall rack system is designed to be a hanger as well as a sculptural visual element. Its curvilinear lines add interest to an otherwise utilitarian home object.
ODDA BENCH BY GEDIGO
For Gedigo’s first piece of furniture, the brand wanted to combine softness and sturdiness into one product; Odda is made of durable ashwood, as well as supple, naturally tanned leather – all of which were sourced and assembled in Finland. It was designed to be assembled without screws or adhesives.
TREND #3
Little Lights
MAJAKKA BY JULIA POPOVA
It may be petite, but the Majakka lamp illuminates a room brilliantly. Inspired by lighthouses and their task of assisting seafarers with navigation, Majakka offers different hues that highlight its stone textures, as well as evoke a sense of concentration or relaxation.
FOLLOW ME BY MARSET
Outdoor enthusiasts will love this compact lamp; Follow Me features an oak handle, an easy-to-maintain white polycarbonate lampshade, and a lamp that needs no electricity (it runs on a chargeable battery that can last five to 10 hours). A larger version, the Follow Me Plus, is also available.
BICOCA BY MARSET
At just 22.5cm tall, this lightweight lamp is cute and chic. It comes with a tiltable shade, a strong magnet that allows you to place it anywhere you want (even horizontally on a wall), and an armchair accessory so you can drape it over armrests and headboards. There’s a wide range of colours, too.
TEELO BY SECTO DESIGN
Designed by architect Seppo Koho, Teelo is a table light with soothing, rounded forms and soft luminosity. It is Secto Design’s first lamp without its signature wooden slats.
DESIGNED TO PERFECTION
Achieve an unforgettable audio experience athome without compromising on style or soundquality, with Sony’s HT-MT500 and HT-MT300.
Stylish sound systems are becoming an essential item for homeowners who enjoy having friends over for a movie night or chill-out session.But when it comes to choosing high-performance sound equipment that looks stunning offers crystal-clear audio output, design-conscious audiophiles may find it difficult to find one that fits the bill.
Catering to this growing demand, Sony’s latest range of soundbars are specifically developed to complement the lifestyle of modern homeowners, while being innovatively designed to meet the various needs and preferences of users.
Improve the home theatre experience with Sony’s HT-MT500 and HT-MT300 soundbars. Aesthetically, both models look similar; HT-MT500 supports high-resolution audio and ChromeCast/Spotify Connect, amongst other feature, for those seeking a more comprehensive audio experience at home. With their sleek, geometric exteriors and creme white and charcoal black options, they’re easy to pair with any interior style, from Scandinavian-inspired looks, to modern contemporary designs.
Where should you place this home theatre system to enjoy the cinematic audio and surround sound experience? Sit the soundbar in front of your TV set, and pair them with the ultra-slim subwoofers positioned under or beside your sofa. Both HT-MT500 and MT300 have Sony’s proprietary Sofa Mode, so you can conveniently hide the subwoofer under your sofa while still enjoying uncompromised sound quality.
Not just with your TV, you can even pair your smartphones and tablets wirelessly via Bluetooth or the Sony I Music Centre app, and stream music from these platforms. The HT-MT500 pushes the boundaries further with its LDAC technology, which transmits approximately three times more data than conventional Bluetooth systems to ensure high-resolution audio.
Place various soundbars or wireless speakers throughout your space and enjoy your favourite tunes anywhere at home, as HT-MT500 supports wireless multi-room feature and can be connected and synced wirelessly. Now, you can create any ambience you want – get a party started with upbeat tunes, or wind down with slow classics.
Find out more about Sony’s rangeof sound systems, including soundbars,at www.sony.com.sg/sonydays17.
MASAAKI KANAIChairman, Muji
International Friend of Habitare 2017
In September this year, Masaaki Kanai presented a compact wooden wheelchair to the crowd at Habitare. Designed by a Japanese designer and made using Finnish wood, it introduced a solution for wheelchair travellers who may have trouble with metal detectors. This gesture was not only symbolic of the friendship between the Finns and Japanese, but also a representation of Muji’s values: Creating better lives with simple and functional design, whether it’s through clothing or prefabricated homes.
What can Muji offer the Finns, who are great fans of the brand?
I think we can improve the daily lives of the Finns, not with something gorgeous or luxurious, but with simple products like cleaning tools… and even socks (laughs). We don’t have a Muji store here yet, but are getting lots of offers. We’ll need to think about the best place for the first store in Finland.
Japanese design is often thought to focus on problem-solving. What’s a solution that has yet to be designed?
Rather than think about what is missing or insufficient, we should look at the excess of goods and information in our daily lives. There are too many things and trends, which takes our liberty – the liberty to choose what we really need – away from us. Muji is the antithesis of excessive consumerism; we simplify things.
What can the Japanese learn from the Finns?
Despite their difficult history, the Finns have created a safe country with free education and healthcare. The people are sincere about sharing the responsibility of building the country with their government, and pay high taxes – there is a lot to learn from this structure. And like Singapore, the country’s lack of natural resources has created a deep appreciation for the people and their creativity. This makes their designs and creations powerful and, in turn, brings great value to the country.
Share with us what your own home looks like.
My family and I live in an old, one-bedroom apartment in Ikebukuro, which is very close to our main office. I’ve renovated it and included Muji furniture, of course, but also those of designers I like and whom Muji has worked with. I collect pieces from designers like Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, James Irvine, Konstantin Grcic, Enzo Mari, and Sam Hecht.
VISIT MUJI’S LARGEST FLAGSHIP STORE IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA AT #01-10 TO 17 PLAZA SINGAPURA, 68 ORCHARD ROAD.
BASIN BASICS
Put together your dream bathroom with Econflo’s extensive range of bathroom brands and fittings.
Designing a home can be a stressful experience, especially when dealing with issues you may not have experience in. This often happens when designing the bathroom and choosing sanitaryware, as the many technical aspects can be intimidating.
Selecting the right basin is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of bathroom design. For this, Econflo’s bathroom experts are able to offer some helpful tips to make your search easier.
Material
Most basins are made of ceramic, as the material is durable, hygenic, resistant to temperature changes and does not absorb odour. Brands such as Duravit, which Econflo carries, even created and patented an innovative material called Duraceram — a special mass of ceramic made of quality porcelain that features greater impact resistance and robustness.
Shapes and styles
Increasingly popular in homes are basins with slim and streamlined designs, yet have spacious areas and clean edges to ensure less splash and easy maintenance.
Colours and finishes
Bored of white basins, or think the colour doesn’t match the bathroom design you’re going for? Soft shades in matte exterior surfaces can now be added to the conventional glazed white basins. Duravit Luv series, developed exclusively by Duravit, has selections such as white satin matte, sand satin matte and grey satin matte for exterior surfaces that contrast with the glossy white glazed inner basin.
Take a look at the newest basins designs and other sanitaryware at the Econflo showroom, #01-01 Haw Par Technocentre, 401 Commonwealth Drive Lobby B,or www.econflo.com.
COOL DOWN
Expert tips to help you choose the right ceiling fans for your home.
If you’re looking to manage the recent heatwaves we’ve been experiencing in Singapore, investing in a quality fan for your home is a good way to start. However, with apartments getting smaller these days, you might not have enough floor space for standing fans.
So ceiling fans are the perfect solution, and fan specialist Samaire shares some tips on selecting the right fan types for your home.
First, consider the area where you will be placing your ceiling fan and the space needed to accommodate one. This way, you are narrowing down your options for suitable blade widths.
Check the height of the ceiling. As a general guideline, the distance from the blade of the fan to the ground should be at least 2.3m, so as to optimise the fan’s cooling effect.
You might be wondering if the wingspan or number of blades on the ceiling fan will affect airflow. A bigger wingspan does result in more airflow across a larger area, however, more may not be better when it comes to blades. In fact, fans with more blades may result in a higher electricity bill, as more energy is required to power up the system. Fans with fewer blades create airflow that hovers over a large space, whereas fans with more blades (four or more) produce a concentrated tunnel of wind, so each model serves a different purpose and preference.
Also take note of the rotations per minute (RPM), which refers to how fast the fan rotates per minute. A higher RPM results in the fan generating more airflow. For a fan to operate at maximum efficiency and effectiveness, all the factors above have to be incorporated.
For example, Samaire’s range of ceiling fans, such as the Frankfurt SA575 and Stuttgart SA495 (pictured, left), are designed with wide wingspans and high RPMs of 238 and 258, respectively, to ensure the airflow covers many areas of the home.
The range even comes in a variety of colours including white, bronze, steel, shiny black, and matte black. There’s also the option of installing an LED light so the fan will double as a light source for your home.
Samaire’s diverse variety of fans, ranging from as small as 32 inches (81cm) with the Fanniti collection, to 57 inches (145cm), means you’ll definitely find a perfect fan for your abode easily and fuss-free.
STAY
EMMA MUSEUM
The Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) is the largest museum in Finland, and home to thematic exhibitions, as well as a deposit collection from the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation. It is 15 minutes from Helsinki.
TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH
Also known as the Rock Church, Temppeliaukio is famed for its stunning and unique architecture. It was hewn out of a massive rock, and is bathed in natural sunlight and has great acoustics.
DESIGN MUSEUM
Housed in a Neo-Gothic building, the museum showcases everything you need to know about Finnish design. Here, we spotted the Baby Box, a maternity package that every expectant mother receives from the state.
ARTEK
Don’t leave Finland without something from Artek, the furniture label by architect Alvar Aalto. Iconic designs include Stool 60 and 400 Tank armchair. There’s a second-cycle Artek store at Pieni Roobertinkatu, too.
ANTIK BLOMQUIST
Just down the road from Lilla Roberts hotel, this vintage store is filled to the brim with unique tableware, lamps (we spotted a Louis Poulsen PH5) and knick-knacks.
LILLA ROBERTS HOTEL
This chic hotel is right smack in the middle of Helsinki’s Design District, which means antique shops, museums and galleries are just around the corner.
text ELIZA HAMIZAH
A WASH ABOVE THE REST
Save time; wash and spin two laundry loads simultaneously yet independently, in one machine!
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of having your white tees stained by your jeans in the same wash cycle, we feel you.
As a solution to this problem, LG Electronics has introduced the TwinWash washing machine that allows homeowners to run two separate wash cycles at the same time, so as to cater to different loads of laundry.
Convenience is key with this new appliance. With a main washer and mini washer, you can now wash colours and whites, regular and delicate items, large and small items, and even adult and baby clothing at the same time, yet independently.
The main washer even has an Add Item feature to allow late additions to the load mid-wash, so you won’t have to worry about forgotten clothing items even after starting the cycle. The washing machine’s two-load function also helps you save time as you’ll only need 49 minutes to complete the washing of two laundry loads, instead of having to wait for separate wash cycles to finish.
Of course, cleanliness is never compromised thanks to the machine’s latest technology, which includes the TrueSteam and TurboWash functions. The former penetrates fabrics with steam to eliminate 99.9 per cent of household allergens, wrinkles and odours, while the latter minimises washing time by utilising a powerful jet spray and filtration feature to disperse concentrated detergent on clothing, ensuring your clothes come out clean and fresh.
What about drying? The TwinWash comes with LG’s efficient Eco-hybrid dryer function, so you can save space at home with this all-in-one machine.
After loading up the machine, you won’t have to hang around waiting for the cycle to end as the LG TwinWash is fully equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity. Easily control and monitor the appliance remotely via your connected device, track energy usage and even diagnose technical problems.
This handy appliance does not compromise on style either, with its ergonomically designed exterior complete with black tempered glass and a touch-screen LED display that’s both edgy and user-friendly.
Find out more about the LG TwinWash washing machineat www.lg.com/sg.
ONE-STOP SHOP
Time to refresh the look of your home for the new year!
The new year is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to start planning for a new look at home. Update your furniture pieces, change out old and worn accessories like soft furnishings and decor items, and freshen up your living spaces.
Find everything you’ll need for your home, including furniture and home furnishings to accessories, from 40 stores with over 70 brands at The Furniture Mall, or TFM. With such a vast selection under one roof, this one-stop destination is best known for its range of mattresses and variety of furnishings like carpets, curtains and wallcoverings.
Regardless of your home’s style, you’ll be able to find sofas, chairs, dining tables, coffee tables, lighting fixtures, and more, thanks to an array of options that cover the Scandinavian style, the country look and even a Victorian-inspired style.
As a celebration of its 23rd anniversary this year, the shop now offers visitors a chance to win attractive prizes, including seven consolation prizes of $1,000 in cash, as well as the grand prize – a Mitsubishi Attrage eco-friendly sedan – when you spend $200 and more from now till Feb 28, 2018.
An additional draw, which is supported by mattress specialist Sleepnight, is happening this month, too. With a minimum spending of $500, a lucky shopper will receive a Royal Kingdom queen-size mattress worth $5,999. You can even redeem complimentary parking for two to three hours, when shopping at TFM.
Head down to The Furniture Mall at10 Toh Guan Road, for an excitingshopping experience. Find out moreat www.thefurnituremall.com.sg.
