Marimekko Holiday Gift Guide: For the Entertainer

This is a three-part holiday gift guide series sponsored by Marimekko, one of my favorite home design companies.

S H O P P I N G

1 Räsymatto Oilcloth Placemat, $24
Durable and easy to clean, it’s not  just the pattern that makes this perfect for young families.  It’s made of 100 percent cotton and phthalate-free PVC coating.

2 Räsymatto Teapot, $87
Sami Ruotsalainen designed this teapot as part of the Oiva dinnerware collection. The clean lines and serene character are inspired by Japanese design. The handle is natural wood and there’s a porcelain tea strainer inside.

3 Socks Rolled Down Glass Pitcher, $89
Sukat Makkaralla, which means “socks rolled down” in Finnish, is a collection of glassware designed by Anu Penttinen. The size and shape works for flowers too.

4 Lumimarja Dinner Plate, $27
Sami Ruotsalainen designed this subtle wintry pattern for Marimekko, which is a new addition to the brand’s pattern line.

5 Kippis Tea Towel Set, $36
Pretty linen-cotteon blend towels are great stocking stuffers, because really, who splurges on these for her own kitchen?

6 Vattenblank Plywood Tray, $82
Trays are made of fabric that has been pressed into birch plywood and laminated. The bright design shows off plain white dishes to perfection.

7 Socks Rolled Down Dessert Bowl, $49
Serving dessert is extra sweet on a pedestal. Anu Penttinen designed this whimsically named collection.

8  Irrbloss Mug, $49
Sami Ruotsalainen designed this mug as part of the Oiva dinnerware collection, using Astrid Sylwan’s abstract Irrbloss pattern.

9 Kuukuna Apron, $49
This new veggie print is super cute, and the dark color will hide your mess. Plus, it has handy deep pockets.

10 Vanhakaupunki Small Bowl, $20
This new design was also designed by Sami Ruotsalainen . The red, gold, and burgundy palette makes it perfect for breakfast on Christmas morning.

11 Lappuliisa Oven Mitt, $24
Makes baking more fun.

12 Socks Rolled Down Tumbler, $39/pair
These distinctive glasses are hand-blown and handmade of solid stained soda-lime glass with colors that run inside the glass, not just on the surface.

13 Oiva Serving Pot, $65
Not just for the table, this piece is practical too, since they’re dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe.

14 Siirtolapuutarha Plate, $35
Maija Louekari created this pattern for the forms in the collection so that each piece tells a different part of the story. 

15 Siirtolapuutarha Espresso Cup & Plate, $35
This set is the newest addition to the Oiva tableware collection. In addition to this Räsymatto (means “rag rug” in Finnish) pattern, designed by Maija Louekari, it comes in solid white.

16 Oiva Pitcher, $52
The silhouette of this pitcher, made of hard, glazed porcelain like the rest of the line, is beautiful enough to display it full time.

 

Shopping Trip: Marimekko Boston

While I was at the new Marimekko Boston flagship to see the Spring 2012 collection, I also photographed a ton of its amazing home furnishings. I love the jewel-tones of the glassware, and the punchy patterns of the dishware that still seem as fresh now as they did in the 1960s. Here’s an Instagram tour of the shop, from a home decor perspective. It should give you some good idea for holiday gifts, but stay tuned for Marimekko gift guides in the coming days too!

Marimekko storefront on Newbury Street in Boston

Christmas tree with handmade origami ornaments

Pillow cube

Half flight of stairs to the upper level

Glass dividing wall with gorgeous glassware

A Marimekko holiday table

 Socks Rolled Down stemware atop Frekvenssi fabric

Closeup details of Socks Rolled Down glasses

Fabrics by the yard

Mugs in stripes, dots, branches, and the iconic Unikko florals

A plywood tray as wall art

Teapots

I have my eye on this gray and ivory bedding

Red and black bowls and cute fish napkins

The wrap desk; love how her polka dot shirt matches the wall! 

Sewing machine 

Triple decker bunk beds 

Olva pitcher

Pouf 

Bowls

Plywood trays make perfect presents

Happy Winter!

 

ARTmonday: Illustrated Arrays, From Modern Chairs to Vintage Cameras

I saw the first image here, So Many Trees, So Little Time by Eloise Renouf, on Pinterest today via my favorite art pinner, drawdrawdraw*, and was struck by it for a few reasons. First, the caption said, “ways to draw trees,” and I thought it would be helpful for my 10-year-old who struggles with all the illustrations he’s required to do for school. Second, once I focused in on it, I saw the obvious resemblance to Marimekko patterns; particularly Siirtolapuutarha (I bought that pillow cover in Finland in May). Finally, as I was trying to decide what to feature today, and came to the conclusion it should be child-centric, but not obviously so, I thought images in this vein would work. Simple drawings of items arrayed, some almost chart-like, all easily digestible, some child-like, others just decoratively geometric, and some sassy illustrations. I hope you like the mix.

So Many Trees, So Little Time, Eloise Renouf

Painted Pebbles 1, Garima Dhawan

Beach Hut, Julia Pott

28 Camera Drawings, Christine Berrie

I Bought All of These, Kate Bingaman-Burt

Modern Chairs, Ali Douglass
(I purchased this last night and am excited to hang it in the Delray condo.)

Donuts-No.3, Monster Gallery

8 Bit Star Wars, Fitz Fitzpatrick

Christmas Calendar 2011, Hanna Konola

Mini Arch Abstract, Melanie Mikecz

Ovals, Beth Hoeckel

Ashley Percival

•            •           • 

See my Pinterest boards for more art I love:
Abstracts
Female Figures
Photography 
Sculptures & Installations 

Sunday Bouquet: Someday Bright

FOTO LOTTA LINDEKRANTZ COLORFUL DAHLIAS

I’m posting these cheerful, bright blooms for Sunday Bouquet in remembrance of the children who died in Connecticut on Friday. I think they would have been enchanted by the colors and shapes. Peace, love, happiness, someday.

Photograph by Lotta Lindekrantz of Solrum Tradgard