Color Now 2017 in English

Color trends of 2017

How to find THE

PERFECT WHITE

78A MAGAZINE FOR COLOR LOVERS | 2017 EDITION

Teemu Muurimäki:

“Fashion and Interior Design Follow the Same Rules”

NOWCOLOR

PAGES INSPIRATION AND TIPS

Young designer of the year

LAURA VÄINÖLÄ’S COLORS FOR LIFE

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COLOR NOW 2017 | 3

COLOR NOW 2017 EDITION – A magazine for color lovers

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8 IN COLOR NOWWe have selected restaurants and movies from which you can seek color inspiration. We also explain how to fore-cast trends and how to preserve the original beauty of light-colored wood.

14 HOW WE CHOSE THE 2017 COLOR COLLECTIONSPassionate ideas about colors and their combinations lie be-hind Tikkurila’s Color Now 2017 color collections.

25 TRANSFORMATION GAMESColors totally transform the nature of a room.

38 “FASHION AND INTERIOR DESIGN FOLLOW THE SAME RULES” Designer Teemu Muurimäki believes that fashion design and colors are about telling stories.

42 ON THE EDGE OF GRAY The archipelago is the favorite landscape of architect Kari Leppänen.

46 PASTEL SHADESCombine the old with the new and pastel with neutral shades for a great result – at least in this Stockholm residence.

55 EASY DIY A pink ceiling in the hallway! A dark living room wall! Bring the bright colors of flowers into your home! We give a step-by-step explanation of how you can use a new color scheme to refresh your home.

78 FOR THE LOVE OF COLORS Designer Laura Väinölä reveals which colors she has loved most.

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CONTENTS

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Say it with colors!How about jade green in the foyer? Would cobalt blue brighten up the living room? Or should I paint my entire home in different shades of white? Paint is a raw material which can be used to create a range of moods in a home. To create the right mood which suits you, you need to be courageous enough to ask yourself certain questions. What do I like? What emotions does this color evoke in me? What would be the room and life of my dreams? What does this color say about me? In essence, finding the right color is about finding and expressing yourself.

Tikkurila's Color Now magazine will help you on this voyage of discovery. It is a source of inspiration and ideas and tells evocative stories about people in comparable situations. It encourages readers to try out new things – to express themselves in surprising direc-tions. Dare to do so.

In addition to a new ambiance in your hallway, colors can signal an entire change of life.

Join us on our shared voyage of discovery!

Marika RaikeTikkurila's Design Manager

EDITOR:Marika Raike/Tikkurila

MANAGING EDITORS: Minna Avellan/TikkurilaNina Kaijasilta/TikkurilaAnna-Kaari Hakkarainen/Vapa Media

CONTENTSTikkurila and Vapa Media

ART DIRECTOR: Pia Grekula/TBWA\Helsinki

PUBLISHER: Tikkurila Oyj

CONTACT DETAILS:Switchboard: +358 20 191 2000 E-mail: [email protected] address: PO Box 53, 01301 Vantaa, FinlandVisiting address: Kuninkaalantie 1, 01300 Vantaa, Finland

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“The most innocent and thoughtful minds love color the most."

– John Ruskin

COLOR NOW 2017 | 7

“The most innocent and thoughtful minds love color the most."

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Inspiration from around the worldPainting ideas can be sought from far

and wide. Painting trends are showcased in three fascinating new premises.

1 JADE GREEN EFFECTSThe impressive use of a single color has a powerful effect, as demonstrated by the

London restaurant, Four Hundred Rabbits, whose interior decoration was designed by brand consultant Junction Studio and interior decor house Richardson Studio. The idea is intentionally simple: white tiles bring an ef-fect of freshness to metal pillars painted in jade tones. The rear wall of the kitchen has been painted a pastel shade of pink, where the paint has been spread over white tiles. A personal touch has been added to the pizza oven be-hind the counter, using stencil paintings dec-orated with jade.

IN COLOR NOW

2 BORROWED FROM THE SPICE RACKIf you are looking for ideas on how to use colors and painting techniques to

create a Latin American feel, the Restaurant Oficina in Kaivopiha, Helsinki, is a wonder-ful source of inspiration. The interior decor was created by the Swedish design house Stylt Trampoli, which specializes in telling stories. Oficina’s walls glow with the tones of spices and a festival of patterns created with a design roller, which take the viewer back to the fes-tive atmosphere of centuries gone by.

Photo: 400 Rabbits

Photo: Mikko Mäntyniemi

COLOR NOW 2017 | 9

3 GRAPHICAL CONCEPTSA hostel located in Valencia, Spain, is bursting with painting ideas. Creative

consultants Masquespacio were in charge of designing the Valencia Hostel Lounge. The hostel is a fascinating fusion of a modern graphical feel and a typical Valencian home of the 1920s. Each room in the hostel has its own theme: for example, a guest can choose whether to stay in a room decorated with surfboards, or one with turquoise pineapples painted on the walls. The bold use of paint even extends to the furniture. Effect paint-ing techniques have been used for decorative painting, while a design roller and colorwash were used to paint the designs.

Photo: Luis Beltran

How to anticipate color trends

“To see into the future, you need to be open and interested in everything going on around you. Keeping abreast of your own sector is not enough, since new concepts and ideas move between sectors. The best approach is to take a kaleidoscopic view of the world.

Color trends can also be anticipated by looking back, since favorites tend to come and go in cycles. After a season favoring dark colors, it seems natural to move into lighter and fresher tones. Bright colors, on the other hand, are often succeeded by more broken and subdued shades.”

– Irina Hanhisalo, Designer at Tikkurila

IN COLOR NOW

Masterclass

“The best approach is to take a kaleidoscopic view of the world.”

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You can treat wooden surfaces translucent and highly wear-resistant with water-borne Kiva Furniture Lacquer. Beautiful matt surface can be achieved using the matt version of Kiva. You can also bring out the lightness of wood with the translucent light shade, 3466 Vanilla.

Due to its anti-mold agent, use Supi Sau-nasuoja (Sauna Finish) for wall and ceiling surfaces in saunas and partly unheated indoor areas. The semi-matt Supi Saunasuoja can be tinted to the colors of the Interior Wood

Stains and Lacquers color card to highlight the innate beauty of various types of wood. The best choice is translucent white.

Paneeli-Ässä Titan is a water-borne lac-quer for interior walls and ceilings. A pro-tective agent in the lacquer efficiently filters out natural UV light and provides wood with long-term protection from discoloration. Use the product on new and light-colored wood surfaces, when you want to preserve the natural lightness of wood for a long time.

Here is how to preserve the original beauty of light-colored wood.

IN COLOR NOW

On the surface

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The tones of high society

Y481 Cloud

M425 Beetroot

X442 Spa

S427 Charm

M442 Fjord

L426 Myth

G503 Calla

The recently released Florence (2016) explores the high society of New York in the 1940s, against the background of its concert halls and plushly upholstered interiors. Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) is a strong-willed so-ciety wife, who dreams of becoming an opera singer. The only drawback is that she cannot sing – aside from in her own mind. Florence's husband is confronted with one of the great-est challenges of his life when she announces that she is arranging a concert. How far are we willing to go for the sake of those we love?

A movie (made in 1997) based on the novel Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf shows the London setting of a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway (Vanessa Redgrave) in 1923. Carry-ing a light-colored parasol, Mrs Dalloway moves through the bright London streets, planning a dinner reception and reminiscing about a long-gone summer. The appearance of a former suitor strengthens the past's hold on Mrs Dalloway’s life and disturbs a perfect party evening.

"Large scale mural painting has become a strong art movement."

Gather color tips from the movies.

IN COLOR NOW

Photo: Nick Wall Copyright: © 2016 Pathé Productions Limited

Photo: Moviestore collection Ltd / Alamy stock Photo

COLOR NOW 2017 | 13

IN COLOR NOW

Street art is conquering cities all over the world

- Guido van Helten

Street art enlivens and brightens up the ur-ban landscape and brings wellbeing to its surroundings. The Australian artist Guido van Helten captures facial features and interpretes powerful emotions in his artwork. He builds the world featuring in his works by getting to know the people, culture and history of the location beforehand. Called Pinja, this work is a mural portrait by van Helten for a seven-sto-ry dwelling house in Helsinki, Finland. Murals by Van Helten are on display in locations such as Australia, Europe, the US and Greenland.

"Large scale mural painting has become a strong art movement."

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to: Street A

rt Society P

äävärit Ry

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Text: ANNA VÄREPhotos: ANNA HÄMÄLÄINEN, MARTTI JÄRVI

Every year, Tikkurila selects a Color of the Year that encompasses current trends, phenomena

and moods. How did this year’s jury end up selecting the elegant Angora H466?

ANGORA IS THE COLOR OF THE YEAR

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ANGORA IS THE COLOR OF THE YEAR

Tikkurila’s Color of the Year 2017 is the so-phisticated Angora H466, radiating French charm in a casual, contemporary style. An-gora is not a loud statement, but a fresh, all-round color that suits a multitude of homes and atmospheres. For interior decorators, Angora is a practical and neutral choice that never becomes boring or dull. The soft An-gora H466 is included in Tikkurila’s Feel the Color color collection.

So it’s Angora

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Fashion designer Teemu Muu- rimäki, interior designer and blogger Susanna Vento and Tik-kurila's Design Manager Marika Raike choosing the color and color collections of the year.

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This year, the jury selecting Tikkurila’s Color of the Year and its color collections included Fashion Designer Teemu Muurimäki, Interior Stylist

and blogger Susanna Vento and Tikkurila’s Design Manager Marika Raike. To select the color, the jury created mood boards from their

preferred colors and materials. The versatile mood boards referred to English manors, rustic craftsmanship and industrial aesthetics.

HOW WE CHOSE THE

2017 COLOR COLLECTIONS


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Dreamy, bygone ages in washed-out colors. The color collec-tion includes sophisticated, broken colors that evoke romantic manors in the English countryside. The moods of these soft, toned shades lead our thoughts to the decorative sitting rooms and chambers of the Downton Abbey television series, and glasses of sherry enjoyed by the fireplace.

“I feel that softer colors are emerging to complement the blackish colors currently in fashion, although shades are still dominated by darker colors. I used red to add contrast to the mood, giving a charming edge to the cool colors.”

Teemu Muurimäki is Fashion Designer at Marimekko and the Creative Director of men’s fashion brand Formal Friday. Muurimäki is also known for his elegant evening and wedding dresses and his work as a designer for Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.

Teemu Muurimäki’s color collection – Hazy

H466 N439 N494 V418 K498

Angora Abyss Nephrite Rustic Haven

The colors are indicative. Please check the colors against the real color samples in the Feel the Color collection.

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COLOR COLLECTION HAZYDeep, masculine shades in a delicate combination. Nude, pastel, moss, washed-out rose next to gray. Sicily, where the confusion of the colorful en-vironment soon gave way to huge inspiration.

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Grounded in the burnt red shades of terracotta, the world of craftsmanship is characterized by earthiness, warmth and a washed-out color scheme. The rustic collection reminds us of our roots, our connection to nature and crafts. Popular among interior designers, the warm terracotta is particularly appealing next to gold and metallic colors.

“I built my mood board using clear and timeless colors that never get dull. I think that interior decoration trends are shift-ing from bright white shades towards warmer shades of beige and sand. Some consider these shades boring, but they work really well, particularly alongside green and blue, which really make them shine!

Susanna Vento is an interior stylist known for her interior de-sign blog, Varpunen, and col-laboration with several design brands. As an interior stylist, Vento prefers classic solutions but boldly combines design with recycled goods.

Susanna Vento’s color collection – Clay

N411 Y406 J407 L487 N429

Madras Riviera Siesta Mole Denim


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FADED and washed-out shades, gold and metal-lic colors, coral, clam, light pink, earthy shades, com-bined shades and large painted surfaces instead of accent walls.

Color collection: Clay

COLOR COLLECTION CLAYFaded and washed-out shades, gold and metallic colors, coral, clam, light pink, earthy shades, combined shades and large painted surfaces instead of accent walls.

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An urban city jungle brings together bohemian soulscapes and rundown, industrial aesthetics. Nature has taken over the city. The colors brim with deep greens, contrasted by edgy Tomato and cool Horseradish. Tending slightly towards yellow, Horse-radish creates faith in the future, suggesting that a fresh start is just around the corner.

“It is interesting to imagine what would happen if human-kind disappeared and nature took over our cities. I selected colorful flower patterns and trending natural materials, such as bamboo, cork and ceramics that resemble wood. I feel that the best combinations align with the Japanese ideal of wabi-sabi: it is imperfection that makes things perfect. For example, the brush marks of an artist can be left visible on canvases and in painted effects of interior decoration.”

Marika Raike is Tikkurila’s De-sign Manager. Raike is respon-sible for the creation and de-velopment of Tikkurila’s color collections and color systems and, among other things, the visual look of the Tikkurila brand and new tips for painters.

Marika Raike’s color collection – Growth

M384 Y497 F390 V389 M316

Basilica Toro Horseradish Yellow transparent

Tomato


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A worn golden surface, ram-shackle beauty, organic shapes, Nordic nature and well-being, pastels, dirty denim and petrol, soft and washed-out shades. In-dustrial meets boho – Berlin and Brazil – roughness, relax-ation and colors brought to-gether.

Color collection: Growth

COLOR COLLECTION GROWTHA worn golden surface, ram-shackle beauty, organic shapes, Nordic nature and well-being, pastels, dirty denim and petrol, soft and washed-out shades. In-dustrial meets boho – Berlin and Brazil – roughness, relaxation and colors brought together.

Supi protects and adds character to the wooden surfaces of a sauna.

Supi Sauna Wax is a natural treatment for the wooden paneling, ceilings and benches of your sauna. Black, white, and gray options are available in addition to colorless sauna wax. Use Supi Floor Oil to protect the wooden floor and duckboard of your sauna, with a colorful and beautiful finish. The result is an easy-care surface in all wet rooms. For further details see www.tikkurila.com

SUPI WILL REFRESH YOUR SAUNA FROM FLOOR TO CEILING

EMISS I O N CLASS FO

R B

UILDING MATERIA

L

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GAMESOne apartment, three rooms, three bloggers, three Tikkurila Color Now 2017 color collections. What's the result? Let the

bloggers tell us about how they approached empty rooms and the changes they made using the power of colors.

TRANSFORMATION

Author: RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI, SUSANNA VENTO AND PINJA ROUGERPhotos: RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI

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WHO: Riikka Kantinkoski

PROFESSION: Photographer and artist

Tikkurila’s Color Now 2017 color palette Hazy

BLOG: Weekdaycarnival

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A classy living room

“The light color maintained the feeling of height, while softening the general ambiance.“

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Riikka created a chest of drawers – whose doors she painted in the tone, Haven – from kitchen cupboards bought from Ikea.

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“The light color maintained the feeling of height, while softening the general ambiance.“

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When I first got hold of the Hazy palette, I thought hey, I could really live with this. I have to admit that I love harmo-nious and subdued colors.

In addition to black and white, my favorite color palette would include gray. That’s pretty well the color range of my clothes. There is also room for colors in interior decor, and the beautiful, natural-looking, broken tones that accompany them. That’s why the misty Hazy color palette felt familiar – I found my favorite shade, Nephrite, right away, which accompanied the Color of the Year, Angora, in the number-one spot on the color palette. In addition to colors, various surfaces add im-portant elements to interior decoration. In particular, rough, down-to-earth materials such as concrete, wood, stone and brass please the eye and bring a surface texture which every room needs – at least in my opinion.

When I began taking a closer look at the color palette, I wasn’t sure how to combine the shades and which ones I would give more space to. The space to be renovated, a living room, was large, high and light. The whole only began to take shape once I had seen the room.

I chose Angora as the main color, so that the high-ceilinged and spacious room would retain some of its own character. At first, I doubted whether this would work on a large surface. However, when I tried a color chip against the wall, I noticed that the tone has sufficient depth when out of direct light – it wasn’t too pastel in the actual space. The light color main-tained the feeling of height, while softening and calming the general ambiance of the room.

I left the opposite side of the living room white, to empha-size the Angora tones and reflect the light entering from the window. Due to the large size of the living room, I divided it into three sections: a dining area, a lounge and a home office area. I used Nephrite for the walls of the home office, which added dignity to the area. In addition, Nephrite and Angora are a seamless match, giving a peaceful final feel. I used the walls’ colors, a large fabric-upholstered divan and large, soft mats to add warmth. For the curtains I used Rustic, which looks beautiful on the living surface of the fabric. Overall, the room formed an attractive and cozy whole, to which it would be a pleasure to invite friends.

– Riikka Kantinkoski, Weekdaycarnival blog

TONES FROM THE HAZY COLOR COLLECTION

H466 Angora, N439 Abyss, N494 Nephrite, V418 Rustic, K498 Haven

PRODUCTS:

Furniture: Vepsäläinen and Habitat Paints: Harmony wall paint, Helmi 10 furniture paint

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The living room walls were painted full-matt using the Harmony interior shades Angora and Nephrite.

You can bring an old, worn cane screen to life with the Mole shade of the matt Helmi Furniture Paint.

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WHO: Susanna Vento

PROFESSION: Interior decorator and blogger

Tikkurila’s Color Now 2017 color palette Clay

BLOG: Varpunen

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An intimate bedroom

"I often look to the street scene for the best color inspirations."

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A chrome-legged Dot stool by Fritz Hansen was painted totally blue with the matt Helmi shade of Denim and the bedroom wall was painted full-matt with Harmony interior paint, shade Mole.

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I wanted to create a dark tone in the bedroom, which would provide a peaceful background for reading, relaxing and sleep-ing. For the basic design work, I had a photograph of the room, on which I used image processing to test the walls to be painted. This gives you a rough idea of the color's impact on the room – will it seem more spacious or smaller. Should I also paint the skirting boards or only up to the ceiling, or should I leave the upper section of the wall white like the ceiling? Experiments like this are the best way of achieving the result and feel you are seeking. It is worth testing several color chips, which are close to the precise color you want, in the room itself. I tend to do this by fixing the chips to the wall and examining the tones as the light changes through the day.

After a long period of using white in decor, I wanted to introduce dark colors to the bedroom. Since the bedroom is small, just one effect-painted wall was enough. For this, it is best to choose the most uniform wall, with the fewest possi-ble enclosures, sockets and other building technology features. A dark but peaceful and down-to-earth color scheme is re-laxing, turning the bedroom into a cozy nest. A slanted wall with windows provides a relaxing space for reading and taking naps. Based on a relatively durable design idea, a classical style and color coordination suit a range of age groups. Touches of elegance and sophistication, high-quality materials and de-sign furniture serve to enhance the stylish feel of a high-value apartment. A lighter, soft background tone (Angora, for exam-ple), which could easily cover all of the walls, would also work in this room.

Colors have a huge impact on a room and its feel. At their simplest, they can create an optical illusion, reducing or enlarg-ing a space. However, in addition they can create a cozy and warm atmosphere, or a hard and rougher industrial feel. Paints and wall structures play a major role in the overall design of a room. At the moment, I find rougher textured clay tones, such as terracotta, beige and soft dark greens pleasing. White is a timeless and safe choice, but many people find it slightly harsh. Alongside white, I recommend warm tones shading towards brown and neutral background shades of broken-up, earthy colors such as powdery tones or grayish, pistachio green. I look to the street scene for the best color inspirations and tones for large surfaces. Examining the color of building facades, I often find myself seeking colors from the outdoor color card in paint stores. Its colors are specifically designed for large surfaces and backgrounds that please the eye.

– Susanna Vento, Varpunen blog

TONES FROM THE CLAY COLOR COLLECTION:

L487 Mole, N429 Denim, J407 Siesta, Y406 Riviera, N411 Madras

PRODUCTS:

Furniture: Vepsäläinen Paints: Harmony wall paint, Helmi 10 furniture paint

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The office walls were painted in a light, Horseradish tone using Harmony interior paint. A dash of energy was added using a Tomato shade. A Toro shade – Liitu Blackboard paint – was used on the desktop, which can serve as a blackboard when necessary.

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WHO: Pinja Rouger

PROFESSION: Industrial designer and blogger

Tikkurila’s Color Now 2017 color palette Growth

BLOG: Pinjacolada

An inspiring home office

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"Colors can bring joy to people."

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The drawers of the Horse-radish dresser have been painted using gradient shades of Liitu Black-board Paint, to gradually move from Yellow trans-parent through Basilica to a dark Toro shade. Different colors of draw-er can also serve as color coding for the contents. If you use Liitu Blackboard Paint, you can label the contents of the drawer by writing on its top.

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At the beginning of a design project, I tend to seek inspira-tion by gathering ideas and pictures of similar rooms or colors. I then use high-speed image processing to test different wall colors and possible furniture; this provides the first draft de-signs which visualize the room’s possibilities and decor options. Based on the bright and intense colors of the Growth palette, I wanted to build a functional workspace that was full of energy but also airy and fresh. I found it important to strike a balance between the bright colors. Of the most intense colors, I decid-ed to use Tomato for the alcove in the main wall, which would be pleasantly expressive without dominating the room. In a small space, airy and simple furniture creates a spacious feel, as do light-colored walls.

I like colors and am not afraid to use bright tones for in-terior decor. However, whenever I use bright colors I like to combine them with light surfaces and shades, to keep the room fresh and bring out the bright tones, if only as effects.

The decor was mainly based on light Horseradish and bright Tomato shades. I used the other colors in the palette for the smaller surfaces, which were beautifully highlighted by the neutral background tone. The walls were painted with Horseradish, while the alcove close to the desk was painted in a Tomato shade, to add an energetic rhythm to the interior. In addition to the alcove, the Tomato shade is repeated by small objects and a rocking chair.

The Basilica and Yellow transparent tones on the palette are plant colors, and I wanted to use plants to showcase them. This effect was reinforced by a recycled but restored chest of drawers. The desk top was painted using a Toro shade of Liitu Blackboard Paint, allowing me to list or jot down ideas directly onto the top. To add some coziness, I also introduced a light wood tone alongside the stronger colors, which can be seen on the DIY hanging ladders and plywood worktop surface. My aim was to create a work space that is inviting and inspiring as well as comfortable, while providing tools and space in which to work. These colors bring joy to me and I love combining tones. I think that you can use colors to provide people with pleasure and enjoyable experiences.

I love a wide range of colors and color combinations. I cur-rently prefer pastels alongside subdued colors, but light pink and yellow have long been my favorite colors. Neutral colors tend to be the easiest to match with spaces of all kinds; for example, cold or warmer shades of gray and, of course, white almost always work.

– Pinja Rouger, Pinjacolada blog

TONES FROM THE GROWTH COLOR COLLECTION

M384 Basilica, Y497 Toro, F390 Horseradish, V389 Yellow transparent, M316 Tomato

PRODUCTS:

Furniture: Vepsäläinen Paints: Joker wall paint, Helmi 10 furniture paint, Liitu Blackboard paint

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Fashion designer Teemu Muurimäki had his say in the selection of Tikkurila's Color of the Year 2017.

He looked for the color in the same way as he seeks inspiration for his designs.

Text: ANNA VÄREPhotos: ANNA HÄMÄLÄINEN AND MARIMEKKO

FASHION AND INTERIOR DESIGN

FOLLOW THE SAME

RULES

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Text: ANNA VÄREPhotos: ANNA HÄMÄLÄINEN AND MARIMEKKO

FASHION AND INTERIOR DESIGN

FOLLOW THE SAME

RULES

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“In the end, designing clothing is a form of storytelling and mood creation.”

In 2014, Teemu designed eve-ning dresses from the Unikko fabric pattern by Maija Isola, in honor of Marimekko’s 50th anniversary.

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In the picture, a model is posing in a strawberry pink, beauti-fully cascading evening dress. Next to her stands the designer, looking just as an international star should: with muscular arms folded and in black well-fitting clothes, and his hair and beard carefully groomed.

Teemu Muurimäki is showing pictures on his computer of a campaign he created for Magnum ice cream, but he does not have the mannerisms of a star. He talks enthusiastically but casually, as if he were showing off a bed of peonies he recently planted at a summer cottage.

Teemu, one of the most successful fashion designers in Fin-land, was among the jury that selected Tikkurila's Color of the Year 2017. For this interview, he has chosen to wear dark blue jeans and a white dress shirt belonging to his own men's fashion brand, Formal Friday.

Although Teemu Muurimäki now spends most of his time acting as the brand's Creative Director, he is best known for his flamboyant evening dresses. His designs have been worn by artists in particular, charming onlookers at red carpet gala events and the Finnish President's Independence Day Recep-tion. Last year, Member of Parliament Jaana Pelkonen, who wore a bubblegum pink Muurimäki dress, was voted one of the most beautiful guests at the Reception.

These dresses often bring plenty of attention to the wear-ers, as Teemu is unafraid to use color and engage in bold ex-periments alongside classic designs.

THROWAWAY FASHION IS SO LAST SEASON

The glamor in Teemu Muurimäki's style is a souvenir from his days in global fashion houses. He spent years working as a designer for brands like Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta and Carla Zampatti. He returned to Finland four years ago. Although Finland does not attain the heights of France or Italy as a fashion country, Teemu enjoys his current work. In addition to his own brand, he designs for houses such as Marimekko.

“If I compare designing for Marimekko and Armani, the everyday work is very similar,” Teemu says. “There is a lot of potential in Finnish fashion right now. For example, the young fashion designers of Aalto University have gained international attention,” he says, referring to the students' success at the es-teemed Hyères Fashion Festival.

Teemu is sorry that fashion is still viewed as superficial in Finland. This attitude will not promote exports or help create new jobs in the sector. “This forces designers to visualize their products on the international market from the start.”

This method has worked for Formal Friday. Men's clothing made of merino wool and linen and influenced by Teemu's training as a tailor has been exported to ten countries in just a few years. One of the markets is the United States, the largest fashion market in the world.

Teemu's idea of launching his own brand was inspired by the factor that has inspired so much else: need. While living in Sydney, Teemu missed stylish alternatives to business attire. He wanted to wear stylish, smart and comfortable men's clothes. At the same time, he had grown tired of throwaway fashion, where clothes are not even expected to last while still being worn.

EVERYDAY LIFE MATTERS THE MOST

The Formal Friday concept crystallizes Teemu Muurimäki's design philosophy. Grand events are the highlights of life, but excellent design is particularly needed to make everyday life better. For this reason, four friends founded Formal Friday with the goal of producing the world's best t-shirt and dress shirt. Their intention is to design clothes so functional that the wearer can perform somersaults while in a Formal Friday suit or forget it in his gym bag for a day without turning it into a wrinkled ball of fabric.

As a designer, Muurimäki is interested in the way in which clothing responds to movement. This dimension of his work is particularly visible in his collaboration with the choreogra-pher Tero Saarinen. He has designed costumes for Saarinen’s dance productions.

“Ultimately, the design of clothing is a form of storytell-ing and creating moods. In contemporary art, clothing is an essential part of a performance as a whole and very akin to interior design.”

Teemu points out that fashion and interior design largely follow the same rules.

“For example, both can take a certain color as a starting point.”

A MOOD BOARD FULL OF SURPRISES

Teemu often begins the design process for a garment or mood by creating a mood board, a canvas filled with ideas. He follows his instinct and adds interesting shades and ideas. Magnum's strawberry pink dress was born this way, as was Tikkurila's col-or of the Year. Muurimäki filled Tikkurila's mood board with cool blues, grays, greens and burned red shades he had collect-ed from fashion magazines.

“Brainstorming is a tool I have learned to use over the years. I begin by collecting elements that please me, and I nev-er know where they will lead. The element of surprise is fan-tastic. It can always lead you to something new.”

The designer seeks to liberate himself from trends as well as possible. However, he believes that every designer is involun-tarily subjected to social phenomena, music and movies. These affect ideas at a subconscious level.

“Colors are very important to me. As a wedding dress de-signer, I learned to see meanings in different shades of white. I like tones and pastels that really compliment each other. Choosing a color is like an inward journey.” •

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Architect Kari Leppänen's favorite colors can be found in nature. His inspiration for the colors of the new Saari villa

collection also originates in the archipelago.

ON THE EDGE OF

GRAYText: RIIKKA VAKKURI

Photos: HANNE MANELIUS

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Architect Kari Leppänen, 56, runs his own office in Helsinki under the name Kari Leppänen Arkkitehdit Oy. During his long career, Leppänen has designed public buildings, offices and homes and completed urban planning projects, interior de-sign projects and exhibitions.

WHO?

ON THE EDGE OF

GRAY

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Architect Kari Leppänen's desktop background is a holiday photo from Thailand: turquoise sea under a blue sky. He seeks inspiration from the colors of nature, for example shades of blue.

“The colors of the archipelago, such as shades of gray in rocks or the reddish tone of pine bark in the evening sun are stunning.”

The archipelago also influenced the Saari collection of vil-las that Leppänen designed for Honka, a Finnish supplier of log houses and cabins. The first specimens of the collection were built two summers ago on the island of Ön, located off the shore of Kasnäs in the Archipelago National Park in Southwest Finland. This is the holiday oasis of Leppänen and his wife.

“Buildings by the sea should not stand out like exclamation marks, but neither do they need to blend in completely with the environment,” the architect says.

The façades of the villa collection are dark graphite gray, which is borrowed from the surrounding bedrock and pines. Indoor surfaces are light and large windows make the space feel even larger. The contrast between the dark exterior and light interior create an interesting, contemporary look.

The beautiful translucent matt surface of the indoor walls was created using white Supi Saunavaha (Sauna Wax), which leaves the grains and knots of the pine visible. The floors were finished with the shade 5062 Birchbark of Parketti-Ässä Petsi (Stain), in order to create a contrast with the light walls and ceiling.

Instead of bright colors, Leppänen’s color scale most often includes soft shades of cement, beige, off-white and gray.

“People often joke that the architect makes a bold choice and goes for gray. Gray can be boring, but also elegant. For example, the dark granite gray of the Saari collection adds edge and fundamentally changes the feel of each building.”

On the other hand, he thinks that buildings can and should be visible. “When you look at a traditional rural landscape, for example, it is evident that people have not wanted to build a green house on a green field. They have chosen to set them-selves apart from the colors of nature.”

Leppänen is pleased that color has become more popular in all kinds of construction in recent years. “Finland is gray for the larger part of the year. Use of color contributes to mental health.” •

Designed by Kari Leppänen, the exterior surfaces of the Saari collection draw inspiration from the rocks and pines of the plot and the peninsula on which it sits. Different shades of gray form part of nature in rocky sur-faces, shoreline rocks and pine bark. The exterior surfaces of the villa collection are finished using Vinha opaque wood fin-ish in shade 1900 of Tikkurila’s Deco Grey color card. Interior walls can be finished with the white shade of Supi Saunavaha (Sauna Wax). For the floors, the architect chose the shade 5062 Birchbark of the Parketti-Ässä Petsi (Stain), and the Parket-ti-Ässä Floor Lacquer.

”Dark graphite gray brings an edge and changes the character of a building.”

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A home that breathes space, light and a classical style belongs to a family that has managed to combine

everyday functionality with timeless design. The color scale consists of white and broken-up pastel tones, which make the decor peaceful and easy to revamp.

Original text: CAMILLA JULNER Photos: PIERRE WESTER

A PASTEL

DREAM

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The chair painted black was an Internet find on the Blocket site for buying and selling goods. Its upholstery is made of so-called Toile de Jouy-style fabric in-spired by the 1700s. The antique carpet is from Pinemont Trading in Morocco. To recreate the at-mosphere shown in the picture, use the G444 Gorgonzola shade of Harmony interior paint, which is beautiful in combination with white wood surfaces.

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Originally built in 1924, this two-story detached house was in 1960s condition and required a thorough renovation. The family with two small children moved into the house in 2005, since when the house has undergone several renovations. In addition, the purpose of the rooms has changed alongside the addition of a spacious extension. The family has needed addi-tional bedrooms and living space as it has grown. Now every-thing is ready, but it required a great deal of learning and work. Several time-consuming meetings were required with archi-tects and the city's Public Works Department. This is because the house is located in the culturally and historically significant and time-honored Ålsten area – also known as the Garden City – in Bromma, outside Stockholm. Construction work only be-gan over a year after the beginning of the project. Adrienne and her husband believe that the house's original and classic style should be preserved.

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Timeless design furniture such as a Superellipsi table and Tho-net chairs are in perfect harmony with newer interior decor prod-ucts in this renovated, 1920s detached house. The impressive Dagg vase and green flower pot on the side table are from the Svenskt Tenn collection. They are a superb match for a mod-ern, Hay marble tray and small, Skultuna tea candle holders.

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“It’s better to save long enough to buy what you really want, than to make hasty and unsuccessful purchases.”

ADRIENNE KORSNER’S HOUSE

RESIDENTS::Adrienne Korsner and her hus-band Matti, their sons Theo-dore 13, Wille 11 and Melcher 5, and their cat, Nalle.

HOUSE:A recently renovated 1920s house in Ålsten Bromma, Stock-holm.

PROFESSIONS:Adrienne is a media consultant and her husband is an entrepre-neur who builds and designs service stations.

STYLE: Classic, soft and feminine. Svenskt Tenn and Josef Frank, 1950s, 1900s and 1700s.

MATERIALS: Painted wood, made to measure cabinets and shelves, marble, brass.

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– We are very satisfied with the extension – despite the hard work involved in building it – given how precise we had to be with some of the details, explains Adrienne.Adrienne’s husband, Matti, did much of the construction work himself. The extension neatly matches the original style of the house. The extra space has provided a great deal of pleasure for the entire family. – It is important that the house is functional, since 90 percent of our time is taken up with the everyday life of a family with three children, says Adrienne, who has a challenging job with a media firm.

The bigger children were given new bedrooms and their own living room at basement level. The family spends most of its time in the spacious living room, which shares an open space with the dining room and kitchen and is located at the access level of the house. The family often organizes dinner parties and celebrations in this space. A space the size of the old terrace has been added to the living room, with windows and balcony doors being made to order – in the style of the orig-inal building – by a carpentry business in Borås. The shelves and paneled cupboard doors under the windows in the end wall were also made to measure. Similar closets and beautiful and practical alcoves for books and lighting have also been built in the two upstairs bedrooms.

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The shelf is an ever-changing eye-catcher. A touch of fun is provided by a golden Zara home vase in the shape of a tortoise shell, while the candle holders are by Iittala. The mar-ble table designed by Adrienne herself is usually decorated with a vase of fresh flowers.

ON THE RIGHT PAGE:Create a sophisticated end-re-sult with Harmony interior paint shade Y415, Mauve. This shade is the perfect match for the gray tones of the Mio bedside table and Balmuir linen blan-ket. Pillows: Designers Guild. The alarm clock is a classic design by Arne Jacobsen, Royaldesign.se.

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Two doors lead from the new porch into the interior, with two exits added for balance. Everything, including the pane windows, has been built in the spirit of the original house. The new windows are so beautiful that Adrienne and Matti want them to be visible, rather than concealing them with curtains. Light streams in beautifully from the garden on the south side of house, emphasizing the home’s modern feel.

Adrienne has created a personal and comfortable home by combining carefully chosen new and old decor. The dining area is dominated by a classic Superellipsi table, with space for eight people, from the 1950s. Gathered around it are new Thonet chairs, with a history dating back to the 1800s. It is all rounded off with a Flos chandelier 2097, designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1958. Adrienne designed the marble coffee table herself. •

The new Valtti Plus Kesto is a new-generation wood stain for wooden façades. It enables twice as long maintenance interval compared to traditional stains. The Super Color pigments in Valtti Plus Kesto penetrate deep in the wood giving it a deep, translucent color. They also provide the wood surface an extraordinary good resistance against UV light and weathering.

DOUBLE THE MAINTENANCEINTERVAL!

DEEPER COLORWITH THE SUPER COLOR TECHNIQUE!

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When painting, a successful result is dependent on using the right techniques and tools

– we provide precise tips on both.

EASY

DIY

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A black-and-white checkered floor is a real eye-catcher. Furniture restorer and blogger Sanna Laurila chose a

rough brownish shade, 1928, from the Deco Grey color card. The semi-gloss surface of the Betolux Akva floor

paint beautifully complemented the wooden floors.

EASY DI Y

Original text: EMMA HALMEKOSKIPhotos: SANNA LAURILA

CREATE AN AGED

CHECKERED FLOOR

MATERIALS: Tikkurila Betolux Akva floor paint, shade 1928/ Measure / Cardboard / Painter’s tape / Synthetic brush / Utility knife / Roller / Paint tray / Roller pole / Thin nap roller

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1. CREATE A MODEL SQUARE

You can paint squares of any size. Cut model squares out of cardboard, to help you select a suit-able size. Use the measure to divide the floor into uniform squares.

2. DRAW A GRID AND MARK IT WITH TAPE

Clean the surfaces you will paint. Mark the grid on the floor with flexi-ble painter’s tape. To cre-ate sharp lines, paint over the tape with a synthetic brush using white floor paint that has been used as a priming coat, be-fore painting the square with the black paint. TIP! Mark the squares you do not want to paint with small strips of tape. In this way, you will not get into a muddle when you paint.

3. PAINT THE SQUARES Apply two layers of Be-

tolux Akva using a thin nap roller, and peel off the tape before the paint dries. When the paint is dry, you can add an antique feeling for the floor by rubbing the surface with various grit grades of sandpaper. If you wish, you can pro-tect the sanded areas with semi-matt Parketti-Ässä Floor Lacquer.

Sanna painted a checkered floor that was a perfect fit with the antiquated charm of San-na’s home in the annex of an old manor.

Tip! As water-borne paint dries quickly, the room will be ready for use in no time.

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LIFT YOUR EYES TO THE

CEILINGWhy not give your home a surprising splash of color – on the ceiling! Follow our advice and perk up your lobby with a dash of pink. Living in the Södermalm neighborhood of Stockholm,

Lina Elfstrand wanted a lobby with a personality. She had long been dreaming about pink. Lina thinks that people often forget about their ceilings and settle for white. “Painting the

ceiling is an easy way to make a space more interesting.”

Original text and styling: JILL WINDAHLPhotos: ANDERS ROTH

MATERIALS: Tikkurila Siro Matt ceiling paint, shade G477 Boudoir / Dusting brush / Tikkurila Maalipesu (Cleaning Agent) / Tikkurila Varma or Tixomatt Primer / Brush / Roller / Extension rod / Paint tray

EASY DI Y

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1. CLEAN THE SURFACES Start by cleaning the ceil-

ing. Ensure that the ceiling is dust-free. Brushing is the easiest way to clean it. Wash shiny or dirty surfaces using Tikkurila’s Maalipesu (Clean-ing Agent). Rinse well with water. If there is old glue paint on the surface, moisten it with water and scrape it off with a steel trowel.

2. PRE-TREAT Unpainted or highly absor-

bent surfaces need priming. Select the paint according to the substrate. Varma Primer or Tixomatt Primer are suit-able products.

3. PAINT THE CEILING IN ONE GO

Mix the paint well. Start by marking off the edges of the ceiling with a brush. Then use the Siro Matt shade G477 Boudoir and a wide roller and extension rod to paint the ceiling. Use plenty of paint. Paint the whole ceiling in one go, to avoid overlapping.

Tip! Use details to create a har-monious color scheme. Rose-gold coat hangers and the pink details on the wardrobe match the ceiling’s rosy look. Even a narrow lobby will look spacious if you go for a light overall look.

“I feel happy every time I open my front door.”

- Lina Elfstrand

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1. CLEAN AND FILL THE SURFACES

Begin by cleaning the surfaces and filling them in, if necessary. Sand the surfaces, if necessary. Use painter’s tape to protect surfaces that you do not intend to paint. If you plan to paint the ceiling, paint it first to avoid splashes on wall surfaces that you have already painted.

2. APPLY TWO LAYERS OF PAINT

Apply two layers of Har-mony Interior Paint, shade Wrought iron. First go around the edges with a brush and a small roller. Take the roller as close to the edges as you can, to leave a smooth, even sur-face. Finish the surfaces with long upward strokes to achieve maximum smoothness.

Y500 Wrought iron

L487 Mole

Y458 Merino

Tip! If your windows open to the south or the west, they will let in warm light. This will bal-ance the cool shade of the wall.

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Original text: HEDVIG ANDERSSON Photos: KLAS SJÖBERG

DIVE INTO DEEP

COLORDo not avoid dark colors. A carefully selected shade on the wall frames the room beautifully and provides a background for art and other interior decoration.

MATERIALS: Tikkurila full-matt Harmony Interior paint, shade Y500, Wrought Iron / Roller / Extension rod / Paint tray / Brush / Sandpaper / Painter’s tape

EASY DI Y

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SHINING INSPIRATION

Gold, copper and brass are the shimmering stars of fashion and interior decoration today. Add a touch

of glitz to your home using paint and combine full-matt with a pearly finish. Follow our advice in taking your first steps into the world of metals.

Text: EVELIINA SALOMAA Photos: ANDERS ROTH

MATERIALS: Tikkurila full-matt Harmony Interior paint, shade Y415 Mauve / Tikkurila Taika Pearl Paint, ready-mixed Gold / Brush / Roller / Extension rod / Paint tray / Painter’s tape

EASY DI Y

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TIP! Accessories can also be decorative elements. Place your trea-sured golden shoes somewhere where everyone can admire them. Dip old cutlery into gold paint and place it in sight to add details to the space. Metal shades are a harmonious match for both airy pastel colors and deeper shades.

1. BE BOLD IN YOUR EXPERIMENTS

In addition to the clas-sic metallic colors such as copper, gold and brass, dive into rosy and purple pearlescent shades (our new Taika color card in-cludes 26 shades of pearl paint). Even a hint of pearly shimmer will make any room more glamor-ous.

2. START WITH DETAILS Taika shades are ideal for

smaller surfaces and de-tails. A coat rack, grand-ma’s old lamp, a tin box, a vase or a chair can change the look of an entire room.

3. GO FOR LAYERS Select the color carefully.

Paint wall surfaces twice with a roller to achieve opaque coverage. Use a small roller or a brush for smaller details.

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On a sunny day, move the heart of your home outside to enjoy the light breeze and greenery

around you. Here are some ideas on how to make the summer room of your dreams a reality.

CREATE ANOTHER

LIVING ROOM OUTDOORS

Text: EVELIINA SALOMAAPhotos: RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI

EASY DI Y

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It is easy to change the look of flower pots by giving them a coat of paint. Stylist and photographer Riikka Kan-tinkoski gave terracotta pots a charming gray finish by painting them with Yki Sok-kelimaali (Paint for Socles).

Creating a stylish potted garden

MATERIALS: Tikkurila Yki Sokkelimaali, shades 1934 and 1935 / Dust brush / Furniture paint roller / Paint tray

1. PREPARE Brush away any dirt from the surface of new pots, or wash the surface of old pots care-fully. Allow the surfaces to dry completely before painting.

2. PAINT Use Yki Sokkelimaali to paint the surface. Apply 1-2 coats. For the best result, use a roller.

TIP! Yki Sokkelimaali gives a coarse matt finish and makes the pots weather-resistant.

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In this natural-colored and modern summer room, the surfaces are made from ply-wood. The surfaces have been treated with Supi Saunasuoja (Sauna Finish) for humid in-terior spaces. The translucent protective agent forms a dirt- and water-repellent film. Supi Saunasuoja also contains an anti-mold agent that pro-tects the treated surface.

The combination of neutral colors and natural materials lets the light flow in.

TIP! This finish can be used to treat any un-heated interior spaces, including storehouses and playhouses.

Making your summer room weather-resistant

MATERIALS:

Tikkurila Supi-saunasuoja / Brush

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TIP! Low plants with waxy leaves also thrive in the shadier lower shelves.

A bookcase gets a new life on the balcony as a plant shelf. A carefully thought-out color scheme makes the open shelf look tranquil. A striking black appearance is achieved with Unica Akva paint in shade 1900, which withstands sea-sonal fluctuations.

Painting a new home for plants

MATERIALS: Unica Akva paint, shade 1900 / Maalipesu (Cleaning Agent) / Otex Adhesion Primer / Sandpaper / Furniture paint roller / Paint tray / Brush

1. WASH Wash the surface with Maa-

lipesu (Cleaning Agent) according to the instructions on the label and sand the surface with fine sand paper.

2. WIPE Wipe off any sanding dust. If necessary, fill in any holes and scratches with Presto Furniture Filler.

3. PAINT Apply one coat of Otex

Adhesion Primer. NB: The painted surface will be vulnerable for a couple of weeks. Apply 1–2 coats of Unica Akva paint. Use a fur-niture paint roller for paint-ing and finish the surface with a brush.

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A coarse concrete table top provides a great contrast with delicate plants and soft sofa cushions. You can build the table yourself or buy one ready-made. A light-colored and sturdy table surface needs to be paired with thin and dark legs. Unica Special Al-kyd Paint gives the table legs a subtly glossy surface.

Concrete table makeover

MATERIALS:

Unica Special Alkyd Paint / Brush

TIP! Concrete may be a carefree material, but you should put the table in storage for winter. If water freezes in the cracks in the concrete, the concrete top may split.

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MATERIALS: Valtti Plus Terassiöljy (Terrace Oil) ready-mixed in Ash grey / Tikkurila Tehopesu (Super Clean) / Terrace spatula or Brush / Brush

Dark decking is a bolder choice than untreated deck boards. As a color, dark gray is in harmony with the colors of the northern nature and it withstands time. The dark gray decking has been treat-ed with Tikkurila’s ash gray Valtti Plus Terassiöljy (Ter-race Oil).

Creating a dark-colored terrace

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Paper, steam, winter, chalk, calla. You can spend countless hours choosing the correct shade of white. Tikkurila's Design Manager and color virtuoso Marika

Raike knows how to make the right choice.

HOW TO FIND

THE PERFECT WHITE

F497 Paper is a pure white shade. G497 Steam is a cool, grayish white. Ready-mixed Tikkurila White is a warm, neutral shade of white which is ideal as a uniform white for pre-painted skirting boards and wood floors.

COLOR GURU SAYS

Text: EVELIINA SALOMAAPhotos: MARTTI JÄRVI, MARIA MOULUD

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YOU WILL NEED: 1 liter Unica Akva paint / Maalipesu (Cleaning Agent) / 1 liter Otex Adhe-sion primer / sand paper / Presto Furniture Filler / furniture paint roller and brush.

1. CREATE A MOOD Think about what kind of mood you want to create in the

room. Do you want a warm and sunny, or perhaps a fresh and cool space? Choosing between warm and cool will sharply lim-it your options and provide a clear framework for your color selections.

2. FOLLOW THE LIGHT What kind of light enters the room, where are the windows?

Natural light entering from the north and east is always blue in tone, while warm light radiates from the west and south. Bluish natural light is balanced by white tones shading towards yellow and beige, while whites graduating towards cold tones bring out colder light.

3. COMPARE WITH OTHER MATERIALS Use the color chips to see how the color really looks in the area

to be painted. In particular, you can compare pre-painted skirt-ing boards and other solid white elements with the tone you are considering. White fixtures can easily look yellowish when contrasted with pure shades of white paint. Off-white shades tend to go best with elements already painted white.

Finns’ love affair with white has its roots in the functionalist tradition. The natural pale colors and serene, light sky of the north recur in Finnish interior design year after year. No end is in sight for this love of white.

White is a versatile color – 25 different shades of white can be found on Tikkurila’s Feel the Color card alone. The sheer number of options can make your head spin.

– What works in one case can seem dreary in another. The key issue is to bear in mind the space you are painting.

Here are three tips to help you find a suitable white tone without developing a headache.

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Young Designer of the Year Laura Väinölä gave us tips on creating

impressive floral arrangements to liven up spaces of various kinds.

Text: ANNA VÄRE Photos: ANNA RIIKONEN

COMBINE

BRIGHT COLORS TO EARTHY TONES

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What a lovely mixture of colors and fragrances! They greet you at the door of Laura Väinölä’s workroom, where flowers are waiting to be photographed for journals and advertise-ments, or to adorn weddings and corporate events. Väinölä founded Flora & Laura, her company specializing in plant and flower styling, to complement her job as a graphic de-signer with something a bit more hands-on. She began ex-perimenting with plants.

“The most fascinating thing about flowers is that they are timeless and never boring. A stylist cannot bend flowers to her will, but must respect their nature and life cycle in her designs. If a project is meant to last four weeks, the plants have to be able to last that long without wilting. The availability of differ-ent plants is also limited by the seasons.”

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TRY MEADOW AND FOREST FLOWERS

Väinölä buys her materials from a wholesale dealer, whose se-lection is broader than an ordinary florist’s. In her work, Väinölä wants to showcase unusual alternatives to the traditional bou-quets of roses. In the summer, she uses high quantities of natural materials and moss that she finds in meadows and forests.

“Seeming natural is important to me. My aim is to create installations that do not look too polished. Cut flowers look great indoors. Armi Ratia, the founder of Marimekko, once said that you should always have fresh flowers at home. They help you feel connected to nature, even in the city.”

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LAURA VÄINÖLÄ held the winner’s exhibition for the 2016 Young Designer of the Year in the National Library in Helsin-ki. She built the colorful Cabi-net of Wonders installation in the Cupola Hall. The surface of the cabinet was treated with a lovely shade of pink, Y329 from Tikkurila’s Symphony color card. Shade M422 was used on the burgundy floor.

FIND IDEAS IN ART AND FASHION

Väinölä turns to art rather than other florists when seeking ideas. Art also impacts on fashion, where flowers feature prom-inently from one year to the other in Chanel’s and Valentino’s collections, for example. In fashion, one of the key character-istics of the flower theme is radiant color, which imitates the natural splendor of gardens.

“Colors are an excellent way of expressing your feelings and personal style. They highlight features and draw attention to details. I like to play with contrasts and complementary colors. The combination of bright and earthy colors is what makes the end results so interesting. If no fresh flowers are available, wilted flowers can also be used to create beautiful arrangements.”

According to Väinölä, the best way to make a flower ar-rangement thrive in a vase for as long as possible is to remove the leaves from the stems, as they easily wilt, and to change the water every day. It is also a good idea to cut the stem a little every day, to help the flower absorb water. •

”Armi Ratia, the founder of Marimekko, once said that you should always have fresh flowers at home. ”

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YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2016 Laura Väinölä is particularly known for her flow-er styling brand, Flora & Laura. She is also the Creative Director of the Duotone creative house specializing in design, photog-raphy and video productions, and the Brand Director of Pre Helsinki, a platform promoting Finnish design exports.

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Colors reveal a lot about people. Young Designer of the Year Laura Väinölä reveals the color of her memories and dreams.

FOR THE LOVE OF COLORS

What is your first memory of color?My black winter outfit with red details. Back then, children were not dressed in black. I remember being proud of my outfit, which the older children found cool. Have your favorite colors always re-mained the same?Off-white and toma-to red are my all-time favorites, but I keep having new infatuations that change faster. I’m very color-oriented and like creating new combinations.

What is your favorite color now? Why?Right now I favor slightly toned light blue, bright orange and moss green. I’m interested in the combination of bright and earthy colors, as combining colors whose shades or tones are too close to each other feels like an easy and boring option. There must be contrasts.

What color symbolizes happiness to you?Blue, at the moment. I associate blue with things like the horizon, holidays, summer days, James Turell’s installations and indigo dyed cloth.

If you had to sur-round yourself with one color only for the rest of your life, what color would that be?Off-white.

You use a lot of flowers and plants in your works. What does green mean to you?Green means life. I love all shades of green. Na-ture is most interesting in the spring when you can see different greens in needles and leaves at different stages of development.

What was the color of the paint you used the most recently? What did you paint?I painted my book-shelves with sand color. My next painting project will be the ceiling of my alcove. The main color will be blueish gray.

What color do you dream of?I have started to dream of chocolate brown, for the first time in my life. Brown works the best with bright colors, white and a dash of black. The Céline fash-ion brand, for example, has used brown very beautifully.

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Documents

Color Now 2017 in English