THE GUEST BLOG/ At my daughter´s

Inspired by my mother’s display of the country house in this blog of hers, I was pleased to accept her invitation to guest blog and give you a glance at how I live in the city. Country and city living are two very different worlds. Yet I have caught my eye on some very same pieces of furniture, which have found their way in the country house as well. Some are inherited through one or even four generations, and those items I cherish. Not that I were particularly fond of antiques. I adore pure functionalism and the classic shapes of Bauhaus design, the simplicity and industrial feeling of furniture created of tubular steel. One reason why I was taken by the building was the idea how well such furniture would suit there. However, when I stood in the empty rooms and planned the decor, imagined how it would look, it didn’t feel right to obey the style religiously. The modern design has its roots in the early 20th century. I found it more fun to try mixing ”old” and new modern design with the inherited items so that they would blend seamlessly. Luckily my mother has such a great eye for style, she gave my some very good suggestions along the way. The large mirror in the hall opposite the entrance was the first idea she had after seeing the apartment.

One of the statement pieces I decided to invest in is the fiberglass table ”Parabel”, a recent design by Eero Aarnio, whose most famous work is probably the Ball chair from the1960s. The large suspension lamps are designed for Kartell by Philippe Starck. The “Atollo” table lamps in the lounge and bed room share a similar shape, but they were designed by Vico Magistretti already back in 1977. The lamp beside the divan is by Alvar Aalto from circa 1930s, and belonged to my grandmother. The divan itself was a hand-me-down from my mother and the art deco inspired wooden chairs belonged to my great grandparents; I modernized them with a white cover to match the white sofa. Another inherited antique furniture is the dresser in the bed room, painted white. The steel and glass tables in the bedroom by Eileen Grey and the side table/ chair by Alvar Aalto in the entrance hall and living room are reminders of the pure functionalism, as both were designed in the same era as the house. The serving trolley by Antonio Citterio is a modern version of the similar style. By the way, the shoe rack by the entrance is actually a TV table but I liked the shape which echoes the rest of the apartment.

- M