You will not find a trace of that well-known Nordic minimalism here. The design and lifestyle brand Klaus Haapaniemi takes a different – but wildly successful – track to communicate Finnish design traditions and heritage to the world. Hand-printed textiles with animal and floral motifs grace the brand’s luxurious collection of cushions, woven throws, handmade rugs, and accessories including a silk pajamas and a dressing gown.
Klaus Haapaniemi was founded in 2010 by the designer himself and Mia Wallenius, and instead of the subtle colours, clean lines, and details that usually ID a piece of Nordic design, their jewel-toned and ornate collections celebrate a ‘more is more’ approach to expressing scenes from Finnish folklore and traditional decorative arts. The brand has collaborations with Iittala, Marimekko, and Nikari, and recently made their set design debut with a project making the set and costumes for the Finnish National Opera’s production of Cunning Little Vixen.