Beauty in the everyday
Helsinki Remade – bold Art Nouveau motifs on vintage textiles.
Helsinki Remade is a collection of hand-printed vintage textiles inspired by relief patterns found in Helsinki Art Nouveau Architecture. These one-of-a-kind upcycled linens merge contemporary living with Finnish traditions. The graphics celebrate the beauty of architectural details we forget to notice in our day-to-day living. The textiles are hand-selected, individually numbered and signed.
Each textile embodies the unique history of a previous life in a home or cottage – where signs of age and use are marks of beauty. It’s a collection of old things made new, each with its own story and design.
Above: One-of-a-kind upcycled linens merge contemporary living with tradition. Each textile embodies the unique history of a home or cottage. A collection of old things made new, each with its own story and design. Signs of age and use become marks of beauty.
A fusion between old and new.
“I’m interested in everyday life. This project takes a piece of the past and applies it in a contemporary way – making a fusion between old and new,” says Salonen. “Before designing the prints, I took photos of hundreds of details of the Art Nouveau architecture around Helsinki. Then I searched the archives at the Finnish Architectural Museum, and the original sketch books of renowned Finnish architects active at the time: Saarinen, Lindgren and Gesellius.”
Above: Fredrikinkatu 18. Architect: Herman Gesellius, Eliel Saarinen, built 1907
Above: I searched the archives at the Finnish Architectural Museum and the original sketchbooks of renowned Finnish architects active at the time: Saarinen, Lindgren, Gesellius, and Brunila. On left is a sketch from 1902 from Gesellius, Lindgren, Saarinen.
Depletion of natural resources.
As a product designer, Salonen thinks about sustainability and the relationship between creating new products and depleting the worlds’ natural resources. Helsinki Remade takes something old and creates a new life for it. Salonen comments, “Many of the vintage linens are hand-woven with details like hand-embroidered monograms, lace or crochet edging. You just can’t find new linens of this caliber or character anymore!” Salonen adds, “With Helsinki Remade I’m hoping to modernize vintage linens – get them out of our grandmother’s chests. Now when you use linens, they bring back all kinds of special memories, and make new ones!”
Helsinki Remade has been featured in a number of books and publications, and exhibited in Finland, New York, and at Cheongju International Craft Biennale in Korea.
Above: Helsinki Remade poster designed to promote the collection and to be used as wrapping paper.
Above left: hand monogram details featured on the vintage textiles makes each one-of-a-kind. Above right: Helsinki Remade textiles are numbered and signed for authenticity.
Above: Helsinki Remade Fine Art Prints.
Shop Helsinki Remade Collection here.