Scan Magazine | Special Theme | This is Finland: Innovative Finnish Design 2019
Made to last
By Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit | Photos: Palma & Hippa
Palma & Hippa is a Finnish furniture business that effectively combines streamlined Scandinavian modernity with an outward, international view on sustainability in its design. The company’s concept of being grounded in the present while looking to the future is well illustrated by the firm’s name, inspired by the Finnish words for grandchild (Hilma) and grandparent (Papa). As business founder and owner Olli Hyvärinen explains, the furniture design captures both aspects: “A grandparent brings steadiness and life experience to a design,” he says, “but Hilma, a grandchild, brings the elements of play and innovation. The furniture is, therefore, durable and timeless while also being completely recyclable.” From the very beginning, Hyvärinen was inspired by the timelessness and beauty of nature, and aims to bring nature into the furniture’s designs. “I have 30 years’ experience as an engineer, and have worked all over the world,” he explains. “But my true inspiration has come from Keuruu, in cen-
tral Finland, where nature is beautiful and timeless, yet wild and untamed.” The resulting furniture is sleek and functional, featuring waxed wood and bright, natural colours, while useful addons such as a built-in lamp in a side table maximise the furniture’s utility. “My aim
A health boost from Lapland Lapland’s extreme environment makes it home to some of the world’s most pure and powerful herbs. These arctic superfoods have been used to cure diseases and to boost energy and immunity, but their powers have remained mostly unknown – that is, until Arctic Warriors decided to do something about it. “In the summer, the herbs are exposed to constant daylight, while the winters here are incredibly harsh and tough – yet the plants survive all of this,” explains Tuija Kauppinen, one of the founders of Arctic Warriors. The traditional knowledge of the benefits of these powerful plants has been backed by research, finding that the northern plants are much more nutritious than their southern counterparts. Arctic Warriors uses Angelica archangelica, Rhodiola rosea, nettle, spruce sprout, wild blueberries and lingonberries in their products. “We wanted to make it easy for people to reap the benefits of these fantastic plants, so we created 100 per cent natural herb shots and powders in order to get the most from them. The shots and powders can, for example, be 28 | Issue 118 | November 2018
mixed into tea, yoghurt, smoothies or ice creams,” suggests Kauppinen. The products are an all-natural way to help with everything from colds to a lack of energy to stress, and are a great way to get an added nutritional boost to your day, directly from the Arctic. Arctic Warriors has remained local, and its whole production takes places on a small farm in the village of Narkaus near Rovaniemi, Finland. “Our aim has always been to create something Photos: Arctic Warriors
is to create furniture that I myself would use in my own home, or that I know my friends would enjoy and get a lot of use out of,” says Hyvärinen. The result has a very Scandinavian feel: a clever mix of grounded functionality and forward-thinking innovation. Web: www.palmahippa.fi Instagram: @palmahippa
By Josefine Older Steffensen
sustainable, that uses local knowledge and local products to achieve the most for our customers,” concludes Kauppinen. Web: www.arcticwarriors.fi Facebook: arcticwarriorsproducts Instagram: @arcticwarriors Twitter: @arcticwarriors
Spruce sprout latte recipe for two: 500 ml warm (oat) milk, 2 tsp KERKKÄ Spruce Sprout Powder, 2-3 tsp honey. Mix it all together; for a creamy foam, mix in a blender. Photo: Hanna Hurtta