nordic
-
Discovering Alvar Aalto: The Finnish architect who designed for people
Growing up in Finland, I didn’t realise how much Aalto had shaped the places around me until I left home. Alvar and Aino’s work was never introduced to me as something extraordinary. It simply existed. Libraries filled with soft daylight. Wooden handrails worn smooth by thousands of hands. Stools that had quietly outlived generations of furniture trends. Even the iconic Savoy vase often held wildflowers rather than sitting behind museum glass. Living in Denmark, I found myself drawn to many of the same qualities. Scandinavian design rarely tries to be the loudest object in the room. Instead, it does something much more difficult: it makes people feel comfortable. I don’t…
-
Tove Jansson: The woman who shaped my childhood
If you grow up in Finland, it’s almost impossible to avoid the Moomins. They’re everywhere. On coffee mugs. In gift shops. On television screens. In bookshops. At family dinner tables. For as long as I can remember, the Moomins have simply been part of life. Growing up, my mum would read the stories to me before bed. I don’t remember every adventure or every plot twist, but I remember how those books made me feel. Safe. Curious. Comforted. The Moomins weren’t just children’s stories. They felt like a place I could escape to. As a child, I loved the characters. As an adult, I’ve become fascinated by the woman who…
-
Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden: A Hidden Green Oasis
Just a few minutes from Nørreport Station, you’ll find one of Copenhagen’s most magical and peaceful escapes: Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have). It feels like stepping into another world. The city noise fades away, replaced by the rustling of leaves, the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle warmth of tropical greenhouses. It is a place where you can breathe, explore, and reconnect with nature. Spread across ten hectares of winding paths, tranquil lakes, and home to more than 13,000 plant species. This lush urban retreat is much more than just a park. It’s a living snapshot of the world’s plant life, a haven of peace, and one of the city’s…
-
A Love Letter to Glyptoteket in Copenhagen
Some museums impress you with what hangs on their walls. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek captivates you before you’ve even looked at a single artwork. From the moment you arrive at Dantes Plads, there’s a quiet sense that this isn’t going to be an ordinary museum visit. The red-brick façade rises with understated elegance, almost hiding in plain sight between Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen’s bustling city centre. It doesn’t compete for attention. It simply waits to be discovered. Step inside and the pace of the city begins to fade. The sounds of traffic give way to the gentle echo of footsteps on marble, daylight spills through grand windows, and every doorway…
You May Also Like
Copenhagen museums: The best places to experience Danish creativity
-
Copenhagen museums: The best places to experience Danish creativity
Copenhagen is a city built on creativity. From its colourful harbour fronts and historic streets to its world-famous architecture and innovative design scene, Denmark’s capital has always celebrated the connection between beauty, function, and storytelling. What makes Copenhagen’s museum scene so special is its incredible diversity. Within the city, you can discover everything from royal treasures and Viking history to Danish Golden Age paintings, contemporary installations, and groundbreaking design. But Copenhagen’s cultural landscape extends far beyond the city centre. Along the coast, surrounded by forests, beaches, and open landscapes, you’ll find some of Denmark’s most inspiring museums. Places where art and architecture become part of nature itself. For design enthusiasts,…
