Style Pigeon: More of Klaus Haapaniemi

In my last post I didn't really present the Finnish illustrator Klaus Haapaniemi so now here I will do it. For the first time I got to know him in 2007 when he illustrated ceramic collection Taika for Arabia, the Finnish dinner ware company. (Arabia is an old, famous ceramic factory in Finland that started to create dinner ware for Finnish households already back in 1873.)

In 2007 Taika was something new as the illustration was so fabulous and not anything like the typical minimalism that describes the Finnish design in general. It was very well welcomed and today if you pass by Helsinki airport inside the tax free area you can find cafeteria that serves the coffees in these Klaus Haapaniemi Taika-mugs. When we were enjoying the last coffee before our return flight to Barcelona my boyfriend wanted to rob a mug, but as I was with him I strongly forbidded it. Gosh!

In 2010 Klaus Haapaniemi has founded a design studio with Mia Wallenius and as they describes it "Their design approach is influenced by nature, Finnish folklore, fantasy and traditional decorative arts with modern twist." In their web shop there is plenty, plenty of textile items shawls, pillows, rugs etc. to purchase.

Taika, Arabia; illustration Klaus Haapaniemi; form Heikki Orvola

Korento, Arabia; illustration Klaus Haapaniemi; form Heikki Orvola. In summer I found this on sale at the airport of Helsinki and as I tried to be reasonable I didn't buy it, a fact I regret now.