Take Five - October
Healing architecture, a stylish PC, a feast for the eyes in London and for the body in Helsinki, plus some shameless self-promotion.
1. Paimio Sanatorium. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of spending a week at Paimio Sanatorium in Southern Finland, just outside the town of Turku. I attended the Spirit of Paimio conference for work - a very pleasant assignment. If you ever find yourself in this area, a visit is a must. It’s is a journey into modernist design history and a lesson in healing architecture. Almost a century after completion, Alvar and Aino Aalto’s architectural masterpiece, a former tuberculosis hospital now being converted into a cultural and educational centre and, hopefully later, a retreat hotel, continues to inspire. When here, make sure to pop into their store and stock up on Finnish design – it’s a great place for presents or treats to yourself. Paimio Sanatorium’s own soap, developed in collaboration with Finnish brand Hetkinen, is a favourite, capturing the essence of its healing spirit in the form of scents from the surrounding pine forests. Alvar Aallon tie 275, Paimio
2. ASUS Zenbook. The Taiwanese tech company ASUS’s latest Zenbook laptop merges design and innovation in a beautiful way. It’s made of Ceraluminum, a new material innovation developed by the company, which uses a ceramization process that turns aluminum into a new material that’s lighter than steel, yet tougher than ceramic. It’s a scratch-resistant material in a range of natural colours from white to different shades of grey and all the way to black. With its sleek design and smooth, luxurious feel, it’s a tempting option even for someone like me who has long been loyal to my MacBook. This might just be enough to sway us Mac enthusiasts to explore the other side.
3. Bouchon Carême. Bouchon Carême brings a chic, Parisian-inspired bistro vibe to Helsinki’s culinary scene, courtesy of the talented team at local design agency FYRA. On a recent visit, the space was packed even on a Tuesday night. The menu is crafted by award-winning Finnish chef Hans Välimäki. Come here for excellent grilled meat, served with your choice of sauce – red wine, pepper or perhaps a classic herb butter? Bouchon Carême, Aleksanterinkatu 13, Helsinki
4. Fragile Beauty. The Fragile Beauty exhibition at the V&A in London is an impressive visual journey, showcasing some of the most iconic photographs that explore themes of vulnerability and elegance. Each room pulls you in with images you’ve seen in magazines or online – but here, you’ll get to see the real deal. It’s a show that demands time and attention, impossible to rush through. Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, V&A South Kensington, until Jan 5, 2025
5. Konfekt Korner. Have you discovered this podcast from the editors of the stylish Konfekt magazine? Konfekt Korner is a lovely, monthly escape to the world of fashion, craft, food, travel, and much more, resembling those great conversations at a really nice dinner party. Each episode features insightful conversations and stories, and this month, there’s a contribution from me in the form of an audio essay on the joys and challenges of small talk. Spoiler: turns out it’s very good for you.
