Not since the 1960’s, when Americans were lounging around in Verner Panton chairs and Marimekko dresses, has the voice of designers in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden been so prominent internationally.

An exhibit at Scandinavia House in New York, “Nordic Models + Common Ground: Art and Design Unfolded,” presents a small, intriguing selection of these artworks and design projects.

from Planet-mag.com

Sometimes I think IKEA is the end of Scandinavian Design.  If you visit the store you’ll find a number of incredibly beautiful things that were inspired by high-design (and higher-priced) Scandinavian Design originals, which make me less inclined to think about the originals anymore.

Then I walked into the Marimekko store on Madison Avenue and was jolted out of my apathy.  Their textiles, which are intended for both dressmaking and decorating, are really one of a kind.  Not even Lily Pulitzer prints have the same dense colors and happily kooky graphics.  They’re appealing and eccentric; pretty but not precious.  For a minute there I though about giving up my little black dress, and living out the rest of my days in Marimekko tunics.