Expert Recs: Finarte’s Larissa Immonen Shares Her Favorite Products for a Finnish-Inspired Home

Helsinki-based Larissa Immonen of Finarte tells me that "a lot of people associate Finnish design as minimalistic, architecture-inspired, wood- and nature-oriented, and functional," but that there are unsuspecting "odd and quirky" elements to the cultural aesthetic as well. For Immonen, she can’t help but lean into the unorthodox as the second-generation CEO of the innovative and wildly vibrant Finnish design rug company that she took over from her parents in 2014 (the company was originally founded in 1985). "A lot of people who visit my home, they're always like, ‘This looks like Finarte, this looks like you’—it’s very colorful by at least Finnish standards."

The rugs that Finarte releases—which are all sustainably-made and handwoven by artisans in India, and can take up to five months to complete—are downright weird, abstract, and experimental, likely because Immonen collaborates with Finnish designers who all bring forth an avante-garde point of view that challenge the stark minimalism of the Nordic country. In comparison to the design landscape in America—primarily the coastal-leaning, Instagram-influenced, cosmopolitan Millennial aesthetic—the rugs that come from Finarte are several steps ahead. There are rugs vaguely shaped like non symmetrical flowers or amoebas, rugs that have seemingly discordant color blocks but still look harmonious, and rugs that straight-up look like a child’s board game. These rugs wouldn’t look displaced on a specific kind of Pinterest board but they’re also distinctly devoid of falling into a particular design trap: Let’s just say you won’t find any checkerboard print rugs in the Finarte arsenal. 

"What's special about Finland is the rawness that comes from our nature and weather, the darkness and everything," Immonen says. "You need more warm colors and patterns—Finnish design has this certain boldness because we’re a fierce force of nature."

When it comes to Immonen’s favorite pieces for the home, she’s particularly drawn to things that satisfy both her low-frill Finnish sensibility and her wild and outside-the-box design mentality. She’s partial to natural Finnish textures like wood, clay, and woolens but she’s also quick to reveal that her apartment is furnished with antique Indian furniture, rugs, cushions, and textiles. India is a place that continues to inspire her, and not only because her production is tied to the country—she’s also lived in India for several years as a teenager—and she finds that her aesthetic as an adult "has this little bit of spicy that comes from all our years spent there. It’s really magical how things happened."

No doubt, she also loves to suggest rugs for the home, and lots of them. "I always recommend using your intuition and what speaks to you [when it comes to selecting a rug] because you're the one who's living in your home," she says regarding what tips she has for people who are looking to invest in a statement rug. There’s also the matter of upkeep which should be taken into consideration—Immonen says she vacuums her rugs on low power once a week. To get rid of stains, she says gently spot cleaning with mild detergent is the way to go—"For wool, it’s best to not wash it as long as possible because it has natural oils that keep it staying resistant," she says. And, perhaps the best trick of all (especially for people living in climates where winter does occur), Immonen says to not miss out on using snow as nature’s secret fresher: "Rub clean snow on your rugs; it’s a great way to freshen it up without taking it to a cleaner."

"At my island summer house, I like to keep things as natural as possible. This solid wood composite washbasin fits in the landscape perfectly. Woodio is one of the most interesting new innovations in the bathing industry with its ecological design approach. Would also love their new bathtub for my city home if only I could fit it in!" 

"The hand-tufted Oasis wool rug from Finarte’s new Blending collection is my favorite as it really takes thoughts to fantasy lands and awakens your senses. The designer of the rug, Minni Havas, has a great talent for creating interesting alternative universes. I also love the philosophical idea of the Blending collection: fewer confrontations, more blending."

"The rugs and wall hangings of the Heritage Collection are all unique pieces from my mother’s weaving mill in Finland. My mother, Eija Rasinmäki, is known as the pioneer of renewing the Finnish rag rug tradition and these items hold a very dear spot in my heart. The bold and colorful wall hangings are vintage pieces from the 1980s that we found on one field trip to the mill." 

"After living in India during my teenage years, I find myself longing for the colors and spiciness [of India] in my home in Helsinki. Handmade Jaipur quilts cure a bit of the missing with their beautiful patterns and joyful motifs."

‘The Oiva teapot embodies the most inherent things of Finnish lifestyle: functionality with simple, yet so intuitive design. I also admire Marimekko’s design philosophy and their bright, colorful patterns albeit this one is from their more simplistic side." 

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