Artek Celebrates 90th Anniversary by Reintroducing Gems from the Archive

As part of Artek’s 90th anniversary in 2025, the iconic brand is reintroducing a selection of designs to honour its co-founders Aino and Alvar Aalto. These beloved pieces from the archive — both festive form and function — have been out of production for decades and are now returning to the Artek collection as limited anniversary editions or standard products.

Gems from the Archive includes Screen 100 in a wider range of heights to accommodate modern living, the return of Cabinet 250 to Artek’s standard collection, and two special limited editions of Stool X602 featuring the “X-leg”— one of Alvar Aalto’s most significant later innovations.

Screen 100 is the most architectural of Alvar Aalto’s designs — a room divider with a soft, undulating form inspired by the organic wave motif seen in many Aalto buildings. Now available in four heights — 100, 130, 150, and 180 cm — Screen 100 meets the needs of contemporary interiors, bringing both structure and sculptural elegance to a variety of spaces.

Beyond dividing rooms, Screen 100 can shield or conceal areas, create an inviting backdrop for seating, serve as an informal coat stand, or even provide an elegant, easy-to-install background for video calls — reflecting the evolving needs of the home.

Light and well-proportioned, the screen can be rolled up for storage and shaped to suit the space. It is crafted from Finnish pinewood, rather than the birchwood typically associated with Aalto furniture. Pine is a soft wood that grows throughout Finland, with a bold character that deepens into a rich patina as it ages gracefully.

Often referred to as the “cocktail cabinet,” Cabinet 250 rejoins the standard Artek collection following the success of a limited edition from the Artek + Moomin collection earlier in 2025. Simple in form and celebratory in function, its understated beauty makes it a stand-alone centrepiece for living and dining spaces, perfect for housing special tableware and refreshments.

While Cabinet 250 is credited to Alvar Aalto because of its L-leg, archival documents reveal that Aino Aalto first attached a cabinet body to this design. Its compact size and well-proportioned interior make it a practical storage unit for everyday items such as bed linen and clothing, reflecting Aino’s belief that no object or function is undeserving of aesthetic beauty.

Two special limited editions of Stool X602 celebrate ninety years of Artek, highlighting one of Alvar Aalto’s most refined innovations: the fan-shaped “X-leg.” First presented at the 1954 Konstruktiv Form exhibition at Stockholm’s Nordiska Kompaniet, the X-leg is a sculptural evolution of Aalto’s iconic L-leg. The hexagonal seat features a “curly birch” veneer applied with marquetry—a rare Finnish silver birch with wavy, irregular rings that create a fiery, richly textured pattern.

The stool is offered in two models: one fully honey-stained, the other with a honey-stained seat and natural lacquered legs, emphasizing the X-leg’s sculptural form. Each model is limited to ninety individually numbered pieces, making them unique collector’s items.

All pieces are crafted in Finland and will be available from 15 October 2025.

Photography by Joachim Wichmann, © Artek

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Kent Avenue Penthouse by Norm Architects

Designed by Norm Architects, the Kent Avenue penthouse is a one-of-a-kind residence nestled along the Brooklyn waterfront, overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline. Here, New York’s industrial vibe meets soft minimalism and tactile materials, creating an urban retreat above the bustling city. The open plan solution has been preserved and thoughtfully layered to define different zones, while a sunken terrace invites relaxation with its plunge pool and exquisite views.

Spanning approximately 350 square metres, the penthouse occupies the entire top floor of a grand building along the East River and is divided into two distinct living spaces—one designed for the privacy of the family, and the other a fully equipped guest house.

The residence seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with tactile materials, creating an atmosphere of both intimacy and spaciousness. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the river and Manhattan skyline, as well as the lush greenery that envelops the expansive terrace, blurring the line between indoors and out.

Inside, a serene interior balances the vibrant exterior views, while soft, plush textiles create warmth and tactility. The design blends organic shapes with clean lines, resulting in a space that feels both soothing and stimulating.

An in-built fireplace framed by elegant Carrara marble adds a touch of luxury, while discreet hidden doors open to reveal a private TV lounge, maintaining a clean and tranquil aesthetic. 

In the hallway a skylight floods the narrow space with natural light, creating an open and airy atmosphere.

A bespoke kitchen crafted by Vipp features a sleek black exterior with a natural oak core, blending style and functionality. The steel benchtop adds a refined, modern touch, while the folding fronts seamlessly tuck away to optimise space and enhance versatility within the kitchen.

Situated between the kitchen-dining area and living room, a grand bookcase with a perforated steel back invites natural light to permeate the space, preserving the connection between zones while defining their distinct purposes. This multifunctional bookcase also displays personal family treasures, adding character to the minimalist design.

Transitioning from the kitchen area, a door opens to reveal the adult suite, encompassing an office, bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walkway, framing serene views of the terrace greenery, with the graceful drape of sheer curtains adding a gentle layer to the streamlined materials.

The bedroom features a wooden bedframe with a headboard that extends to the ceiling, creating an intimate alcove within the airy, open space. Thoughtfully crafted, it serves a dual purpose as a closet on the reverse side, seamlessly merging function with style. The natural wood draws inspiration from the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between the interior and the surrounding greenery. This connection to nature brings warmth and tranquility, softening the modern design while fostering a deep sense of well-being and relaxation – transforming the room into a serene retreat.

The bathroom is crafted entirely from large grey stone slabs, with elegant silver fixtures that enhance the cool, modern aesthetic. In contrast to the warm wooden tones of the bedroom, the sharp lines of the stone create a bold, minimalist look. Soft curtains, consistent with the rest of the house, introduce a tactile element, casting beautiful shadows from the surrounding trees and greenery. Cleverly hidden storage adds to the clean, streamlined design.

The guest unit is cosy yet spacious. Here, a bespoke steel and wood kitchen is accented with elegant butterfly details, blending modern design with subtle craftsmanship.

There is also a living room, tranquil bedroom, a small office nook, bathroom, and toilet. Designed with the same elegant style as the main apartment, each detail—from the soft colour palette to the clean lines—ensures a harmonious and cohesive flow that feels effortlessly luxurious.

A serene haven where urban life meets tranquil living, the Kent Avenue Penthouse is impeccably designed and thoughtfully curated to cultivate a sense of unity and calm—a perfect blend of urban energy and quiet retreat.

Credits 

Norm Architects: Architect & Partner, Peter Eland / Architect, Hedda Klar 

Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

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Ashley Botten Design Revives a Historic Toronto Home

Founded in Toronto by Ashley Botten, abd is renowned for its experiential interiors, outdoor environments, and artful accessories and furniture. The studio showcases a deeply refined appreciation for quality and artistry, employing a unique curated approach. This is evident in Uptown Georgian, an interior renovation that seamlessly infuses heritage architecture with modern living.

Home to a family of six, this Georgian-style residence in Toronto was recently expanded to include an extended kitchen and a primary bedroom with an ensuite bath on the second floor. The clients wanted to preserve original details, such as elegant crown molding, Cremone bolts, and French doors, while introducing a new layer of contemporary expression. With four grown children and two dogs, they also needed the house to be easy to live in and maintain.

The interior emphasises the experience of space and features an earthy palette of white and brown marble, grey limestone, raw copper, and the quiet softness of smoked white oak on the floors and built-in cabinetry. Abd paid close attention to blending its custom furniture designs with new additions and the clients' existing pieces. In the dining area, the family's vintage Eero Saarinen tulip chairs are now paired with a complementary oval dining table by Yabu Pushelberg. In the living room, an abd-designed limestone mantelpiece echoes the geometry of the room's traditional door casings and moldings.

One of the boldest expressions of old meeting new is in the deep entryway leading from the formal front rooms to the newly expanded kitchen and adjoining family room. This unique transitional space is now clad in live copper on all sides, with a slightly protruding edge providing a minimalist framework.

On the second floor, the warm palette continues in the primary bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom, and office. The finishing details are subtle, quietly woven into the visual rhythm of the house. Rather than matching hardware, door pulls, knobs, and hinges are a mix of shapes and warm metals. Abd's own T-bar in polished brass features on one set of dresser drawers, contrasting with the linear finger pulls chosen for another custom sideboard. This intentional inconsistency gives the home a timeless ambiance that transcends trends. The aim is for every element of the house to be enjoyed in the present and also last a lifetime.

Credits

Design: Ashley Botten Design

Design team: Ashley Botten, Quinn Baleja

Builder: Severn Woods

Photography: Patrick Biller

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