Printed textiles “can create a space” says Marimekko creative director

Daring colours and prints can boost interiors in the same way as architectural aspects, argues Rebekka Bay of life style brand name Marimekko in this interview.

Bay was appointed artistic director of the Finnish style and design firm in 2020 getting formerly held major roles at fashion models including Everlane, Cos and Uniqlo.

Established in 1951, Marimekko is known for its vibrant and daring prints that are applied to clothing, ceramics and homeware.

Portrait of Rebekka Bay, creative director of lifestyle brand Marimekko
Bay talked to Dezeen about how printed textiles can add spatial style and design to interiors. Image courtesy of Marimekko

Extra than just decorative pieces, Bay thinks Marimekko’s patterned surfaces can be utilised as characteristics to determine and generate interior spaces.

“Typically printed textiles are bewildered with this plan of just remaining like a drape or a tablecloth, but really when we build printed textiles at Marimekko we see them as architectural elements, something that can also include spatial design or architectural things to your residence,” she informed Dezeen.

“They are not just an accent, but basically anything that can build a place.”

Bastua printed tablecloth on a table with dishes
Marimekko collaborated with IKEA on a homeware collection educated by wellbeing

In the wake of coronavirus lockdowns, the ability of vibrant prints to strengthen wellbeing and joy in the home has develop into more and more valuable, Bay extra.

“The function of the house is increasingly significant for the reason that we have all been compelled to relate to what our home setting is and how it supports our wellbeing,” she explained.

“There is a renewed knowing of the great importance of creating a property environment that will permit you to both relaxation and re-energise.”

“Remaining surrounded by bold elegance is anything that evokes joy or optimism,” Bay continued.

Circular wooden table with a red tabletop with a leaf print
References to Marimekko’s and IKEA’s Nordic heritage are noticed all through their collaboration

Picking up on this development, Marimekko recently collaborated with Swedish furniture retailer IKEA to create a homeware collection named Bastua, which contains home furnishings, glassware and textiles knowledgeable by nature and the self-care rituals of the Nordic sauna.

Drawing on the brands’ Nordic heritage, the Bastua assortment functions realistic household objects designed from wood and glass.

Bay explained the collaboration aimed to aim on circularity and longevity.

“What we share each at Marimekko and IKEA is that in the style and design system, we are concerned with how to design and style for circularity, how to structure for longevity, how to design and style objects of timeless benefit and also multi-use objects,” she explained.

“Our intent in this collaboration was to design and style objects that will have this timeless benefit, both in phrases of the layout but also in phrases of product.”

“We have labored in really truthful normal components with glass and wood and other elements that make improvements to in excess of time and also focused on how the products can be either recycled or upcycled.”

Kitchen counter with a rhubarb tray displayed on top
The rhubarb leaf is a recurring motif in the Bastua collection

Marimekko produced brand new prints for the Bastua assortment, like a substantial rhubarb-leaf design and style that references the vegetation often discovered expanding beside sauna properties in Finland.

This print was utilized to bath robes, seat cushions, shower curtains, trays and the iconic IKEA provider bag.

“Functionalism and pragmatism joins this thought of celebrating day to day objects, which is really significantly a product of Marimekko’s mission – to bring joy to people’s each day life,” said Bay.

“I think for Nordic designers, we have solid style traditions in building extremely wonderful but pretty practical, democratic style and design.”

Wooden sauna seat with blue and green patterned towels
Bay thinks daring, vibrant prints can increase joy to the property

In addition, she emphasised a wish to inject an element of humour into the types.

“At occasions it truly is pretty delicate and very serious, but I consider what is distinctive to each Marimekko and IKEA is this intent also to provide a smile or a wink,” she ongoing.

“There is certainly a little something outside the house of the seriousness, seeking to build certainly substantial-high quality, timeless style and design but also seeking to carry this little wink.”

Two people wearing blue and green printed bathrobes holding up large leaves
Bay enjoys generating collections that “provide a smile or a wink”

Marimekko has accrued a big portfolio of prints over its 7 many years of creation and however reproduces archive patterns.

The brand’s historic prints are employed to notify new print layouts that it hopes will resonate with present day buyers.

“I believe there is certainly generally this risk if you only glance back again that you stop up getting self-referential, or you stop up staying an archive or a museum piece,” mentioned Bay.

“I would despise to produce something of only museum price and not develop a proposal for the foreseeable future,” she added.

“There is this constantly seeking back in buy to search ahead, usually understanding what has resonated, what has broad relevance and then see if we can reposition or refocus that.”

Other tasks recognisable for their daring textile layouts that have been showcased on Dezeen consist of a selection of upholstery materials educated by Iranian tradition and an exhibition that celebrates a 1940s print by utilizing it to address walls and seating.

The images is courtesy of Inter IKEA Techniques BV unless if not stated.

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