A Designer Who Thrived in the Serenity of Lapland
In the early 1960s, Lisa Ponti, an Italian artist and journalist, who was the daughter of the designer Gio Ponti, paid a visit to the vacation home of her friends Tapio Wirkkala and Rut Bryk. This was no small journey. Her hosts, married designers based in Helsinki, summered with their children, Sami and Maaria, in the northernmost part of Finnish Lapland.
The property lacked plumbing, electricity and even road access. The approach at that time was by boat in summer and by a sled pulled by reindeer over a frozen lake in winter. If the climate 165 miles above the Arctic Circle turned out to be colder than expected, visitors could hardly drop by a department store and pick up a sweater. But Maaria Wirkkala, an artist, who is now 71, recalled that when her father saw the contents of Ms. Ponti's bags, he pointed to item after item with the refrain, 'Not necessary … not necessary.' Clockwise from upper left: original farmhouse, known as the "Old House"; bed built by Mr. Wirkkala; view from the Old House; and interior of the "Big House" that was added to the property. Credit... Rauno Traskelin
His love of extremity is a theme of 'Tapio Wirkkala: The Sculptor of Ultima Thule,' an exhibition of 300 of his works that opens April 5 at the Tokyo Station Gallery, before traveling to other sites in Japan. Placing the designer in the context of the remote northern region that bewitched him, the show marks the 110th anniversary of his birth and the 40th anniversary of his death.
Its title refers to two of Mr. Wirkkala's best-known creations — glassware called Ultima Thule that seems to drip with icicles (released in 1968, it continues to be produced by the Finnish company Iittala), and a 30-foot-long carved wood sculpture also called Ultima Thule, a name that has referred since antiquity to remote northern lands. That art piece, which was made for the Finnish pavilion at Expo '67 in Montreal, represents nature swirling and gouging the earth. Image Mr. Wirkkala at the Old House. A sleigh is propped up next to him. Credit... Maaria Wirkkala
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Man Thrifts Coffee Table From Facebook Marketplace—Then Learns Its Value
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man scored a designer coffee table worth up to $8,250 for just $120 on Facebook Marketplace, and the internet is obsessed. Tyler Wallis (u/tlrwlls), 33, from Fayetteville, Arkansas, is an avid thrifter who spends his spare time browsing flea markets, thrift stores, and online resale platforms. On April 22, his efforts paid off when he stumbled across what he described as the "conversation piece" of his dreams—a unique glass flower-shaped coffee table. "I had been wanting to replace my current coffee table I had for a while but hadn't seen anything I liked yet, so I was beyond excited when I scrolled past it," Wallis told Newsweek. "I would call my decor style 'curated-eclectic with a slight mid-century modern influence,' so the unique flower shape of the table top instantly attracted me. I always joke that every piece should be a conversation piece, and that's exactly what this table is!" The post of his interesting new piece taking center stage above a cow-print rug in his living room garnered 11,000 upvotes in the subreddit "Thrift Store Hauls." Wallis, who works as a restaurant server while studying to become a registered dietitian, said his passion for interior decorating began early. He explained he had always been interested in decorating and grew up going thrifting with his older brother on the weekends. These days, he visits local thrift stores once or twice a week and rotates through flea markets every couple of weeks. He estimated that about 85 percent of his home decor is secondhand. The table was listed for $120 and located about 45 minutes from his home. Though he typically tries not to spend over $100 on any one item, Wallis sent the listing to six friends to get their opinion. The verdict? Everyone agreed he needed to get it. There was only one photo in the listing, so Wallis did a reverse image search to get a better look—and what he found shocked him. The table, it turned out, was designed by Italian furniture company Cattelan Italia in the 1990s and was listed on auction sites for between $2,250 and $8,250. "That's when I realized that was a find of a lifetime and instantly sealed the deal for me," he said. He messaged the sellers straight away to ask for measurements and arranged to pick it up that day. The only hitch? Wallis drives a compact Chevrolet Spark and wasn't sure the table would fit. After some careful measuring, he decided to take the risk and make the 45-minute drive. Tyler Wallis's living room featuring his bargain designer coffee table. Tyler Wallis's living room featuring his bargain designer coffee table. u/tlrwlls/u/tlrwlls When he arrived, an elderly couple greeted him, and the man kindly offered to help load the heavy table. While the hatchback opening proved too small, they managed to fit the table through the back passenger door vertically. Back home, Wallis wasted no time swapping it in for his old coffee table. "It's the perfect addition and brightens up the room with its reflective surface," he said. "This table has absolutely become my new personality and I don't think I'll ever stop talking about it to anyone willing to listen," Wallis said. Despite its potential resale value, he added: "Regardless of how much it's worth, I don't see myself ever getting rid of it or trying to flip it for a higher profit. To me, thrifting is about finding exciting deals, not turning a profit." Reddit users were quick to celebrate his lucky find. "The thrift gods were watching over u today!" one user wrote. "This is one where I am very glad someone else can take it home to appreciate. My chaos family could never," another joked, alluding to the table's fragile design. "I've heard that the best way of taking care of your glass coffee table is to leave it on your front lawn and send me your home address," quipped one commenter. "Love how it is slightly playful, but still posh and doesn't really cross over into 'whimsical,'" said another. "Damn good deal. Love the vibe of the room!" a final commenter added. Do you have any amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
Is Jannik Sinner single again after Anna Kalinskaya breakup?
Is Jannik Sinner single again after Anna Kalinskaya breakup? Jannik Sinner is -- as of publishing this -- the No. 1 men's singles tennis player in the world, and the Italian star has been linked to fellow women's tennis player Anna Kalinskaya. So with Sinner continuing to compete in tournaments from ATP Tour to Grand Slams -- including the finals of the 2025 French Open -- you might be wondering: are he and Kalinskaya still together after he confirmed it a year ago during the 2024 French Open. Back in January of 2025, it seemed up in the air. And after he was suspended three months for doping, he told reporters in May that he was no longer "in a relationship." That also means any other rumored girlfriends aren't with him -- and we've seen some names being floated out there as the top tennis player continues to compete at a high level. So there you have it. At the moment, Sinner is single.
Qatar Living
11 hours ago
- Qatar Living
Celebrate Eid Al Adha with your family at Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail
Make this Eid Al Adha truly special with a family stay at Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail. The spacious and comfortable rooms are designed with families in mind, offering thoughtful amenities that delight both children and adults. Have fun at Wadi Lusail Waterpark, where exciting rides await guests of all ages, or ride the waves at the Aloha Surf Club. Spend quality time together on the hotel's private beach, perfect for relaxing, playing, or trying out water sports. Children can also enjoy added fun with a bouncing castle and trampoline, making it an action-packed day for the whole family. For a special holiday dining experience, the Bywater Family Brunch offers a vibrant Eid celebration for all ages. Guests can enjoy a generous and flavorful buffet, while younger family members enjoy quality time with mascots, face painting, balloon art, and a dedicated dessert room designed to spark joy and imagination. Parents can take a moment to recharge at the ESPA Life Spa, offering soothing treatments that refresh both body and mind. For those looking to stay energized, the Technogym provides a state-of-the-art fitness experience, followed by a nourishing smoothie or wholesome meal from Wyld Erth. Children and teens will love their time at the dedicated kids & teens club, offering activities like cookie decorating, dancing, games, football tournaments, and more — keeping them entertained throughout the holiday. Enjoy delicious meals at popular restaurants such as Scarpetta, known for classic Italian dishes, or discover bold flavors at SUSHISAMBA. You can also relax with a spring-inspired Afternoon Tea, or sip cool drinks by the pool with the whole family. With Eid brunches, family-friendly entertainment, and warm hospitality, Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail offers the perfect setting for a joyful Eid Al Adha filled with comfort, fun, and lasting memories. Book your Eid holiday today at Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail. Visit our website to reserve your stay. --- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
