THE ONE AND ONLY
VUOKKO
ARCHITECTURE
On a crystal clear winter’s day, Ark Journal visited the living legend, Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi in her perfect home on the water in Helsinki, designed by her husband Antti in the 70s and living proof of their prodigious talents and great love. Rays of sunlight streaming through venetian blinds on the plate glass windows cast Vuokko-like striped shadows on the walls as the 89-year-old who inspired the likes of Issey Miyake and Raf Simons reflected on a life lived to the max and true to the maxim – original ideas come from within.
“I ALWAYS SAY YOU DON’T NEED TO DO WHAT OTHERS DO, YOU SHOULD CREATE TRENDS RATHER THAN FOLLOW THEM. I NEVER COMPROMISE”
This story is featured in Ark Journal VOL I
WORDS JENI PORTER
PHOTOGRAPHY WICHMANN + BENDTSEN
STYLING HELLE WALSTED
CASE STUDY
— PERIOD PIECES DESIGN
In the unique surroundings of the house created by Danish sculptor Rikard Axel Poulsen (1887-1972) furniture, lighting and homewares by contemporary designers exhibit their serene poise, the avant-garde flanked by the archaic to create layers of history.
CULTIVATING PATINA
How to create a newly built house that feels comfortably familiar and as burnished as the well-loved objects that move with the owners? Designer Elisabeth Snejbjerg and former architect now photographer Mikael Bonde after 25 years in Copenhagen moved to the country near Aarhus to a house they designed and built among trees.
BACKYARD REFUGE
Small but perfectly matched, two residences in a courtyard are reduced to the essentials using quality materials and maximum light to create welcoming tranquillity.
THE ONE AND ONLY
VUOKKO
design
On a crystal clear winter’s day, Ark Journal visited the living legend, Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi in her perfect home on the water in Helsinki, designed by her husband Antti in the 70s and living proof of their prodigious talents and great love. Rays of sunlight streaming through venetian blinds on the plate glass windows cast Vuokko-like striped shadows on the walls as the 89-year-old who inspired the likes of Issey Miyake and Raf Simons reflected on a life lived to the max and true to the maxim – original ideas come from within.
“I ALWAYS SAY YOU DON’T NEED TO DO WHAT OTHERS DO, YOU SHOULD CREATE TRENDS RATHER THAN FOLLOW THEM. I NEVER COMPROMISE”
This story is featured in Ark Journal VOL I
WORDS JENI PORTER
PHOTOGRAPHY WICHMANN + BENDTSEN
STYLING HELLE WALSTED