Iittala
Iittala – tableware and home accessories in popular Scandinavian design
Iittala brings the Nordic way of life into your home. Every product carries the essence of Scandinavian design: timeless elegance, along with the progress needed to meet the demands of everyday life. For Iittala, design is a deeply human matter – a way of looking to the future.
From glassworks to pioneer of Nordic design
The company was founded as a glassworks in 1881 in the village of Iittala in southern Finland. As a pioneer of Nordic design, Iittala has always strived for a better way of living. By focusing on the things that matter in life, the company aims to create balance. Iittala designs are there to add to your wellbeing.
Yet they are more than just a collection of beautiful objects. Iittala creates thoughtful design that is in tune with you and with the ever-changing nature of society – design made to be loved and used every day, and intended to last for decades and generations to come.
In 1936, the Alvar Aalto vase was created; today it is one of the most iconic objects of Finnish design worldwide. The Iittala brand no longer stands for glass alone. It is known for Nordic design with clear forms inspired by nature, and is a leading name in the much-loved Scandinavian design that leaves out everything superfluous in favour of clean, functional and elegant shapes.
For many years, high-quality cookware and tableware such as the Origo series and the Teema tableware have also been part of the company's range. All of the brand's products – whether Iittala glasses, tableware, vases or lights – are distinctive, easy to combine and versatile.
Designed for life
Iittala focuses on design that lasts a lifetime. The company has always held to the principle that good design must pass the test of everyday use. On the one hand, this means the objects must withstand daily wear and tear. On the other, they must be able to outlast short-lived trends so that they are still loved and valued years later.
Many of the earliest Iittala designs are still in demand and still in production, which gives the manufacturer particular credibility. Iittala strives to create objects that are thoughtfully designed. Whatever you buy carries a deeper meaning beyond its form and its obvious function.
Other Iittala home accessories are distinctive because of their materials. The red Aalto Savoy vase, for example, is made of genuine red glass – a craft that only a few manufacturers master and use. Its distinctive character comes from special ingredients, in this case gold salts added to the glass, which give the vase its unmistakable brilliant colour.
Where the journey leads ...
The company will continue to look for new sources of inspiration and innovation and to stand up for the things that really matter. Instead of chasing trends, Iittala will stay true to its roots and respect the qualities that make design durable and timeless. The knowledge of Iittala's designers and the skill of its dedicated craftspeople will guide the brand and its design process – as they have since 1881.
