thoughtful
storage
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restore
series

Created from the humble idea of storage objects that had a welcoming and distinct expression, the Restore Series by Mika Tolvanen brings new perspectives to storage baskets through an innovative material and contemporary color palette. Here, we visit Tolvanen in his Helsinki studio to learn more about the design.

Examining one of the Restore Baskets at the drawing desk in his studio, Mika Tolvanen says: "To me, storage baskets were often utilitarian and sturdy with an honest and functional shape. I wanted to translate these elements into the Restore Series, joined by a friendly and warm expression," and adds: "Softly rounded shapes were quite uncommon in storage, prompting me to explore this for the design as a way of easing up its expression."

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Made in a felt that uses recycled PET fibers from plastic bottles, the Restore Series has a distinctly tactile character: "I was intrigued by the idea of using the recycled PET fibers in the design as this enforces the soft, rounded shapes of the design while adding a friendly touch," Tolvanen notes.

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"Baskets have always had a multi-functional presence in Scandinavian culture, aided by their various sizes and shapes. The Restore Series was about identifying vast amount of needs within the design and shaping a playful and contemporary shape around them," remarks Tolvanen.

As such, the Restore Series consists of three different sizes—Restore Basket, Restore Tray and Restore Round Basket—for any use, whether it be in the living room, workplace, bedroom or home office.

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Noting on his personal thoughts on the design, Tolvanen ends: "The Restore Series are soft in their visual expression and underlying sentiments feeling yet possess a strong identity. Scandinavian design has always been concerned with honesty and I wanted to reflect this in the Restore Series, giving each object a singular personality through the use of colors, shapes and tactility."

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