Marimekko

Finnish textile designer Marimekko was made famous when Jackie Kennedy bought eight Marimekko dresses, which she wore throughout the 1960 US presidential campaign. Soon, in the mid-'60s, the company sparked up a relationship with Crate & Barrel, using their designs on textiles like bedding in their stores as well as display backdrops.
Nowadays, Mari's brightly colored graphics have made their way onto every furnishing in the house — a new line of wallpaper being the latest.

Bemz, the one and only retailer of chic slipcovers for Ikea furniture, also recently debuted a collection of Marimekko slipcovers. And, for those of you who have caught on to the trend of using apparel as home décor, the company also launched Mari's New Bags last month, a line of cheerful purses, clutches, and briefcases.

That's not all though, folks: there are plenty more accessories and furnishings for your whole house from the Helsinki company. To see them, read more

• Lookbook: Marimekko — Nylon
• Big and bold jewelry — IHT
• The Rachel Zoe Project films during Paris Fashion Week — FWD
• 20 things to know about Fashion Week — Times UK
• Peace at last: PETA president shakes hands with Anna Wintour — Page Six
• American Apparel sells stake to Lion Capital — WWD
• Phoebe Philo's debut collection for Celine — Vogue UK
• Sober elegance in Paris — WSJ
• Beth Ditto finds herself in the throes of fashion — New York Times
• Male models: from subway to runway — LA Times

I love beautifully designed makeup (witness Lancôme's elephant-adorned bronzer, for example). But you know what I don't love? After using the item once or twice, the colors blend together and the perfect design is over. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal — but why shell out big bucks just for the design?

That is why I am excited about these Marimekko for Avon palettes, which feature the Finnish textile brand's iconic Unikko print. At $8 for the eye shadow palette and $10 for an all-over face palette, they won't make you too depressed when the design begins to look less crisp. Cute and cheap? CasaSugar will be thrilled.

I've had my eye on this brilliantly printed Ditte Sofa ( on sale for $1,799.95, was $3,498) for many moons now. The adorable fabric design is by way of Marimekko, and the Teflon-coated canvas will help to ensure that any coffee stains or unfortunate wine accidents will wash right out. With a kiln-dried hardwood frame and a polyfill-down blend stuffing, this sofa will be both wildly attractive and wonderfully sturdy. I can just imagine it in a floral conservatory or refined greenhouse, can't you?

I'm an unabashed Marimekko freak — I flipped over these mouse pads, because I love integrating my favorite designs into my digital life, and I see that they enjoy doing it too, because they've made desktop wallpapers in some of Marimekko's classic prints.

I'm typing to you directly from the Kaiku wallpaper, a personal fave, and I have my eye on a few other Finnish beauts that'll make their way to my background in due time as well.

Oh, technology: democratizing design, one desktop at a time.

Always Mod, a retailer that specializes in selling products from world-renowned Finnish textile and design company, Marimekko, is currently holding their "biggest Marimekko sale ever," offering savings of 20 to 40 percent off of Marimekko items now through July 15th, while supplies last. If you're unfamiliar with Marimekko's bold designs, you can see some of them here. Here are a few products I wouldn't mind taking home from the sale:
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