Welcome to the monthly reading list of Design Stories, the online magazine of Finnish Design Shop. For Midsummer, or juhannus as we say in Finnish, we have handpicked five stories to keep you company under the midnight sun: take a tour in the inviting summer place of Joanna Laajisto and her family, treat yourself to one of our delicious seasonal tart recipes, get inspired by Kasia Rutkowiak’s quick home makeover, marvel at the H. C. Andersen House in Odense, and discover nine new books perfect for lazy summer days.

This holiday home designed with emotion, skill, moderation and common sense offers a calm contrast to the everyday city life of interior architect Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhänen.

Go for an easy yet delicious smoked salmon and asparagus tart or make a vegan tart with new potatoes and onion. Cherry tartlets flavored with almond butter and mascarpone will tame any guest’s sweet tooth. Try this recipe trio and enjoy the best the season has to offer!

One of Kasia Rutkowiak’s summer rituals is refreshing her home for the season of light and colors. This year, the Polish blogger got out of her comfort zone to experiment with exceptionally bold colors and patterns.

What could be more relaxing than spending a summer day reading a good book? We selected a few new titles available at Finnish Design Shop that offer inspiration and entertainment to art and design enthusiasts, knitters, home gardeners and food lovers alike, as well as those planning a holiday trip or in need of some R&R.

The magical world of the beloved author and artist, Hans Christian Andersen, comes to life in Odense, Denmark, where the H.C. Andersen House opened its doors in 2021. The dreamlike architecture by Kengo Kuma creates the setting for an unforgettable exhibition that introduces a new perspective to Andersen's classic fairy tales.