Welcome to the monthly reading list of Design Stories, the online magazine of Finnish Design Shop. For the gentle days of May, we recommend our recent stories about the Muuratsalo Experimental House, columnist Hanna Katariina-Mononen’s “finder’s panic”, the new Iittala x Cover Story paint collection, six sublime gardens around the world, and stylish patio furniture perfect for compact outdoor spaces.

The Muuratsalo Experimental House functioned both as a summer residence of Alvar and Elissa Aalto and a test site for architectural elements. The house, located in Central Finland, gave Alvar Aalto the opportunity to play with construction materials and test new kinds of structural solutions.

Choosing furniture for a compact balcony or porch might seem like a head-scratcher, but by opting for petite outdoor furniture and foldable designs, you'll be soaking in sunshine in no time. Design Stories picked nine space-saving pieces – take a look and get inspired!

“It’s not necessary to get everything you want or own everything you like” is a principle that Design Stories columnist Hanna-Katariina Mononen keeps saying to herself and even lives by – at least every now and then.

Parks and botanical gardens provide both a feast for the eyes and an ideal place for a breather during your travels. Mondo chose fabulous destinations from Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Two Finnish favorites, the plastic-free paint brand Cover Story and acclaimed design house Iittala, have teamed up to create a special collection of indoor paints inspired by the aesthetics and traditions of Nordic design. The collection’s shades mimic four of Iittala’s beloved glass and ceramic colors: yellow, linen, blue and copper.