AT HOME WITH
MONA SALMINEN
Where the City Fades
Spring is just around the corner as we make our way to Sipoo, Finland, in early March to visit Mona Salminen in her modern yet cozy apartment just outside of Helsinki. Here the business of the Finnish capital fades away as we arrive in the idyllic neighbourhood filled with jugend-style houses.
Mona is a photographer..
..who lives with her boyfriend, with whom they’ve decorated the newly renovated apartment with modern furniture mixed with personal touches and memories. Around every corner there’s something that catches your eye, or something to start a conversation from. Yet, the overarching atmosphere in every room is cohesive and welcoming - like arriving at a five-star boutique hotel.
“I take photos for a living, so I’m a very visual person.”
gathering around the table
FROM EARLY MORNING TO LATE NIGHT
Today Mona is serving a brunch for a few of her close friends. Fresh bread, fruit, and coffee are placed on the table, the ceramics quietly framing the moment. The soft glazes and handmade surfaces catch the light differently throughout the morning. Sometimes a weekend brunch can stretch to last throughout the day, turning to afternoon tea and even dinner. On days like that, the ceramics move easily between occasions: from early mornings to long evenings spent around the same table.
work as a canvas
The neutral tones and natural materials that function as a base in their home are complimented by pops of color, which is also a recurring theme in Mona’s tablesettings. The Basic Plates, Stripes Bowls and MSY Mugs in Sand work as a canvas for Mona’s colorful sunday brunch, complimented by the Bubbles serving tableware in Blue.
“Mateus tableware fits perfectly in our home - it’s timeless and beautiful”
As a photographer, Mona has an eye for composition: nothing feels overly styled, yet everything sits beautifully together. In the harmonious kitchen, even the aftermath of a brunch becomes beautiful. The plates, bowls, mugs and serving platters arranged neatly on the kitchen island tell a story of a meal made with love and enjoyed together with friends. The ceramics are not only beautiful objects made for special occasions, but woven naturally into daily routines.
