Real Deal Road Trip No. 6: Michelle Willey / Finnish products trunk show
Michelle Willey (classic ideas for modern living)
Boston, MA
I had a birthday recently. On the way to a celebratory event, I invoked “birthday girl privileges” and requested a detour. I wanted to see a special trunk show of Finnish products on a temporary display at Michelle Willey, a shop I really like in Boston.
I was drooling over the rich materials, bold forms, and reassuring Finnish simplicity. All of the products I saw are new to the US and barely distributed. I especially appreciated speaking with Timo Utter, who is single-handedly importing these products from a tight selection of high quality family-owned enterprises.
Michelle Willey shop at 8 Union Park Street, Boston
Michelle Willey, herself. What a great eye this woman has.
Whimsical laser cut trees and ornaments, made from Finland's abundant hardwoods
Wonderful thick wool items from a mother/daughter team; placemats, coasters, table runners
This line is designed in Finland and fabricated in Italy from recycled leather scraps. I loved the hardware and practical details, and especially appreciated the suede-like touch
Timo Utter, from Helsinki, and me. In front of Timo's trunk show.
Some people wax poetic in bookstores, for others it is music stores. I love those too, but for me a truly absorbing experience is to encounter products that have a perfect blend of form, function, material, and fabrication. The Finns are so superb at that.
Jules Pieri 
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