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Story Restaurant in Helsinki by Joanna Laajisto Creative Studio

Words by Yatzer

Helsinki, Finland

Following a year-long renovation, earlier this month Helsinki’s landmark Old Market finally reopened its doors. Seemingly now all the more determined to maintain its reputation as one of the city’s best eating and food-shopping destinations, a new addition to the historical building located on the Finnish capital’s waterfront is Story, an all-day restaurant/café. Housed right in the middle of the building, the restaurant which is a joint collaboration of four of the country’s foremost restaurateurs -Anders Westerholm, Matti Sarkkinen, Teemu Aura and Markus Hurskainen.-, offers a selection of home-style dishes that use the freshest of ingredients sourced from inside the market hall itself and the Market Square just outside.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

Located in a space boasting soaring high ceilings filled with natural light, the interior designed by the creative studio of Joanna Laajisto, is a simple yet welcoming space that also cleverly incorporates elements from the history of the 1889 market building. Using a palette of natural materials such as ash, leather and stone, as well as an interesting use of colour, comfortable booths, situated next to the windows, offer views of Helsinki harbour. More modern details have also been incorporated, seen for example in the sizeable counter covered with a herringbone pattern in stone and the angular lighting fixtures (by Joanna Laajisto and Zero Lighting). Other details include the original fishing traps which have been transformed into a playful lighting installation, whilst all the tables have been produced by Helsinki-based artisan Tebian.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.

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Photo by Mikko Ryhänen.