Aalto's designs embody his warmth, humanity and common sense, driven by the mindset that "We should work for simple, good, undecorated things, but things which are in harmony with the human being and organically suited to the little man in the street." The mastermind behind several establishments, private residences and furniture, examples include the Maison Louis Carré Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, France, the Savoy Vase and the Bench 153B.

Using mainly birch, spruce and beech wood in his creations, including the Tea Trolley and the Stool 60, Aalto completed these using intricate curving and laminating techniques, refusing to use artificial materials, which he considered too distant from nature. The 'Founding Father of Organic Design,' together with his wife and partner, Aino Maria Marsio-Aalto, the duo left behind grandiose creations forever in tune with the times. Discover their coveted stools, benches and other household items at The Conran Shop.

Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 and available in a range of colourways, the ColoRing Stool 60 is crafted by Artek and was reinterpreted by Jo Nagasaka in 2019.

The design celebrates 100 years of strong diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan and makes up part of Artek’s FIN/JPN Friendship Collection, created in collaboration with Japanese and Finnish designers.

Crafted in Finland using solid Finnish birch wood, the seat is finished with a soft-grained pine veneer and transformed using Nagasaka’s innovative ColoRing technique. Up until now, ColoRing had involved a time-consuming, fully manual process created by fusing the traditional Japanese methods of Udukuri and Tsugaru-Nuri. Thanks to Artek’s revolutionary manufacturing techniques, the design can now be bought to a broader audience.