Marimekko’s Hyvässä seurassa (In good company) is a new range of products for the table designed by Sami Ruotsalainen, a graduated with a Master’s degree in ceramics and glass design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The first patterns for the new tableware were drawn by Maija Louekari, B.A. The mugs, bowls and plates, which are patterned in a variety of ways, as well as tablecloths and napkins can be combined according to personal taste - all the elements go together.

"I started to work on two different pattern worlds, and we immediately saw that they worked well - together, too. Siirtolapuutarha (Allotment) is a line- drawn design in which the narrative continues from one piece of tableware to another. In the patterns you can follow a trip from town to allotment and get to peek at flower and vegetable beds. The tableware teems with details, each part is different. One piece of tableware shows town houses, while another features a berry picker in the middle of garden plants. The patterns follow the shape of the tableware - the handles of the cups, among other aspects, are taken into account. As a motif, an allotment is fascinating in my view - it represents urban nature at its best. The allotment is associated with cheerful work and the hum of growth in the middle of town. The Räsymatto (Rag rug) pattern continues and complements I started to work on two different pattern worlds, and we immediately saw that they worked well - together, too. Siirtolapuutarha (Allotment) is a line- drawn design in which the narrative continues from one piece of tableware to another. In the patterns you can follow a trip from town to allotment and get to peek at flower and vegetable beds. The tableware teems with details, each part is different. One piece of tableware shows town houses, while another features a berry picker in the middle of garden plants. The patterns follow the shape of the tableware - the handles of the cups, among other aspects, are taken into account. As a motif, an allotment is fascinating in my view - it represents urban nature at its best. The allotment is associated with cheerful work and the hum of growth in the middle of town. The Räsymatto (Rag rug) pattern continues and complements the allotment theme by telling the story of a rag rug on the floor inside a cottage. This pattern, too, is designed separately to match the shape and size of the tableware. Pattern size varies from one piece to another. As a more graphic pattern, Räsymatto (Rag rug) supports and calms the bustle of the Siirtolapuutarha (Allotment). Both of the patterns I designed are linked to the same topical theme - ecologicalness and the joy of working with one’s hands. The same world of patterns is replicated in the fabric prints Siirtolapuutarha (Allotment), Räsymatto (Rag rug) and Puutarhurin parhaat (Gardener’s best yield)." Maija Louekari