Basket chair Alvar Aalto Museum collection Designer: Maija Heikinheimo Designed: 1948 (?) Maker: not known After the war, during the 1940s, Finnish design acquired softer, more romantic features. Proximity to nature was highlighted, particularly in the materials used. At Artek, many items of furniture were designed in rattan, for example. The rattan chairs shown here were used as outdoor chairs on the terrace at Aino and Alvar Aalto's Riihitie home. When the Muuratsalo Experimental House (1952-53) was being fitted out as Elissa and Alvar Aalto's summer villa, these same chairs were chosen for the dining area.