To me, flowers are always romantic. It’s also because of this that I was drawn to a romantic flower world hiding in a small alley behind the bustling Omotesanso, Tokyo. Bold in colors, but gentle in designs. The name of the shop spelt Marimekko, which I later knew was a brand from Finland.
Not long after, I discovered another name, Minä Perhonen– its patterns of flowers, forests, and birds felt like a dreamy wonderland, confident, yet full of heart. Its designer, Akira Mingawa, turns out to be a long-time admirer of Finland from his visits as a child. And the brand’s name itself – means “I am a butterfly” in Finnish.
The flowers of curiosity had kept blooming in my heart even before we opened our doors at LOCK CHUCK, while the roots keep deepening over the years with our meaningful connections with the Finnish professors and friends we have met in the shop.
Last year we finally had the chance to see the wonderland with our own eyes. We brought Watermelong on a journey to Finland, turning what once lived only in imaginations and stories into something that we could touch and feel.
This year at LOCK CHUCK, we will continue our journey through Finland – not in postcards or souvenirs, but in moments.
Moments that bloom quietly, yet with emotions.
Just like flowers, and just like love.
1
It wasn’t until Teemu walked toward me, backpack in one hand, with his iconic smile lighting up his face, crystal-blue eyes catching the sunshine – that I believed that I was not in a dream. And that I have finally landed in the country that had fascinated me for so long.
I rushed toward him, hugging him tightly.
“Welcome to Finland.”
“I made it. I’ve been dreaming of this for so long. I can’t wait to explore.”
“I’ve booked the tickets for us to Seinäjoki, my home city. And my campus is in Tampere, in between Helsinki and Seinajoki.”
“Finally I get to visit your house! I’ve been longing to see it with my own eyes.” I couldn’t contain my excitement. I had seen pictures of Teemu’s house, designed entirely by himself and was featured by many architecture magazines.
“Seinäjoki is a small city. I was born here. But you know when I was young, I was desperate, like my peers, to leave for big cities. ” Seeing me curiously looking through the window, Teemu merrily talked to me. “It was only when I grew older that I began to appreciate the quiet charm of this small city and decided to build my life here. I love the city. It’s a paradise for architects. See that white tower to the right? That’s a church tower designed by Alvar Aalto. There are many of his works here. I grew up surrounded by these legacies. A seed was planted in my heart. And I think that’s the reason I chose to dedicate myself to the career of architecture. ”
Teemu took a detour to show me the great architectural gems, each of them were introduced with enthusiasm. We finally pulled up in front of his home – a gable-shaped timber house with a dark exterior.
“Welcome to our home!” Teemu’s wife, Heidi, greeted me with a warm hug.
I was then led to the living room on the second floor, contrasting with the dark facade, the interior was in warm timber and soft white tone.
“This is my favorite part! I have seen it in photos, but they don’t even capture half of its elegance and grace.” I looked up at the vaulted ceiling, its precisely cut wood battens. “I love this – so simple and minimalistic, yet the calculations and craftsmanship behind it are so incredibly sophisticated.”
“Glad you said that.” Teemu smiled, “I did a little twist too, by putting the living room on the second floor instead of the ground floor. It’s where our family gathers, and I treasure this the most so I made sure to reserve the best views for them.”
Only then I noticed the large windows on either side of the living room, framing the lush forests outside, red berries peeking through the leaves. “This is too beautiful – and nature itself is a piece of great art.” I looked out the windows, as light and shadows danced across the walls. The living room is spacious with only a dining table and a couch. Two cats patted over, curious about their new guest.
“I bet you are hungry. Will you try our salmon soup?” Said Teemu, “It’s a very traditional Finnish dish.” His kids also joined us at the dining table. “My son and daughter knew that you were arriving and they baked these brownies for you. It’s their newly found hobby.”
At that point, I was just trying to taking everything in –
“This is definitely the perfect Finnish experience. The appreciation for nature, for family, for food and for craftsmanship. THIS IS JUST TOO ROMANTIC!”
2
“I know you have a long wishing list. And the place we are going to today must be one of them.” Said Teemu, smiling towards me from the driver seat and revealed the surprises he prepared. “We are going to Kyrö Distillery. I’ve booked us a special tasting tour.”
“Really? That can’t be true!” I yelled.
My fascination with Finland had always been layered – from designs to culture to its landscapes – but Napue Gin from Kyrö Distillery was something that I had obsessed with over the years. I first read about it from Monocle, and then I sourced local distributors to get my hands on a bottle. What started as an infatuation with its label design soon turned into an enduring love for its distinguished notes described as a fresh Finnish summer. When professors from Finland visited town, a Gin Tonic with Napue Gin was their secret menu – home, but bottled. I once told Teemu over coffee that Napue Gin was my imagined scent of Finland, a place I had yet to explore but could already smell.
We zigzagged along the path in the forests where the sky was narrowed to a thin strip between the trees, until the scenery suddenly opened into vast, endless fields. “This is unbelievably flat. I’ve never seen a landscape like this before.” I murmured, trying to find where the earth met the sky.
Teemu laughed again. “This is common here – and sometimes it makes me wonder whether the earth is curved. This seems like an endless stretch.”
“And the soil is so dark, which means it’s rich in nutrients.”
“Yes, We are a rye country. And that’s what Napue Gin is made with.”
We soon arrived at the distillery, renovated from an old dairy farm. Our guide soon led us to their arsenal, where the gin was made. “In this area, you can see the local botanicals we use in Napue Gin, including birch leaves, seabuckthorn, cranberries, and meadowsweet. Together, they capture the scent of an early morning, misty Finnish meadow.”
I closed my eyes, inhaled heavily. I could almost feel it in that moment – the crisp air and the rush of wind through the rye.
“My imaginations to Finland are now visualized. The county’s brutal winters are distilled into flavors. Pines, birch leaves, cranberries, everything in the nature of Finland, it’s all bottled with love, and this love – is romantic.”
“You are a very romantic person.” Teemu replied.
“Probably there’s a Finn living in my heart.”
3
I started to get confused – was Seinäjoki built in the forest, or was there a forest in Seinäjoki? Just a short walk from Teemu’s house, and we were already deep in the woods, where pines and birches knit ahead, filtering the sunlight into ever-changing spotlights on the ground. Yet, Teemu and Heidi were able to navigate the mossy path so effortlessly.
“The soil is so soft. I feel like walking on cottons, or in a dream.” I whispered without disturbing little animals that were sharing the same forest with us.
“Forests are parts of our lives.” Heidi said, “They have a great healing power. Can you feel that?”
“I will show you my new design at the other end of the forest. It’s a kindergarten.” Said Teemu.”It’s just been completed. And the kids can start next semester.”
I tried my best to follow their steps, only disturbed by my curiosity toward the endless trees reeling past my eyes. “There’re so many Christmas trees here. No wonder it’s Santa’s home.” I said merrily.
“There’s this one particular tree in this forest that has a perfect cone shape. No one knows who started it, but years ago, someone hung a few ornaments on its branches during Christmas. Since then, the locals have decorated it every year, quietly keeping the tradition alive.
“That sounds so romantic and magical. I can just picture it – a single tree standing with colorful ornaments waiting quietly to be discovered. Like a hidden fairytale waiting to be stumbled upon.”
Not long after, I saw a tip of a red house.
“There it is,” Temmu said, “The kindergarten I designed.”
Stepping forward, the wooden house revealed itself in full. Its entire exterior was painted in a deep, striking red – a shade that felt bold but warm. At the corners, the battens tilted slightly, resembling the soft frills of princess’s dress. The afternoon sun hit the walls perfectly, making the red glow against the crisp blue sky. Then I noticed the details – the rainwater pipes at the roof were sculpted into the shape of trumpets. What clever and playful touches!
“This is too romantic!” I said in awe, “You created a fairy tale castle for the children.This is exactly the Finnish design I have been searching for – simple yet thoughtful in the details.
4
My enthusiasm for exploring and reinterpreting the wonders of Finnish culture has introduced me to many good friends, one of whom is Riitta.
I first met Riitta when she came to Guangzhou to see her husband, Professor Esa, who was a visiting professor here. She brought some unusual habits with her, choosing to discover the neighborhoods on foot with curiosity. It was that very same curiosity that led her through our door, and it was our coffee that made her stay.
By sheer coincidence, the coffee we brewed from Irving Farm, was a brand she loved during her time in New York. From that moment, Riitta became a regular, visiting us almost every day during her short stay in Guangzhou. She was one of the most elegant women I had met, and her choice of accessories – “I bet you have a large collection of earrings! They match you so well.” I said. “Thank you! You noticed them! I do. You know, I love travelling so much. My job offers me this privilege of flying everywhere. I keep track of my footsteps with different earrings I find in each city I go to. These green ones, they come from a flea market in Milan.”
Our mutual appreciation of getting lost in other’s travel-tales pulled us closer together. “Chuck, will you please help me source a clay pot? I saw one in a local restaurant; they are so special!” she requested before leaving Guangzhou. Riitta grew to love this city, thousands of miles away from her home. Just like the earrings she collected along the way, her Chinese clay pot was a doorway back to Guangzhou whenever she needed it.
The next Christmas, Riitta returned with a suitcase full of Marimekko products. “I noticed that you are a big fan of Finnish design. Marimekko is a traditional Finnish brand. When I was a little girl, my mum’s house was draped with Marimekko curtains. You can find this brand in every Finnish household. Merry Christmas, Chuck!” Riitta said with her charming smile.
At that moment, I found that my newly-found interest in Helsinki was strengthened by Riitta. She had opened the door for me to what Finnish style means: warm smiles, elegance, and an openness to cultural exchange.
5
My reunion with Riitta was a sensational one. She texted me that if I could meet her in front of her school after the morning session. “A lot has happened since we met last time. In short, I am now working as a teacher. You probably remember that I have a master’s degree in pedagogy (education). Now I teach adult immigrants and do enjoy it immensely. Esa is retired now but still keeping very busy, writing books etc. I look forward to seeing you.”
We instantly recognized each other from the flocks of students and faculties walking out during the lunch break. Her smile was as elegant as the memories I held dear. She gave me a warm cheek kiss and held my both hands.
“Welcome to Helsinki. Your dream has come true!” Riitta smiled as she brushed the pin on her jacket – the thunderbolt logo of LOCK CHUCK that I had once gifted her. “I wore this little pin today. I always miss you and LOCK CHUCK.” She continued, “Let me show you around the city, on foot, of course.”
Helsinki had been her home for as long as she could remember. She was raised here, studied here, and built her entire career here, and yet she had never grown tired of it. “Our house is a 40-min drive from the school. But I always take the train to the central station and walk from there.This city changes everyday. Even when my husband insists on driving me, I’d ask him to take an unfamiliar route.” Riitta’s voice carried the enthusiasm of a child showing off a favorite toy.
We cruised along the cobbled streets, exchanging our admiration for the city. “Can you see the mosaic number 1907 on that facade there?” She pointed to a building not far ahead, “it was built over a century ago. Isn’t this wonderful? Imagine you live there.”
“I would like to go in and see.” I said curiously.
“You will. By the corner, there’s a library. Let’s go and check it out.” Riitta smiled.
There’s no sign on the facade. Riitta pushed the door leading me to a book sanctuary.
“Did you know we Finns love reading. And there are many libraries like this across the city. Reading may seem old school, but our library is quite advanced. If the book you are looking for isn’t here, you can request it from any library in Finland, and they’ll deliver it for you.”
Riitta’s energy and hospitality are beyond words – just exploring the city on foot, we covered much of it until we arrived at our final stop – a restaurant that had served traditional Finnish cuisine for decades. “Esa and I used to come here when we were dating,” she mused. “We both love the classics.”
If Tony Bennet sings I Left My Heart in San Francisco, then I would sing I Left My Heart in Helsinki – that’s how much I fell in love with this beautiful city.
On our way back to the central station where Riitta would take the train back home, the windows of the historic buildings were lit sporadically, creating an illusion of the falling stars from the dark blue sky.
“Isn’t this romantic?” Riitta paused, looking up at the glowing windows. “I have always dreamed of living in one of these apartments. To me, they are castles. And I am not old – I am still making my dream come true.”
She lowered her gaze to meet mine. I nodded lightly.
No matter our age, dreams remain timeless to us.
6
Even after retirement, Professor Esa keeps a tight schedule. Still, he managed to squeeze some time to invite me to Aalto University, and offered to be my guide.
“Riitta told me you had a great time exploring Helsinki. I would like to show you something different.” Said Professor Esa, standing in front of the campus directory. “I studied here and afterwards I taught here. I’ve spent most of my life at Aalto. The campus keeps evolving and expanding, but the heart of it has always been the architecture department and the library.”
Following him into the architecture department, I found myself welcomed by a hall dotted with wooden tables and chairs – pieces that I instantly recognized from Alvar Aalto – I am such a huge fan. “This is a paradise for me!” I traced my fingers over the surfaces before turning back to Professor Esa, unable to hold my excitement.
“Aalto designed this department – from the lighting to the furniture, down to the smallest details you can see.”
“How lucky these students are, surrounded by such impressive designs. I wish I studied here.” I looked around in awe, already unsure whether I was in a university or a museum.
Sensing my enthusiasm, Professor Esa rewarded me with even more details, pointing out that in particular, that these specially-designed door knobs, the patterns on the tiled walls, and the lamps at the entrance. In a lecture hall where he once taught, he demonstrated how to cleverly unfold the tables from the backs of the chairs in front – something easily overlooked. He then brought me to the backyard, pointing toward a tree, “I planted that my first year here.”
His voice remained steady and calm, but when our eyes met, I saw the same spark I had noticed in Riitta when she told me about how much she loves Helsinki.
“This feels like a pilgrimage to me. I first came across Finnish design in Tokyo, a city that reveres Finnish cultures. A seed was planted in my heart then. Later on, I got to know you and other Finnish professors who bridged Guangzhou and Helsinki. Now here I am, embraced by the Finnish culture itself. Isn’t it romantic and magical? Looking at the story of LOCK CHUCK, this connection only keeps growing.” I expressed my gratitude to Professor Esa.
“Let’s go for lunch. I know there’s a place you may be interested in.” Professor Esa proposed and drove us to Café Lähde.
“This used to be a mental health hospital. Now it’s renovated to an art center for cultures and wellbeing.” Professor Esa ushered me into the grandeur building and led me to a table by the window, which overlooked a beautifully curated garden.
“There are a lot of cultural events here. This reminded me of you.” Professor Esa said.
I shared updates about recent events at LOCK CHUCK. “I’ve been dedicated to discover diversities and integrate the elements that we admire.” Sipping my coffee, a new idea surfaced. “Our connection, from Guangzhou to Helsinki, has deepened over many, many years. And our story is still unfolding as we speak.”
And then it hit me- what if, instead of just imagining what Finland is like, we bring it to Guangzhou in our own way?
7
My explorations of Finland have filled me with an overwhelming sense of wonder. Even though I had imagined this place a million times in my mind, experiencing it firsthand hits differently.
The last friend I visited in Helsinki was Professor Hannu Kahonen – the one who started all these sensational connections. Before LOCK CHUCK moved to its current location, we had rented a small third-floor studio in a quiet residential area to experiment our ideas. The only sign revealed for the shop was the neon light in the window that read Delay No More. It was curiosity that led Professor Hannu, who was in Guangzhou as a visiting professor at the time, decided to come upstairs and push open the door – marking the beginning of our friendship.
We met at Café Ekberg, the oldest café in Finland, dating back to 1852. Seated by the window, we hugged and caught up.
I said to Professor Hannu, “Even though I have seen pictures of Finland and heard about it so many times, being here is so overwhelming – in a good way. This trip has amazed me. Looking back at LOCK CHUCK’s journey, Finland has always been here, in the background. Ever since you walked through our door ten years ago. The story started then and there.” I expressed my gratitude.
“I am so happy to see how far you’ve come,” Professor Hannu smiled and gave me two brochures – one showcasing his design work and the other for his recent exhibition in Tokyo.
Flipping through the brochures, I was so inspired. “I didn’t know you were the one who designed the lower-deck trams! Look at my photo album – I have taken so many photos of them over the past few days since I got here.” I showed the photos taken these few days in Helsinki to Professor Hannu, which would be a precious memory and source of inspiration afterwards. “Before I came here, I had seen Finland through others’ eyes. I feel so grateful to see it with my own. Finns are indeed very romantic.”
Professor Hannu chuckled. “Finns are romantic? That’s not something we often hear,” he paused for a moment, “But I agree with you. Finns are indeed romantic.”
Outside, a tram slid into the platform in front of the café, paused – then set off again. Just like a scene change in a musical.
8
The trip to Finland felt like a romantic movie.
Forest, my colleague, puts it perfectly: in this romantic movie with Finland, every encounter is destined and every moment is graceful.
She said that back in 2017, during her second year of undergraduate studies, she found herself musing, “Why not live in Europe for a while?” Yet, the inevitable question remained: where? Among a curated list of European partner universities, destiny whispered Aalto University, Finland. Only in hindsight did she realize that some moments are quietly orchestrated by fate. What began as an impulsive thought soon turned into a subtle, uncharted romance of friendship.
Stepping off the plane, she met Estelle, who was waiting with the Aalto University exchange crew. Though of Chinese descent, her Parisian upbringing has given her an effortlessly cosmopolitan grace. That meeting sparked a friendship that would traverse continents – from Finland to the cities of Canada, the U.S., and China. Together, the both of them embraced moments like Helsinki Design Week 2017, a celebration of creativity and chance. In a sea of new faces, fate led them in the very same orientation group, a gentle reminder that some meetings are simply meant to be. Their Finnish chapter was indelibly inscribed at Aalto. “Who could have imagined that a single, understated “Hi” would echo across years, defying borders and celebrating the meaningful connections?” Said Forest.
“Just like when Professor Hannu pushed open the door.” I replied.
9
As we were deep in writing this story in the shop, the door swung open – a familiar face. It took me a second to realize that it was Professor Hannu. Three months had passed since we last met.
I hugged him tightly.
“Surprise! Here I come again.” Professor Hannu smiled.
I’d think this scene only happens in movies if it were not for the setting.
Finns speak romance, don’t they? Through the way they pause, they way they let life and love – slow down.