The colours of water inspiration: New Shades of Blue

The new products in Woodnotes’ 2025 collection evoke thoughts of refreshing water and its various forms.

It babbles, ripples, waves, glimmers, shines, cools, caresses, shimmers, drips, reflects

“I never cease to marvel at the lively surface of water and the different structures it forms,” says Minna Ahokas, Designer and Coordinator for Woodnotes’ Product Development. “And on the other hand, how water completely changes its form from one season to another. It turns into floating mist and freezes into solid ice.”

Water in all its different forms has inspired Woodnotes’ new products. The design process resulted in numerous vibrant color combinations that capture observations of water. Among many good options, blue-toned rugs were selected for both the Coast and Horizon collections. Additionally, our In/Out rug collection has been complemented with a beautifully bluish new Ground rug.

Woodnotes’ rugs and Finnish nature

Woodnotes’ aesthetics have a strong connection to local Finnish nature. The material for our paper yarn rugs (such as Coast) comes from the coniferous trees of the clean northern forests, and the presence of nature is felt in the material. The color and shape world of our collection is inspired by Finnish nature and its annual cycle. In our products, you can see various earth tones, the green of spring, and the beautifully muted shades of autumn.

“There is beauty in all four seasons and their color palettes,” says Ahokas, continuing, “as well as in the many forms of water: mist, ice, snow, frost.”

It is precisely the winter forms of water that are typical and unique to northern nature. Water forms frost-like flower patterns on windowpanes and the ground. It frosts the leaves of plants into crystal and makes the landscape sparkle in the winter sun. Frost freezes the surfaces of ponds and creates icicles on the eaves of houses. Snow softens the outlines of the landscape. Cold and winter create amazing shapes from water, delicate and strong.

Horizon rug creates a peaceful atmosphere

One of the new spring shades belongs to the Horizon collection designed by Ritva Puotila. The multicolored stripes of the rug are shades of blue evoke the horizon, as the name suggests.

“I am fascinated by the idea that the horizon is a line at the farthest visible point where the sky appears to touch the land or sea,” Ahokas notes.

The idea of the horizon can also be seen more symbolically: “You can strive to expand your own mental horizon. You can actively seek to learn new things. Just as the land continues beyond the horizon, even though you can’t see it, there are still new unexplored lands within everyone. The horizon can be seen as a boundary for a new beginning,” Ahokas reflects.

The multi-meaningful symbolism of the horizon guided the color choices for the new Horizon rug. In interior design, it brings expansive energy, the calming effect of water’s blue, hopefulness, and confidence in the future.