Palaset, timeless and durable design
The story begins in 1959, when Consul General Heikki Tavela wanted to offer something new to banks. Little did he know that he was starting a historic legacy of piggy banks—a story that continues to this day.
It all began with the Maapallo (Globe) piggy bank. This was followed by classics like the Pig, Scrooge McDuck, Hippo, Fauns, and many other familiar characters. Over the years, millions of different versions of these piggy banks have been delivered all around the world.
In 1972, a product line designed by Ristomatti Ratia was launched, based on the plastic Palaset cubes—and it took the world by storm. Palaset modular furniture brought color into Finnish homes. These versatile and colorful modules were used to store everything from books and LP records to wine bottles. The core idea behind the Palaset cubes was to create flexible storage solutions for all kinds of homes. They were cheerful in color, multifunctional, and timeless in design. The collection quickly became popular, not only in Finland but also across the Nordic countries.
In 1975, the family of cubes expanded when Ristomatti Ratia designed a smaller box series intended for storing household accessories and small items. Four decades later, these products are still in production and remain highly sought-after in homes and offices around the world.
Our high-quality products are crafted by skilled professionals at Plastep, the northernmost plastic factory in the world, located in Kuortti, Finland. From there, they are delivered to customers on every continent.
At Palaset, we are committed to building a world with less waste, fewer surplus materials, and longer-lasting products. In our own production, for example, we capture the heat generated by our processes and reuse it to warm our facilities.
Our long-standing dedication to sustainable form and design is evident in many homes and offices where original products from the 1970s—such as our cubes and Maapallo (Globe) piggy banks—are still in use today. We don’t aim for an extensive product range; instead, we focus on versatility. Combined with timeless design and superior quality, this ensures that our products will serve you year after year.
Our work continues to be guided by the desire to offer beautifully designed, high-quality products that provide space-saving solutions. We have always focused on creating functional, timeless, and aesthetically pleasing designs. The Palaset series has even been awarded the prestigious Nordic Furniture Design Award in recognition of its design excellence.
We are inspired by the idea that you can create and furnish a space that reflects your own life—timelessly and effortlessly. Every one of our products is designed and made to be versatile, durable, and to withstand the challenges of time and use. The design created by Ristomatti Ratia allows you to mix and match the products seamlessly.
The crystal-clear pieces beautifully showcase their contents, while the colored versions discreetly hide what you prefer to keep out of sight—yet still within easy reach. Thanks to our minimalist design, you can create a sense of order that truly reflects your personal style.
