Yesterday was Estonia’s 20th anniversary as an independent modern European nation. In celebration there is a weekend-long programme of events; including a festival of all things Icelandic. Iceland was the first country to recognise Estonian independence and the countries remain close allies. Read the full story

A recent design conference in Bangkok has boosted Thai-Danish relations in a creative fashion. Read the full story

The future design of a brand new Landspitali hospital was revealed yesterday at the University of Iceland. A competition was held for the new hospital design. Read the full story

Asdis Asmundsdottir, daughter of the sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson will today award the first prize in a competition for a design object that reflects the spirit of Sveinsson’s art. In addition fifteen of the most noteworthy proposals will be displayed. The competition is organized by Reykjavik Art Museum, Kraum-design shop, and The Icelandic Design Centre. Read the full story

If you have been wondering why the Red Cross shop on Reykjavik’s Laugavegur shopping street is looking a bit different, read on… Read the full story

Helsinki has been awarded the title of World Design Capital for 2012 at the World Design Congress held in Singapore last week. The Finnish capital beat out competition from the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven. Read the full story

The Nordic House in Iceland is hosting the first Nordic Fashion Biennale from 19th March to 5th April. Launching the event in Reykjavik is no coincidence since the focus this year will be on fashion and jewellery from the West-Nordic countries: Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland. Read the full story

Icelandic clothing designer, Steinunn Sigurdardottir received the prestigious Soderberg Design Award at a ceremony in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday night.

The award goes to designers deemed to be pushing the boundaries and raising the profile of Nordic design on the global stage. Read the full story

A new furniture, fashion and design exhibition will soon open in London appealing to the “Ikea-weary” public and their children.

The Kids Modern exhibit has had scouts travelling across Europe to bring together a unique collection of children’s toys, furniture and clothing for the first international show on design for kids and ‘kidults’. After almost a year in the making, the show is set to open on February 24th at the Christison Hall Dulwich College in London.

The three curators have five children between them and have used what they have learned from their parenting experiences to influence the show. The lighting is all natural, the designs are modern and the layout is easy to get around since, the curators can attest, time is precious.

More than 50 designers will be showing their work in the large concrete and glass building where the exhibit is being held. In addition, three new companies will make their debut.

Spanish company Nine to Nine furniture will be showing its designs for the first time ever as will Norwegian company Bugge. Clothkits, a cut and sew brand from the 70’s, will be re-launching at the Kids Modern show with a new designer and owner.

From animal shaped furniture to designer labelled children’s clothes and handmade toys, everything a child and a curious adult could wish for will be at the show. Old fashioned rocking chairs and retro 70’s posters are displayed alongside high tech fabric toys and wallpaper children can colour themselves.

The exhibit will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 and costs £5 per adult at the door. Children accompanied by adults can enter for free.