Carola
From a young age, Carola knew she wanted to become an interior architect. She also knew she wanted to study abroad — a path less traveled at the time. Rome, with its rich history and timeless architecture, was the natural choice.
After graduating in 1989, Carola returned to Helsinki to found her own studio, Carola Rytsola Oy. From the start, She embraced projects of all scales, approaching private and public spaces with equal passion and attention to detail.
A lifelong advocate for craftsmanship, Carola believes the design process is as important as the outcome. Her close collaborations with artisans became a cornerstone of her work, ensuring every creation reflects the quality, functionality, and precision that now define RYTSOLA.
The idea for RYTSOLA emerged from conversations with her son, Aksel. While living abroad, he urged Carola to develop her designs on a larger scale. Though the timing wasn’t initially right, his persistence eventually paid off. “This has to happen — if you don’t do it, I will,” he told her.
With that push, RYTSOLA was born, blending Carola’s dedication to timeless design with Aksel’s forward-looking vision.
Aksel
Growing up between Rome and Helsinki, Aksel lived at the crossroads of two design worlds.
Finland’s purposeful minimalism and Italy’s expressive artistry shaped both his worldview and his work. This duality defines his design approach.
For Aksel, RYTSOLA is the realisation of a lifelong vision. He believes timeless design is rooted in usability rather than trends; everything must serve a purpose.
Watching his mother, Carola, develop her practice while he studied and worked in Florence, Milan, and Paris inspired him, and eventually drove him to translate their family’s design philosophy into a new dimension.
Today, Aksel draws on his Finnish-Italian heritage and global experience to shape RYTSOLA. By understanding context, respecting history, and pushing boundaries, he aims to develop original, enduring designs that stand the test of time.