Field Log
Our Founder Went to Norway, and All She Brought Back Were Pics of the Public Toilets
Did you know? Norway has the vibe-iest public restrooms! Read about how our founder took a trip to Norway and brought back some beautiful design inspo from an unexpected place.
When our team first sat down to brainstorm blog ideas, we knew we had to write about our Founder and VP’s trip to Norway. With her design eye, we were sure she’d discover the coolest spots for us to cover.
So we were in for a bit of a shock when she said, “Write about the public toilets!”
What? Public toilets? You mean the things that usually smell like everything that’s wrong with humanity, are too small and cramped (in the actual worst way) and make you never want to ‘go’ again?
Turns out, she was right. Norwegian public toilets are a vibe. Just ask the official Visit Norway website, which has an entire page titled, ‘Are These the World’s Best Toilets?’ The answer: an enthusiastic yes.
When our founder, Jaime, visited Norway, she was in awe of the country’s natural beauty. Norway boasts over 1,700 fjords, and reminds her of Yosemite valley (another favorite place of hers) filled with ocean water.
“The scenery is unlike anywhere I have ever been and feels like a storytale!” she says.
But she didn’t just fall in love with Norway’s scenery. On Norwegian design she says, “I love the way they use natural materials, their simplistic lines, and especially their deep rooted connection to nature. I love how they incorporate nature into not just their design, but their daily life.”
And what’s more part of daily life than a trip to the loo?
But the Norwegians have taken it a step further, and built their public toilets to be actual works of art. All of the toilets (apart from one) have been designed by Norwegian architects and can be found on Norway’s 18 scenic routes.
Each restroom is designed specifically for the place it is in, beautifully merging modern architecture with the wild organic-ness of nature.
It’s an impressive blend that truly makes these works of art so incredible.
“The scenery is unlike anywhere I have ever been and feels like a storytale!” she says.
Like those remarkable loos, Tinker Tin loves to blend the natural with the modern. We enjoy working with materials like wood and steel to create retail fixtures that stand out. Take, for example, our live-edge waterfall display with patchwork steel.
Another takeaway from the Norwegians is that design should be both functional and beautiful—no matter how ordinary the object. That’s why we get so excited about designing and manufacturing fixtures like bookshelves, clothing racks, and product displays. We get to ask ourselves: How do we transform this seemingly ordinary object into something your customer will both use and remember?
