On my New Year trip to Helsinki, I met a Parisian who owned the most charming corner café on a quiet street. It caught my attention because of the décor – a classical oil-painted ceiling, ornate mouldings, and beautifully patterned wallpaper. It stood in stark contrast to the pared-down minimalism that defines much of the city.
“I came to Helsinki to work in a factory,” he said, while crafting the perfect latte in the freezing cold. “But after a few years, I thought I needed to make a change.” So he saved, rented the space, and opened a café. Three years on, it has become a cosy gathering spot, loved not just for its coffee, but for the warmth it brings.
“This is a dream come true,” I told him – a little space that’s entirely yours. He smiled. “All it took was a little courage. Most people just don’t dare to take that first step.”
That conversation set the tone for my New Year and, in many ways, for this issue.
Welcome to our combined Top 50 and Best 50 issue, a celebration of the most inspiring people, designs, and brands of the past year. This edition is dedicated to those who’ve dared to embrace change, move forward, and shape the world around them.
We’re thrilled to highlight the meaningful leaps taken by so many of our designer and architect friends over the past year. Some ventured into furniture design for the very first time, others unveiled debut photo exhibitions, opened new offices or boldly explored uncharted markets.
Through more than 100 pages of Q&As and showcases, we celebrate these milestones – each a testament to how courage, persistence, and skill remain timeless keys to success, no matter the challenges.
Full list of Top 50 2026: https://top50.homejournal.com
At the back of the book, you’ll find our Best 50 feature – a curated selection of brands chosen not only for what they create, but for how they continue to refine and innovate, all while honouring their legacies.
It’s no coincidence that many of the names on this list have long histories. Legacy, when respected, forms the foundation for meaningful reinvention. As Susanna Minotti, third generation of the Minotti family, shared with me on her recent visit to Hong Kong: “If you don’t know where you come from, you don’t know where you’re going.”
Italian craftsmanship, at its finest, is a layering of heritage and skill, built year after year. The same can be said of many of the brands featured in the pages that follow.
Just like the café owner, who stayed true to his roots, no matter where life took him, these creatives and brands remind us that honouring one’s identity and history is the foundation for true progress and meaningful innovation. May your New Year also be one of bold steps and inspiring transformations. Enjoy the issue.
Full list of Best 50 2026: https://bit.ly/46gmWmr
Cover photo: S22 project by via.; courtesy of Kris Provoost
