A vacation home on Kimitoön in Southwest Finland underwent a complete transformation when Finnish Design Shop’s Studio redesigned its interior. The gray cliffs, archipelago pines, and the home’s unique details served as inspiration for the design.
SLENDER PINES surround the black house, which blends harmoniously into the surrounding nature and gray cliffs. Located on Kimitoön, the house recently underwent a complete renovation that brought the vacation home up to date in terms of materials, technology, and design. However, not everything was replaced – for instance, the living room’s distinctive paneled ceiling now stands out better than ever.
The renovation and interior design were carried out by the homeowner, Anna Helminen, and Maija Rasila from Finnish Design Shop’s Studio. Design Stories had the pleasure of interviewing both of them.
Anna Helminen, how did you find this house on Kimitoön?
“This vacation home was previously owned by someone I knew, and I saw a lot of potential in it. I knew the building would require significant work, but it had a solid foundation worth developing. The dry land plot surrounded by beautiful rocky forest is absolutely stunning. On top of that, the high ceilings, the original interior roof, and the barn-like structure of the house really appealed to me. The house has a total area of about 80 square meters. The plot also includes a smaller guest cottage and a storage building.”
What were the biggest changes made during the renovation?
“The house was originally built in the 1990s and later expanded with a newer section, which includes large bathing areas and a sauna. This newer section was completely rebuilt, and it was by far the most labor-intensive part of the project. In addition to upgrading the surfaces and systems, the house also received an entirely new exterior cladding.
The older part of the house was left as one large open space, and a full-width glass sliding door was added to one end of it. This change was absolutely worth it, as the large window now provides beautiful views all year round.”
Maija Rasila, how would you describe the home that was waiting for an update?
“The house had been expanded over the years, which made the overall layout feel a bit disjointed. The interiors were filled with pine paneling, typical of traditional Finnish summer cottages. My focus in the design was on simplifying and opening up the spaces, modernizing the functionality, refreshing the overall look, and selecting furniture that complemented the whole.
While much was replaced in the full renovation, there were beautiful details in the space that I wanted to preserve. For instance, the high ceilings with their distinctive paneled finish and the charming grid windows were elements worth maintaining.”
“The space had beautiful details that I wanted to preserve during the renovation.”
How did Finnish Design Shop’s Studio get involved in this project?
“Anna and I have been collaborating for quite some time, and our previous major project, Villa Ekkulla, was a great success in every way. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to design another unique vacation home on Kimitoön.”
• Read also: The wonderful Villa Ekkulla combines the best aspects of 70s interior design >
What kind of style were you aiming for?
“In the interior design, I wanted to honor the original spirit of the home. At the same time, I sought to bring it into the present day by refreshing the surfaces and simplifying the material palette. The choices reflect a combination of timelessness and simplicity. The influences came from late 20th-century design, with the interior highlighting gems from the 1970s as well as the understated aesthetics of the 1990s – all while incorporating Finnish classics.”
“The material palette was largely inspired by the surrounding nature. A softwood floor was a natural choice for a house nestled among pine forests.”
What role does the archipelago nature visible from the windows play?
“The plot features rocky terrain and pine forests typical of the Finnish archipelago. The views now unfold into the interior more beautifully than ever, thanks to the large glass wall with sliding doors installed on the end wall. This seamlessly connects the indoor and outdoor spaces. In summer, the terrace becomes like a second living room, and the changing seasons are beautifully integrated into the interiors.
The material palette was largely inspired by the surrounding nature: a softwood floor was a natural choice for a house nestled among pine forests, and the granite-gray bathroom drew its inspiration from the stunning rocks on the property. To let the surrounding landscape shine to its fullest, the furnishings were intentionally kept airy and minimal, respecting both the style of the house and its environment.”
Maija, what is your favorite thing about this project on Kimitoön?
“Definitely its close connection to nature and its unique atmosphere. The home’s distinctive character and original details were well-preserved, even though the surfaces were refreshed for the 2020s. Now, the original wooden ceiling stands out beautifully, and the grid windows frame themselves elegantly against the white walls. All the modern functionalities also fell perfectly into place, and what was originally a somewhat disjointed layout became cohesive and functional through the changes.”
Anna, were there any surprises during the renovation?
“Well, the purpose of the house changed a bit! Originally, I had planned the home for short-term rentals, but it found a new owner instead. The new owner fell in love with the place so much that they decided to make it their own. As a result, we adjusted some surface and fixed furniture solutions to better suit permanent use. However, we didn’t compromise on style!”
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See also:
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Mikko Vaija Images: Jukka-Pekka Virtanen
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