In spring 2022, Design Stories interviewed a group of friends who embarked on an ambitious project to transform historical Villa Sandsund into a new kind of boutique hotel offering effortless luxury. Hotel Sandsund is now open for reservations, and Design Stories returns to Tampere!
IT'S ALMOST OBLIGATORY to pause on the stairs leading to Herrainmäki – some might claim to catch one's breath, but at least for the sake of the view. Perched atop Herrainmäki, the idyllic Villa Sandsund is an equally impressive sight, but this time, we're particularly looking forward to a tour of the seven rooms, each with a completely transformed appearance.
Villa Sandsund, designed by architect Birger Federley and constructed in 1912, has just undergone a full-scale renovation, transforming the historic villa into a refined boutique hotel, now known as Hotel Sandsund.
From vision to completion
Laura Tuomisto and Hilma Ryösä, along with their partners, purchased this historical gem with the grand vision of adding a more experiential option to the hotel scene of Tampere – a sense of effortless Nordic luxury that couldn't be found elsewhere. The meticulous renovation of a building over a hundred years old unsurprisingly had its challenges, yet the vision only grew stronger and clearer in the process.
“Our dream from the beginning was to create a timeless, exclusive, and respectful style in line with the era of the house.”
“Our dream from the beginning was to create a timeless, exclusive, and respectful style in line with the era of the house. With the help of the experienced designers and interior architects at Nádor + Nádor, we even exceeded our own expectations. Sandsund turned out to be much more colorful than the original idea, and it's quite refreshing”, Ryösä elaborates.
“We would like to thank all the companies and entrepreneurs who have participated in this endeavor. The level of expertise we have witnessed during this project has been astounding. Despite encountering surprises along the way, we never felt overwhelmed due to the support.”
The construction project was the very first for Tuomisto and Ryösä, and the upheaval of the global situation in spring 2022 didn't make pushing the project forward any easier.
“The global situation certainly added its own flavour to the project. For example, we had planned to have parquet floors throughout, but the war in Ukraine drastically increased the price of oak and disrupted availability. Still, we didn't have to make any painful compromises throughout the project – which surprised us because we were mentally prepared for it,” recalls Tuomisto.
“We had anticipated that there would be some surprising situations, considering it's an old building where not a single wall was straight.”
“Materials and orders became more expensive than originally planned. We also had to prepare for long delivery times, so some products were ordered very early – but when unexpected surprises arose at the construction site, some of the pre-ordered items no longer fit the plan. However, we had anticipated these situations in advance, considering it's an old building where not a single wall was straight,” adds Ryösä.
Drawing inspiration from the villa itself
Being culturally, historically and architecturally significant and therefore partially protected from alternations, Villa Sandsund has inevitably challenged its new owners during the project. However, its unique story and fascinating details have also served as the main inspiration.
“The names of the hotel rooms are related to the history of the building and the surrounding nature. My personal favorite is Room 1912, with its calming light blue walls and an old tiled fireplace,” reveals Ryösä.
“The second suite upstairs, August, is named after the first resident of the house, August Sandsund and the downstairs suite, Federley, after the architect, Birger Federley. The upstairs balcony suite, Indigo, received its name from the original, indigo-colored tile stove in the room.”
All seven rooms and the atmospheric breakfast salon have undergone a complete transformation while respecting the original ambiance and refined essence of the house.
“When we purchased Villa Sandsund, it had been used as an office, with cold yellow fluorescent lights and a gloomy atmosphere. Now, the rooms are flooded with natural light, and the beautiful windows crafted by a carpenter create an enchanting play of light and shadows in the rooms. Carefully chosen paint tones, luxurious curtains, and full-length carpets from VM Carpet bring a serene yet sophisticated atmosphere to the space,” Ryösä describes.
“The overall atmosphere of Sandsund is tranquil and idyllic. The color and material choices create a lingering atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia,” Tuomisto continues.
A unique dream project
Interior architect Essi Nádor and the expert team at Nádor + Nádor Interior Architecture were involved in the project from the get-go to ensure the realization of the owners' vision, together with Finnish Design Shop's Trade & Contract Sales. Hotel Sandsund proved to be a dream project for Nádor, who wanted to incorporate the unique history of the villa into the final result in a timeless yet contemporary way.
“The goal was to create different atmospheres in each room, and I feel that we truly made that vision a reality.”
“The original plans included more vintage detailing, but gradually, as the project progressed, the plan evolved into its current form – a balanced combination of a fresh, modern feel and references to the atmosphere of the building's era,” Nádor describes.
“The goal was to create different atmospheres in each room, and I feel that we truly made that vision a reality. Lavish curtains, soft textiles, and stylish built-in furniture exude a luxurious ambiance without being too overpowering.”
Each of the seven individual rooms has a unique set up, with its own atmosphere, story, and color scheme. The interior seamlessly combines Finnish craftsmanship, timeless design furniture, and charming vintage finds.
“Each room is its own experiential entity. Thick wall-to-wall carpets were chosen for the rooms to provide soft acoustics and a refined atmosphere. The downstairs lobby and corridor feature patterned vintage-style tiling. Deeper and more intense shades are introduced alongside the soft tones,” describes Nádor.
“It feels amazing to finally see the hard work materialize into a physical space. I'm looking forward to staying at the hotel very much – the only difficulty now is choosing a room!”
The interior of Hotel Sandsund seamlessly combines Finnish craftsmanship, timeless design furniture, and charming vintage finds.
A new chapter in the history of Herrainmäki
The doors are now open, and Hotel Sandsund is already welcoming its first guests. What kind of hotel will those who ascend to Herrainmäki get to enjoy?
“We want guests to experience comprehensive and personalized service in a unique and peaceful environment. The limited number of rooms allows us to surprise guests and offer them something that cannot be found in bigger hotels – details make a big difference,” envisions Ryösä.
“Hotel Sandsund is a peaceful and idyllic boutique hotel that offers an experiential retreat. Here, time comes to a halt,” summarizes Tuomisto.
Hotel Sandsund, Herrainmäenkuja 4, Tampere, Finland. Bookings and inquiries: hotelsandsund.fi
Inspired by Hotel Sandsund
MC10 Clerici lounge chair
Peanut pendant
Pajukko rug
April table
Bølling tray table
Mobil 46 wall lamp
Atelier chair
In Between SK18 table
Saara duvet cover
Saara pillowcase
JWDA table lamp
Ilta night stand
See also:
• Finnish Design Shop's Trade & Contract Sales >
• All items at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Mira Ahola Images: Unto Rautio