Roosa and her family have the atrium house of their dreams: “It feels like we’re finally at home”

Now the architectural and elegant atrium building in Espoo is no longer just a house, but a home. Timeless materials, design furniture and a dash of blue provide a calm setting for family life. To make things just perfect, there is also a swimming pool.

LOCATED IN ESPOO, Finland, the wooden house with an atrium is becoming a cozy home for a family of five. Roosa Pohjola and her family had the home built exactly to their wishes. Thanks to the experience gained from the two previous detached houses built for the family, they not only knew different construction and interior design materials but also their own taste, so for this home, it was easy to reach the best possible result with the first try.

Right from the start, Roosa had a clear vision of what the house of their dreams would look like, and that there would be even more different surface materials than before. She also wanted the house to be interesting as is, even without furniture. Now the architecture accentuates the large windows, sweeping views and window frames made of pine, not to mention the folding and interior doors and beautiful slatting.

THE POOL WAS a must-have for Roosa’s spouse and the sheltered atrium for Roosa. An adorable round window and an architectural, 70s style vibe were also on the family’s wish list. The large windows of the house overlook the quieter side of the building; the courtyard and swimming pool. On the side of the yard covered in asphalt, the facade is closed.

Architect Riinamari Fagerström from Studio Rosberg created the final drawings based on the family’s wishes. The house makes efficient use of the available square area. The 146-square-meter house and 24-square-meter outdoor sauna, connected by a patio, form a compact whole on the plot, along with a spacious carport and a small garden. The atrium is perfected by a stunning swimming pool, which is used almost all year round.

The atrium is perfected by a stunning swimming pool, which is used almost all year round.

“We wanted to maximize the square footage in the common areas of the house, which is why we kept the bedrooms relatively small and made the living room and dining area larger. We’d always wanted a house with a lounge area that’s really big and spacious, since that’s where the guests also spend time. The house is made more practical by the mudroom leading straight to the utility room and storage space for outerwear, also keeping everyday clutter away from our stylish home,” points out Roosa.

THE INTERIOR HAS been created slowly and with care. Roosa has loved interior decoration since she was a little girl, and she has followed the “simple is beautiful” philosophy learned from her mother in the decoration of the entire house. The spaces are not congested but have room for lounging, playing and moving about. In terms of size, the rooms are sensible and practical. The colors in the home are natural, calm and harmonious, including various shades of brown, sand and off-white.

No temporary solutions have been used in the interior. Instead, all the items are of high quality.

No temporary solutions have been used in the interior. Instead, all the items are of high quality. Roosa follows Finnish design with a keen eye and draws inspiration from practically anywhere: cafés, interior design shops, interior design events and fairs, magazines, the internet and Instagram. She can find attractive color or material combinations anywhere. For her, it is a big plus if the object or material is Finnish.

“I’m an admirer. I can draw a great deal of inspiration by just looking at skillfully made design. I don’t buy any object without knowing where to put it. Objects must also evoke positive feelings in me. Home is an important place for us and to me, it’s particularly important that everything looks harmonious and everyone feels good. I may take a liking to items and things that are very different from each other, but every time I’ve ended up making a purchase, I’ve noticed at home that the object I’ve just bought completes the whole,” describes Roosa.

THIS IS FINALLY a home where the family plans to live for a longer time. In the future, the home will feature more crafts and art. The serene color palette would go wonderfully with colorful art, and Roosa is currently thinking about different splashes of color and dreaming of buying art by illustrator Eija Vehviläinen. At some point, the living room will be adorned with a rug – once Roosa finds the right one. Roosa has also been thinking about getting a stool to accompany the Karuselli lounge chair designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro.

“Home means peace and quiet and having control over things. Our home is a safe haven.”

“Looking at our home makes it clear that I’m interested in interior decoration. Things are for use. I like keeping our home tidy and in order, and it’s never that messy. I like spending time at home, and to me, home is a place where I can express myself and make exactly the decisions that I want. Home means peace and quiet and having control over things. Our home is a safe haven and tells a lot about us. The best moments I’ve experienced at home were the ones just after moving in. The feeling of finally being home was unforgettable”, says Roosa.

According to Roosa, important people and everyday moments at home bring a sense of happiness. “I’m at my happiest when everyday life runs smoothly and our home functions the way it should. When the whole family is home, doing things alone and together. A moment of pure happiness would be one with the smell of burning wood, heating the sauna while the children are swimming. The sliding door in the living room would be open, and everyone would just be going back and forth, enjoying the moment. Another moment of pure happiness could be one when we have friends over, spending the day with us. The best thing about this home is having a wonderful environment and all the important people there.”

See also:

• All pre-owned products at Franckly >
• Roosa's @kotimme account on Instagram >

Text: Piia Kalliomäki Images: Pauliina Salonen

Featured products may not be available worldwide. This story was originally published in the Asun magazine’s issue 3/2023.