The Happy, Vibrant Home of a Finnish Designer
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
Suvi's Beautiful Modern Home on Finland's West Coast
Friday, 13 April 2018
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Rocking chair, Round mirror: Save / splurge, Kähler Omaggio vase. |
How would you describe your style?
Modern scandinavian with a cosy twist.
What's your goal when it comes to decorating?
I want to create a timeless interior, which I spice up with small trendy items. Interior trends can be seen in textiles and smaller accessories.
Use (Finnish designers) Aalto furniture and Iittala and Marimekko. Keep everything simple and minimalistic.
And finally, where would you recommend people to visit in Finland?
I would recommend spending time in nature - it is very inspiring! Beautiful areas in Finland can be found around the coast (we are just starting to build our summer house by the sea and the nature is so beautiful there!) as well as the East side where there are thousands of lakes. Lapland is a great place to visit in the winter. Visit Finland shares some great tips!
Thank you so much for inviting us into your world Suvi!
You can see more of Suvi's home over on her blog and instagram feed. I also featured her sitting room back in 2014 (it's gone through quite a big transformation since then!).
In case you missed it, I shared another Finnish home earlier on in the week here - both homes have opted for blue in the bedroom but the one from earlier in the week has a surprising twist!
And finally, if you're looking for a simple way to incorporate Finnish style into your home, Suvi suggests adding a Finnish design piece, and one of these beauties are a great place to start:
5 Finnish Design Classics That look Great in Any Home
1. Artek A331 Beehive 2. Oiva teapot by Marimekko 3. Aalto Stool in Birch 4. Aalto vase 5. Block light
If you're into bold and bright patterns - Marimekko sells some really funky fabrics both for the home (check out this bedding!) and to wear (this skirt is pretty!). And of course, no mention of Finnish design would be complete without the Moomins! Who doesn't love the Moomins?!
Right. I think that's it from me for the week! I hope you have some great plans for the weekend! See you Monday campers!
Niki
All photography © Suvi Melender-LĂĄgland
My Scandinavian Home posts include affiliate links.
Astrid's Charming Finnish Lakehouse Full of Soul, History, and Vintage Finds
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
So, I’m thrilled to take you on a virtual visit today to a truly special home. Perched on the edge of a lake in Ruovesi — a small village near Tampere — this charming house belongs to Astrid Aminoff, her husband Henrik, their two children, and their dog Pablo (who may or may not be the real boss of the house).
The original lakehouse was built in the 1890s, back when its neighbour was none other than Finnish artist Hugo Simberg. It started as a tiny summer cottage, passed down through Henrik’s family. In the 1990s, it got a bit of a boost with an extension, and for the past five years Astrid and Henrik have been slowly and lovingly renovating it to create their dream retreat from which to enjoy the long Finnish summers.
Astrid describes their family as “culturally mixed” — she has British, Scottish, Finnish, and American roots, and Henrik is Finnish-Swedish. This wonderful blend is reflected throughout the home. And the couple has taken a heartfelt, sustainable approach to renovating: reusing old materials, snapping up vintage finds, and working within a tight budget. Think Danish furniture, Finnish Arabia ceramics, some lovely British pieces, and a vinyl collection that brings serious soul.
So without further ado — Tervetuloa (welcome) to Astrid’s charming lakeside house! Let’s step inside...
Did anything catch your eye?
If you’d like to see more glimpses of Astrid’s home and follow their ongoing renovations, pop over to @thefinnishhouse — it’s a real treat.
Fancy diving deeper into Finnish living? These lovely apartments and houses are well worth a peek:
Pia's cosy country home in snowy Finland
Maiju's delightful home Vaasa, Finland
Kaati's rustic 19th century log house
Wishing you all a happy Wednesday — or as they say in Finnish, Hyvää keskiviikkoa!
Niki
Photography by Astrid / @thefinnishhouse, shared with kind permission
An Idyllic Finnish Summer Cabin on the Water's Edge
Monday, 6 September 2021
An Inspiring Finnish Home With an Element of Surprise
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
In the kitchen, sleek, white kitchen cabinets from Finnish brand Topi Keittiot (IKEA sells similar) are broken up by a black mat faucet and sink (both Tapwell) . The shelves above are laden with ceramic and glassware including the classic Oiva Stoneware Teapot* by Marimekko (loving the gentle silhouettes).
The family dining area includes some real Scandinavian classics including the Artek beehive light and wishbone chairs. I like how the inclusion of a black chair balances the dining area with the black door behind (US readers - check out Target's budget friendly look alike!). The white storage cabinet in the background (and below) is by Finnish brand Lundia.
To achieve the darker look, Sini covered the back wall with bold floral wallpaper from Ellie Cashman Design (if you have the time you must check out this insta feed!). The rest of the room has been painted in Stiffkey Blue from Farrow & Ball. A rattan pendent from Bloomingville, and an IKEA bench and cabinet add a soft, light touch to the overall look.
If you'd like to know where more of the items give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll do my best to help. Sini is also great at tagging her images over on instagram, so you can always check there too (and see more of her home over on her blog!)!
If you fancy taking a peek at more homes in Finland today, how about this home in a converted factory, a living space where old meets new and the calm Finnish home of Anna Pirkola. Yup, the Finns know what they're doing when it comes to interiors!
A little bit of Finnish trivia for you too - did you know that when a baby is born in Finland they are given a box which includes every single item thing they might need for the best start in life? The box itself is designed to be slept in too! You can find out more about what it contains and why they provide it here (it makes for a fascinating read!).
Have a lovely day all!
All photography © Sini Liikala shared with kind permission.
*My Scandinavian Home posts include some affiliate links.