“One day I’m going to buy this place off my Mom”—even the family’s teenagers enjoy living in this 100-year-old house in Jalasjärvi, Finland

When Miia Anttila was in her twenties working at the Finnish Posti postal service, she often admired a particular mansard-roof house on her mail route. That same house first became her workplace and later her family’s home.

“I love this home because it’s all one big space, and the rooms connect to each other,” says Miia’s daughter Lotta.

How did you end up living in this house?

I always secretly hoped someone would buy this house and fix it up. When I heard there was only a week left to make an offer, I decided I absolutely had to see it. I followed my heart, and everything moved quickly after that. At first, it served as a café and interior decor shop, and then I moved in with my children. I rented it out for a while, until the kids and I moved back in with my current partner, as a family.

After spending time in the chilly outdoors, it’s wonderful to come inside and enjoy the warmth of the wood-burning baking oven. In the winter, this large oven is heated every day.

Grape hyacinths bring a hint of spring.

What kind of renovation has the house undergone over the years?

Miia: We began renovating the house in 2014 with the intentions of preserving as many original elements as possible. Over time, in the midst of our everyday lives, we tackled a major renovation step by step. We exposed the original logs, uncovered the bricks, and restored the old plank floors.

Lotta: When I was younger, I didn’t like living here because there wasn’t much open space. But after the renovation, I started to enjoy it. I love this home because it’s all one big space, and the rooms connect to each other. One day I’m going to buy this place off my Mom.

The wooden kitchen cabinets were found on the online marketplce Tori, then painted at a local carpentry shop in shade RAL7030. The island countertop was made from the cover of an old plank table. The large island brings the whole family together.

What did such a massive renovation of an old house teach you?

It was a good thing we didn’t start renovating right away, but waited until we were sure about the materials. Tackling the renovation step by step taught me patience, because I had to live with things left unfinished for a while. I'm most excited for having had the idea to build a large kitchen island surrounded with bar stools. We spend time there every day.

Miia’s grandpa Aatto once made each of his children their own traditional Finnish "Könnin kello" handcrafted grandfather clocks as a gift. Miia inherited hers from her mother, and now it is placed on show with pride in the dining area. The dining chairs are also Grandpa’s handiwork.

One of the few newly purchased pieces of furniture is a custom-made sofa. The TV stand was made by Miia’s grandpa, and the coffee table was found secondhand. All the painted walls in the home are in shade NCS S 2005-Y20R.

How do you spend your time together at home?

We spend a lot of time together as a family, doing everyday tasks—someone might be cooking while another works on homework. On weekends, we have more time to commit on slow cooking. Our shared love of food shows in the fact that the kitchen is our favorite spot. We aim for an inspiring everyday life that includes as much 'hygge' as possible, enjoying the comfort and coziness of the little things in life.

The rough bricks pair nicely with the home’s wallpapers. The bedroom wallpaper is Hudiksvalls Teater from the Duro Gammalsvenska collection.

From the bedroom doorway, there’s a delightful view all the way to the kitchen.

Miia, what is your approach to interior design?

It’s important to me that the furniture, colors, and materials create a cohesive look. When I want to rearrange things, I don’t need to buy anything new because what we already have fits together naturally. I typically buy furniture used. If we need something, we don’t run to the store immediately. For example, when we needed a cutting board, Ossi found a suitable plank to make us one.

The headboard was a Tori online marketplace find that Miia restored herself. It used to be a window casing. Both the headboard and the bedside tables are painted in Finnish paint store Tikkurila’s Q710 Aapa shade. The wallpaper is Hudiksvalls Teater from Duro’s Gammalsvenska collection.

What possibilities has this home opened up to you?

In the beginning, this house allowed me to pursue my passions in food and interior decor through entrepreneurship. After we all moved in together, the home adapted to our needs. Now I get to to work on my book projects in a calming and inspiring environment.

Miia’s workspace is in the spacious bedroom, where she works on various book related projects. For Miia, a comfortable work environment has a big impact on her mindset, and she’s most productive in a harmonious space. The desk chair was found at a flea market in Pietarsaari, a nearby town, and the desk was finished by hand with an oak-colored antique wax.

The bathroom area was once the house’s entryway. The renovation the previous owners had started continued, since they wanted a laundry room to make everyday life easier. Removing the indoor sauna made space for the laundry area.

The dresser, originally red, was also found on Tori and repurposed as a vanity. Miia painted it with Tikkurila’s Q710 Aapa. The mirror reflects a bathroom wall papered with Thistle by Boråstapeter.

In summer, the family spends a lot of time outdoors and especially the outdoor sauna, which has a cozy patio. They love grilling together, enjoying the ambiance of the log sauna, and relaxing in the hot tub.

The home’s large yard provides plenty of space for Reiska the dog to run around. An old storehouse and an old wood shed left behind from the houses earl days are still in use.