“Originally built for a sea captain, the house dates back to the 18th century. According to a researcher from the Finnish Heritage Agency, the cottage retains many construction details characteristic of that era,” Juha says. The cottage was once part of a larger estate but was separated in the 1920s under the tenant farmer law.
Kirsti had dreamed her whole life of that quintessential Finnish dream: a red cottage and a potato patch. For boating enthusiasts Kirsti and her partner Juha, the Kustavi archipelago has always been an important part of life.
Juha’s great-aunt Irja owned a cottage in Kustavi, in a sheltered valley by the sea, and in 1994, Kirsti and Juha got the chance to buy it themselves. It was the perfect place to fulfill their dream. The red cottage stands beautifully in the midst of nature, and the small potato patch offers both joy and a sense of self-sufficiency.
In Kirsti and Juha’s cozy hideaway, historical features merge with the scenic seaside surroundings. A careful balance between preservation and modernization has enabled this cottage to serve as both a holiday home and a historic landmark.
The sea and islands offer endless opportunities for adventure, and Kustavi’s diverse archipelago is among the most beautiful in Finland, Juha says.
“When we’re out boating, we feel freedom and a connection to nature, and the tranquility of the archipelago is an irreplaceable counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of daily life.”
“Here, we have everything we could wish for: a historic and charming home, stunning sea views, the freedom that boating brings, and the opportunity to live close to nature,” Kirsti adds.
Juha’s great-aunt Irja bought the abandoned cottage in 1953 and made sure to preserve its historical authenticity during renovations. Electricity was installed in 1977. Originally, the property included the cottage, a sheep barn, a smoke sauna, and a small cultivation area, but nowadays it also features a boat shed, a new sauna in addition to the smoke sauna, a garage, a wood shed, a couple of guest cabins, a storage building, and an outdoor toilet.
Residents Retirees Kirsti Erikkilä, 71, and Juha Erikkilä, 72.
Holiday home An 18th-century cottage in Kustavi, on the southwestern coast of Finland. It is a traditional single-room dwelling originally consisting of the main room, a chamber, and a small alcove. The house was fully restored with natural materials between 2007 and 2012. The total area is about 78 square meters (840 sq ft).
Juha’s architect brother designed the traditionally styled boat shed. In summer, it accommodates their motorboat and doubles as a party venue. Whenever the weather permits, Kirsti and Juha dine outdoors, either in the cottage garden or down by the shore.
“The charming atmosphere, historical feel, and beautiful scenery made a strong impression on our very first visit. This place immediately felt special,” says Kirsti. Juha already knew the cottage from childhood, having spent much time there with his family.
The back room of the cottage originally served as an animal shelter. “During my great-aunt’s time, the room was used as a modest summer space,” Juha says. In 2012, the couple carried out a thorough renovation, turning it into a cozy “salon” for relaxing. The textiles follow traditional styles. Among other things, the couple has made pillows from mattress fabrics found in the attic.
“When we bought the cottage, we inherited some rustic Finnish furniture that set the tone for the interior. We have stayed true to this style and added more items in the spirit of the cottage whenever possible,” Kirsti says.
“We’re not collectors, but if we need something, we buy it when the time is right.”
“When we bought the cottage, we inherited some rustic Finnish furniture that set the tone for the interior.”
The couple did not want a water connection in the old part of the house, so they built an extension that includes the kitchen, entryway, and washroom. At the same time, the cement shingles were replaced with ceramic ones, improving the home’s appearance and durability.
Traditional pelargoniums, such as Mårbacka and Kaisa Kallio, survive the winter year after year and bring a sense of tradition and continuity to the cottage.
The cottage is used year-round. Heating is provided by an air-source heat pump, electric radiators, an old stove, and the main room’s masonry heater. There are 18 solar panels on the boat shed roof. Water comes from our own well. “Local contractors handled the more demanding construction work, but we also did a lot ourselves,” Kirsti explains.
From a traditional pull-out bench, Kirsti and Juha created a spacious double bed right away. The bed nearly fills the low, small room, but at the same time, it makes the space extra charming and cozy. Kirsti’s crocheted bedspread adds a pop of color.
“We’re tinkerers by nature, and a typical summer day in Kustavi is packed with all kinds of activities, not to mention boating.”
The couple renovated the guesthouse, a lightweight log structure built in 1977 that had been overrun by ants and includes a small kitchen. They found the rattan chair on the terrace at the Kustavi recycling center. The property has a small raised bed garden, potato and strawberry plots, and old apple and plum trees. “Our gardening principle is semi-wild; we try to protect wildflowers and old perennial plants. Part of the rocky grounds is a natural meadow where we let everything bloom and go to seed,” Kirsti explains.
Both in the cottage and the guesthouse, called Irjala, there are always wildflowers on the table, bringing a piece of the surrounding nature indoors. Juha’s mother crafted the ceramic vase in 1947. The ryijy rug is an heirloom. The old rattan furniture from Parola came with the guesthouse.
The renovation work on the buildings began in 2003 with the construction of a new sauna and wash facilities alongside the existing smoke sauna. The new sauna’s frame logs came from a dismantled old sauna in the Tapanila district of Helsinki. “We’re tinkerers by nature, and a typical summer day in Kustavi is filled with all sorts of activities, not to mention boating.”
The holiday home in Kustavi measures 78 square meters (840 sq ft).
