A dentist’s office transformed into a serene and elegant home in central Helsinki—where delicate meets colorful
Interior architect Essi Nádor already had a brand-new floor plan and furniture layout ready on her screen. Wooden surfaces, gentle colors, and indirect lighting bring warmth to this Japandi-inspired, light-toned home in Kamppi, central Helsinki.
By removing a partition wall, they created a spacious, bright kitchen where the cook can chat with guests on the sofa—an absolute must for the resident’s enthusiasm for cooking. The backsplash features ABL’s Unique Travertine Ruled White tile.
While searching for this apartment, interior architect Essi Nádor was constantly online. She sketched quick floor plan ideas and sent them via WhatsApp to help her client make a decision. During the viewing, the new layout was already set in Essis's plan, complete with furnishings.
The client, who works in the gaming industry, bought a top-floor through-unit in a 1932 apartment building in busy Kamppi, Helsinki. He wanted a place that needed a total renovation. The space had been used as a private dental practice from the 1970s until it was converted back into a residence in 2021. Because of its previous use, it required a full overhaul. Following the client’s wishes, all the old walls were torn down down to the concrete. The sewer lines were reinstalled, making use of existing connections whenever possible.
During the renovation, they focused on building a large open kitchen and a spa-style sauna-bathroom. The result is a light, high-quality home enriched with gentle colors.
“Our vision was a streamlined Japanese-Scandinavian-inspired home: wood, light tones, simplicity, and indirect lighting. Bold-colored furnishings add a fresh touch. We shaped our vision around the client’s ideas—it’s good to gently challenge the client,” says Essi Nádor.
Who lives here A man who works in gaming and his partner.
home An apartment in a 1932 building in Kamppi, Helsinki, with 95 square meters. The interior was designed by interior architect Essi Nádorand Tuuli Virtanen from the Nádor + Nádor design studio.
The custom Cuca kitchen was built by Runtu Works, which also handled the renovation. The doors are painted with Tikkurila’s Symphony G458 matte shade. Indirect lighting comes from LED strips behind the raised countertop and along the shelf’s underside and back edge. The striking Jura Grey countertop is from Granitop.
Matte beige cabinets pair with limestone countertops. The backsplash is ABL’s Unique Travertine Ruled White tile. The mesh faucet is by Gessi.
At the resident’s request, the floor is very light, treated with Wood Lye + RMC White Ash Select from Widgren parquet shop. In the dining area, there’s a Skovby extendable #33 dining table in white-oiled oak veneer, paired with a delicious shade of brick-red Lema Ombra chairs.
All the furnishings were bought specifically for this home. The resident wanted high-quality, durable pieces. A focal point of the living room is the Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio. They also requested as much indirect lighting as possible, especially in the living room. The lamps on either side of the Samsung Frame TV are by Saas Instruments. The TV stand is by Cuca, and the rug is from Etsy.
After the renovation, the living room feels spacious and tranquil. Long, straight drapes provide a gentle backdrop for the minimalist interior. The large Hay Mags Soft sofa, upholstered in mellow yellow wool, helps divide the space. The coffee table is by Gubi. The wall color is Tikkurila’s F458 Akropolis.
Designing the spa area was the biggest challenge for the team, as it had to accommodate a sauna, a two-person tub, and a large shower while still feeling relaxing and harmonious.
In this otherwise bright home, the entryway is, surprisingly, dark. Designers Essi Nádor and Tuuli Virtanen wanted an intimate transition from the entrance to the dark spa area, which also contrasts with the bright living room. The area is painted in NCS S 7000-N with a gloss level of 6. The black, textile-woven Ariake bench fits the space nicely. The Kaaos painting is by Eija Hakkola.
They didn’t aim for a conventional Finnish look in the sauna. That’s why the walls and floor are tiled. The benches and the center section of the floor are heat-treated aspen. The sauna was built by Runtu Works. The Helo heater provides soft, soothing steam.
Designing the spa area was the biggest challenge for the team, as it had to accommodate a sauna, a two-person tub, and a large shower while still feeling relaxing and harmonious. The Gessi shower ensemble is in Warm Bronze Brushed, a brushed bronze finish.
Dark, stone-like Laattapiste LPC Glow 500 tiles enhance the atmosphere.
Even though the bathroom is fairly compact, the designers fit all the requested features in a luxurious way. Dramatic, atmospheric indirect lighting makes the space captivating. At the resident’s request, the lighting can be controlled using switches or a phone. The Happy D.2 whirlpool tub is by Duravit.
“Our vision was a Japanese-Scandinavian-inspired home: wood, light tones, simplicity, and indirect lighting.”
The biggest planning challenge was the layout. It went through several iterations before Essi Nádor and Tuuli Virtanen could include every requested feature. The primary bedroom continues the same style as the rest of the home and even has room for exercise. The walls are painted with Tikkurila’s Pro Grey 1917. The chair is December by Nikari, and the rug is from Etsy.
Palttina made the headboard, and Cuca made the nightstands. The Enzo bed is by Mulperipuu, and the wardrobe with finger-pull handles is by Cuca. The Metsä blanket is by Lapuan Kankurit.
These home office shelves, made of ash veneer, are by Cuca. The loose furnishings are the client’s own. The Cupertino desk by BoConcept was purchased from Vepsäläinen.
This Helsinki apartment measures 95 square meters.
