The illness of their youngest forced this blended family to find a new home: “An accessible home doesn’t have to feel institutional”

Entering through the front door, you can see straight through the home to the greenery beyond the windows. The spacious atrium courtyard feels like a private oasis. The surrounding nature is an important part of living here.

The modular sofa from Softtrend is among the few new pieces purchased for this home. Hanging above it is a colorful painting by artist Linda Ajo. The Artek table was found in a refuse container, and Maiju’s friends refurbished it for the new home.

The woven wall hanging is a thrift store find. Initially it looked too old-fashioned, so Maiju stretched it over a painting board to give it a more modern look. The leather suitcase and the painting are also thrifted.

Maiju, what made you choose this home?

Our lives changed four years ago when our daughter Viola was diagnosed with a hereditary muscle disease that affects her mobility. Right after we got the news, we began looking for a home suited to our new daily life. When I finally decided to be more flexible about the location, we found this listing. Seeing the photos made me sigh with relief: the single-level apartment looked like it was renovated just for us—and I’ve always loved this era!

What are your key observations about accessible living?

The spaces have been remodeled to feel open, making it easy to move around in a wheelchair. The bathroom is spacious and has a toilet, and even the sink cabinets work for someone with limited mobility. Many 1960s homes are single-level with clear layouts. I looked at doorway widths and how smoothly each space flows into the next. An accessible home doesn’t have to look institutional at all. A beautiful environment is essential for our family’s well-being.

Although the open-plan kitchen is set apart from the living room, there’s a clear sightline from one room to the other. Maiju appreciates the previous owner’s clever decision to install a kitchen island. The design is by Nixi Kitchens.

The kitchen chairs came from Sami’s grandmother’s home. Maiju found a vintage Asko dining table online that matches them beautifully. The painting on the wall is by Maiju’s colleague, Karoliina Kivelä. The light fixture is a thrift store find.

Maiju, you’ve created a warm and welcoming home. How did you do it?

The previous owner made smart alterations to the floor plan and chose durable, tasteful materials. It was easy to add my own style for a unified, uncluttered look. I love 1960s architecture and wanted to respect that. One of my best finds is a teak bookshelf I bought on the Tori marketplace. Our home is mostly furnished with secondhand and inherited pieces, and I enjoy exploring thrift stores. The two items dearest to me are my grandparents’ framed wedding photo and a 100-year-old red silk quilt.

The bedroom lamps came from Sami’s grandmother. Maiju replaced the wiring and used curtain rod brackets to mount them on the wall. She would never part with the old silk quilt.

Maiju bought this 1960s-style dressing table years ago. It fits perfectly in the bedroom’s recess. The tones in her grandparents’ wedding photo match the wood precisely.

In Viola’s room, height and proportions have been planned thoughtfully. Books are at floor-level, and the Muurame bed is low. Viola’s watercolor paintings brighten the walls. Maiju sewed the bolster pillows, and the curtains are a thrift store find.

Maiju’s grandmother’s sideboard and the yellow silk quilt determine the color scheme in Alvar’s room. Eero Aarnio’s red chair pairs nicely with the letter sign. The table lamp is also thrifted.

What updates are still on your wish list?

I’d love to expand into the garage at some point, adding a convenient laundry area and a space to wash the wheelchair. There’s also a lot to do in the yard. The atrium courtyard was clearly well planned, but the garden has become overgrown and the deck area needs renovating. I’m also dreaming of a Japanese-style relaxation area.

In Valma’s room, the vintage wall lamp found at a retro store is a real attention-grabber. The headboard is from Jotex.

No cabinet was installed beneath the Temal sink, which is a great example of blending accessibility with modern design. The Frost Nova2 floor squeegee doesn’t need to be hidden away.