“There’s always room for one more elf”: Inger and Martti’s white home dazzles in red for Christmas
On the first Sunday of Advent, Inger Lauritzon-Kalpala and Martti Kalpala’s home in Hanko begins to change color. The decorations aren’t taken down until January 13th. “Christmas is the loveliest time of the year, because that’s when you can let your inner child run free,” Inger says.
There isn’t a single snowflake in sight. Even the wind blowing in from the Gulf of Finland feels more refreshing than wintry. Where in the world is Christmas hiding? We’ll soon find out when Inger Lauritzon-Kalpala invites us inside.
Inger and her spouse Martti Kalpala’s home in the coastal city of Hanko is dressed in a dreamy festive outfit. It looks its best right now, as evening falls and candles and tea lights cast a cozy, golden glow all around. If only time would stand still.
Red and white are everywhere, like on the pages of an old, beautiful storybook. The downstairs, which includes the kitchen and living areas, is decorated on the first Sunday of Advent, and the upstairs, where the bedrooms are, a few days before Christmas Eve.
“Christmas is in my bones. I inherited my enthusiasm from my mother Calina, who was originally from southern Sweden. In her home, the only true Christmas colors were red and white, and that was how they were in my childhood home too. At our house, creating a holiday atmosphere goes beyond bringing out decorations; we also switch out our home textiles. Christmas is reflected in everything we do,” Inger says.
The traditional Christmas spirit suits the house’s country-like feel. Even though the house is barely ten years old, its style exudes cozy nostalgia and a hint of romance. The décor is timeless, with comfortable sofas and Shaker chairs.
“I believe a house should dictate the kind of Christmas that suits it. If our home were entirely modern, the decorations would be different—at least more understated. A classic and abundant style works best here. To me, Christmas is the loveliest time of year, because it lets you indulge your childlike side,” Inger confesses.
“As Christmas approaches, my inner child awakens, and our motto becomes ‘more is more.’ Sometimes it threatens to get out of hand, because there’s always room for one more elf, even though at other times of the year I don’t enjoy having this much stuff around,” she continues.
”Our home only turns red during Christmas. That’s why we make the most of it now.”
The couple spends a long stretch of the holidays in Hanko and makes the most of the season’s ambiance. During Christmas, Inger wants to sleep under red-and-white sheets and dry off after a shower with a Christmas-red towel. Every year, she even brings out the same unfinished scarf, complete with yarn and knitting needles, because it looks so inviting and homey—simply perfect for Christmas.
In the living room, there is a generously stocked table full of treats nearly impossible to resist.
“In my childhood home, we had a similar table at Christmas. Then, my siblings and I wouldn’t have a specific ‘candy day’ like at other times of the year; we could grab goodies from the table any time we wanted. On display in small bowls are truffles, chocolates, and nuts, as well as marmalades that I adore above all else!”
“Here in Hanko, the centerpiece of my treat table is a wooden Christmas tree painted red, which once held mandarins on its branches. These days, I replace the fruit with gingerbread cookies and Fazer Marianne mints, which of course come in red-and-white wrappers.”
Inger has an astonishing collection of gorgeous Christmas decorations, each with its own place, story, and value.
“I received a few decorations, such as the treat table tree, from my childhood home. I’ve collected most of them myself over time. For years, I scoured every interior design shop in downtown Helsinki as soon as Christmas decorations and tableware went on sale. I’ve also carried home countless treasures from the Christmas department at Stockmann’s department store.”
Inger loves traditional decorations, such as elves and Santa figurines, candleholders, and beautifully embroidered linens and pillow covers.
”I take photos of all the spots and check what I placed where the previous Christmas.”
“And of course I also love the Christmas tree, which we pick up at the local market and decorate well in advance—about a week before Christmas Eve. However, decorating the tree is the only Christmas activity I’m not particularly fond of. Hanging the ornaments and putting up the lights takes several hours, and my arms get tired,” she says.
Otherwise, the couple’s decorating workload is eased by placing each decoration in the same spot every year.
“It works because I take photos of every location and see what I put where the previous Christmas,” Inger tells us.
Even though Christmas includes time and fun with family and friends, Inger and Martti traditionally spend Christmas Eve just the two of them. That’s when they enjoy peace and quiet, and watch The Snowman on TV.
“Sometimes we attend a Christmas service, though the beautiful carols move me so much that I always end up in tears. Christmas Day is our laziest day of the year, spent in pajamas and robes, but by Boxing Day, we need to pull ourselves together. That’s usually when guests come over and we enjoy treats together.”
The traditional Christmas season at Inger and Martti’s home lasts until Nuutti Day, the day that traditionally marks the end of Christmas in Finland. That means the decorations aren’t packed away until January 13.
“After that, I start looking forward to Easter and the green-yellow decorations of that season. The color red won’t return to the house until the next Advent.”
