Architect Samppa Lappalainen’s colorful vintage home—his favorite spot is the bathroom

Samppa Lappalainen and Jenni Janakka’s home in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, was previously occupied by a resident who lived to be a hundred—perhaps partly because she climbed to the sixth floor, grocery bags in hand, every week. The elderly lady’s fitness-boosting routine sealed the apartment deal for architect, CEO, and host of Grand Designs Finland TV show Samppa Lappalainen. The apartment building was built in 1938.

Samppa believes he too might live to be just as old in this home. The four-room apartment with a kitchen has many other delightful features, too.

The windows face three directions, and if anything is essential to an architect, it is the play of light. The morning sun shines into the kitchen, moves to the bedroom and TV room by midday, and lingers in the living room in the evening. Samppa’s wish for a bathroom with a window has also come true.

His partner, writer and spoken word artist Jenni Janakka moved into Samppa’s freshly renovated home a year ago. Jenni brought with her her grandmother’s old rocking chair, interior textiles, paintings, and an extensive wardrobe. The third resident of the apartment is Samppa’s 15-year-old daughter Saara.

The couple didn’t need anything else, as the apartment decorated with vintage furniture, colorful art, and rugged materials immediately felt like home to Jenni because it resembled her own style and home.

Jenni, what kind of home did you imagine an architect would live in before you saw how Samppa lives?

In my mind, it was a white space with empty surfaces and minimalist furniture. When I first came here, I was so amazed by the abundance and vibrancy that I couldn’t express to Samppa what I was thinking: how wonderful his home is. Samppa thought I didn’t like his home because I didn’t comment on what I saw at all.

Samppa, how did you plan the apartment’s renovation?

The layout was good, so I left it as is. I just opened up more pathways by cutting doorways between the kitchen and living room and to the TV room. I converted the former dining area, which was an extension of the kitchen, into a room for my daughter Saara. When I was making the doorways, plaster started crumbling from the walls. I didn’t bother covering the asymmetrical, rough surfaces because the mere thought of carrying sacks of plaster up here to the top floor made me sweat. It was pure laziness.

The home is furnished with vintage. What appeals to you about it?

Samppa: I don’t follow interior design trends. Design classics are timeless and tried-and-true. They’re made from quality materials and can be repaired. I’ve inherited Artek pieces and lamps from my relatives, but the most fun thing is finding a piece of furniture by an unknown designer at a flea market that blends in among the classics.

Jenni: I like furniture from the 1950s and ’60s. It’s nice to stroke their time-worn wooden surfaces.

Samppa, how did the color palette of your decor come together?

I’ve long dreamed of muted colors that complement wooden surfaces in my home. This is the first home I’ve been able to design for myself without compromises. I wanted walls of different colors in each room and chose the paint shades based on the atmosphere in each room. The pink walls of the TV room guided my choices of furniture and paintings.

How did you choose where to hang the paintings?

Samppa: I’ve accumulated a lot of art. After the move, I leaned the paintings against the walls so I could see their colors and styles at a glance. The easiest place to make a collage of paintings is on the floor.

Jenni: I hoped that two of my favorite paintings could go on the wall. Samppa thought about it; he felt a bit anxious about finding a good spot for them because all the walls were occupied. Eventually, he removed some of his own paintings from the living room and TV area and hung my favorite paintings in their places.

What is the most important thing about your home?

Samppa: The fact that not only we but also my child, relatives, and guests feel comfortable here. We often host dinners where everyone participates in the cooking. Jenni is a fabulous cook, and I’m good at bringing sparkling wine to the table. Last winter, we combined our housewarming and engagement parties and hosted for seventy people.

Jenni: Only one glass broke that time. I created a calming soundscape in the bathroom by using a nature-themed radio program by Yle (Finnish Broadcasting Company). People took turns to lounge in the tub filled with cushions and had deep conversations.

Samppa, when you start renovating an apartment, how much do you respect the original solutions?

Old apartments have often been renovated many times, so they have many layers. I aim to preserve or restore original surfaces, moldings, and fittings where it’s justified, but ultimately, our needs define what kind of combination of modern and old the overall result will be.

How would you describe your way of interior design?

Jenni: We’re allowed to live life, joyful or not. My home reflects my flamboyant personality. If the decor was very clinical, it would feel like living is forbidden there.

Samppa: A home is not a home if there aren’t signs of life or any personal history there. I like to gaze at items and furniture that evoke memories. One such item is the ‘370’ rattan chair designed by Maija Heikinheimo in 1939, which is from my mother Kristina Haarti’s childhood home.

Where do you enjoy spending time here the most?

Samppa: I open the window, lounge in the tub, and listen to the birds singing. I drink a Mimosa cocktail.

Jenni: I rock in the rocking chair that belonged to my grandmother. It’s meditative.