Blended family’s haven in an old log cabin—“My heart fluttered with joy as soon as we stepped into the garden”

As the pandemic altered daily life and prompted many Finns to start working remotely, Essi and Jussi felt fortunate they had already found and purchased their dream summer cottage. They had bought it in the summer of 2019 and completed some minor renovations, so it wasn’t a hassle to shift their remote work to the cottage. The drive from their city homes to their cottage in Hamina, Finland, takes just over an hour.

“Work feels completely different when you can pick berries, barbecue, or take a walk in the forest with the dog during your lunch break,” Essi says happily.

The previous owner had built a garage to replace a collapsed utility building. Essi and Jussi painted the outbuildings in the garden black, and the yellow color of the house is echoed in their doors.

Essi fulfilled her dream of having a hammock under the apple trees as her own relaxing spot.

Essi and Jussi enjoy cottage life In Hamina with their sons Ukko, 10, and Martin, 8. Their cottage is a log house built in 1885 and expanded in the 1920s.

Thanks to being able to work from home, the couple get to spend time together at the cottage even on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, Essi’s son Ukko and Jussi’s son Martin spend time at the cottage as well. In the city, Essi and Jussi live in separate homes for practical reasons, each with their own child. What’s held them back from moving in together is distance.

“It would have felt unfair to disrupt the children’s schools and hobbies. So instead of searching for a home together, we began looking for a summer cottage where we could spend time together.”

They found a cottage worth checking out on the online second-hand store Tori.fi using the keyword mummonmökki (Finnish for ‘granny’s cottage’). On a rainy day three years ago, Essi and Jussi drove to see the house whose garden, with its gnarled apple trees, was like a lush oasis.

“My heart fluttered with joy as soon as we stepped into the garden. I think Jussi, on the other hand, was mostly feeling the effects of the previous evening’s Flow Festival. And as a Master of Science in Technology, he approached the project more with logic than emotion in general. And that’s a good thing,” Essi says, laughing.

The family always have some little project going on at the cottage, and in the summer, the barbecue is fired up every day. The most important thing is that the activities are fun and stress-free.

The little kitchen garden in a herb box is easy to maintain. It’s decorated with broken plate shards that help the soil retain moisture.

The couple get to pick berries for a pie right from their own garden.

The oldest part of the house was built in 1885, and a few extra rooms were added in the 1920s. The previous owner was also a summer resident and had been making repairs on the cottage with their father’s help. It was evident that the old house had been lovingly and thoughtfully maintained.

“The house was in good condition and didn’t seem like it was a money pit that would lead us to an endless series of renovations. There was no risk of water damage since the house didn’t have running water, and the roof was intact,” Jussi says.

Thanks to the previous owner’s diligence, Essi and Jussi were spared major repairs: for example, the lowest logs of the house had already been replaced. The new owners got to focus mainly on painting and garden renovation.

During the first summer, the couple painted the garden outbuildings black, and in the second summer, they began building the terrace.

“When we started talking about getting a cottage, we decided to invest in a house on dry land that we could make our own. We didn’t want to tie up all our money in a waterfront property,” Essi says.

Thanks to the fast internet connection, working at the cottage goes smoothly. On child-free weeks, Essi and Jussi make the cottage their workspace whenever possible.

The old wood-burning stove in the kitchen is still in use. Danny the miniature dachshund also gets to enjoy its warmth.

Some of the furniture came with the house, including the old school desk in Martin’s room.

The restoration of the house has taken dozens of liters of paint. The guiding principle of every project has been ‘quick results’.

According to Essi and Jussi, part of the allure of cottage life is the more modest conditions compared to their city homes. The house still doesn’t have running water, and a composting outhouse sits at the back of the garden. Dishes can be washed in the handy summer kitchen outside. Instead of watching TV, you can admire nature or the flickering fire in the masonry stove.

“I spent my own childhood in quite primitive conditions because my parents built a house during the recession. We had an earthen floor, and my mother heated our washing water in a pot, so I’m familiar with the lack of conveniences. And Jussi also had some experience with summer cottages,” Essi explains.

They have renovated the house in subtle ways, respecting its history of over 100 years. All the interior surfaces have received a new coat of paint, but the old plank floors were left untouched. The couple didn’t want to sand them and erase the wear accumulated over the years.

The summer home’s interior style is a serene blend of modern and old. The colors are soft, and the atmosphere of the cottage is ideal for relaxation.

Included in the purchase of the house were many old pieces of furniture, tools, and even a ride-on lawnmower. Many items were put back to use, and most of the interior is made up of recycled finds.

“Ideas usually come from Essi, and I always think they’re good. I might then ask some practical questions or make observations about the implementation,” Jussi says.

Opening up the log walls revealed multiple layers of patterned wallpaper.

The house is charmingly heated with wood, and electric heaters are used as needed. Essi and Jussi’s bedroom features a lovely old masonry heater.

Even in the children’s rooms, unnecessary clutter has been minimized. Ukko is interested in doing his own scientific experiments and investigations.

You can follow the family’s cottage life on Instagram: @omenapuutarhantalo

The washing station is both beautiful and convenient.

“A Mrs. Saukkonen used to live in the house with her cow, and her legendary raspberries are still talked about by the villagers,” Essi says.

One of the most important criteria the couple set for the cottage was that the house should have enough space for all family members. Essi and Jussi wanted each boy to have his own room where they could retreat to do their own things or rest.

The boys' friends are always welcome too, so both children’s rooms have an extra bed for overnight guests.

The motto of the summer home is: fewer game consoles and gadgets, more creativity. Nature is an endless source of entertainment.

“Ukko is involved in scouting and enjoys being outdoors with a compass and various projects. Martin, on the other hand, loves the trampoline and hot tub,” Essi says.

The house is located within an urban area, so they can visit the library bus that has a stop at their gate for some reading, or get a snack from the ice cream truck.

“I think we’re the only summer residents in the area. Our large plot and its location on the edge of a field still guarantee privacy and that cottage atmosphere.”

There have been times during heatwaves when the dug well has run dry, and the family have had to brush their teeth at a nearby carpet washing pier. Their newest investment is a drilled well.

Beautiful old apple trees and berry bushes grow in the garden.

The sauna, hot tub, and terrace form the garden’s holy trinity. Since the house didn’t require major renovations, they’ve been able to invest in making the garden a pleasant space.

The outdoor bathtub is an everyday luxury. At the cottage, they utilize rainwater that drips through a filter directly into the tub. Warm water can be added in from the water tank in the sauna.

The sauna is delightfully close to the house.

At Jussi’s request, a new 45-square-meter terrace was built in the backyard by the sauna and hot tub. There’s also a terrace with a grilling area connected to the summer kitchen.

The best thing at the cottage is that the family can spend time together there, especially on evenings when everyone gathers outside to eat, have a sauna, and enjoy the hot tub.

“We’ve even created a special dish for those evenings, which we call cottage pizza. We throw some toppings on a ready-made pizza base and grab a handful of herbs from the garden. This special treat can't be enjoyed anywhere else,” Essi says.