Christmas in a black farmhouse: “In the city, Christmas felt forced, while life in the countryside is more unhurried”

Sampo and Kati Pilli-Sihvola first bought their farmhouse in Iitti as a vacation home, but they couldn’t resist the countryside’s allure and eventually moved there permanently. Over time, the house went through major changes as they restored its historic charm. During the renovation, the once-yellow house was painted black, and these days Sampo and Kati are known locally as the “host and hostess of the black farmhouse.”

“An old house requires continuous upkeep, and we’re nowhere near done with the renovations we’ve planned. However, Sampo and I have spent the last 20 years enthusiastically renovating one home or another. It’s typical for us to pass our free time amid construction dust, and Christmas is the perfect reason to finish something new.

Here in the countryside, we’ve learned to slow down for Christmas and not obsess over the renovations. The small unfinished details that come with an old house don’t bother my perfectionist nature as much anymore.

This year, we wanted to get the entry hall done before Christmas. I had my plans ready well ahead of time, and in November, Sampo put on his work overalls. In my mind’s eye, I could already see a cozy holiday vibe in our entry, with decorations just waiting to be put up.

Our trusty family mason, Renni Sihvola built a barrel stove in the entry. It didn’t need paint because the zinc finish matched our farmhouse atmosphere. We thought about continuing the brick floor from the living area into the entry as well, but bricks were hard to find and pricey, so we went with Italian concrete tile instead.

For me, the journey to Christmas matters more than Christmas itself. I start getting ready in October. I love turning on holiday music and enjoying the hush of twilight, frosty nights, and starry skies. Our whole family likes being together, and our three sons also appreciate the glow of candlelight and the fireplace during winter evenings.

I believe a genuine Christmas can only be found in the countryside. There’s a special calm and quiet here, and nature is close to give us strength all year. The best thing about Christmas here is that I can really slow down and enjoy it. In the city, life was so hectic that Christmas felt like another task. Out here, life is slower, and the holiday simply feels more like Christmas.

Our holiday decor is fairly minimalist, with hides, soft fluffy blankets, and a few festive pillows. I’m not really a curtain person—I love our custom-made window frames that follow the original design, so there’s no need to cover them.

I bring nature indoors for Christmas with wreaths and evergreen arrangements. Some in our family are allergic to real Christmas trees, so this year we bought a high-quality artificial tree that should last a decade. Now that there are no needles to drop, we can decorate it a whole month before Christmas Eve.

The best Christmas present for all of us is enjoying a great meal together and taking it easy. Our kids are older now, so we don’t expect a pile of trinkets. We’ve always been big sauna fans, but a wood-fired sauna on Christmas feels extra special—it’s one of our most important holiday traditions.

In the past, I would make all our Christmas dishes from scratch in my own kitchen. These days, I’m easier on myself and buy some items from nearby bakeries and local businesses. I think traditional oven-baked ham belongs on the Christmas table, but our family loves fish more, so we focus on that most of all.

You won’t find pressed tablecloths or meticulously polished silver on our holiday table. I prefer the romantic look of slightly wrinkled linens, and I want the dishes to have a bit of nostalgia.

Rice porridge, which many see as a Christmas food, is a favorite of ours year-round. We also enjoy it on Christmas Eve morning—always with that lucky almond, of course!”