Mystery & Meaning

Jenna bought a 100-year-old log house: “At first, some were horrified, wondering how I’d manage such a demanding house alone”

Jenna moved into her very first house in the harshest winter cold. The 100-year-old Manala has given her confidence and taught her the skills needed to manage an old home.

Author Heidi Lehto

Images Hanne Manelius

November 9, 2025Lue suomeksi

For 34-year-old Jenna Pigg, becoming the owner of a 100-year-old log house in 2021 was a milestone. She values the mood and craftsmanship of times gone by.

Home: A log-framed house built in 1923 in Jyväskylä, Finland, with 3 rooms + kitchen + yard sauna, 105 square meters (1,130 square feet).

Who lives here: Development specialist Jenna Pigg.

Follow on social media: @manala1923

A small log-framed wooden house and its sheltered garden are located just a couple of kilometers from downtown. “At first, I was a bit unsure about how I’d manage here. These days I do have time for crafts, relaxing by the fire, and enjoying music and wine.”

Jenna Pigg in front of her house — A small log-framed wooden house and its sheltered garden are located just a couple of kilometers from downtown. “At first, I was a bit unsure about how I’d manage here. These days I do have time for crafts, relaxing by the fire, and enjoying music and wine.”

A lush pinecone wreath and door sign welcome you to Manala.

A door with a pinecone wreath — A lush pinecone wreath and door sign welcome you to Manala.

A narrow staircase leads upstairs, where there are two roughly equal-sized rooms. In the past, three families lived in the house at the same time. The house was also been expanded at some point.

Entryway and white-painted staircase — A narrow staircase leads upstairs, where there are two roughly equal-sized rooms. In the past, three families lived in the house at the same time. The house was also been expanded at some point.

How have the last three years been?

At first, some people in my life were alarmed about how I’d manage a demanding house with wood-burning fireplaces and old windows. Outside, the temperatures were freezing, and for the first few weeks, all I did was heat the stoves. Before long, I realized I also had to make time for work, seeing people, and doing more than just carrying firewood. That first winter dispelled any notions of cozy evenings doing yoga and listening to vinyl records by the fireplace with a glass of wine. I made the decision to install an air-source heat pump. Even though it didn’t fully align with my old-house living philosophy, it turned out to be a great purchase.

According to a story, the living room’s gray cylindrical stove made its way here from next door. Jenna crafted the straw mobile herself.

Jenna Pigg lighting the stove — According to a story, the living room’s gray cylindrical stove made its way here from next door. Jenna crafted the straw mobile herself.

Manala’s Christmas season includes straw goats, candles, and a real spruce tree. Traditional, natural holiday decorations suit the atmosphere of this urban cottage. Beauty comes from simple things.

A Christmas tree in the corner of the living room — Manala’s Christmas season includes straw goats, candles, and a real spruce tree. Traditional, natural holiday decorations suit the atmosphere of this urban cottage. Beauty comes from simple things.

The Christmas tree comes indoors around Jenna’s birthday, about a week before Christmas. Straw ornaments, reminiscent of her childhood Christmases, adorn the tree.

Traditional ornaments on the tree — The Christmas tree comes indoors around Jenna’s birthday, about a week before Christmas. Straw ornaments, reminiscent of her childhood Christmases, adorn the tree.

The arrangement on the living room wall is full of messages and meaningful details. Wooden distaffs, Hugo Simberg’s The Garden of Death, and nature-themed images all tell the story of Manala.

A living room with a collage of pictures on the wall — The arrangement on the living room wall is full of messages and meaningful details. Wooden distaffs, Hugo Simberg’s The Garden of Death, and nature-themed images all tell the story of Manala.

How deeply have you ventured into the house’s secrets?

Apparently, a Dutch architect once lived here and renovated the house. He had some fascinating ideas and a keen understanding of the house’s character. After his time, the kitchen was renovated and the floors were painted. I’m currently restoring the windows using traditional methods. I’ve fearlessly picked up tools and taught myself woodworking.

Jenna enjoys her Christmas porridge with archipelago bread and toasted butter. On Christmas Eve Manala is quiet since Jenna heads north to spend time with her family.

Jenna Pigg serving Christmas porridge — Jenna enjoys her Christmas porridge with archipelago bread and toasted butter. On Christmas Eve Manala is quiet since Jenna heads north to spend time with her family.

The kitchen was renovated by the previous owners. Jenna is currently restoring the windows one by one. Her next dream is to build a pantry, and to refurbish the yard sauna.

A gray kitchen and dining table — The kitchen was renovated by the previous owners. Jenna is currently restoring the windows one by one. Her next dream is to build a pantry, and to refurbish the yard sauna.

During the move, exciting surprises were discovered inside the wood-burning stove: a pastry pan and a cast iron waffle iron.

A wood-burning stove with candles on top — During the move, exciting surprises were discovered inside the wood-burning stove: a pastry pan and a cast iron waffle iron.

“Outside it was bitterly cold, and for the first few weeks I did nothing but heat the stoves. I soon realized I had to make time for work, meet people, and do something other than carry firewood.”

The black-painted plate shelf has made the rounds in Jenna’s relatives’ homes. Nearly all the furniture was purchased or acquired secondhand and then restored as needed to fit the décor.

A kitchen with a black-painted dish shelf — The black-painted plate shelf has made the rounds in Jenna’s relatives’ homes. Nearly all the furniture was purchased or acquired secondhand and then restored as needed to fit the décor.

What’s the story behind the house’s striking name?

Manala is just a nickname I gave the house; its real name is much more traditional. I’m interested in the indigenous Finnish religion, folklore, and learning traditional crafts. I grow herbs in the garden and collect old objects. Perhaps my spirit thrives in the shadowy beyond. This house completes my identity and is an essential part of my life. For the first time, I truly feel at home.

The second fireplace upstairs is used daily during winter. Orange slices for Christmas have also been dried under the warmth of the Porin Matti stove.

Dried orange slices on the wall — The second fireplace upstairs is used daily during winter. Orange slices for Christmas have also been dried under the warmth of the Porin Matti stove.

The guardian of the yoga space is the Porin Maija oven. Next to it stands a mustard-colored Rococo chair. Presumably, the oven once served as a kitchen, washing area, and source of heat for a family. The white plank wall offers a spirited but suitably calm backdrop for the collage.

A mustard-colored Rococo chair and Porin Maija — The guardian of the yoga space is the Porin Maija oven. Next to it stands a mustard-colored Rococo chair. Presumably, the oven once served as a kitchen, washing area, and source of heat for a family. The white plank wall offers a spirited but suitably calm backdrop for the collage.

Where is Manala’s heart?

It’s in the flickering flames of the oven, the creak of the stairs, the light streaming in through the windows, and along the garden path. You can sense it in the house’s air, scents, lights, and shadows. The second upstairs room is devoted to breathing, yoga, and crafts. When you light incense and candles and ring a singing bowl, you can imagine breathing in unison with the house.

The bedroom’s uneven, slanted ceiling is painted with clay paint. Gingerbread-colored bedding suits both the Christmas season and the ceiling. The large window star can be seen from far away, perched atop the hill.

An uneven slanted ceiling in the bedroom — The bedroom’s uneven, slanted ceiling is painted with clay paint. Gingerbread-colored bedding suits both the Christmas season and the ceiling. The large window star can be seen from far away, perched atop the hill.

The other room upstairs is dedicated to yoga and well-being. During the dark evenings of the holiday season, the space is filled with candles, incense, and gratitude. In addition to daily practice, the room also functions as a guest room and craft space.

Jenna Pigg in the yoga room — The other room upstairs is dedicated to yoga and well-being. During the dark evenings of the holiday season, the space is filled with candles, incense, and gratitude. In addition to daily practice, the room also functions as a guest room and craft space.

“Perhaps my spirit feels at home in the shadowy beyond. This house completes my identity and is an integral part of my life.”

The women in the picture collage all have tattooed skin. What messages do the images on their skin convey, and what kind of lives might they have once led?

A collage of images featuring tattooed women — The women in the picture collage all have tattooed skin. What messages do the images on their skin convey, and what kind of lives might they have once led?

What does the future hold for the house?

The house is dear to me right now because it’s small enough for me to manage on my own. Still, I might eventually acquire a countryside cottage. This house has given me confidence. We’ve learned to get along, and we understand each other by now.