Couple living in their own studios in the same block: “It’s nice to come home from work to your own place and spend time together later”

You each live in your own home in the same block. How does that work?

Ella: I like that I can come home from work to my own place and then spend time together later in the evening. On weekdays, we’re probably at my place more often, while on weekends I like being at Mikko’s. He brews coffee, brings it to me in bed, and puts on a good record.

Mikko: We do a lot of juggling about whose place we stay at and how long. That way, we both get our own space. But we have thought about moving into a bigger place together. It would be interesting to see how our styles would blend under one roof.

According to Ella, interior decorating is a great way to channel her creativity. When the leg of her sofa broke, she replaced it with a stack of books. The table rotates. The rug was made by Ella’s great-grand-aunt in the 1960s. The poster is by Artek.

When Mikko moved in, he immediately knew where to put the record shelf. It’s a striking interior element, and his collection includes about three thousand records. The orange lamp on the left, on top of the bookcase, was found in the coffee room of an auction hall in Ostrobothnia. It’s by Kartell from the late 1960s.

The artwork on the end wall of Ella’s alcove was created by her friend, Art by Silja S. She and a carpenter friend built the bed themselves. The letter E is a vintage fair find.

The bedspread is from a Facebook flea market in Tampere. Ella thinks its colors are perfect.

The yellow table in Mikko’s studio is an Asko Amigo, topped with a red Koziol tiered tray. The classic sphere lamp in the corner is by Finnish manufacturer Lival. Both Mikko and Ella have Panton chairs.

Decorations on the wall include singles that can no longer be played and a record cover from Fida that landed in Mikko’s collection for its striking artwork. On the shelf is a set of miniature Panton chairs in Mikko’s favorite colors. Ella has some too.

Mikko found an orange Panton chair and a round dining table for Ella. The green dresser is his grandmother’s old TV stand. The poster is by Laura Gröndahl.

What kind of decorators are you?

Ella: I’m the calmer one of us and a slower shopper. We’re both quite particular about what we want. Mikko is an avid online thrifter and found my dining table, a bedspread, and some mirrors on the Tori marketplace.

Mikko: Interior decorating is part of my everyday life and a hobby. I’ve never liked minimalist or all-white decor. I want plenty of color and detail in my home. I’m into late 1960s and 1970s space age design. It’s a small scene in Finland.

Do you like the same colors?

Ella: I’m not afraid of color, and I think it would be really cool to go super colorful. I love orange, green, and pink.

Mikko: I’m not a big fan of pink, but it works really well at Ella’s. Still, I wonder how it would go with my oranges and those strong ’70s tones. I’d probably end up with every color under the sun.

Not all of Mikko’s chairs can be on display at once; some are stored in the attic. The yellow Afo chair is Finnish and one of his newest finds. It was designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs.

The table lamp is one of the highlights of Mikko’s collection. It’s Karina by Bent Karlby from Denmark. Mikko even has two toasters, each in a different shade. The curtains are a relaunch of a vintage pattern, ordered from the United States.

Mikko places a heart-shaped record on the turntable. You can listen to it, but it’s mostly decorative.

What fascinates you about flea markets?

Mikko: I am a bit of a collector. I started collecting vinyl records and ’70s music back in junior high, but only got into decorating a few years ago. It started with orange floral curtains and that fun ’70s summer cottage vibe.

Ella: I value anything old and durable. I love restoring and customizing pieces. I probably got that from my mom, who sews, knits, and is a DIY spirit. I also enjoy seeing who I’m buying from and hearing the stories behind the items.

Mikko’s home is full of items and details. The orange Rhythm clock is from a vintage shop called Kaunis arki, and according to the shopkeeper, it has been featured in several Finnish movies. Ella found the green Ericsson Cobra phone for Mikko.

What does price mean to you? Does it always have to be cheap?

Mikko: I don’t buy a lot of things for financial reasons. Especially on eBay, even small items can be very expensive. But sometimes I’m willing to invest a lot in a single piece.

Ella: We’ve often talked about setting up our own flea market.

Do you often find treasures for each other?

Ella: If I’m at a flea market and see something that fits Mikko’s style, I’ll send him a photo. But there’s nothing on the Tori marketplace I can show him that he hasn’t already seen.

Mikko: I like keeping old objects alive by collecting them. It makes me happy when I can find something new for Ella.

“I instantly fell in love with the kitchenette’s double doors and their gold-colored handles. Colors make me feel so good. I couldn’t live in a gray-and-white home—I’d probably feel really down,” Ella says.