Definitely not love at first sight! Elina and Pertti took a chance on a concrete bunker and turned it into a colorful carnival
Maybe there was a bit of “mild chaos” in the air when Elina and Pertti stripped away a 1970s concrete build to create a relaxed family home. They chose the kitchen color in about fifteen minutes, although they now admit they should have thought twice about the tricky countertop material. “We don’t need endless deliberation when choosing an item or a piece of furniture.”
The deciding factor was an extremely energetic puppy. The family’s previous home was a bright, spacious studio-style apartment, but its practicality was pushed to the limit when Milli the beagle arrived. Moving here doubled their living space.
Buying their current home was definitely not love at first sight. Elina and Pertti thought of it as an adventure, deciding to give this fixer-upper a chance.
They renovated while Elina was hobbling on crutches with a broken leg, Milli was a rambunctious puppy, and the family’s cabin was under construction four hours away. On top of that, Elina and Pertti were running their own business.
residents The entrepreneurial pair behind Ryhmä Creative Agency: Elina, 51, and Pertti, 59, along with their sons Jalo, 19, and Olavi, 14, plus Milli the beagle.
home A rowhouse built in 1971 in the Oulunkylä neighborhood of Helsinki. It measures 183 square meters.
Elina is by nature a spontaneous free spirit, and she’s partly brought Pertti around to her way of doing things. Their swift decision-making is clear from the fact they picked the kitchen’s materials and colors in about 15 minutes.
Looking back, they could have spent more time thinking about the gorgeous green marble countertop, which has turned out to be challenging to maintain.
“Maybe that was the moment to really listen to what the kitchen designer was telling us, but we were too excited,” Elina says.
They spent a little longer considering wall colors during the renovation. The pair wanted a fresh look and timeless shades, as they weren’t keen on repainting any time soon.
Initially, they had planned to remove several walls, but it turned out to be impossible. In hindsight, that was a good thing, as living in the space revealed that the existing layout is perfect for a family of four plus one beagle.
“Having distinct rooms for everyone was a major reason why we chose this rowhouse. We also loved the two-story design and the original 1970s staircase in the middle,” Elina explains.
“We feel good every time we look at the things we’ve hung on our walls.”
Professionals carried out most of the renovation, though Pertti and Elina tackled smaller tasks themselves as needed.
“Mild chaos is always in the air when we take things on ourselves,” Elina says, laughing.
They vividly recall one instance involving a wall shelf installation. Pertti was drilling to install a small shelf on a freshly painted entryway wall but inadvertently knocked large tiles loose on the opposite side—in the pool room—causing tiles and mortar to tumble into the pool.
“We had to drain the pool to clear out all the debris. The holes in the wall were huge, and we couldn’t fully repair the area, so we covered it the traditional way—with a painting. Now it doesn’t bother anyone!” Elina says.
Naturally, it didn’t end there. The hole for that painting also went through to the entryway side, though with less damage.
“I still get get a bit sweaty thinking about it, but now it just makes us laugh.”
In their previous home they were used to rooms flooded with natural light. The biggest drawback of this place is its dimness, but Elina has embraced it by creating ambiance with different lamps.
“Admittedly, Pertti goes around switching on overhead lights, and I follow, turning them off and opting for mood lighting. His most common question is probably, ‘Why is it always so dark in here?’” Elina says, laughing.
After the initial excitement, the decor has reached a calmer stage. Elina’s approach to furnishing is that if something makes her happy, it’s welcome.
“I’m less likely now to buy things on impulse, since I know I don’t truly need more. I don’t shop as spontaneously as I did in my younger years. That being said, it’s easy for me to part with items by giving or selling them. We only have a few pieces left from my childhood,” Elina says.
Smaller items move around frequently, but the larger pieces tend to remain in place.
“After years of practice, I’ve come to love organized spaces, and now I’m teaching that to Jalo and Olavi,” Elina says.
Otherwise, Elina and Pertti maintain a laid-back approach to life, even though there are many moving parts and occasional high stress. The home serves as a safe haven for the entire family, with everyday life unfolding peacefully.
“People should understand how lucky they are if they have a warm, welcoming home, a roof over their heads, and love in the house,” Elina concludes.
Photography styling by Nita Hauhia.
