An “enormous” old village school turned into a family home with enchanting windows, wooden floors, and 600 square meters

The classrooms and garden have long since been quiet without the sound of students. This 1920s village school exudes a down-to-earth calm. Hanna Rannikko moved into the house with her family a couple of years ago. During that time, the old football field has transformed into a productive garden, and on the forested slope, wood cranesbills, lilies of the valley, and wood forget-me-nots that Hanna planted now flourish.

Light pours beautifully through the paned windows, whose aged glass softens the view. Indeed, these lovely windows were one reason why Hanna—who loves old houses, building, and renovating—fell for this place and decided to settle in Kemiönsaari, southwest Finland.

More than three years ago, Hanna Rannikko moved with her family to this former primary school in Kemiönsaari. Built in 1927, the building is once again full of life. Five-year-old Ada enjoys having plenty of room to play.

This 1920s primary school became our home...

partly by chance. Previously, we lived in Sodankylä, in the north, but Ada’s birth made me long to return to southern Finland, closer to my relatives. After Sodankylä, we first moved to nearby Salo, then started looking at our current home—the former Swedish-language primary school in the village of Strömma on the Kemiönsaari island. We dreamed of a life where we could run a bed and breakfast and a café in our own home.

When I first stepped inside our home...

and saw the large paned windows of the old classroom, I knew right away I wanted to move here. Someone had already lived in the building, but fortunately it hadn’t been spoiled by modern renovations. The paint on the facade had worn away, making the house look tired and causing my husband Raymond to hesitate. Since moving here, we haven’t looked back, even though the pandemic changed our lifestyle and temporarily paused our accommodations and café plans. After a new coat of paint, the facade also look neat and nice.

Hanna is a skilled renovator who once built her own log house. Currently, her family lives in the former teacher’s apartment and is gradually refurbishing the other spaces. She painted the previous resident’s bold patterned wallpaper white. Now the living room feels tranquil.

The family bought the kitchen chairs during a camping trip in Gotland. Each night, they moved the chairs out of the car to make space for their tent. The antique table was picked up on a different van trip. The lamp is by Ib Laursen.

One of the three exits is closed. An old wooden rake now hangs on the door as a coat rack.

The best thing about our home is...

its closeness to the sea. I was born in Suomenlinna in Helsinki and lived my entire life near the water, except for those years up north in Sodankylä. The sea is also central to Raymond, who is originally from Cape Town in South Africa.

I love that we can see the sea from our window. It makes me feel at home. The beach is right next door, and my daughter and I swim there almost every day in summer.

The forest begins at our garden and is an important place for us. I enjoy city life too, but when deciding where to live, nature is a bigger priority for me than city services.

My favorite spot at home is...

the kitchen, which has a wood-burning stove, a wood-burning baking oven, and a large window. I also really like our sink and countertop under the window. Even though heating with wood takes extra effort, I love when the fire crackles in the kitchen stove. That sound creates a cozy, restful vibe.

The impractical aspect of our home is...

its enormous size as a former primary school. There are over 600 square meters, but for now we live in the former 90-square-meter teacher’s apartment. I also have a separate workspace on the other side, which helps me keep work and leisure apart when working remotely.

On the other hand, the building’s size allows for many possibilities. I’ve even thought that my mother could move “next door” when she grows older, and my daughter could stay in the same house if she wants. We would simply add new kitchens and apartments.

Renovating is...

my passion. Aside from hiring plumbers and electricians, I’ve always taken care of my own renovations. There’s plenty to do here, although I haven’t done much in our living areas besides painting everything white.

Right now, we’re planning a renovation for the future café space, where we plan to move eventually. That way, we can rent out the teacher’s apartment for weekly stays during summer.

Hanna and her family’s home in this old village school radiates a sense of peace.

The baking oven, on the other side of the wood stove partition, warms the kitchen in colder weather. It’s also lovely to light a fire in the stove or oven on chilly summer days. The terracotta-tinted tile floor was added by the previous occupants.

The sink and countertop in front of the window are among Hanna’s favorite features, since she can take in the forest and fields while doing dishes.

The previous owner remodeled the kitchen and the wet areas. The paneled-door kitchen fits the character of the old house and inspires Hanna to bake whenever she can step away from her bookkeeping duties.

Geraniums soak up the sunlight on the windowsills.

The garden is...

very dear to me. When we arrived, it was just tall grass. I’m improving it in stages, giving it time, and seeing which plants take to each spot.

Luckily, gardening brings joy all year round. In winter, I plan for the next summer, and I start seedlings early in spring. Summer is for admiring flowers and gathering the harvest.

The building’s history...

shows in the way the rooms are laid out, the original materials, and the charmingly worn surfaces. I also love hearing stories from locals who went to school here. One person even had their first kiss in our staircase.

As a decorator, I am...

both spontaneous and timeless. I decorate mainly with the building’s character in mind. Sometimes my husband jokes about whether every piece of furniture needs to be a hundred years old since the house is that old. I know what I like. Thanks to my van, I can pick up new finds on a whim.

Different materials and textures lend depth to the light, harmonious interior.

This old coat rack found in the garden shed is one of the few original pieces from the building. It’s now displayed in the kitchen. The Notte sleeper sofa from Kiteen Huonekalutehdas is made of birch. The previous occupants painted the floor a pearl gray, which suits the old house beautifully.

The previous residents redid the bathroom with a vintage feel. After a long day tending the garden, it’s pure bliss to soak in a warm bath. The vintage enameled clawfoot tub sets the mood perfectly.

They installed the sink on top of an old oak table. Large windows bring in plenty of natural light.

At home, the most important thing is...

knowing it’s our own corner of the world. I moved often as a child and never felt like I was from anywhere in particular. But I want my child to have roots, and this feels like the perfect place. For the first time, I’ve felt truly at home, and I don’t want to leave.