From a little shack to a stunning summer paradise—just one window remained unchanged

The cottage renovation also involved reshaping the yard. As an extension of the deck, Nicolina designed a gravel yard with grasses and other plants suited to the seaside atmosphere. The small tree is a willow-leaved pear.

Jonathan’s family has long owned land in the area. Nicolina oversaw planning for the cottage project and helped renovate alongside her father. The boys’ job was simply to enjoy summer and the swimming pool. Corten steel planter boxes from Vida XL. Deck chairs from Ikea.

A small red cabin in the middle of the forest. That’s what the family cottage in the Porvoo archipelago looked like when it was passed on to Jonathan and Nicolina’s family in 2022. Built on a rocky peninsula in the late 1990s, the cabin originally offered splendid sea views, but by now the windows looked out on dense forest. Jonathan’s family had owned the property for a long time, but the cabin had been rented out.

The transformation is dramatic. Where the red cabin once stood, there is now a sleek black cottage extended by 12 square meters, with a facade that’s almost entirely window. Sweeping views of the Gulf of Finland opened up; clearing work as done on the shoreline, where reeds were removed and a new dock was built. The sun beats down on the new 110-square-meter deck, and the swimming pool is filled with joyful splashing from two young children.

“Nicolina could see the potential of what this place could become,” Jonathan says admiringly.

Nicolina put the kitchen at the end of the house, so there’s a direct route to the adjacent deck and new outdoor kitchen.

“I drew several different sketches of the new floor plan based on what we could do without moving the plumbing,” Nicolina says.

The bedroom and the kitchen switched places. Nicolina located the kitchen at the end of the house to provide an easy connection to the adjacent deck and new outdoor kitchen. She then designed a gravel yard with ornamental grasses, fitting the rocky archipelago landscape as an extension of the deck.

“I hope that in five years, the lilacs I got from my mother will border the greenhouse,” she says.

The cottage now has 110 square meters of new decking made from 14.5-centimeter-wide treated wood. Tahiti sun loungers are from Netrauta. The swimming pool is 3 × 6 meters and arrived at the site preassembled. A heat pump warms the water, and a sand filtration system keeps it clean. A protective dome, along with insulation, helps maintain both cleanliness and warmth.

A slatted wall creates a bold backdrop for the outdoor kitchen. Accompanying the gas grill are two Bror metal kitchen modules from Ikea. There’s no outdoor water faucet, since the indoor kitchen is just a few meters away. In this sheltered corner, it’s already warm enough in spring to enjoy a morning coffee.

Nicolina designed everything, while Jonathan chose the grill. Black exterior paint gave the cottage a new, modern look. The renovation aimed to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces with three large sliding glass doors. The light, modern dining set is from Homeroom. The black Elho Vivo planters are from Plantagen. Bamboos rustle gently in the seaside breeze.

This is what the cottage and yard looked like before the renovation

The cottage gained 12 square meters in the renovation by turning the former enclosed terrace into part of the living space. At the same time, the facade got new scenic windows facing the Gulf of Finland. Light sheer curtains protect the interior from harsh heat of the sun. The reclaimed-wood dining table was bought at Bella Luna, along with the lightweight wicker chairs that pair well with it. A simply elegant lantern-style light, sourced from Newport, suits the waterside setting.

The sea view isn’t blocked by a railing because the deck in front of the cottage is built in tiers to blend with the surrounding terrain. The ceiling panels weren’t replaced entirely; instead, more matching panels were installed in the new extension. There’s a closet with mirrored doors next to the door. A small Contura fireplace adds warmth and a cozy touch. The Kyoto ceiling light is by Globen Lighting.

Thanks to the large new windows, the view becomes part of the interior. The windows are from Sparikkunat. The handmade table lamp was found on Tori online marketplace and fitted with a new shade. The heart of the comfortable seating area is the Mirador coffee table from Jotex, which Nicolina fell in love with because it reminds her of the sea and docks. The Amalia cotton rug was purchased from Veke. Two Söderhamn sofas from Ikea provide seating. The Kyoto ceiling light is by Globen Lighting.

During the renovation, the bedroom and kitchen swapped places. The kitchen’s side wall is now almost entirely glass, with a door leading to the new deck. The small window is a reminder of the original cottage. The couple wanted the interior to feel natural and calm. Two Söderhamn sofas from Ikea sit in the living room. A small Ikea table lamp rests on a rattan cabinet. The walls are painted in the Noce shade from Kalklitir’s lime paint series. A glass wall separates the bedroom from the living room, creating an open feel with views between the spaces.

In the parents’ bedroom, the bed is built into an efficient cabinetry wall. The headboard is made of finger paneling. A small shelf in the headboard doubles as a bedside table, lit by an LED strip for ambiance. The bedroom is separated from the living room by a glass wall, with curtains to draw at night. From the bed, you can watch the fireplace flicker and gaze at the sea. The ceiling light is from Rusta. The waffle blanket is by Anno. The rug is by Fanni K.

Fortune smiled on the couple when they found the kitchen’s laminate countertop in Ikea’s bargain corner, instantly changing the entire kitchen plan. They ordered a custom mirror to install above it, opening up the space and reflecting the deck and sea. The new kitchen cabinets are from Ikea, in the Lerhyttan style. The gold-toned kitchen faucet is the Atlant model from Bathlife, and the matching brushed brass sink is by Qbad.

In the children’s small room, there’s an Ikea bunk bed. The boys mainly only sleep here, since the swimming pool draws them outside like a magnet. During the renovation, the children’s room’s panel door was replaced with a pocket sliding door, making it easier to furnish. Above the bed hangs Marimekko’s Kulkue fabric, stretched on a wooden frame.

The bathroom walls were retiled with large tiles from Bauhaus. The ceiling and wall panels were painted white. The sauna was refreshed with black Supi sauna protection and a glass door. The aspen sauna benches are from Harvia. The vanity is from Ikea, and the wooden bench is part of Ikea and Marimekko’s Bastua collection.

The counter is laminate from Bauhaus. The horizontally paneled wall, painted white, pairs well with the brushed brass faucet and shower from Bathlife. The mirror is from Ikea. A door leads from the bathroom straight onto the deck for cooling off.

After the expansion, this vacation home measures 80 square meters.