“We got the apartment we dreamed of on the prettiest street of Helsinki”—how a former shop became Hana and Vanessa’s shared home

Vanessa Talja and Hana Mohamed have enjoyed being roommates for the past two years. Their rental on Huvilakatu, one of the most Instagrammed streets of Helsinki, is the second shared home of the duo, who both work as practical nurses. They were immediately drawn to the apartment’s arched window and appealing layout. The space once served as a shop.

This rental is decorated with a mix of Finnish design—new and old classics—plus playful touches and bold colors. In the living room, pride of place goes to Moomin figurines [in Finnish], which the roommates treat like beloved family members.

Hana and Vanessa drew on the Moomins’ gentle perspective when decorating. As Moominpappa says: “The world is full of great and wonderful things for those who are ready for them.”

The rental apartment of 22-year-old Vanessa and 27-year-old Hana is in a building dating back to 1908 in Helsinki’s Ullanlinna district. For them, the best part of Ullanlinna is the proximity to the sea, the row of pastel-colored houses on their street, and the convenient amenities.

The arched window is the home’s showstopper. The cognac-colored velvet sofa is from Veke, which is also where the large living room rugs come from. The coffee table is by Ferm Living. Its glass top doesn’t block the playful traffic-themed rug underneath.

On the Artek shelf, there’s a Marimekko poster and Arabia vases. The women have collected Moomin figurines for years. “We love the Moomin attitude toward life—embracing a not-so-serious outlook.”

The cobalt-blue Jumbo sofa from Hakola was Hana’s pick. Its bold color and plump shape grabbed her attention. The yellow Artek stool was chosen because it pairs well with the sofa’s legs. On top of the stool sit a Normann Copenhagen stool and Marimekko’s round Urna vase. The poster is from Artek, and the paper lamp is Vitra’s Akari 9AD.

How does your home compare to your dream home?

Hana: Before becoming roommates, we both lived alone. Living with a housemate gave us the chance to fulfill a dream that might otherwise have been out of reach at this point in our lives. We got the apartment we’d been dreaming about on the ground floor of Helsinki’s prettiest street. We also have two entrances, one opening right onto the street, and in summer, the pastel-colored buildings of Huvilakatu extend our living room outside.

What was the first morning in your new home like?

Vanessa: It felt wonderful to wake up here because the setting itself adds to our comfort and opens up so many possibilities. Our landlord had also renovated the apartment to respect its original character.

In this rental’s black-and-white open kitchen, the best features are its spaciousness, high level of equipment, and versatility—there’s a place for everything. The downside is limited counter space. The small appliances are by Smeg and Moccamaster. The lavender-blue vase is by Muuto.

The dining table and chairs in the kitchen are by Artek. The Unikko tablecloth previously served as a curtain.

How have you decorated your home?

Hana: We’re both open-minded and easygoing when it comes to life and decorating, and we love color. We get so much energy from it. Colors also inspire our imaginations, so the sky’s the limit. Primary colors like bright blue, red, and green used to be our least favorites, but now we can’t get enough of them.

Vanessa: You can play with patterns; they don’t have to define everything if you don’t take them too seriously. We share a sense of humor and laugh a lot. We’re drawn to the varied interpretations and different looks of abstract, colorful patterns.

Do you prefer old or new?

Hana: We have both new and old furniture. We’ve made some joint purchases that work well for shared living. In our decor, we want to honor the classics from past decades by combining them in surprising and unique ways.

The colorful Componibili storage units by Kartell were Hana’s idea. They add a playful twist to the room and match the hues in the posters. The candlesticks are from Hay and Granit. The restored Artek 45 saddle belt chairs are a great thrift-store discovery.

An Artek wall shelf serves as a remote workspace. Mounting it on the wall was a joint idea, so it wouldn’t take up floor space. The computer monitor also acts as a TV, which Hana and Vanessa don’t have. The system has worked really well. The stackable plastic baskets from Aykasa keep stray items in check and also look decorative.

The wall bars in the former kids’ room are great for stretcing and exercising. The saddle belt chair is a thrift find. Various String Pocket shelves hold books and miscellaneous little treasures.

How do you get along living with a roommate?

Vanessa: We don’t feel that same loneliness you might experience living alone, but it’s still easy to have personal space when you need it. Trust and honesty matter most between roommates. We love hanging out together, and if our shifts allow it, we’ll spend time just the two of us, or with friends. The most annoying thing about having a roommate is that if there’s a slice of your favorite pizza in the fridge, the other person might eat it first!

How does your profession show up in your home?

Vanessa: By looking out for each other and making sure our guests feel cared for. I’m thinking of continuing my studies to become a registered nurse, and Hana would love a career in interior design. We want to see more of the world and get inspired by different cultures.

Share a home-related dream!

Hana: We’ve been eyeing Gustaf Westman’s green Curvy mirror for ages. It would be the perfect finishing touch for our cozy sofa corner.

The floor is ash with a matte lacquer finish.

In their previous shared place, Vanessa had the bigger room, so this time Hana got it. “Sometimes we swap. The nicest thing about the large bedroom is its open feel and, of course, the privacy. The downside is it needs extra heaters in winter.” The old cupboard was already there.

The bed linens are Marimekko’s Unikko pattern, which also appears on the curtains.

Vanessa’s bedroom is calm and homey. The futon bed from Karup Design was bought at Vepsäläinen. The bedding is by Marimekko and Iittala. A small Fatboy battery lamp sits on an Artek stool. The cabinets around the head of the bed help maximize storage in this compact room. The old cupboard was a gift from the landlords.

What style of homes do you admire?

Hana: We love colorful homes that feel warm, timeless, and playful. Bold mixes of colors and patterns and original details always catch our attention. We could picture living together abroad, somewhere like Berlin or London.

What do you do on Sundays?

Vanessa: If we’re off work, we’re in recharge mode and getting ready for the coming week. We value any time we can spend together or with friends. We both feel relaxed when the apartment is tidy—any mess quickly spoils the mood.