An urban oasis: Hanna and Aksu’s allotment garden cottage—“I can’t imagine life without this cottage anymore”

Built in 1999, the 35-square-meter allotment garden cottage sits on a 370-square-meter plot in Helsinki. Here, 31-year-old hairstylist and entrepreneur Hanna Paananen, owner of the Skandi salon, and her partner Aksu, 33, who works in social and healthcare, enjoy cottage life with their 12-year-old cat Väinö. Hanna spent about ten years without having a cottage. “Since we bought the cottage, my quality of life has probably improved by a thousand percent,” she says.

It was a sunny Mother’s Day. Hanna and her mother went for a walk—but not just by chance and not just anywhere. They headed toward the allotment garden area where Hanna’s parents once had their own cottage.

The walk wasn’t just about reminiscing. There was something else on Hanna’s mind; she could hardly stand it anymore—she so dearly wanted her own cottage.

“I even had dreams about being at my childhood cottage,” Hanna laughs.

During that very walk in 2018, they discovered a sale notice on the garden’s bulletin board. A widow was selling her cottage, and it matched Hanna’s vision perfectly. The original cottage had burned down in 1998 and was replaced with a new one a year later. The cottage wouldn’t require major renovations.

“It was so nice that Eeva, who was selling the cottage, remembered me. I had played in her garden as a child. She was happy to sell the cottage to us,” Hanna recalls.

Although the cottage was in good condition, the new owners wanted to make it their own. They have already updated all the surfaces. Most of the decor was acquired secondhand.

Hanna and Aksu replaced the kitchen’s upper cabinets with open shelves.

In the kitchen makeover, the cabinets were also painted a soft green.

Not everyone has fond memories of cottage life. But Hanna says she has really good memories—even the mosquitoes left her alone. When school ended in the spring, her family moved to their allotment garden cottage.

“It was a safe environment. I ran along the paths with other kids, and there was plenty to do. My parents would commute to work from there during the summer season, just as I do now.”

When Hanna’s parents moved to Pori, they had to give up their cottage. Hanna was 18 and stayed in Helsinki. Gradually, she realized that something essential was missing from her life.

“I was used to always being able to go outside in the summer but still easily join in city life. To me, it’s always been a fascinating combination. It’s like living a countryside idyll in the middle of the city.”

Many people have asked Hanna and Aksu whether they would recommend buying an allotment garden cottage and if it involves a lot of work.

“There’s definitely plenty to do, but I enjoy the tasks. It’s part of this lifestyle.”

Hanna says there’s the most work in early summer: if you keep weeding persistently until Midsummer, the perennials start to gain strength to grow.

“You really have to like gardening if you get an allotment garden cottage. The lease agreement even stipulates that the plot must be kept in good condition. But for someone like me, with a restless soul, it’s really good that the garden is never finished.”

Hanna and Aksu live at the cottage all summer. Summers in an apartment building felt strange to Hanna.

One of Hanna’s “favorite ladies” from childhood was Jatta, whose cottage had an old dresser and a wooden sofa. When new owners bought Jatta’s cottage, they gave the furniture to Hanna. “They have sentimental value to me.”

Color and cheerful patterns are everywhere in the cottage. Hanna and Aksu’s cottage was featured in MTV’s ‘Finland’s Most Beautiful Home: Summer Cottages’ competition this summer.

In Hanna and Aksu’s cottage garden, you can see they’ve been hard at work. Hanna praises the previous residents: the garden was well-maintained when they arrived.

“But we’ve put in work in the garden too, planting all sorts of things and relocating plants. In these five years, we’ve made it our own.”

Pink peonies bloom in the flower beds that shine in the colors Hanna loves. Summer flowers appear early here.

“We also have lots of edible plants. We’ve experimented with various species, like tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, and herbs.”

Hanna and Aksu feel that the allotment garden has a good community spirit, and help is always available when needed.

“I’ve watered a neighbor’s tomatoes, and someone has fed our cat. People here are happy to help each other.”

Hanna is delighted that guests often drop by the cottage and that more residents their age are moving into the area.

“We’ve started to find a like-minded group of friends. We sit under the apple tree, maybe drink a little wine, and enjoy the evening. Through social media, we’ve connected with residents of other allotment gardens as well. We like to visit each other’s cottages.”

The old dresser, received from a neighbor, has worn paint, but Hanna hasn’t wanted to repaint it. Signs of life are welcome here.

Inside, there’s a surprise awaiting—or actually, many surprises: the summer home is filled with pastel shades, candy colors, and fun items. Brightly colored clothes hang on a garment rack.

“Colors are my thing. I dress colorfully, and we have a lot of color at home too,” Hanna says.

Some furniture and items were left by the previous owners, and Hanna’s touch is evident too. Many things have been received from neighbors or found at flea markets.

“Every spring, there’s a recycling day here. People bring lots of stuff there, and you can rescue something for yourself.”

The garden has apple trees, berry bushes, edible plants, and many perennials. “It’s wonderful to see the result of your own handiwork,” Hanna says.

Hanna runs the Instagram account @hansupieni which showcases her love of colors, as do the cottage’s beautiful flower beds.

In the spring, Hanna and Aksu are on pins and needles: when is it time to go to the cottage! The area only has running water in the summer, so they have to wait for the water to be turned on.

“We’ve often moved here as early as May Day. And then we live here all summer.”

Now the cottage has a wood stove and an air-source heat pump, which also helps with cooling during heatwaves. Hanna and Aksu are glad that their cottage is relatively new.

“Old cottages have a wonderful atmosphere, but they might need major renovations. We get to come here early in the spring because our cottage isn’t drafty.”

As a visual person, Hanna appreciates that the plot gets really beautiful light in the morning.

“That’s one of my favorite things. There’s nothing I love more than getting to wake up to light after a long period of darkness. I can hardly imagine life without this cottage anymore.”

“Last summer was so warm that we stayed at the cottage until the end of August,” Hanna says.