Home in an old train station: “We have time to make it all our own”

Porvoo’s old train station was built between 1895 and 1897. In 2018, the log-framed and horizontally boarded building, adorned with intricate decorative trims and carvings, was renovated and converted for residential use.

When you live in an old train station, you might be startled on a summer day by the rumble of an old train passing right by your windows. Roosa and Tommi quite literally live in the heart of a national scenic treasure. Their view, spanning the Porvoo River and Old Porvoo, is nothing short of postcard-perfect.

They had long dreamed of living in one of the wooden houses on the train station grounds. As luck would have it, the end-unit apartment in the station building, completed in 1897, became available just as they listed their previous home for sale while searching for a bigger place. The station was converted into residential units in a major renovation from 2015 to 2018.

The apartment was already remodeled and met all of Roosa and Tommi’s requirements. Along with a home that had updated plumbing, they gained a fourth room, their own yard, and an outdoor sauna.

For Roosa, who is both handy and passionate about interior design, the new home was like a blank canvas she can bring to life with her ideas. In past homes, she decorated quickly, but here she has slowed down to get to know this culturally and historically significant space at a more relaxed pace.

The paper backing on the walls was removed, and the log and brick surfaces were restored through sandblasting. In the living room sit Nautilus armchairs from the 1970s, made by Finnish Isku and designed by Kari-Pekka Valorinta. An art poster from the Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva decorates the back wall.

Roosa, what else did you get besides more space?

We dreamed of an old apartment filled with natural light, original materials, and structures—somewhere we could happily stay for a long time. This Neo-Renaissance–style wooden building feels so special that we want to respect its personality. We love living with such an enchanting view.

In summer, the doors and windows stay open all day. “We spend a lot of time outdoors. Our little dog, Milou, can roam freely while I tend to the garden,” Roosa says.

Meadow flowers look lovely in a sleek blue vase Roosa found at My o My.

What’s the central theme of your interior design?

Furniture and everyday objects should be durable, comfortable, and timeless. I strongly value sustainability and environmental friendliness, so I choose Finnish products whenever I can. Tommi and I make the big purchasing decisions together, aiming for pieces that stand the test of time and work in any space. When I want to refresh things, I play with color, paint surfaces, and switch up textiles or lighting.

Morning sun pours into the bedroom through the living room windows. A black curtain can darken the space when needed. The berry and green decorative pillows were sewn by Roosa.

The bathroom renovation was finished in 2018, before Roosa and Tommi moved in. The result is timeless. The red lamp is Verner Panton’s Flowerpot.

What purchases have you made specifically for this home?

We used to live in a loft-style apartment and brought all of our furniture with us. The style might clash slightly with the apartment’s architecture and character, but we have time to make it all our own. I like mixing new and vintage pieces, along with various design styles.

What does sustainable interior design mean to you?

I prefer anything recycled or vintage. When I buy new, I look for products made from durable, natural materials. Among Finnish designers, some of my favorites are Yrjö Kukkapuro’s furniture, older Asko pieces, Artek, Iittala, and Tamara Aladin’s glass for Riihimäki. Working with my hands is the perfect counterbalance to everyday busyness. In my free time, I take on all sorts of DIY projects because I love flexing my creative side.

Roosa and Tommi’s apartment is located where the station’s second- and third-class restaurant once stood. The attic was unfinished. Since Milou the dog can’t climb the spiral stairs alone, they set up the upper floor as a guest room.

At the top of the spiral staircase lies an intermediate area they call ‘the bridge.’ One side leads to the guest room, and the other to the home office. From here, you can see what’s happening downstairs. The ceiling rises over six meters (about 20 ft).

How does your profession or work experience appear in this home?

I graduated as a craft and design artisan, so I’m comfortable using a hammer and other tools. We’ll handle future renovations and modifications ourselves, continuing the story of this old station building.

If the sky were the limit, your home would still have…

A direct exit from the kitchen to the yard, too. But because the building is protected, the Finnish Heritage Agency won’t allow it. If my partner decided alone, every room would have underfloor heating.

The minimalist black kitchen was installed in a previous renovation. Roosa feels it nicely complements the black spiral staircase. Maybe only the cabinet handles will change to black, and the future of the mirror backsplash remains open. The faucet is by Blanco.

Roosa purchased her first art glass piece at age 15. She especially admires Tamara Aladin. Shown here is the reversible vase from the Carmen collection.

Roosa thinks the wood-burning stove is beautiful but not very practical. They plan to replace it eventually with a heat-retaining fireplace stove. The pitcher is from Arabia’s Kaarna series.

What’s your favorite spot?

It’s hard to choose just one because our home has so many beautiful corners, but the kitchen is a favorite. I love its big windows and the great view. In many modern homes, the kitchen and living room are merged, but I find it cozy and sweet to have the kitchen set apart. We spend a lot of time there, and we’ve shared our best conversations at the dining table.

What have you realized about living and homes?

Be patient and give yourself time. That way, you won’t rush into renovations or décor decisions.

The black metal spiral staircase was installed when the area was converted into living space. “Because the building is protected, renovations take place in cooperation with the Finnish Heritage Agency,” Roosa explains.

These Domus Classica light switches were chosen to suit both the old house’s ambience and the modern interior.

What interior project, home purchase, or renovation do you plan to tackle next?

We want to cover some of the exposed log walls downstairs. That way, we can emphasize the original log walls that were meant to be visible from the start, and the home will feel less like a cabin. We’ll also replace the kitchen’s lightweight fireplace with a heat-retaining stove, readying ourselves for cold winters.

If everything were different, where else would you live instead of Porvoo?

Somewhere in Lapland, close to roads’ end.

Where do you see yourself living in ten years?

I don’t think that far ahead. I stay firmly in the present because ultimately, the current moment is all we have.

“I love pottering in a small garden,” Roosa says. The station’s 19th-century stone steps have found a new role, marking the edge of her summer plantings.

Heritage trains have run on these tracks since 1991. The so-called Lättähattu train makes a few trips during the summer.