“Sometimes I try to be a minimalist, but it never really works”: step inside a sorbet-cone home
The sunny atmosphere in this Helsinki family’s townhouse is created with colors and playful details. Their doors are always open to neighborhood children.
Tytti Willman’s family home exudes relaxation. Here, you can easily imagine the place filled with neighborhood kids and laughter-filled gatherings for adults. Tytti decorates her home with a playful spirit in her own style and doesn’t worry about the latest trends. Sometimes she dreams of a minimalist interior, but in the end, a sense of abundance and ease always wins.
The home is in a city townhouse built in 2015 in the Alppikylä area of Helsinki. It has four rooms, a kitchen, and a usable attic, spanning 94 + 38 square meters (approx. 1,012 + 409 sq ft).
Tytti, you describe your home as a “cute little cone.” How did you end up here?
Our previous home was in Viikki, Helsinki, and we really enjoyed the area. But as our family grew, we needed more space, so we broadened our search. Helsinki’s new Alppikylä district immediately felt wonderfully colorful and lively. The atmosphere is further enhanced by a few old wooden houses left standing among these newer urban townhouses.
What really captivated us about this home was the unique layout. The overall space is compact yet functional for a family of four. It truly is like a little cone that’s so fun to decorate.
We’re social people and don’t miss having a single-family home with a large yard. My family has an allotment garden cottage in Vallila, Helsinki, where we can garden to our hearts’ content. Here, we enjoy the ease of everyday life and the company of wonderful neighbors. We have plenty of gatherings and celebrations.
“Painting is the easiest way to change up a home’s look whenever inspiration strikes. These current shades have stayed with us surprisingly long.”
What renovations have you done?
When we moved in, the apartment was only a couple of years old, so we haven’t needed any major renovations. In the kitchen, we covered the backsplash tiles with microcement and replaced the handles. After we moved, we built an extension to the island with a laminated wood board and topped it with white tiles. We also expanded our terrace. I think painting is the easiest way to update our home’s look whenever the mood strikes. These current colors have actually lasted us a surprisingly long time.
Right now, we’re considering converting the attic into living space. Naturally, I think it should become a yoga studio for Mom, while the boys have already decided it’ll be a music corner or a game room. Sometimes I dream of a new kitchen, but my partner Jiri isn’t excited about that idea just yet. It’s good that he tempers my bursts of enthusiasm now and then.
Your home has a relaxed beach house vibe. Where do you get your ideas for interior design?
I go by feeling and intuition when decorating. Our decor doesn’t follow any single style or era. I’m always drawn to things that stand out from the mainstream. If I see the same piece of furniture or item in too many places, I lose interest. I’m a cheerful, slightly sprawling personality. Sometimes I try to be a minimalist and scale things down, but it never really works. Orderliness matters to me, although with two boys it often remains a dream in daily life.
I find color inspiration in the world around me, mix things up boldly, and try not to overthink. I mostly buy furniture secondhand and love revamping items into something new. I feel like the house is never completely finished. Right now, I’m on the hunt for yellow checkered curtains for the kitchen.
You also do creative work. How does creativity show in your everyday life?
I’m a salon owner and photographer. On top of my work, I have all sorts of side projects: sewing, pottery, and all kinds of new ideas constantly forming. Sometimes I’ll leave one project unfinished and jump right into the next. It seems like there are always creative pieces scattered around the house. I’ve been imaginative and color-loving ever since I was little.
“I find color inspiration in the world around me, mix things up boldly, and don’t overthink it.”
Life in the Alppikylä district is communal. What’s that like?
We always keep our doors open for the neighborhood kids. The whole area is one big, safe playground for little ones. When I had Jooa, there were six of us in the neighborhood on maternity leave at the same time. I’d sometimes go to a friend’s house for morning coffee in my pajamas, and we often gathered at our place too. Now all our kids attend the same daycare.
There are lots of friendly, sociable people here. When someone’s out in the yard, a neighbor might call over the fence, “Hey, come eat at our place tonight!” If I run out of flour, I can just knock on a neighbor’s door. We also hold wine evenings and other get-togethers, rotating between our homes.
