Inside Jessica’s enchanting allotment garden cottage with a lilac kitchen: “My style here is softer than at home”

You don’t always have to leave the city to immerse yourself in nature. Jessica Viitamäki and her spouse are realizing their gardening dreams at an allotment garden cottage that’s just a short trip from their central Helsinki home. The changing seasons guide their daily routines, and the garden’s surprises bring delight.

Jessica and her spouse’s allotment garden cottage is just a short bus or bike ride from home, yet it feels like a different world.

In an allotment garden, the cycle of the seasons is part of everyday life. On a beautiful day, Jessica enjoys her morning coffee beneath the apple trees. A tablecloth sewn by Jessica’s mother covers the round table. The rattan chairs were purchased from Trésorie. Flowers play a big role in Jessica’s day-to-day style, with bouquets from her own garden displayed both indoors and out.

Jessica, how did you become allotment gardeners?

I’ve always dreamed of having my own garden. Over coffee, I once asked a friend whose mother had an allotment garden cottage what it was really like. I got so interested that we immediately went to see one, and I fell for it completely. That was our first allotment garden cottage, and this one is our second. We moved here for the fantastic location, and the fireplace and shower were also welcome perks. The best thing about an allotment garden is that it’s near enough to drop by whenever you want. We’ve spent whole summers here, and we’ve even come on a winter evening just to enjoy the cozy atmosphere.

The patchwork quilt on the bed is Jessica’s own creation, with final touches from her mother. On the wall is a collection of beautiful, inspiring plant images.

She’s drawn to mixing different patterns. The pink throw is from Lapuan Kankurit.

The fireplace was already in place under the previous owners. Jessica covered the wall behind it with Sandberg’s striking Eugen wallpaper featuring birds. The round rattan table is a Tori marketplace find. The hat is from Algeria.

From the bedroom, you can see what’s happening in the kitchen. When washing dishes at the sink, you can gaze out at the garden.

What changes did you make to the cottage?

The previous owner had been here for a long time, and her influence was especially visible in the garden. Little by little, I’ve worked to personalize it. Inside, we updated all the surfaces and moved the kitchen—which used to be in the only room—to the enclosed porch. We both have irregular work schedules, so we liked the idea of having separate areas for sleeping and relaxing.

Most of the furniture, including the table and chairs on the porch, was thoughtfully sourced from flea markets or antique shops. The pink chair is one of Jessica’s favorites because it overlooks the whole garden. The tablecloth was a gift from a friend.

Even a small cottage can accommodate hobbies. The Jardin sign is from a garden trip to painter Monet’s garden. Beyond the window, you can see Jessica’s garden.

How does the cottage’s decor differ from your home’s interior?

Maybe the style here is slightly softer than at home. I tend to be more practical and cautious when decorating our house. It was easier to go for a lilac kitchen here, though now I wonder why I couldn’t just do that at home. Our house is simpler and whiter. I’ve probably gathered more flea market finds here than in our main home. Oddly enough, some things in our cottage are even more functional than they are in our house, which also isn’t very big.

The kitchen was moved to the enclosed porch, creating clearly defined areas for sleeping and cooking. The softly hued lilac kitchen is by the Finnish Aina-keittiöt.

In addition to the lilac kitchen, a cute pastel coffee maker and a blue display cabinet add more color.

What is your cottage life like?

Most of life at the allotment garden cottage happens outdoors. You can enjoy your morning coffee in the garden and take an evening stroll through the allotment’s winding lanes. Because allotment gardens are city-run recreational areas, cottage life also comes with responsibilities—like pitching in at communal work events and helping keep the area tidy. Still, there’s plenty of privacy, and everyone can decide how involved they want to be.

In summertime, most cottage time is spent outside. Next to the cottage is a small vegetable patch, plus a greenhouse that Jessica received as a birthday gift. The patch grows vegetables and herbs.

By late summer, they’re enjoying a generous harvest of assorted vegetables and fruits from their own plot.

What does the garden mean to you?

Tending the garden helps me relax and gives me something to aim for. You often feel the day’s work in your muscles. Nature always wins in the end—you can’t truly conquer weeds, and sometimes rabbits eat everything. You just deal with it. There are moments of triumph and disappointment, and that’s how it goes. It’s thrilling to try something new. Every season here is wonderful. In spring, the yard is a sea of blooms, and in fall, the harvest brings joy.

Do you have garden dreams? What are you hoping for?

I visited painter Monet’s garden in Paris, and it’s the garden of my dreams. Having the same sea of tulips and irises in my own yard would be amazing. But since the yard is tiny, I can’t have everything—I also want to keep my fruit trees and greenhouse.

Make a late-summer flower wreath with Jessica’s instructions!

Cut the branches and flowers to the right length, then attach the first few stems to the wreath ring with wire.

Continue by attaching the next 2–3 stems so they overlap, and so on until the wreath is complete. Tie a loop of silk ribbon or string to hang it on a door or gate.