A fresh tide for the fishing cabin

Small cottage, big terrace: discover the Karhulas’ coastal hideaway

Years ago, Jarmo Karhula’s parents built a fishing cabin by the sea. Now, Seija and Jarmo enjoy laid-back days on the same shore in their new cottage, where remote work is off-limits. Check out the Karhulas’ best yard and cottage ideas at the end of the story!

Author Ilona Pietiläinen

Images Ilona Pietiläinen

October 9, 2025Lue suomeksi

a red cottage and a terrace by the shore, with steps down from the cottage, a sandy beach, and stones — The new cottage continues the legacy of the old fishing cabin. When they applied for a building permit, the maximum size allowed was 30 square meters (about 323 square feet). That size suits Seija and Jarmo just fine. The foundations and construction were handled by local workers from Karhi.

“Let’s head to the cabin!” That phrase is one Jarmo has known since his childhood in the 1960s. Jarmo’s father was a fisherman, and Jarmo’s brother Mauno would also go fishing with him. Meanwhile, their mother would come to take fish off the nets when the men returned.

Us: Seija Karhula, 58, and Jarmo Karhula, 61. Seija works as a Mela agent, and Jarmo is a dairy and crop production specialist. Their adult sons Ville and Riku also join them for sauna and overnight stays at the cottage.

Cottage: A 28-square-meter (about 301-square-foot) laminated log cottage completed in 2013, a sauna built in 1994, and a shed that functions as storage and an outhouse.

Location: On the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia in the village of Karhi, Kokkola.

Then Jarmo’s mother decided they needed a spot by the shore to make coffee. Being a determined woman, she got lumber delivered so they could build a small cabin. Jarmo’s parents put up the fishing cabin themselves in 1966 in Karhi’s communal partnership area, where many fishing cabins stand close together. No one owns the lot outright; everyone pays rent on it.

The cabin served as a break room for the fisherman’s family and a place to store and repair nets. At that time, coffee was still brewed with seawater, and whitefish from the sea was roasted on the coals in the cabin’s open fireplace.

“We got this place when we moved to my childhood home here in Karhi in 2000. The cottage is tied to my family’s property, and no new lots are granted. Fortunately, we had already been able to use my parents’ summer place as our own before moving,” Jarmo says.

Jarmo and Seija Karhula on the cottage terrace by the Gulf of Bothnia — Jarmo and Seija usually come to the cottage on nice summer days. It’s only a few kilometers (about 2 miles) from home. When a storm hits the sea, the terrace isn’t so inviting.

Large shoreline rocks and grasses, the sea, and a forest on the opposite shore — On hot days, they cool off in the sea. As a kid, Jarmo would swim there all day.

Initially, Seija and Jarmo intended to renovate the old cottage—Jarmo had already done some small fixes. But those plans changed when a fire caused by an incorrect electrical connection nearly destroyed one corner of their cottage.

They demolished the structure entirely. During demolition, they found moisture damage in the cottage that might have stayed hidden without the fire.

“We always suspected moisture damage, because there was a certain smell in that old cabin. Over the decades, the sea and storms had brought plenty of dampness inside,” Jarmo says.

They decided to build an entirely new cottage. Luckily, the current shoreline zoning allowed them to rebuild on the original site.

“This laminated log cottage we built will stand up to winds and storms for a long time.”

The new cottage’s large surrounding terraces give it an extra summer living room.

a long covered terrace, a rug, furniture, and a sea view — The couple envisioned a large terrace attached to the cottage, creating a refreshing breeze on even the hottest days. Sipping morning coffee on the terrace is the perfect way to start a summer day.

afternoon coffee served on a tray, with a sea view in the background

summer flowers, a lantern, and a side table on the terrace, with steps leading down to the sea

In Seija and Jarmo’s view, the best thing about the cottage is its proximity to home: it’s only a few kilometers (about 2 miles) away, and they could walk through the woods if they wanted. Because of their gear, they usually drive, stopping in most evenings and on weekends to sauna and spend the night. It’s easy to pop home to feed their cats, Minni and Leevi.

Seija starts bringing in summer flowers as early as May. There are no perennial beds on the rocky property, but there’s a small lawn and plenty of summer blooms in pots. She attends to both the flowers and the grass.

“I plan all winter what I’ll plant here. The sea breeze does make it challenging for the flowers. But petunias, trailing lobelia, and even an olive tree seem to thrive in this seaside climate,” Seija says.

a patio set on the terrace, a building, and summer flowers

a plant and objects on a shelf, a beach sign attached to the wall

a large rock and a red building — The large rock in front of the cottage recalls the time when lanterns were lit on it to guide fishermen home.

Technically, both Seija and Jarmo could work remotely here, but they choose to do other things. They spend slow summer days by the shore, and the sunset over open waters is magical.

There’s also room for guests. The couple happily welcomes friends to enjoy the sea views.

“It’s easy to prep dishes at home and just heat them here. We keep it simple: salads, grillables, or pies,” Seija mentions.

a sofa and a dining set in a light-colored log cottage — The old wooden sofa was in the previous cottage. The interior walls are coated with translucent white Uula wood wax.

a dining set and windows, plus a pike-themed cushion — Seija suggested they get a decorative fish to reflect the place’s history. Jarmo picked up a green pike, now dubbed Mope.

Seija Karhula pouring juice at a set dining table — Meals are either brought from home or often grilled outside.

items on the kitchen counter and an induction stove

place settings on the dining table, terrace visible through the window

a black-and-white photograph on a light-colored log wall — Old photos keep memories alive.

the stove and a view into the bedroom — Though the cottage has radiators, they rarely use them, opting instead to heat with the fireplace. It’s left unheated in winter.

a bedroom with a bed and a stone-themed poster

Even though the cottage is new, traces of the past remain. Two treasured photos are framed: one shows Jarmo’s childhood family pulling in nets in the early 1970s, and the other shows their sons swimming at the shore in 2000.

“Our boys used to swim here nonstop when they were little. Sometimes, when the water was chilly, Seija would ask if it was cold,” Jarmo recalls.

Seija laughs at what they answered.

“Both of them, teeth chattering, insisted it was totally warm!”