“I paint walls more often than I clean”—step inside artist Kerstin Enbom’s enchanting cottage
Her long career in the fashion world has given way to a peaceful life in a charming red-painted cottage in Sälgkulla, in Sipoo, a municipality near Helsinki. Now, Kerstin Enbom can wake up in the middle of the night to create art or spend the entire day by the fireplace on a sleigh-turned-divan: “I’m at a point in life where I can do exactly as I please.”
WHO LIVES HERE Textile designer, interior architect, artist Kerstin Enbom, 80.
Home An old soldier’s cottage built in the 1800s in Immersby, Sipoo. The house has five rooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a living room, totaling 150 square meters (1,615 sq ft). Instagram: @kerstinenbom.
Sälgkulla, also known as Pajukukkula, sits along a narrow gravel road. The spacious property includes about fifteen buildings. Upon turning into the yard, you first encounter an old garage. Farther uphill, an idyllic courtyard unfolds, framed by red-painted structures.
At the top of the hill is a long storage building, with a salt shed and the main house—a former soldier’s cottage—on the left. On the right stands a long building that houses Kerstin’s yard shop and guest rooms. Lower down is the sauna, with a pond in front that practically calls you for a dip. Even in winter, it’s easy to imagine how the yard flourishes in the summer.
The oldest part of the main house dates back to the late 1700s, with expansions added over the centuries. The interior radiates a unique atmosphere. Kerstin’s artwork and carefully arranged displays invite a leisurely stroll. There is plenty to admire, and the decor feels both relaxed and intentionally curated. The crackle of the fireplace lends warmth that envelops visitors in a cozy ambience. You can tell this is a place where a contented person lives.
How did you end up living here in the middle of the forest?
My late husband Sten Enbom’s parents bought Sälgkulla as a summer home in 1934. My father-in-law was eager to save old structures, and in the 1960s, he acquired one building after another to add to the property whenever he heard of a demolition threat. We moved here in 1987 when Sten’s company ran into financial difficulties. At the same time, we let go of our villa in Gumbostrand.
Our hectic lifestyle in southern Helsinki quickly shifted to something new. Life with two children felt more grounded here. That was almost 40 years ago. I’m a country girl at heart, so settling in was easy. I’ve been very content here.
Did you have to do a lot of renovating when you moved here?
Back then, we were still living in Kaivopuisto area in southern Helsinki. During the move, I’d pack my car each morning, drive to teach textiles and drawing at a school in Helsinki parish village, then come to Sipoo afterward to paint. I painted every wall and ceiling white. The living room’s dark ceiling took several coats of different paints to get the look I wanted. In the evenings, I’d drive back to Kaivopuisto and repeat the process the next day. I still recall that unique period clearly.
Has the interior changed much over time?
The house was fully furnished when we arrived. My in-laws mostly decorated with rustic antiques, most of which I still use. From our city home, we brought a white sofa that I’ve reupholstered at least seven times since then. I always choose white fabric because it’s the easiest to keep clean. I still cherish the sofa I got from my first husband Ristomatti Ratia’s mother, Armi. We tackled a budget-friendly kitchen renovation right after moving, and I paint the walls more often than I clean.
An old property with multiple buildings requires constant upkeep. How do you manage everything?
It’s never been a problem. I call professionals if there’s something I can’t handle, but I still paint all the buildings myself—even if I don’t go up on the roofs. It’s also cheaper for me to live here than in a city apartment with monthly fees.
When it’s really cold, I shut some rooms and keep them on low heat. I spend my time in the main room and sleep on the cozy divan by the fireplace. In summer, I’m busy in my garden. I’d have nothing to do in a retirement home. I need all this around me, and I just hope I stay healthy.
What is your daily routine like here?
I love Sälgkulla so much that I only shop for groceries a couple of times a month. In summer, I grow so much produce that my freezers and cellar become my local market. During the holiday season, I open my on-site shop, and in summer, I’ve hosted concrete workshops and joined the Avoimet Puutarhat event ('open gardens'). Running the shop and workshops meets my social needs.
I start each morning by brewing coffee, turning on the TV, and cycling for half an hour on my exercise bike. Then I head to my studio, often spending hours on my collages. Sometimes I’m so eager to create that I’ll get up at three in the morning, put on classical music, and get to work. I’m at a point in life where I can do exactly as I please. I adore Sälgkulla’s tranquility. I go swimming in Helsinki once a week, and some weeks even that feels like a lot. I appreciate those weeks when my schedule is blank.
Which piece of furniture do you treasure most?
We shouldn’t be too attached to material possessions. Photo albums used to be the most essential items at home, but now they’re stored digitally. Still, I really love this white slipcovered armchair I inherited from my aunt. It has small wheels, making it very easy to move around. Right now it’s by my desk, but sometimes I roll it somewhere else. It’s a very comfortable chair.
