Uncovering Toni and Kati’s hidden gem: “We were instantly charmed by the tall ceilings”
Toni and Kati returned to their home region and renovated a more than century-old house. Although the renovation is still ongoing, the family’s dream of a spacious old home came true.
Did we just become homeless? This thought crossed Toni and Kati Koski’s minds when their once too-small house sold faster than expected. The couple had long dreamed of owning an old house, but when Kati’s little brother tipped them off about a home for sale, their excitement really began to grow.
“We weren’t planning on returning to our home region, but we went to see the house out of curiosity. The tall rooms, spaciousness, and atmosphere won us over right away. The yard and surroundings were also very much our style. It almost felt like the house itself decided on our return for us,” the couple says.
The house is one of two that a certain landowner built for his sons. He sourced the building materials from his own farm or the village. Even the nails were forged in his own or a neighbor’s smithy. According to local stories, this house also once served as the village’s first bank.
Toni and Kati purchased the property in the summer of 2016 and named it Kissankulma (Cat's Corner). About 60 years had passed since the house’s previous major renovation.
“There was plastic on the walls and floors, so every area had to be redone,” Kati says.
Still, the house was in livable condition, so the family moved in with their three children right in the midst of the renovation. They washed dishes in the bathroom and cooked on a small stove. The bathroom renovation took two months, since the washroom facilities had to be completely dismantled.
“Luckily, we had family and relatives living nearby where we could head over for a shower,” Kati says.
We bought the house along with an entire bedful of rag rugs. Some of the rug rolls had a neatly handwritten note pinned on them that said “Christmas rugs”.
After a renovation that favored traditional methods and materials, the home has been furnished with pieces that suit a country house: not brand-new and glossy, but suitably old and sturdy. The signs of everyday life show, and any new scratches don’t worry them, as more will surely come in a household with children. Kati’s go-to shopping sources are online flea markets.
“I have a habit of discovering furniture that requires either a bigger car, a trailer, extra hands to carry it, or even a bigger house. Recently, I snagged a piano from a dumpster. Nobody here plays it, but it fits here perfectly,” Kati says with a laugh.
Decorating and rearranging furniture is something Kati really enjoys. Despite the secondhand finds, the house is not packed with items—in fact, Kati prefers to keep things more spacious. The venerable old house has also influenced her interior design eye.
“My color palette has expanded, but I still favor subdued base tones that can be accentuated with stronger shades. Thanks to wallpaper, I’ve also become excited about patterns. Toni and I make a good wallpapering team. I spread the paste, Toni puts up the strips,” Kati says.
The home has been furnished with pieces suited to a country house: not brand-new and glossy, but fittingly old and sturdy.
Previous generations have also left their mark on the décor. The light-colored country rococo set in the living room was likely made for the house in the 1930s. Attached behind the ornate golden mirror is a note that reads: this stays for whoever remains here.
“If we ever move out, they’ll stay here for whoever comes after us,” Kati says.
There’s a note attached behind the golden mirror that says: “This stays for whoever remains here.”
“The tall rooms and the house's atmosphere captivated us almost immediately.”
The landowner acquired the house’s building materials from his own farm or the village. Even the nails were forged in his own or a neighbor’s smithy.
