Leena and Juha moved in together in their fifties: “Our home has layers from both our lives”

The whole family fits around the table by Hay. Carl Hansen’s Wishbone chairs are classics, as are the String shelf and Louis Poulsen’s Radiohus lamps. The Moroccan vintage rug is from Matto-Matti. The painting is by Petri Ala-Maunus.

Leena and Juha love the seaside location of Munkkiniemi. Their mornings often start with a swim. The large dining table also serves as a workspace for remote work.

Houseplants thrive on the bright windowsills. The charming pot with a face is by Ferm Living. The mask is from Venice.

In the living room, furniture from Parolan Rottinki, art, and an earthy color palette come together. Under the sofa by Hakola is Finarte’s Suovilla rug. The 1960s coffee table was found at Roomage. The living room sideboard hides glass and ceramic pieces. The painting on the right is by Jenni Rope. The striped Story ottoman is also from Hakola.

The medinilla blooms beautifully in the summer. The pot is from Søstrene Grene. The graphic artwork is by Ari Pelkonen.

How did you end up in this home?

Leena: We rented an apartment on Saunalahdentie in Munkkiniemi in August 2022 when we decided to move in together. We were looking for a home in a charming location with a floor plan that would suit our family. Then we found this place and fell in love with the large living room, which has a magnificent fireplace. The separate kitchen seemed practical, and the apartment had enough bedrooms. The smallest of the bedrooms is a former servants’ room with its own entrance—it was perfect for the younger members of the family.

Juha: We didn’t make any changes to the apartment when we moved in, other than a thorough cleaning. The apartment had a beautiful oak herringbone floor, neutral white walls, and large windows that let in plenty of light. That was enough for us.

The living room is guarded by plaster heads, one of which Leena made during her studies. The 1950s armchair and lamp are from Leena’s grandparents. Alongside Kuutti Lavonen’s piece are Sirkku Rosi’s watercolor paintings.

The artwork is by Jenni Rope.

All things beautiful are gathered on the String shelf in the kitchen. Above the table is the Radiohus lamp by Louis Poulsen. The Artek table was bought from Tori, and the chairs from Auction House Helander.

What kind of neighborhood is Munkkiniemi?

Juha: The best parts are the greenery and the beautiful architecture. A morning swim at the nearby beach is an important part of our routine. We often take long walks along the shore to places like Tarvaspää or Seurasaari. It’s easy to bike and admire the coastline all the way around Laajalahti.

How did you make the home reflect your style?

Leena: Our home contains layers from both of our lives. It was easy to combine our belongings because our tastes are similar. We appreciate that every item has its own history. Our walls feature art that has appealed to us for one reason or another. We visit a lot of exhibitions and are interested in contemporary art. Cooking is also our passion. We have speakers in the kitchen so we can listen to the perfect cooking music. The kitchen is compact, but two people can easily cook together in it.

The narrow, full-width balcony is challenging to decorate but perfect for morning coffee. In the herb box, the couple grows basil for pasta, among other herbs.

Describe the style of your home!

Juha: The interior matches the style of the building. We have some furniture from the 1950s–60s inherited from our grandparents. The purchases we’ve made fit in with the vintage furniture in terms of their proportions and spirit.

Leena: We are drawn to mid-20th-century design classics and the patina of age. We have few brand new pieces of furniture. The colors and materials are subdued, and the atmosphere of our home is harmonious. Houseplants also play a role in creating the mood. We’ve gathered a lot of them!

The windows of the home’s three bedrooms face the long balcony. The balcony is accessed from Leena and Juha’s bedroom. The 1950s Asko armchairs were inherited from Leena’s grandparents. The cat pillow is from Crete.

Graphic art has been collected on the headboard wall in the bedroom. On the IKEA bed are Hay’s decorative pillows and a tiger blanket by Zigzagzurich. The rattan lamp is from Momono.

The linen cabinet and vintage stool in the hallway were purchased from Fargo. The wall lamp is from the 1950s–60s.