Room to breathe

From burnout and hectic family years to modern style: interior designer Maiju’s fresh new look

“At home, I don’t need any stimuli or aggravations.” Though Maiju Lampi’s personality is lively and colorful, the family’s home in Espoo is light, classically furnished, and serves as a calm retreat. Her favorite color, blue, pops up here and there—if only she could have a blue kitchen.

Author Piia Kalliomäki

Images Pauliina Salonen

October 21, 2025Lue suomeksi

The living area is built around an Adea Band corner sofa. The large, open space is visually divided by rugs: a light-colored Louis De Poortere and a few secondhand finds. The painting is by Maiju herself. The classic silk roman shades remained from the previous owner. Blue, Maiju’s favorite color, appears in the pillows and throw blanket. The dining table and pendant lights are by Artek.

When Maiju and Mikko Lampi bought a stone house in Espoo eight years ago for their family of five, it had a romantic country style. Over the following years, Maiju experienced burnout, resigned from her permanent job, graduated as an interior designer, and started her own business. The boys grew up, and apart from the youngest, they now study elsewhere.

The home is going through a transformation that’s still in progress. The couple has adjusted the spaces and their functions to suit their current needs, and in the process, the interior has gradually taken on a fresh, modern look that reflects their style.

For this very athletic family, bathrooms play a key part in everyday life. During the busiest years, it wasn’t possible to take them out of service for renovations, but now they have finally been redesigned and remodeled to match the family’s needs and style. The boys still have bedrooms for visits, but Maiju has repainted and redecorated them.

Mikko is reflective and calm, whereas Maiju is more colorful and spontaneous. They make big decisions together, but sometimes the walls may unexpectedly change color when Mikko’s away on a work trip.

Blue, Maiju’s favorite color, appears here and there. The painting is Maiju’s own work. The lamp is from a small boutique in Helsinki, and the shade is from H&M.

residents Interior designer Maiju Lampi, 45, Mikko Lampi, 48, who works in the IT field, and three sons. Instagram: @design_by_lampi.

the home A stone house built in 2009 in Laaksolahti, Espoo. It has 350 m² (about 3,770 sq ft).

“My dearest treasures are the Artek dining table that I brought from my childhood home and that we’ve had ever since my boys were born. If the house were on fire, I would take the Golden Bell and Beehive lamps with me. The home has a shared style with my spouse, but if it were just me, it would be more layered and wilder.”

As an interior decorator...

I paint with a broad brush. I’m not a stickler for details. Once I get a commission, I jump right in. I form a vision quickly and plan most of it in my head. I start with the big picture and then break it down into smaller details. I get excited easily and find inspiration in many things.

When my creativity runs free...

the sky’s the limit. I come back down to earth later. Ideas pop up constantly, no matter where I am. Creativity doesn’t care about location. I work not only in my home office but also on the sofa, on the floor, and in bed. Fortunately, my office has a spacious cabinet where I can neatly stash all my material samples and design resources—otherwise they’d take over the whole house.

Sometimes the Artek dining table from the kitchen is carried into the living room to join the other one, creating one long table for a big crowd. Maiju loves to cook, so she has plenty of dishes and tableware to serve even a large group. Most of the dishware has been picked up at flea markets, guided by her intuition.

The kitchen, chosen by the previous owner, is spacious and functional. Only the appliances were updated to the family’s liking. They include a built-in coffee machine and ice maker. At a practical height, there are two ovens stacked on top of each other, the upper one also serving as a microwave.

The porcelain sink and classic faucet are choices made by the previous owner.

As a designer...

I naturally focus on daily routines when designing spaces. Functional and ample storage solutions play a key role because you simply can’t have too much storage space in a home. To keep a home tidy, items must have their own easily accessible spots. The décor must withstand heavy everyday use, so well-considered, high-quality choices are essential.

The white tiled fireplace was chosen by the previous owner but remains in place as a beautiful, neutral element. It’s in active use. The blue painting is by Maiju.

The serving cart was bought secondhand. The mouse lamps are by Seletti, and the other treasures are from flea markets.

To me, home is...

a safe haven. It’s a cozy place for friends and family. At home, I want to unwind. My sons’ hockey activities have always shaped our daily schedule, and I myself actively pursue synchronized skating at a competitive level. We travel a lot, and my work is creative, active, and on the move. I don’t need stimulation or agitation at home. My favorite things at home are resting, relaxing, lazing around, and spending time with family.

At the far end of the living room is what used to be a casual family room, now Maiju’s home office. The wall color is Cover Story’s 030 Virginia.

A particularly successful space is...

the spacious living room, where we spend our evenings together. We are very family-oriented and watch movies, have deep conversations, and play board games. The living room feels open and roomy. Our kitchen is truly the heart of our home. We’re a lively family in the Italian sense—we always gather as a large group and spend plenty of time around good food and wine.

What used to be a white-tiled space is now dark and atmospheric—a haven for relaxation. Tiles by Decor H. Faucets and shower by Gessi. Bathtub from Netrauta.

The bold color and material choices culminate in the sauna. The lighting is soft and can also be adjusted to shift colors. Tiles by Decor H. Benches by Tähtisaunat.

The sink cabinet, made of stainless steel and marble, was designed by Maiju, as was the recessed mirror cabinet. The sliding-door shower booth is from the Arc line by INR.

In my home, I especially love...

the new bathroom areas. I designed them carefully and chose large, beautiful tiles. I’m especially pleased with the sink cabinets I designed myself. Well-functioning bathrooms make everyday life easier.

What’s extremely practical...

is that the boys’ daily routines happen downstairs, keeping the everyday clutter there. They live at home during the summers. Friends are always welcome to come over, enjoy the sauna and hot tub, and hang out with us.

The casual downstairs living room, or the boys’ lounge, is decorated in a relaxed, practical style with pleasingly soft, delicious hues. The sofa was gifted by a friend. The coffee table is a preloved Artek piece, and the rug is from Rusta. Maiju painted the large piece herself, and the decorative Frida print is from Desenio.

“A light home leaves room for creativity, and it needs those pops of color. Home is a place where I can be myself and try out my ideas.”

My unfulfilled décor dream is...

renovating the kitchen to change the color scheme entirely—either natural wood or blue. I’d love to use tiles to cover the cabinet doors or even an entire wall in tile. You can throw out all sorts of wild ideas until the budget allows us to start the renovation.

Maiju decorated the primary bedroom in her favorite color. The lamp bases were picked up at a flea market, and the lampshades are from Ikea. Curtains from Jysk. Bedspread from Ikea. Blanket from Lapuan kankurit.

What’s unique about my home...

is the art and ceramics I’ve made myself. Once, I wanted to rent a painting, but Mikko encouraged me to make one on my own, and that’s how it all started. Creating art is therapy for me and a cherished way to pause. A light home leaves room for creativity, and it needs those pops of color. Home is a place where I can be myself and try out my ideas.

I’m the happiest...

when I can spend time at home with my loved ones. On the very day our home was photographed, I found out that I have breast cancer. This illness has reshaped my values and reminded me of what’s most important. I’m now making the most of each moment and every day.