Miia and Kimmo’s CLT house: a modern Japandi family home that “promotes well-being and has a quiet kind of beauty in it”

When I was leading our house project in 2019, I drew strength from the mental image I had of the finished living room: the morning sunshine filtered by tree leaves dancing on the silky concrete floor. It’d be quiet and beautiful, and everything would be in order. Only Bach’s Aria on the piano is playing calmly in the background. A fleeting moment that encapsulates the beauty of life. Ichigo ichie, as the Japanese would say.

So much effort went into reaching that ideal image that it almost seems irrational, but now, a year and a half after moving in, I can say: I’ve arrived.

“This home is perfect for our family. Every morning, when I come downstairs to the living room, I feel like ‘wow,’” my husband Kimmo says.

Miia and Kimmo Kauhanen’s family includes the children Stella, 12, Sivi, 9, and Kaius, 5, as well as the cats Sauli the Abyssinian and Nuppu the Russian Blue. The large sliding glass door in the dining area leads to the terrace garden. Under the living room windows sits a small Japanese-style garden.

The family wished for a combined living space with plenty of “air” and spaciousness. Downstairs, the ceiling height is 2.9 meters. The ‘Lehti’ chairs by Carl-Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, purchased from Helander auction house, were reupholstered with Lauritzon’s fabrics at Verhoomo P. Lindström. The elegant rotating wood-burning stove is the Contura’s 886G Style. The massive pink oriental rug was found secondhand after months of searching. The velvet ottoman is by Svanefors.

When we started planning the house after securing the lot, we wanted to incorporate all our dreams into it and build it properly from the get-go. It was important for us to build a home that reflected not only our taste but also our values. That’s why we ultimately fell in love with the cological solid wood CLT that is a breathing material and allows for a more modern exterior than a typical log structure. We were fairly uncompromising about durability and quality in all our choices.

“We built this home with emotion and meticulous care to last for a lifetime. We didn’t just jump into construction; instead, we toured housing fairs for years and spent a long time dreaming and planning,” Kimmo summarizes.

The couple built the kitchen at a reasonable price with IKEA frames and doors made by a cabinetmaker. The color is Tikkurila’s Pro Grey 1944. The kitchen’s centerpiece is the marble-patterned ‘Dekton Opera’ countertop by Cosentino, which also adorns the backsplash. Ebb & Flow’s ‘Horizon’ glass fixtures from Valava hang above the island. The oak ‘Siro’ chairs by Woodnotes fit seamlessly into the Japandi style. The custom ash plank made by carpenters is paired with trestle legs by Hay. The large pendant lamp is ‘Strand’ by Muuto.

The end wall of the living room is decorated with Sandberg’s ‘Wabi Sabi’ panel wallpaper from Maricken. The wallpaper continues to the left into the TV room. The velvet sofa is ‘Ell’ by Adea. The coffee tables were commissioned from ABL-Laatat, making use of the leftover ceramic countertop pieces, with brass legs from Pinnijalkapojat. The blankets and ottoman are from a secondhand marketplace.

The rattan serving cart and the lamp by Konetukku are vintage finds from a secondhand marketplace. The old chessboard holds Hans Bølling’s teak duck and a Wirkkala vase. The plants are flame tree, walking iris, and common asparagus fern.

Because we had the chance to plan everything from scratch, we hit architect Tapani Takkunen with at least seven pages of wishes, and he seemed to read the rest straight from our minds. I have a strong bond with nature, so one of my biggest wishes was large windows and a sliding glass door leading out to the terrace, so the interior would feel like it continues into the garden and the urban nature. Nature is present as an ever-changing view in our house, as the windows reach down to the floor everywhere.

I gave a lot of thought to streamlining everyday life and making the house low-maintenance—because I want as many unhurried moments like the one in my vision as possible.

We will never have to paint here, because the Siberian larch on the exterior will simply weather on its own. Our windows have no panes, so there are only two surfaces to clean, which I can reach with an extension handle. In the wet areas, we only have a few tiled accent sections with grout that has to be scrubbed, and we can dry our laundry out of sight in cabinets.

The ash staircase was designed by architect Tapani Takkunen and built by Reval Trepid. The concrete floor was poured by Lattiamies. Next to Stella, there is an old sideboard that Miia bought in poor condition, upgraded with new moldings, and waxed. On it sits Iittala’s ‘Putki’ lamp and above it, there are Japanese woodblock prints and a pen-and-ink piece by Marjo Thomas.

The TV room is separated from the living space by a large sliding glass door with a larch frame, made by Lasilinkki. The rug is by Mum’s, and the paper yarn curtain is by Woodnotes.

Behind the partition in the bedroom, there is a compact walk-in closet. The built-in cabinetry follows the ceiling line and was made by a carpenter. The shelf on the partition doubles as a nightstand, and there are outlets on both sides in recesses. The wallpaper on the partition is ‘Lush Foliage’ by Rebel Walls, bought at Tapettitaivas. The wall lamps are by House Doctor, and the bedspread is by Anno. The wooden vase is from Japan. Nuppu and Sauli are allowed on the bed.

The hard, smooth concrete floor downstairs is a worry-free surface for cats and children to romp around on. Sure, concrete in the kitchen can get stained, but its variegated appearance is forgiving. The upstairs textile tiles can handle cat claws and trap dust from the air. Any stains have been easy to wipe up with a damp cloth, but the tiles can also be removed for washing. The stairs and the dining table are durable ash.

There’s a marble patterns on the countertops, backsplashes, and coffee tables, but instead of actual marble, they are ceramic so we don’t have to worry about wine or juice stains. The ‘Dekton’ surface, made by compressing porcelain, glass, and quartz, can handle even a hot pan. The simple handle-free doors of the cabinets are easy to wipe clean.

Because of our cats, our upholstery is made of smooth, dense fabrics or low-pile velvet. For the rugs, I’ve chosen sisal and wool, as wool naturally repels dirt.

Miia finished all the visible CLT wood walls and ceilings in the home with a white-tinted Osmo Color Uviwax in shade White Spruce.

The youngest child’s room is decorated with Sandberg’s ‘Pine’ wallpaper. The textile tile floor is a cozy surface to play on. The teepee, brass shelf, furniture, and the retro lamp by Aris had been on five-year-old Kaius' wish list for a long time, and eventually his parents found them all secondhand. Miia rescued the hundred-year-old basket from her father’s deserted childhood home.

There are large pull-out drawers under the floor of the gaming nook. The paper yarn blinds are by Woodnotes. The futons double as guest beds and, together with Anno’s ‘Raanu’ cushions, form a sofa where Nuppu also loves to relax. The lamps are from IKEA.

Japanese aesthetics began to take root in my thinking after our first trip to Tokyo and Kyoto more than 15 years ago. I’m drawn to the purity and clarity, the quiet beauty that holds both delicacy and strength in it.

It was clear that we wanted references to Japan in our new house because they spark joy for us. Although some choices are deliberate, much of it simply arises from how Japan is ingrained in my interior design instincts.

We didn’t need to specifically add a Japanese vibe to the architecture, because the use of wood and the seamless blend of home and nature are also characteristic of modern architecture there and typical of the Japandi style.

Miia got the oak chest of drawers from her aunt as a child and the side table from her father’s workplace. She found the chair was in a dumpster and the lamp on a secondhand marketplace. The wallpaper in Stella’s room is ‘Bellewood’ by Rebel Walls from Tapettitaivas.

The wallpaper Sivi wished for is ‘Palm Leaves’ by Cole & Son, from Seinäruusu. The Desso textile tiles are from Koolmat. The rattan shelf and dressing table were found secondhand, and Miia updated the table with Decorativ’s chalk paint in the shade Dusty Green.

At the far end of the tall laundry room, there is a walk-in closet that doubles as a dressing area. The ‘Dekton Opera’ countertop by Cosentino, fabricated by Ylämaan Graniitti, continues beautifully up on the back wall. The ‘Futura’ glass lamps are from Valava. The cabinetry is from a cabinetmaker; the color is Tikkurila’s G477 Budoaari.

When I decorate, timelessness always prevails over trends. By coincidence, Japandi, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, is currently fashionable. I first heard the term only a few years ago, but it had already been my preferred interior style for quite some time.

This home isn’t a pure Japandi house, but fortunately, mixing styles can be elegantly referred to as eclecticism. Even though our main concept was to create a space of quiet beauty, we also sprinkled in touches of luxury. Furthermore, I emphasized coziness more than stark minimalism, so we have bold-patterned oriental rugs and plenty of plants.

The bathroom walls and floors are coated with microcement by Designbetoni, while the ceiling features Cent’s ‘Dyyni’ panel. The gray fan tile is ‘Scales Cinza Claro’ from Pukkila. The HPAC of the rose-gold Axor faucets and the soft ‘Powder Rain’ rain shower by Hansgrohe is concealed within the structure. The casing doubles as a handy shampoo shelf. The Balteco stone bathtub is from Laattapiste.

Miia designed the minimalist sauna herself with help from a carpenter. She treated the wide aspen benches with white-tinted sauna wax. The finger paneling on the ceiling continues behind the sauna as well. The sauna bucket is by Kolo.

The faucets in the home are Hansgrohe’s rose-gold Axor Uno model. The pink enamel ‘Loop’ basin is by Temal. The vase is from Kähler.

Although decorating is primarily my passion, this house fulfilled everyone’s wishes. My husband’s key desire was a hot tub on the balcony, but otherwise he trusted my taste and decisions. We worked out the bigger picture with interior designer Virpi Kanto, who also drew up working plans, such as the partition in the bedroom.

“I like that the open living-dining-kitchen area is the nerve center of the whole family and that there are also separate spots for relaxing and activities, like reading, watching movies, and playing games,” Kimmo says.

The children chose the wallpapers for their rooms from a short list I provided. Kaius got the teepee he had dreamed of, Sivi got a dressing table, and Stella got a hanging chair for reading. For our daughters, having the calm of their own rooms is the most important thing in the house.

“The best thing is there is more space. My own familiar belongings made the house feel like home,” Stella says.

“Our home is beautiful, comfortable, and relaxing: we have a warm fireplace, cuddly kitties, a larger sauna than before, and comfy chairs. We can do fun things together here because there’s a hot tub and a gaming nook,” Sivi adds.

“And you can even meditate in the hot tub!” Kaius adds.

The 160-square-meter CLT house designed by architect Tapani Takkunen was completed in 2019.

The wall of windows in the living area offers a view to the back garden through the large sliding door. The house’s exterior and terrace are made of Siberian larch. The terrace divides the garden into different areas for cooking, lounging, and planting.

People say that a new house can easily feel soulless. White gypsum board walls might indeed be clinical, but in our home, the CLT wood surfaces are a source of character and warmth.

Our architect’s designed this house on a human scale, without any pompous displays—modern yet cozy. Space and light flow harmoniously throughout the house.

I brought in layers of history by restoring old furniture and purchasing vintage pieces, and whenever possible, seeking them out secondhand. Adding houseplants boosted the homely feel in an instant. My sincere aim was to create a home that fosters well-being, and we know that seeing greenery does indeed enhance one’s sense of well-being.

A vital part of our home’s soul is the cats, those masters of coziness and bringers of good cheer. Together with the plants, they make sure the home always feels alive.

Ultimately, it’s the people who live in a house that make it a home. We built this house to be the main stage of our life, for all the memories yet to come, and for those brief but beautiful moments.