A former sea captain’s home is now Minna’s pastel playground

For Minna, home is a place of rest, where she can enjoy her own solitude and unwind with crafts. Her newest hobby is painting decorative artwork.

“I attended a mixed-media course by visual artist Jan Kenneth Weckmann at the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum a couple of years ago, and that’s when I got excited about painting. Finished and unfinished paintings, as well as supplies, are now part of my décor. I can look at the pieces and keep working on them whenever inspiration strikes,” Minna says.

Minna, what made you move into an old wooden house?

I craved a change in my life and started looking for a new home. I didn’t want anything built after the 1950s. An old town and an old home appeal to me, and soon probably old men, too. I dreamed of an old wooden house that still had its original features. This home has everything I hoped for: a good location, enough space, and the atmosphere of an old house. I had heard horror stories about cold, damp, and moldy wooden houses, but I wasn’t afraid to move into one. I decided to trust my senses: my nose would definitely catch it if there were problems. I’ve now lived here for thirteen years, and my love for this old wooden house has only deepened. In winter, you can feel a draft from every seam, and the floor is cold, but I enjoy the cool. Wool socks and the fireplace keep me warm.

Minna fell in love with the ambiance and details of the old house. The impressive tiled stove in the living room is still functional and warms the home in winter. The living room also doubles as a painting space.

Minna loves various shades of green. She got it exactly right with the Tikkurila J442 Mentoli paint in the kitchen. Color is also introduced to the space by the Hakola Pinna chairs, the wooden chairs Minna has revamped, a newly purchased large rug, and small details.

The pastel-colored wall cabinet in the kitchen is a thrift-store find. It hides storage containers, vases, and candles.

Minna’s home proudly displays its vintage charm. The wood-burning stove in the kitchen is no longer in use, but Minna finds it so beautiful that she didn’t want to tear it down.

How has your home changed over the years?

I’m only the fourth owner of this apartment. It feels reassuring to live in a home whose renovations have been done with restraint. The home’s history also shows up in interesting details. The first occupant was a sea captain. Evidence of him remains the top of the staircase, in the square window that is actually an old ship’s window. The apartment was in good condition, but I wanted to give it my own personal touch. With my parents’ help, I refreshed the surfaces throughout the home: the walls got fresh paint and wallpaper, and the original dark plank floor was painted white.

I think it’s a shame that during renovations of old houses, everything is often replaced, and the home’s spirit gets lost. I really love old doors, windows, and wooden floors, the tiled stove, as well as the range hood and bread oven, which isn’t in use anymore but is so beautiful that I didn’t want to take it out.

Minna has decorated her home with colorful objects, furnishings, and wallpaper. The wall features the Birger Kaipiainen “Kiurujen yö” wallpaper. The wooden sofa came from her father’s coworker.

The stairway leading upstairs took on a new ambiance when Minna painted the steps mint green. The landing has space for a small art display.

How would you describe your decorating style?

My home is cheerful, laid-back, feminine, playful, and colorful. I’m a modest decorator, and my home’s décor has evolved gradually over the years. I don’t invest heavily in decorating and only rarely buy anything new. Many of my home’s furnishings are reclaimed.

Bright colors and soft pastels came into my life with this home. I especially love green, pink, and lilac. Orange is my latest crush. Before I moved in, I wallpapered the living room and bedroom walls with designs from Pihlgren & Ritola, and I still adore them. There’s color everywhere—from the green velvet sofa, pink armchairs, and pastel-hued dining set, to the green accent wall in the kitchen and the art pieces. I love fresh flowers, too, which always bring beauty and color into the home.

The bedroom features Eijffinger’s Early Bird wallpaper from the Pip collection.

During the bathroom renovation, one of the large upstairs rooms was divided into a bathroom and a dressing area. The old ship’s window in the partition wall was installed by the home’s first resident, the sea captain. It was turned upright.

The bedroom is understated and feminine. The vanity table found at a thrift store is mostly decorative.

Your home is filled with art. What do colors and artwork mean to you?

My home has gained more color and art thanks to my painting hobby. In addition to my own paintings, I have pieces that were either gifted to me or that I bought myself. I hang anything I find visually appealing on my walls, from posters to works by professional artists. I also love the idea that anything can be art. For instance, I bring color to my home with vibrant handmade drinking glasses. I’ve even had a chance to try glassblowing myself, and I have a couple of pieces in my living room to remind me of that experience.

From the front door, stairs lead up to a small entryway, which extends into a closet that offers much-needed extra storage for outerwear and shoes.