Ingenious mirror magic and a soundproof teen sanctuary: from a maze to a functional family home
The top-floor apartment in Helsinki’s Punavuori was in bad shape, but the sea view won their hearts. Interior architect Laura Räihä and designer Katariina Laakso created a home that’s both modern and timeless, unified by warm walnut veneer throughout.
They weren’t actively seeking a new home, but living high above the rooftops of Helsinki’s Punavuori district with an unobstructed sea view left a strong impression on this family of four. It’s rare to come across something like this.
Completed in 1939, the building sustained bomb damage but was repaired after the war. Its uniqueness is evident in that the current residents are only the third owners since it was built.
The top-floor apartment, about 150 square meters (about 1,615 square feet), was in poor condition. The residents brought in interior architect Laura Räihä and designer Katariina Laakso, who guided a thorough renovation. Together, they created a modern yet layered home. The original maze-like floor plan didn’t meet the family’s needs, so it was replaced. When the plumbing was overhauled, all old structures were torn out and entirely new ones built. The apartment was transformed, and the result is ideal for the family.
The energy of Punavuori, combined with the home’s peaceful rooftop location, offers the perfect setting for the residents. The city’s buzz and services are nearby, yet on the top floor you’d never know there was a metropolis below.
New flow for the spaces
They needed several functions in one open area, and fortunately, there was enough room. One of the biggest moves was relocating the kitchen to a central spot. Now, the open-plan kitchen with its island anchors the end of the space, with a dining area in front.
A sofa separates the living room from the library area. During the flooring phase, a hidden hatch with an outlet was installed behind the sofa, making it simpler to power a lamp and other devices on the console table.
Curved shapes in the walls and columns were a highlight of the project. They unify the large open space and naturally direct movement from the dining area to the living room with its wonderful sea view. The gentle curves also offset the home’s angular lines and perfectly complement the building’s original era.
A TV wall with many uses
Next to the living room is the teenager’s bedroom, mostly used for gaming. Keeping noise from traveling in or out was essential. The answer was a striking, soundproofed walnut veneer wall that integrates both the TV and storage.
Vertical veneer highlights the room’s height. The warm walnut finish ties seamlessly into the kitchen materials and the storage unit in the library across the space, bringing the open living area together.
On both sides of the veneer wall, mirrors about 90 centimeters (about 35 inches) wide were mounted. One conceals the bedroom door. A standard soundproof door was upgraded with a mirror façade so it blends in.
The window-side mirror visually extends the view and adds depth. Both mirrors lend a sense of spaciousness, allowing the bedroom to almost disappear from sight.
The open-plan dining area between the kitchen and living room forms the heart of the home, with access to the entryway and sleeping areas.
Furnishings as part of the story
The interior has evolved with furniture and inherited objects gathered over decades, each piece carrying its own history and significance.
“Our home isn’t a catalog; it tells a story. My philosophy is that layers should be visible, and not everything has to be perfect,” the mother of the family explains.
They value spaces with layers and classic design, creating a calm, warm, and timeless feel. High-quality materials and enduring pieces are central, finding their place in the home naturally over time.
Giving the kitchen pride of place
In the new plan, the kitchen’s position changed notably. It used to be small and cramped, but it now opens onto the living area and serves as a central family gathering spot.
Occupying one end of the open space, the new kitchen sets the tone and supports multiple uses. It’s where they cook, read, dine, and watch TV.
Lighting was crucial since the kitchen has only one small window, receiving no natural light from the main windows. Meticulously planned illumination heightened the home’s overall brightness, which the resident says is now among its greatest attributes.
Spotlights were installed thoughtfully for each area, ensuring pleasant, functional lighting any time of day.
A key feature is the light cove in the lowered ceiling near the windows. LED strips within it provide adaptable general lighting, bringing a gentle, indirect glow that adds warmth and appeal, especially in the darkest months. Good lighting makes this home even more welcoming.
How walnut and oak can work together
They chose an oak herringbone parquet for the floor, treating it slightly lighter than its natural tone. Paired with the wall color, it forms a harmonious base for the interior.
Deeper walnut veneer in the kitchen and built-ins in the library and living room provides contrast. Mixing wood types in the same space works best when the color difference is pronounced. Here, light oak and deep walnut balance each other nicely.
All veneers were specified with vertical grain, adding visual rhythm and highlighting the ceiling height. Matching materials and tones link the open-plan area into a cohesive whole.
A peaceful place for everyone
In the new layout, all four bedrooms line up, greatly reducing the apartment’s former labyrinthine feel. Each family member has a room of their own, each opening onto the home’s central living area—an efficient, straightforward solution.
The master bedroom is calm and uncluttered: natural materials and muted hues encourage relaxation. The walls are painted a greenish gray, with built-in cabinets in matching tones for a serene atmosphere.
Currently, the fourth bedroom serves as an office, but it easily converts into a guest room. A sliding door saves space, making the small room easier to furnish.
One space, two different moods
The long, narrow shape of the bathroom is used to its advantage in both aesthetics and function. Formerly the kitchen, it now forms a harmonious, practical bathroom.
Divided into two sections, the bathroom offers contrasting atmospheres. The rear area with the tub and showers is designed for relaxation, with adjustable lighting. Indirect light adds a touch of luxury and soothing calm. You can glimpse the outdoors from the tub, and natural light filters in.
The front area is paler and more practical, with a sink cabinet, toilet, and a laundry tower tucked behind cabinets. Walnut veneer, used throughout the apartment, ties this space to the rest of the home.
In retrospect, the only thing the resident would change is the frosted mirror feature on the bathroom door—without it, the evening sun would stream through more beautifully.
