Photographer Janita Autio flooded her all-white home with color: “Only now do I feel that my home really looks and feels like me”
“I’m a creative mess.” For photographer Janita Autio, interior design is about playfulness and self-expression. She filled her 59-square-meter home with colors that delight her every day—and she hasn’t regretted a single choice.
Buying and renovating her first home, in all its craziness, has been an exciting and joyful time for photographer Janita Autio’s life. She wanted to create a space that reflects her inner world, one that is equally suited for relaxation and for sparking inspiration and working.
Before the renovation, the apartment was entirely white. Observing the transformation and moving in has stayed vividly in Janita’s mind. She redid all the surfaces, added more storage, and made personal choices that matched her own dreams and needs.
“I wanted to fulfill my long-held dream of creating a truly colorful, wonderful safe haven. I’m so happy that I dared to make this dream come true by listening only to myself.”
residents Photographer Janita Autio, 31. Instagram: @janitaautio.
home a 59-square-meter (approx. 635 sq ft) apartment in an early 1900s building in Southern Helsinki.
What home means to me is…
everything! Only now do I feel that, after my childhood home, I’m truly in a home that looks and feels like me. I didn’t even fully understand how meaningful that was until I moved in.
I get excited and inspired by…
all sorts of fun objects. I scroll through Instagram daily for work and spot plenty of ideas for my décor in that endless image feed. For example, Gustaf Westman’s mirror was something I discovered years ago. I also get inspired by music, concerts, and Danish fashion.
Vinyl flooring is a splash-resistant option for a kitchen. It’s easy to install and can give you a striking checkerboard floor.
What my home says about me is that…
I am a creative mess. Yet in its own way, everything is harmonious and works well together. I’ve collected objects and things that are dear to me.
As a decorator, I am…
playful, full of surprises, and bold. I believe decorating should be fun. I’ve been able to create a world that truly reflects me, and that’s very important and special. I don’t worry whether anyone else likes my home; the key is that it works for me and pleases my eye.
What I love most about my home…
is my pink kitchen. I never used to think the kitchen was that important since I’m not much of a cook, even though I love food. But this kitchen is so cozy and fun that I spend a lot of time there, and it’s even inspired me to cook more. I originally planned to remove the old peninsula, but once I tiled it, it turned out beautifully, and now I love it.
What makes everyday life easier…
are storage solutions. The renovation added plenty of storage—large closets where I can hide and organize my belongings. My day-to-day life is very busy, and my home accumulates piles and clothes, so it’s important that everything has its own place.
Some particularly successful solutions are…
the kitchen and the storage. The colors and the courage to express myself. Also, using an interior designer: without Peeta Peltola I would never have managed to achieve such a splendid overall look in my home.
On the other hand, what’s impractical…
is nothing at all. I haven’t regretted a single decorating choice. I wouldn’t change a thing; I’ve been really pleased with my decisions.
My most treasured finds are…
fun decorative pieces that lift my spirits, like a panther made from mirror shards I found secondhand. I absolutely love glass objects and ceramic art. Lately, I’ve been excited about fun rugs as well.
My worst purchase…
was a long-haired wool rug that I kept in my living room for a while. I had to vacuum up its fluffy bits every day, and it feels like I’m still finding those fibers even now.
When I have extra time…
I put together photo albums and take a moment to reminisce. I enjoy tidying up and organizing my home. I might also rearrange things often. I love spending evenings or weekends relaxing at home.
My home has influenced me…
in a calming way. My home has given me a profound sense of happiness. I have my own safe haven that inspires me.
You can make storage units blend seamlessly into the interior by having them custom-made and choosing the same color as the walls.
My work is visible in my home…
in the piles that gather when I’m busy and in whatever gear is left out. In addition to my studio, I often shoot marketing campaigns at home.
Fashion influences my décor…
by serving as a source of inspiration and through the clothes and accessories I keep on display. Because I work in fashion photography a lot, it’s a huge part of my life. Besides decorating my space, I also dress in the same vibrant style.
Bathroom furniture can also be something other than white. By using NCS colors, you can match the furniture to your home’s overall color scheme.
