20 years, countless renovations—how this interior designer transformed a post-war house into a stylish, practical home
Interior designer Kati Aaku knows from experience that practicality isn't an old wooden house's strong suit. That’s why she has developed ideas to make everyday life run more smoothly in her home.
Kati Aaku lives with her partner Osmo in a wooden house they renovated themselves. On weekday mornings, they sit at the porch table, where a design project waits beside a big cup of coffee. She has wool socks on her feet and a a warm, content dog by her side.
Home: Originally built in 1957, this wooden house in Turku, southern Finland, features 5 rooms + kitchen + 2 bathrooms + toilet + sauna + utility room, 130 m² (1,400 ft²).
Who lives here:Kati Aaku, spouse Osmo and miniature dachshund Kalle.
Follow on social media: @sisustussuunnittelu_snygge
The house was built in the 1950s. The facades were last painted in 2021 with Nordica Eko shade 592X. The doorway awning was a custom design.
The original lingonberry-red railings by the front door steps were repainted dark gray. Plantings and lanterns add a welcoming touch.
Kati, you’re an interior designer and also do interior decorating as a hobby. Is it a lifestyle for you?
Homes, spaces, and interior design are my passion. My work and free time blend seamlessly under the same theme. I’m inspired by the things around me, whether I’m at work or off duty. Art, architecture, travel, and nature mean a lot to me. I can easily spend an entire evening with interior design books and magazines. I usually remember movie settings more clearly than their plots. When I’m in a flow state, staying home is the best thing I know.
The entry walls are painted in shade S447. For storage, Kati has bought plenty of different baskets.
This handy shoe shelf, which also serves as a small countertop, is self-made. The rug is from Veke furniture shop, and the wallpaper is William Morris’s Pimpernel.
Kati has designated a spot in the entryway for every item. She made the key rack by attaching hooks underneath an IKEA picture ledge and painted the wall in shade S447. For storage, she's bought baskets and S-hooks. The rug is from Veke, and the wallpaper is William Morris’s Pimpernel.
“Many people living in an old house would agree that functionality isn’t its strong suit.”
Kati has collected small mirrors on the wall along the stairs to the basement from various flea markets. The shelf is an upcycled IKEA piece. “I buy different baskets wherever I go—there can never be too many,” Kati says with a laugh. The hooks on the shelf also provide a handy place for bicycle helmets.
You’ve lived in your current home for over 20 years. How did you end up here?
I’ve always had a thing for old houses. I would have preferred something even older than this, so we looked for a place that already had a sense of history. We fell in love with the home's large, lush yard and its proximity to downtown. The porch and plank floors caught our eye. Our daughter was still quite young when we moved, and she got to continue in the same school. My only hesitation was about the amount of work and money required, since the house was in its original—although very well-maintained—condition.
The kitchen layout is functional, with cabinets on opposite walls and a clear walkway. Kati found the shelf brackets at Vanha-Vanno, and the faucet is by Tapwell. She no longer recommends a black flat-bottomed sink or wooden countertops in the kitchen to her clients because they’re difficult to keep clean.
“This is how life goes, from one renovation to the next when you live in an old house.”
Next to the kitchen is a small nook that’s just right for coffee breaks or a quick lunch. The low shelf made by Osmo offers excellent storage. Kati tucks anything she doesn’t want on display into baskets. The walls and shelf are painted in Tikkurila shade Y487. The table was found on online fleamarket Tori, and the chairs and bench are by Rowico.
In the breakfast area, Kati created a lush wall of plants. She carefully secured the wall mounts and left space in the soil area to prevent water damage to the floors.
A Frida poster from Poster Store adds vibrancy to the hallway behind the kitchen. The ceramic cacti are from IKEA. Kati halved an old table to make a side table and painted it black with chalk paint.
What have you renovated over the years?
We’ve redone almost everything here at least once. However, we didn’t want to change the layout too much, so the old house’s rhythm would remain. We only widened a couple of doorways slightly and installed double doors, which I still love. Next in line is the small bathroom we renovated about 20 years ago. This is how life goes, from one renovation to the next when you live in an old house.
The square dining table, which Osmo made, is Kati’s favorite piece of furniture. The pendant lamp is Gross by By Rydéns. Their daughter Ilta transformed two sliding glass doors into mirrors. The Ton chairs are from Forme, and the rug is from Rugvista.
Kati decorated the dining room mantel with family photos. The dachshund print by Lisa Bengtsson pays tribute to the family’s first dachshund.
A plaster figure on the dining room wall was a gift from Osmo’s parents, and it’s one of Kati’s favorite objects. The glass cabinet is a vintage store find. The wall color was selected from Tikkurila’s Pro Grey chart.
What has been the guiding idea behind the design?
Our home has gradually taken shape through interior design finds and bursts of creativity. Fortunately, my core style has remained fairly consistent over the years. Many people living in an old house would agree that functionality isn’t its strong suit. I’ve tailor-made storage solutions to streamline our routines. I like an interior that matches the house’s style, feels personal and layered—comfortable and relaxed. I aimed for an urban vintage vibe, something that reminds me of Denmark. I enjoy a soft palette of muted, powdery hues. Lately, art has become more important to me. Our next purchase will likely be asomthing to do with art. It doesn’t have to be a famous or expensive—just something that fits our home.
The living room’s linen couch is the Lill from Kruunukaluste. A Boucherouite rug from Trend Carpet adds color. Kati’s daughter Ilta updated the IKEA coffee table with gold spray paint. The plank floors are finished with Betolux Akva, in Tikkurila’s F484 Kalkki shade.
On what basis have you chosen the things in your home?
I keep my eyes open wherever I go. I prefer to recycle. Now and then, I make impulse purchases at flea markets, and those are often the best finds. I appreciate skilled design, but the designer’s name alone isn’t a deciding factor. Sometimes, I bring home a must-have treasure from my travels, lugging it on buses and through airports. After I get home, I might be so annoyed with the item that I need to find it a new home. That happened with a large framed mirror and a pair of solid wooden shoe forms in size 44 (US 10.5).
Kati’s workspace is on the porch, which has a door to the garden. Multiple windows flood the room with natural light, making it easier to work with colors. Kati designed a four-meter-long (13’) bench that hides a small miracle of everyday life—a home recycling center where you can easily grab a bag on your way out.
On the shelf in her office, Kati has gathered items that are both necessary and beautiful. She likes having things in order, even if they’re on display. The wooden hand holding her business card is from IKEA.
Kati made the bulletin board herself. She used a tabletop as the base, layering batting and stretching fabric over it.
Her office opens directly onto the backyard garden and pergola, where she can work on warmer days. The shoe rack is from IKEA, and the stylish cleaning tools are from Andree Jardin and Torkel Design.
The small upstairs hallway is papered with a discontinued print by Borås. Kati received the sweet little table as a gift from a friend years ago.
In the bedroom, a black wall feels grounding and calming. The field pea teaching chart is by Ebba Masalin. Some of the suitcases are family heirlooms, and others are flea market finds.
Ellie Cashman Design’s black-based rose wallpaper adds interest to the low headboard wall. The greenish viscose rug and the ottoman awaiting new upholstery are from Jotex.
Kati converted an IKEA picture ledge into a jewelry rack by painting it black and adding screw hooks underneath.
Kati and her daughter Ilta often talk shop, since Ilta is also an interior designer. Here, they’re sharing ideas in the pergola Kati and Osmo built. The swing is also handcrafted by Kati and Osmo, and the rattan chairs are from IKEA. Dachshund Kalle has joined the meeting as well.
The virginia creeper has steadily spread to cover the pergola roof. When the sun is blazing, it provides welcome shade.
