Riitta was left alone to enjoy the garden summerhouse they built together: “It’s now filled with memories of my husband”

“My garden summerhouse is my happy place. Even though it’s right outside the front door, stepping inside feels like going on a trip. You don’t have to walk far from home to enter a whole different, peaceful world.

I grow cherry tomatoes, chili peppers, and grapes in my summerhouse, and their vines cover the ceiling. Sometimes there’s more produce than I can use, but the plants create a cozy atmosphere. If I’m having a bad day, I might come here just to lounge and watch the grapevines.

To build the summerhouse, Riitta and Jarno used as many recycled materials as possible. The floor was laid with leftover tiles from the neighbor’s yard.

The grapevine sprawling across the ceiling produces more fruit than needed. Riitta loves coming here to lounge and admire the vine.

my summerhouse boasts the kind of rustic aesthetic I’ve always loved. Years ago, I would browse gardening magazines, which inspired me to dream about having a greenhouse. Little by little, I collected windows at flea markets, thinking I’d use them for that dream someday.

When my husband Jarno and I moved into our single-family home with a big yard, my dream started to feel possible. I entered a garden photo contest in the local paper and won a gift card to a hardware store. Jarno suggested we use it to build the summerhouse.

I originally thought it would just be a small greenhouse, but my husband suggested making it a bit bigger. Now one end of the summerhouse is a greenhouse, and there’s space at the other end for lounging or enjoying a cup of coffee.

We used as many recycled materials as we could. For example, the floor is made of leftover paving stones from our neighbor’s yard. They were all different shapes, which made them labor-intensive to install but also gave the result a striking look. The windows I originally collected ended up elsewhere in our home, and Jarno and I found windows that suited the summerhouse better.

I had a pretty clear vision for the summerhouse I was dreaming of. Luckily, my husband could read between the lines, and it turned out exactly how I wanted.

The greenhouse was Riitta’s longtime dream, so she named it Unelma (“Dream”). The garden summerhouse has also become important to her grandchildren.

This two-part garden summerhouse includes a greenhouse at one end, while the other end is a relaxing spot—perfect for an evening snack.

The summerhouse is very special to me for many reasons. It’s the realization of a dream, but most importantly, my husband and I built it together. Working on the house and the greenhouse was something we both loved.

My husband passed away four years ago, and now the place is filled with our memories. It’s not always fun going there alone, remembering how we used to share evening coffee. Even though I miss having him there, the space brings me comfort.

It’s also a special place for my grandchildren. I have wonderful memories of them always finding the first raspberries in summer. They pick them with their little fingers and insist that we eat them right there in summerhouse. Their joy is so genuine.

There have been unforgettable moments in the summerhouse with my husband, too. Sometimes we lit candles just because and stayed up together until dawn, putting the world to rights.

At first, I wondered if I wanted to stay here alone in our shared home. Then I realized the house and everything in it was built with love, and this is where I belong.”