After the children moved abroad, Saija and Tero made their decor dreams come true: “Our needs changed significantly”

From the arched windows, you see a lush green park and a cozy street. It might feel like Paris—but it's actually Helsinki’s central Kruununhaka district. After working abroad for a few years, Saija and Tero Silvola looked for a home in Finland just for the two of them, since their adult children had moved abroad to study. They found a suitable apartment near the city center on a quiet street, only a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral and the waterfront.

This apartment originally housed a school and then served as an office for many years. It had just received a high-quality renovation, so the couple was able to customize the finishing touches in the kitchen and wet areas. They were assisted by interior designer Johanna Lehmuskallio.

Saija Silvola (left) with interior designer Johanna Lehmuskallio in the home’s most successful space.

Saija, what were you looking for in your home at this stage of life, when you planned it for just two adults?

Our needs at this new stage of life had changed significantly. We wanted an open, bright home that felt inviting. At first, we hesitated about this apartment because although it had just been expertly renovated, the style didn’t quite match ours. We felt the choices didn’t highlight the architecture and character of the building. I reached out to interior designer Johanna Lehmuskallio, whose work I had followed in magazines for years. Johanna understood what we needed right away, and we were on the same page from the start.

We replaced the previous, smaller kitchen with custom cabinets from Amelia-keittiöt, matched to the same tone as the walls. The island and backsplash are covered with Calacatta large-format tiles from Caisla, and the ceiling light is from Skanno.

In their kitchen remodel, Saija and Tero Silvola wanted more openness, functionality, and visual impact. The cabinets were done by Amelia-keittiöt. The arched windows give the space a striking atmosphere. Calacatta large-format tiles by Caisla. Handles by Beslag Design.

Johanna designed a handy little pantry in the triangular corner.

What factors were important in the kitchen design?

The newly renovated kitchen didn’t really work for us. We sold those cabinets and redid the entire layout, placing a large dining table beside the kitchen. We ended up with much more storage, absolutely beautiful cabinets, and a marble-patterned island. Johanna designed a small pantry for the quirky triangular corner, which helps with everyday functionality. At the end of the dining area, she added a floor-to-ceiling cabinet that hides a spacious breakfast cupboard.

From the arched windows, there's a view of a charming street in Helsinki’s Kruununhaka.

The dining table is a Fritz Hansen Superellipse that has followed them through several homes. The oak floor is echoed by the Wishbone chairs. A large breakfast cupboard stands along the side wall. The pendant light is by Ligne Roset.

The kitchen opens into a spacious dining area, where Johanna Lehmuskallio added a large 80-centimeter-wide breakfast cupboard in the cabinetry. Its warm chocolate-brown interior continues the floor’s style.

What wishes were you able to fulfill this time?

We could use the square footage differently than before. We didn't mind losing rooms that were necessary when living with children; with no more family laundry for five, we didn’t need a dedicated laundry room. A small spot in one bathroom for a stacked washer and dryer was enough. Of the three bedrooms, we made two into offices that double as guest rooms for our children when they visit. And we finally got to realize our dream of having a large master bedroom.

Saija and Tero had curtain's made from the same color fabric as the bedroom walls. The headboard is from Newport furniture store, and they already had the bench and Doctor Design’s Juhla lamp from their previous home.

Saija and Tero’s wish for a large bedroom has been fulfilled. The floor-to-ceiling wardrobe offers ample storage.

Tero’s workspace is in the room next to the hall, where the adult children can sleep on the sofa bed when they visit.

How did you make the apartment reflect your style?

Johanna and I looked for ways to make the home suit us without tearing out everything that had just been installed. We wanted plenty of practical storage in every room. We invested in built-in cabinets painted the same color as the walls, and we redid the kitchen.

In the wet areas, we wanted more personality because the black-and-white tile felt a bit bland. Johanna suggested dramatic marble-patterned large-format tile for one wall in each bathroom, which completely transformed the look to our liking.

In the angled living room, they placed their Ligne Roset sofa, bought from Skanno, and the petrol-blue Egg chair by Fritz Hansen, which has moved with them through several homes. The rug is by Layered, and the lamp is by Petit Friture. The armchairs are from Newport.

The Ligne Roset sofa is paired with Gubi coffee tables.

They planned the art placement from the start. Johanna suggested moving the Formverk sideboard here from the foyer, which created the perfect spot for a painting by Panu Ruotsalo and freed up space for a built-in bookcase in the foyer. The travertine coffee tables are from Gubi, and the armchairs are from Newport’s online shop.

Have your years abroad influenced your interior style?

We’ve been fortunate to spend time living abroad several times. Our furniture has traveled with us and grown along the way. In the Netherlands, we admired the old houses endearingly unique atmosphere, especially with their evening lighting. That’s when we began dreaming about having our own old home with high ceilings and deep windowsills.

In Italy, we fell for modern, clean-lined furniture and stunning kitchens with plenty of space and hidden appliances. In Switzerland, we had the chance to live in a gorgeous old building, which is reflected in our current home’s look.

The hall bookcase was constructed using Ikea Billy frames, which were built in and painted to match the wall color. The Flos chandelier came from their previous home. The rug is from Oriental Matto. Large ceiling medallions from Wall Ark were added to each bedroom and the hall.

Interior designer Johanna Lehmuskallio, how was the color scheme chosen?

Saija and Tero liked the high-quality painted walls, so we built on that existing palette. We tinted the custom cabinetry to match each room’s wall color. Bringing in the bold Calacatta tile for the kitchen and bathrooms gave the spaces the edge they wanted. The tile’s brown veins tie in nicely with the flooring, while the black veins echo other details.

The sauna and bathroom had been renovated, but the all-black-and-white look didn’t feel right to Saija and Tero. Thanks to Johanna’s idea, the atmosphere completely changed when one wall was covered with marble-patterned Calacatta large-format tile.

The black-framed shower wall gives the shower area d.

The Calacatta large-format tile is from Caisla’s collection, and the same tile is used in all wet rooms and the kitchen.

Johanna, which solutions were your favorites?

I think the kitchen was the biggest success for all of us. The old one was much smaller, very white, and felt cold. We added an island, a breakfast cupboard, and boosted the cabinet space. Another great solution was the built-in bookcase in the hall. The couple wanted a big bookcase, but the window placement limited where it could go. We built it using Ikea Billy frames, turned into a fixed structure, and painted it in the same color as the walls.

Saija and Tero found their home on a quiet street in Helsinki’s Kruununhaka. It’s on the lower floor of a building erected in 1900, and the windows overlook a small, atmospheric park.

This apartment in Helsinki’s Kruununhaka measures 170 square meters.