Suvi’s persistent dream doubled their home: a lightning-fast duplex deal

Suvi and Ilkka Kervinen lived in the archipelago of Kotka but were looking for a bigger home closer to amenities. They viewed multiple houses but believed this duplex in downtown Kotka would suit their family, even though they knew it would require a long and labor-intensive renovation.

How did a century-old duplex become your single-family home?

Suvi: We spent a long time searching for a larger home and ended up here, in one half of a duplex. Even before we moved in, and afterward, I often dreamed there was a door in my home leading to more space and new rooms. In the dream, I was always happy. One evening, we were in the sauna, and I had dreamed again the night before about the house and that door. I mentioned to Ilkka that, in reality, there were more rooms right behind our wall. We immediately texted our neighbors, and fifteen minutes later, they replied that they’d gladly sell us their half of the house and even suggested a price. That’s how our never-ending renovation began.

What did you renovate?

In short, almost everything possible. We became renovation archaeologists, uncovering the home’s original materials. It’s a breathable log house, so we felt it was important to expose the original logs. Wherever possible, we used recycled materials for things like the kitchen and bathroom built-ins. The walls had layers of old wallpaper and paperboard. We insulated some exterior walls with wood-based boards containing no toxic adhesives or chemicals. We wanted to avoid plastic, so the walls are either painted with traditional paint or finished with paperboard and paper wallpaper. We replaced the sagging plank floors everywhere except in the kitchen.

What’s the main theme of your interior design?

Our home is, of course, in our own style! Our colorful look might be too much for some, but a bright-white home just isn’t us. Our place is lively, fun, exciting, and maybe a bit unconventional—almost like a fairy tale! I love museums and ornate church buildings, and I’m delighted that our home's decor has a bit of that museum-like vibe. I appreciate objects and artwork that depict something recognizable, and our home features many female figures in pictures and sculptures. I believe we showcase many facets of womanhood here. I don’t follow strict rules on matching certain colors or materials; if something feels right to me, it belongs. When nothing matches, everything matches.

You find lots of treasures secondhand. What draws you to them?

Most of our belongings are secondhand finds. I want our furniture to have its own story. We have items I’ve saved from dumpsters and repainted. I rarely buy brand-new decor pieces or furniture because I find them boring.