Tiia built a charming tiny house—one step was so stressful it made her need arrhythmia medication

Borzois Alfons and Boris are sociable companions. Only one wall in the house is wallpapered. The lovely patterned wallpaper was found in Pihlgren and Ritola’s heritage wallpaper collection.

Just a few years ago, Tiia Inkinen dreamed of an old country cottage. She had wanted her own small house in the countryside ever since she was a child. There would be fields and forests all around, and it would be peaceful and quiet year-round. In winter, darkness would envelop everything.

Her dream took a step forward just before the Covid pandemic, when Tiia started studying a field that would allow her to work remotely. That’s when the idea of living deep in the woods took shape.

Boris is in the bedroom enjoying his time on the bed.

These kitchen drawers are a flea market find, as are many items and furniture in Tiia’s home.

Tiia started her house fund by buying and renovating two apartments for resale. When some interesting old houses popped up on the market from Turku, Finland, she made a few offers.

“However, I didn’t dare offer enough. I figured old houses might have hidden money pits.”

At the same time, Tiia began exploring plots of land. Gradually, the idea formed that she could build a house on her own.

“At least that way, I’d know exactly where my money was going.”

As of now, Tiia lives alone with her dogs in the tiny house. She and her partner, Kalle, have already discussed moving in together.

Her guiding principle throughout has been careful, unhurried work combined with recycled materials. That’s why the yard is still unfinished.

Tiia wanted all floors painted green, providing contrast to the rest of the house. She might eventually give the kitchen floor a sunny yellow shade.

When a suitable plot was found in Lieto, Finland, Tiia convinced her father as well as her partner Kalle to join the construction. None of them had formal construction training. They got more help when the building’s principal designer, a master builder named Tapani Heinonen, was hired.

In late 2020, they obtained a building permit for the log house, measuring 5 × 10 meters and totaling 49.9 square meters. As the size of the building stayed just under 50 square meters, the energy requirements and other building regulations were less strict than for a standard single-family home.

A full-length terrace adds to the living comfort.

Tiia is not quick to buy anything new. If she can’t find what she needs second-hand, she prefers to shop locally and choose products made in Finland.

First, a steel beam frame was placed on the clay soil to prevent subsidence. The beams were bought from a local business. Laminated logs from Pellopuu were then assembled on top the beams. After that, the logs were left to settle over the winter, so no clearance would be needed later for the interior partitions.

“My dad and I would wait—humble and hats in hand, so to speak—whenever Heinonen dropped by for an inspection from time to time. We got nervous each time he walked around quietly, checking everything without a peep until he finished,” Tiia recalls.

They hired outside help whenever their own skills fell short. For example, they brought in a professional to do the bathroom’s waterproofing, floor tiling, and finishes. He made a mistake, leaving bubbles on the wall opposite the shower.

“Naturally, the mistake was fixed under warranty. But afterward I couldn’t help thinking that maybe we could have done it ourselves from the start. That would have saved us some needless worry.”

A pivoting shower wall is the highlight of this shower nook. The log wall is safeguarded from moisture by a clear wood wax.

The sink was found on an online flea market. It fits perfectly in this small space.

Tiia also got quotes from carpenters for the roof, but ultimately decided to build the entire structure herself. It turned out to be the most stressful phase of the project, she says.

“We built the roof to precise measurements on the ground, then lifted it onto the log frame with a crane. I was so anxious about hoisting the roof that I had to get arrhythmia medication,” she says.

Fortunately, the roof fit perfectly. Professionals handled the sheet metal, and a mason built the chimney. Sealing the lower and upper floors made interior work much easier.

These fan-shaped terrace rails were a team effort by Tiia, her partner Kalle, and her father.

The more color Tiia introduced into her interior design, the more dull the white sections felt. She has found that experimenting with color is one of her favorite parts of decorating.

In spring 2023, the house finally got electricity and heating. Tiia was especially relieved that she no longer had to rely on extension cords from the worksite power box. Another highlight was lighting the wood stove in the kitchen for the first time. She moved her belongings in April 2024.

Basked in the evening sun, the terrace has become the couple’s dream summer spot. Since both the terrace and the rest of the house were built with great care, Tiia can enjoy living here even when she’s a grandmother.

The yard is still in progress, with recycled slate tiles planned on top of the gravel. Tiia planted a forest garden in the lower yard that will produce edible crops. A log-built yard sauna is also on the horizon.

“We should also think about building a carport, since we’ve already talked about moving in together,” she says.

If her construction budget were boundless, this modestly self-sufficient woman would still have one more dream.

“I’d buy more of the surrounding fields and build a small barn. There’d be room for a few pigs, too.”