Step into the past! Anna and Ville cherish their tiny cottage’s charming 1950s vibe
Tucked beside the serene Lake Kankaistenjärvi in Hämeenlinna, Finland, this tiny black sauna cottage is a picture of 1950s charm brought back to life. Carefully renovated, the cottage now captivates with its enchanting beauty and timeless appeal.
Spending an evening at the cottage enjoying the sauna—just thinking about it can lift any Finns spirits! Finding a lakeside sauna cottage close to home was a real stroke of luck for Anna and Ville Availa.
“My great-uncle built this sauna cottage on the shore of Kankaistenjärvi in Hämeenlinna in 1956. I’ve been coming here since I was a child,” says Ville.
When the great-uncle’s daughter decided to give up the property, she offered it to the Availas. The Availas had previously rented a sauna by another lake and realized they’d get good use out of one close by.
The small, charming cottage entices the couple to enjoy the sauna here a few times a week, since the drive is only about twenty minutes. Here, they can immerse themselves in the peaceful natural surroundings and more: in Anna and Ville’s hands, the old building and its setting have been given a whole new life.
Traveling is a beloved pastime for Anna and Ville. The collage displayed on the wall takes them back to their travel memories.
Many people buy a cottage for vacationing, while others look forward to projects. Anna and Ville’s main motive was something else: the sauna.
“Ville is a member of two sauna clubs. Being here has let him live out his sauna dreams,” Anna explains. Anna also finds something meditative about sauna.
The cottage is on a sloped lot, and the renovation was a real workout. Debris, a sofa, and a yard swing were carried up the stairs. Coming down were a sauna stove and 2,000 kilograms of slate.
Because the cottage is on a sloped lot, the renovation was intense. They carried demolition debris, a sofa, an American-style fridge, a water cauldron, and a yard swing up the stairs. Coming down were a sauna stove, 2,000 kilograms of slate, and a truckload of sand for the fire pit.
The Availas also bought the cottage for its 1950s charm. Both enjoy preserving what’s old, and the cottage gave them that opportunity. When they closed the deal in fall 2020, the pandemic had slowed other activities, leaving time for renovation.
After the purchase, they discovered more renovations than expected. The wall panels were damp, causing an unpleasant smell. Besides removing the panels, they tore out the loft and the kitchen. They also updated the sauna, living room, and electrical system.
Anna and Ville learned many new skills they had never tried before. They’re thankful for the friends and relatives who helped them renovate.
“It was important to us to preserve the cottage’s original features. That also fits with our values.”
Anna and Ville believe in preserving and reusing old pieces. They saved the cottage’s wood floors, the 1950s dressing room, and many vintage dishes and objects that are put to everyday use.
“It’s also been fun discovering 1950s and ’60s design pieces, as they last so well. We wanted to focus on the feel of the interior, guided by the cottage’s spirit and scale,” Anna says.
The cottage was finished for May Day 2021 after nine months of weekend renovations. The Availas aren’t planning any new projects.
“That’s part of the charm in a place like this: we don’t have to worry about what needs redoing. We can just enjoy being here.”
