the next phase

Bye-bye toddler phase, hello light bouclé and art! As the children grew, Tuire got to go all out in designing the family’s new home

No more sticky fingers or noisy play. This family’s new house is an inviting blend of white, the glow of dark wood, and comforting textures. One of Tuire’s favorite spots is the balcony with its palms.

Author Jonna Kivilahti

Images Krista Keltanen

May 15, 2025Lue suomeksi

The view from the dark-wood stairs by Grado leading down to the downstairs foyer is one of Tuire’s favorites. The floor is tiled with Villeroy & Boch’s marble-pattern tiles. The rug is from Classic Collection, and the armchair is from Jotex.

A view from the stairs into the hallway and the living room. — The view from the dark-wood stairs by Grado leading down to the downstairs foyer is one of Tuire’s favorites. The floor is tiled with Villeroy & Boch’s marble-pattern tiles. The rug is from Classic Collection, and the armchair is from Jotex.

The side table in the hallway is by Ruth & Joanna. The sculpture is by Jasmin Anoschkin.

A side table and a round mirror in the hallway. — The side table in the hallway is by Ruth & Joanna. The sculpture is by Jasmin Anoschkin.

Two things set this new home apart from the family’s previous ones—and they’re both rooted in the fact that the oldest children have become teenagers and the youngest is now a preteen. One is the abundance of art, from paintings to sculptures. The other is the choice of materials that wouldn’t have suited life with small children.

Tuire Törnqvist searched with her husband for a larger home after deciding to move from a three-level residence to two stories. Because of their three children’s schools and activities, they didn’t want to stray far from their familiar area in Espoo, Finland, but finding a new home started to feel challenging.

By a stroke of luck, Tuire spotted a listing for two single-family homes planned for the site of an older house. The plot could have supported three houses, but the couple liked that the developer didn't plan to overbuild and instead left more space for each home.

In the newly finished single-family house, Tuire wanted light walls, like a gallery backdrop for art. The warmth of dark wood and soft materials balances all the white.

who lives here Lawyer, M.Sc. (Econ.) Tuire Törnqvist, 44, with her husband and three children ages 9–15.

HOME Completed in 2024, designed by Jukka Ulvinen, a modern single-family house in a seaside area of Espoo. The house has 163 square meters.

The family’s new home is in a familiar seaside neighborhood in Espoo.

A white two-story single-family house. — The family’s new home is in a familiar seaside neighborhood in Espoo.

The home also has a spacious, sunny terrace.

A single-family home’s terrace with an outdoor furniture set and white planters. — The home also has a spacious, sunny terrace.

Tuire, what appealed to you about the neighborhood?

We had lived in the area for a long time and wanted to stay for our children’s schools and their friends. We also loved the fact that we can walk to the shore in just a few minutes. The proximity to the sea is really important to us.

What were your thoughts on the house’s floor plan?

The layout works well for our family’s needs, and we found the house early enough to adjust the original design to suit daily life. Most bedrooms are upstairs, with only our oldest son’s bedroom downstairs. We also have a spacious entry, a TV room, and a sauna area downstairs. Upstairs is mostly open living space, along with an office—often called the piano room. One of my favorite places is the upstairs terrace that runs the full length of the living area.

On the Ruth & Joanna coffee table, Tuire arranged decorative groupings with books. The vase is Dagg by Carina Seth Andersson for Svenskt Tenn. The sculptures are Lonerva meikkikoulussa (“Lonerva in Make-up school”) and Kummituskoala (“Ghost Koala”) by Jasmin Anoschkin.

A low coffee table with books and art objects on top. — On the Ruth & Joanna coffee table, Tuire arranged decorative groupings with books. The vase is Dagg by Carina Seth Andersson for Svenskt Tenn. The sculptures are Lonerva meikkikoulussa (“Lonerva in Make-up school”) and Kummituskoala (“Ghost Koala”) by Jasmin Anoschkin.

Martinelli Luce’s Pipistrello table lamp is a striking classic. It was designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti in 1965.

A coffee table with books and art objects. In front of the window is a small table with a table lamp. — Martinelli Luce’s Pipistrello table lamp is a striking classic. It was designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti in 1965.

The living room’s light color palette is made cozier by the fairly dark Tarkett herringbone parquet. Tuire selected the brown-toned sofa from Calligaris and white armchairs from Vepsäläinen in bouclé fabrics. The Nuura chandelier is from Zarro, as are the Ruth & Joanna coffee table and the Beni Ouarain rug. In the corner, she added a Gubi floor lamp. The black painting is Battery Acid by Lukas Göthman, and Rosa Helin’s Black Spot sculpture is on the side table.

A living room with fairly dark herringbone parquet. — The living room’s light color palette is made cozier by the fairly dark Tarkett herringbone parquet. Tuire selected the brown-toned sofa from Calligaris and white armchairs from Vepsäläinen in bouclé fabrics. The Nuura chandelier is from Zarro, as are the Ruth & Joanna coffee table and the Beni Ouarain rug. In the corner, she added a Gubi floor lamp. The black painting is Battery Acid by Lukas Göthman, and Rosa Helin’s Black Spot sculpture is on the side table.

When they moved, Tuire switched to a round dining table that suits the space better. The Gubi marble table is paired with Calligaris chairs upholstered in leather.

A view from the dining area and kitchen out to the terrace. On the left is the dining table, on the right an island with bar stools. — When they moved, Tuire switched to a round dining table that suits the space better. The Gubi marble table is paired with Calligaris chairs upholstered in leather.

How did you decide on the home’s color palette and materials?

We bought the house when we could still choose all the surface materials ourselves. I tend to favor classic tones. I kept the walls white for a crisp backdrop for the art and chose a somewhat darker herringbone parquet for warmth. The marble-pattern tile extends through all the wet areas. Most of the furniture is white or light-toned. Our old home was very black and white, but here I wanted bring warmth with textiles and the wood floor.

How does it affect your home’s interior and daily life that your youngest child is almost a teenager now, too?

I have to admit it greatly influences how the home looks. At our previous place, I wouldn’t have even thought of picking white bouclé-upholstered furniture, since there was always someone with sticky fingers lounging around the furniture with a snack in hand. Now I’ve even chosen bouclé for the bar stools around our island with no worries. As the kids have grown, it’s easier to collect art, too. I have placed sculptures on tables and paintings on the walls without worrying they’ll be knocked down by active play.

For the Noblessa kitchen counters, Tuire chose Dekton by Cosentino. The large island provides the kids with a convenient breakfast spot. Brass accents appear in both the kitchen and dining area. The pendants are by Artek, the faucet and sink are from Tapwell, the candlestick is from Svenskt Tenn, the bar stools are by Calligaris.

A white open-plan kitchen with an island and bar stools. — For the Noblessa kitchen counters, Tuire chose Dekton by Cosentino. The large island provides the kids with a convenient breakfast spot. Brass accents appear in both the kitchen and dining area. The pendants are by Artek, the faucet and sink are from Tapwell, the candlestick is from Svenskt Tenn, the bar stools are by Calligaris.

In the living room, artist Hannaleena Heiska’s Orlando hangs above an Eichholtz bench upholstered in bouclé. The Calligaris bar stools are also covered in bouclé. Alvar Aalto’s A330S pendants are suspended above the island.

A painting of a female figure on the living room wall. On the left is the island, on the right the dining table. — In the living room, artist Hannaleena Heiska’s Orlando hangs above an Eichholtz bench upholstered in bouclé. The Calligaris bar stools are also covered in bouclé. Alvar Aalto’s A330S pendants are suspended above the island.

From the living room, you can see into the adjoining piano room, which also serves as a workspace. The side table is by Day Home. In their family, Tuire is the pianist, and she placed a painting by Manuela Bosco above the piano. The vase is by Anissa Kermiche.

A piano room with a black piano, a book stand in the corner, and a bamboo-themed painting on the wall. — From the living room, you can see into the adjoining piano room, which also serves as a workspace. The side table is by Day Home. In their family, Tuire is the pianist, and she placed a painting by Manuela Bosco above the piano. The vase is by Anissa Kermiche.

In the piano room is also Tuire’s workspace with built-in cabinets from Noblessa. The Modern Art lamp is by Yki Nummi. The Flos chandelier was brought from their old house. The rug is from Zarro.

A workspace with white built-in cabinets. — In the piano room is also Tuire’s workspace with built-in cabinets from Noblessa. The Modern Art lamp is by Yki Nummi. The Flos chandelier was brought from their old house. The rug is from Zarro.

Art plays a big role in your home. Tell us about some of your favorites.

When I buy art, I pause at a piece that moves me. I’ve realized I’m drawn to Nordic art: most of the works in our home are by Finnish or Swedish artists. Among sculptors, my favorites include Rosa Helin and Jasmin Anoschkin and among painters and visual artists I love Katja Tukiainen, Hannaleena Heiska and Markus Ek as well as Lukas Göthman.

The sauna benches are made of heat-treated alder, which highlights the Villeroy & Boch marble-pattern tiles on the walls and floor. Showers by Tapwell.

Sauna and shower. — The sauna benches are made of heat-treated alder, which highlights the Villeroy & Boch marble-pattern tiles on the walls and floor. Showers by Tapwell.

A vessel sink brings a sculptural accent to the bathroom.

A bathroom with white fixtures and tiling. — A vessel sink brings a sculptural accent to the bathroom.

Have the children also helped choose the art?

Art is my passion. Even though some of the pieces—especially the sculptures—are pink and playful, I’m the one who chose them. Our entire family does enjoy art, and my children especially love the works of Jasmin Anoschkin.

The focal point in the bedroom is a painting by artist Laura Dammert. The sand-toned bedding harmonizes with the artwork’s palette. The light fixture is from Zarro. All the curtains were custom-made by Aletta.

A bedroom with a made-up bed and a painting featuring a zebra’s head. — The focal point in the bedroom is a painting by artist Laura Dammert. The sand-toned bedding harmonizes with the artwork’s palette. The light fixture is from Zarro. All the curtains were custom-made by Aletta.

The Gubi marble side table in the bedroom was brought in from the previous home. Both the oval and round paintings are by Katja Tukiainen. The clothing rack is from Vepsäläinen.

A corner of the bedroom with a side table and clothing rack. — The Gubi marble side table in the bedroom was brought in from the previous home. Both the oval and round paintings are by Katja Tukiainen. The clothing rack is from Vepsäläinen.

Tuire’s favorite spot in the home is the large, glassed-in upstairs balcony, which stays cozy enough to enjoy well into fall. The balcony furniture is from Eichholtz.

A glassed-in balcony with outdoor furniture and a palm. — Tuire’s favorite spot in the home is the large, glassed-in upstairs balcony, which stays cozy enough to enjoy well into fall. The balcony furniture is from Eichholtz.

You value quality and design in furniture. Can you tell us about your choices?

We brought a lot of furniture from our old home, but also needed some new pieces because some furniture didn't fit as well here. We replaced the sofas, armchairs, and dining table to match the dimensions of the new space—a round table works better. I’m partial to Gubi and Ruth & Joanna, which we purchased from Zarro in Helsinki. I had a clear vision for the style form the start, and I feel our home came together beautifully.

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