Lemon yellow and blue! Villa Sophia boasts an irresistible Italian vibe

Asunny summer vibe fills Sophia Boleckis’s second home in Hangonkylä, a few kilometers from downtown Hanko. Four years ago, her dream of owning a home in the summer town of Hanko came true purely by chance, when a friend urged her to go to a few open houses. Previously, she rented an apartment in Hanko during the summers. Now, Sophia spends part of each week here all year round.

Villa Sophia was named after its hostess. Sophia loves the peaceful atmosphere in Hangonkylä. In Hanko, most people get around by bike, and a car is rarely needed.

Sophia, what did you fall in love with in this house?

I fell in love with the house’s feel and its location. This part of Hangonkylä is like its own little village; neighbors know each other, and we chat with folks passing by. Local lore says our house, nicknamed the haunted house for some reason, once housed a record store. At the time, the owner both lived here and sold records and turntables. Next door, there was a fishing shop and a flower shop, and there used to be a grocery store diagonally across from us. These days, services are just over a kilometer away near the center of Hanko.

Blue-and-yellow bunting sets the tone for the house right from the entryway staircase.

A Hanko poster and a woven bag create a summery vibe.

The dish cabinet holds a large collection of pitchers. Many of the blue-toned dishes were found at a flea market in Hanko. The rocking chair was carved by the husband of Sophia’s grandmother’s sister. The granny-square blanket was crocheted by Sophia’s mother.

What’s the loveliest thing about Villa Sophia?

The garden that surrounds the house is enchanting. It had grown wild and needed heavy pruning. As a result, the lilacs on the property got more space and now line the yard as tall, gorgeous shrubs. The yard is very lush, and in the summer, life moves outside into the garden. Of course, the interior also plays a big part in making it inviting.

The Provençal patterned bunting in yellow and blue was Sophia’s first purchase for the house. She loves its playful look. One bunting hangs on the staircase, and another is attached to the kitchen ceiling. Sophia bought the spindle-back chairs at a yard sale and painted them yellow. The ceiling lamp is by Yki Nummi.

Hanko is a tempting destination for visitors, and friends often stay at Villa Sophia throughout the summer. Sophia lays out a generous spread for her guests, making the table setting part of the experience.

Did you have to do any renovations?

I had it easy and could focus on decorating. Our neighbor once bought the house as an investment and did a major renovation. The previous owners later wallpapered the rooms with wonderful patterns that immediately appealed to me. They also renovated the kitchen, so all I had to do was add my own textiles and bring in a large 19th-century antique cabinet for the dishes.

The large dish cabinet holds an enormous collection of dinnerware. Sophia bought it in Porvoo, and it’s from the 19th century. The kitchen was renovated by the previous owners, but Sophia wanted older pieces in the space. The rug is from Rugvista. The bedroom is visible in the background.

The floral wall makes a lovely backdrop for the piano, which Sophia plays regularly. This wallpaper was chosen by the previous owners. It’s Folkfloral Denim Blue Birds by Arthouse.

Sophia found the sofa second-hand. The wall color is Tikkurila L429 Indigo, which she chose to continue the color scheme of the adjoining wallpaper. The marble coffee table and side tables are from Sophia’s childhood home in Brazil.

Sophia hosts many guests and frequently has family gatherings at the villa, so a large collection of dishes is essential. She bought some at a flea market in Hanko, and she inherited others. For Sophia, laying the table is an important part of preparing a meal.

How does the floor plan work?

The house’s 170 square meters are divided between two floors. I haven’t changed the layout at all. Downstairs, there’s a spacious foyer, a living room, the kitchen, my bedroom, and a bathroom. Upstairs, there’s a large landing that also serves as a TV room, plus two bedrooms for my adult children. My friends use the upstairs rooms as guest rooms, too. Outside, there’s a sauna and a separate summer room, which is perfect for hot days or even for overnight stays.

The bed and nightstands in the bedroom were originally bought by Sophia’s parents when they lived in Brazil. The striped bedspread came from her city home. The embroidered pillow is from Tiia’s Veranta in Hanko.

The interior combines inherited furniture, second-hand finds, and carefully selected décor pieces. Sophia lives in the downstairs bedroom, while her children stay upstairs.

Everyone gathers upstairs for games and watching TV. Local interior designer Sari Sirviö advised Sophia on the wallpaper choice, which is Cork, Slate by Rebel Walls. The armchairs were already in the house. The rug is from Carpetvista.

The kitchen is yellow. What inspired you to use that color in your decor?

I love Italy. My travels there gave me the idea to use lemons and yellow in my decor. A local shop, Means to Me, started selling lemon-themed tableware, so I bought some serving plates and a pitcher. The newest additions are drinking glasses with a lemon inside, which I brought home from Italy. I painted the second-hand chairs yellow and found napkins in the exact same shade. Blue is the other key color in the house, showing up in the wallpaper and especially in the living room.

The summer room in the yard got a new coat of paint. It has a maritime feel typical of Hanko, even though the rest of the house isn’t really nautical.

The garden has several seating areas and a cozy terrace adjacent to the house.

The yard has a separate summer room and sauna, along with multiple spots to relax.

A hut-like sauna in the yard beckons you in for a steam. Sophia likes that it’s separate from the house. Going to the sauna always feels like a mini excursion—she even packs a snack basket.