Serious illness spurred Liisa to pursue her design and career dreams: “I admire Marie Olsson Nylander”

The wall between the kitchen and the living room was removed, further opening up the space. The kitchen is by A.S. Helsingö, and the range hood is by Savo. The picture on the kitchen wall is by Studio Parkkonen. The Hay dining table is surrounded by BoConcept swivel chairs.

You were diagnosed with cancer four years ago. What kind of turning point was that for you?

Part of my foot was amputated. At first, walking was difficult, and we had to prepare our home for a six-month recovery period with cozy resting spots and plenty of fun things to do. After the surgery, climbing stairs also became harder, but thankfully our home is on one level and fairly accessible. I watched Unelmakoti Sisiliassa (“Dream Home in Sicily”) many times and related to Marie Olsson Nylander, who also battled cancer. I, too, decided not to put off my dreams until retirement and started a vocational degree alongside my job. I graduated as a visual artist in spring 2024.

These pieces were painted by Liisa. The fruit still life is painted on plexiglass, reflecting daylight back into the room. The candlesticks have come from flea markets and Grandmothers’ cupboards.

The bouquet in the silver Georg Jensen vase is supplemented with hydrangea branches from the garden. The wooden candlestick was found on a trip to Hanko.

How has making art enriched your life?

Making art is one way for me to express myself. I feel I have a good balance in life right now and I get to do the things I love. Through art and my studies, I’ve met many fascinating people. If I get bored with the painting in the living room, I can pop into my studio and make a new one.

The midnight blue sheets in the bedroom are from Stockmann, and the vintage globe lamps were found in Copenhagen. Liisa’s own artwork hangs on the wall.

What was the home like 17 years ago when you moved in?

The apartment, built in the 1970s, had many features characteristic of the period, such as cork floors and dark walls. The sauna dressing room even had a faux-leather–covered bar counter and saloon doors. The room was quite amusing, so we decided to keep it. The children and their friends loved playing at the bar counter, and we only got rid of it once it was time to redo the plumbing. The best parts of our home are its functional layout, the large garage, and the lush atrium garden.

A couple of years ago, the family built a new terrace. The old terrace boards were repurposed into planter boxes. Otherwise, the garden has easy-care plants such as climbing hydrangeas, bergenias, and hostas.

The exterior of the 1970s house has a bold color scheme typical of the era. The brick sections are white, while the wooden parts are painted in yellow, red, and black.

Liisa rents a studio near the home, where she can feel free to spread out her painting supplies. Painting is so absorbing she often loses track of time and forgets to eat.

How did you make this home your own?

We completed a major renovation four years ago, when the materials started to reach the end of their life. We installed new parquet flooring, painted the walls in neutral tones, and modernized the kitchen. The dark walls were lovely, but the lighter shades feel fresh and are the perfect backdrop for colorful textiles and art. Our home also has a garage where my cycling-enthusiast spouse repairs and customizes bikes, and where our sons have tinkered with their mopeds. I enjoy spending time in our sheltered backyard.

The Anna Kirsikka painting in the dressing room is Liisa’s own work. The ceramic pieces in the foreground were made by the children.

The milkshake painting is Liisa’s first oil painting, titled My Milkshake is Better than Yours. “Most of my paintings are still lifes depicting everyday objects or scenery.”

The bright chair in Sulo’s room was a secondhand find and has been reupholstered. Sulo often rearranges his room. The ceiling light is by A World of Craft, and the Anglepoise lamp on the shelf was brought from Berlin.

Liisa has also rented a studio nearby where she can freely spread out her painting supplies. Painting is so absorbing that she often loses track of time and forgets to eat. “Every adult should have a workspace for pursuing their dreams and marveling at the flow of time.”

Liisa wishes to spread joy and positive energy with her work.