Welcome to my home
“My favourite part of the house is the terrace as I love the direct access from the open-plan kitchen and living room”
Marjaana Ristiluoma, director of a flooring company, lives here with her partner Mika Salokangas, a CEO.
THE PROPERTY
A three-bedroom semi with adjoining twobedroom apartment, in Hanko, a town on the south coast of Finland.
THE VALUE
The plot and build costs were around £1m.
Marjaana Ristiluoma and Mika Salokangas fell in love with the town of Hanko when they bought a holiday home there in 2011. ‘As we’re sporty and sociable, the traditional Finnish summer cottage in a remote area wasn’t for us. We loved our apartment, but as our four adult children like to holiday with us, we needed a bigger place,’ says Marjaana, who works for Tarkett flooring Finland.
‘A plot of land nearby was put up for sale and although I was unsure how we could build on a rocky hillside, we decided to buy it. As it is surrounded by old cottages, we wanted something different.’ Inspiration for the design came from a house Mika had visited through his work. Marjaana tracked down the architect, who designed this single-storey house, plus a flat next door for the children. ‘Big windows make the most of the sun and a dark grey exterior blends into the hillside.’ Building permission was granted in just one week and the build took a year and a half. ‘It was stressful as we were both very busy at work,’ says Marjaana, ‘but thanks to the architect and project manager, it went smoothly.’
Inside, Marjaana has gone for a minimalist look. ‘We don’t want to have too much stuff – only things we really like and use. I like many different looks, but my style has always been very white and simple. Although we have similar tastes, Mika likes old posters which are too colourful for my taste!’ The couple’s main home is in Helsinki, but they visit Hanko as often as possible. ‘We spend weekends and summers here. It’s a place where you have time and space for your thoughts. It’s great for sports or just walking the dog along the beach,’ says Marjaana. ‘We have a lot of friends here. When we retire, we plan to spend even more time here, with our children and hopefully one day our grandchildren.’
Seating area
‘During the summer, the patio doors are always open and we’re outside as much as possible having all our meals out there.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Nordal coffee table, £659.99, Wayfair is similar. Try the Natural chunky jute woven rug, £59, Dunelm. Zebra cushion, £24, Nordic Nest, is a good match. Anglepoise Type 75 floor lamp in Jet Black, £180, John Lewis & Partners, is comparable
“My vision was all about natural colours, lots of open space and clean, simple lines with a strong emphasis on geometric shapes”
Kitchen-diner
‘I love the interplay between the contemporary cabinetry and old farmhouse dining table. Using the same colours in each space and having the same white flooring throughout has helped create a cohesive look.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Rustic Eaton dining table, £2,199, Hicks & Hicks, is similar. The Louis Ghost armchair, £104, Mobelaris, is a match
Entranceway
‘The hats have been gathered over the years from different places. The collection is practical as well as decorative – they are often used by us and our guests.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES The handleless kitchen in Super White matt, from £4,143, Wren Kitchens is a match. Tom Dixon Beat Fat pendant, £260, John Lewis & Partners
Kitchen island
‘We wanted a minimalistic kitchen with deeper than normal base cabinets, no wall units and a nice view in both directions,’ says Marjaana. ‘We chose a white finish as I thought we’d get bored of black.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Wire bar stool by Cielo, £159, Fy!, is comparable. Natural White sheepskin seat pad, £44, The Wool Company, would work here
Dining area
‘The tall cupboards hold tableware and on the other side coats and shoes,’ says Marjaana. ‘The wood burner is positioned higher than normal so we can see it even when we’re sitting at the table.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Stately Empire chandelier, £825, Sweetpea & Willow, has this style
WHAT I’VE LEARNED “Give careful thought to lighting. We were worried the rooms would be dark, but now we have too many LEDS. The colour is cold, so we hardly use them”
Main bedroom
‘We love the simple, clean style with its black accents,’ says Marjaana. ‘I’ve added quirky pieces to break up the blankness, though.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Kartell Ero/s chair, £476, Made In Design. Horse head lamp, £165, Phoenix Home Interiors, has a similar look
En suite shower room
‘This room is also a sauna which, being Finns, is important to us. Even our dog joins us when we use it!’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Try two-person traditional sauna, £1,445, UK Saunas. Lee Jeffries photo art, from £90, Yellow Korner
Main bedroom
‘As we didn’t want unnecessary furnishings, there are no rugs to break up the expanse of floor and no window shades to block out light.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Naked headboard, £225; washed linen headboard cover, £85, Cox & Cox