INSIDE STORY

TIINA & RIKU’S HOME

WHO LIVES HERE?

Tiina, an educator and project manager at a museum, her husband Riku, who works in customer service, their son Leo, 11; plus their American Staffordshire terrier Kara.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE?

Tiina: “The materials. It wouldn’t be this house without the concrete walls and floor.”

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED?

“Ask for several offers for every single project. It sounds self evident but when you have hundreds of little things you need, it’s pretty [necessary].”

YOUR TOP BUILDING TIP?

“Take time finding good people to do the things you don’t know how to do, be friendly to them, buy them lots of coffee and sweets and then trust them.”

1 4 1. Kitchen essentials echo the tones of the dark-grey palette throughout the home. 2. Tiina with Kara on the terrace at the front of the house, near the outdoor spa. 3. A rotating fireplace is a striking feature in the living room of this modern abode. 4. White subway tiles in the bathroom stand out in the mainly dark-hued home. 5. A black sink and matching tapware make a dramatic statement in the kitchen. 6. The raised bed in the main bedroom is surrounded by steps and storage. 7. A long desk in the corridor is a clever way to make the most of the narrow space. 2 6 3 5 7