Iina and Kevin Lankinen’s charming summer home in Helsinki
Kevin and Iina wanted the rooftop terrace of their Helsinki summer home to be something special, and it became just that. A lush and inviting oasis, it’s also a favorite gathering spot for friends.
Iina, how did you find this apartment, and what made it stand out?
“We had been keeping an eye on the housing market for a couple of years before we came across this new development in Töölö, Helsinki. Since we spend most of the year abroad, our goal was to find a summer home in the heart of the city – a place we could return to for years to come.
What really won us over was the unique rooftop terrace. In the summer months, it feels like an extra room and serves as a gathering spot for our friends and family when we’re in Finland. We also fell in love with the high ceilings, large windows, and the open, airy layout. Kevin is a big fan of the Finnish sauna, so having one was definitely a must.
We were involved already in the planning stage and got to make adjustments to the layout and materials within the framework set by the developer. We tailored the apartment to suit our needs, adding a breakfast cabinet to the kitchen, updating the bathroom and sauna with a more modern feel, and customizing the cabinetry and storage solutions. We also got to select our preferred parquet, bathroom, and kitchen finishes. The entire project, from purchase to move-in, took nearly two years, and it turned out to be a fun, seamless process we got to experience together.”
Kevin and Iina Lankinen spend most of the year in Canada, where Kevin plays as a goaltender for the NHL team Vancouver Canucks.
Kevin, what’s your favorite space in this home, and why?
“Without a doubt, the rooftop terrace. It offers a unique setting for outdoor living right in the heart of the city, yet with a sense of privacy in the cozy Töölö neighborhood. Our vision was to create a place where we could gather with friends, and together with Finnish Design Shop, we turned it into a stunning extension of our home.
We also love the spacious, light-filled atmosphere of the apartment overall. The almost floor-to-ceiling windows let in beautiful natural light from morning until evening, making the space feel open and airy.”
The red chairs are from HAY’s Palissade collection, while the corner sofa, coffee table, and dining table are from Fermob’s Bellevie series.
“The terrace furniture was chosen for its durability and low maintenance. Only the cushions need to be brought indoors for the winter,” says Riikka Soini-Ferraguto, interior designer at Finnish Design Shop’s Studio.
The outdoor kitchen by Swedish brand Röshults stands out for both its premium quality and sleek design. Thanks to its modular structure, the setup was easily adapted to fit the recessed area of the terrace.
How would you describe your interior style?
“For our home in Finland, the style is modern, Scandinavian, and – at least for now – quite minimalist. We both love light, calming materials and wooden furniture. The black kitchen brings a nice contrast to the otherwise bright space, and the high ceilings really let it shine. We wanted to add a touch of color through details like lighting and decorative objects. In our opinion, the sculptural quality of the design furniture and lighting pieces also stands out beautifully in the otherwise serene setting.
“Colorful lighting and decorative objects add a playful touch to our otherwise light-toned home.”
We both travel a lot, and living between two continents has taught us to keep things minimal and let go of anything unnecessary. That’s why we wanted this summer home to feel simple, yet very much like us. Now that the foundation and main furniture pieces are in place, it’s easier to start layering in smaller details, like keepsakes and art we’ve picked up on our travels.”
The PH 5 Monochrome pendant by Louis Poulsen adds a pop of color to the interior. The Dune marble bowl is by Serax.
The tall black kitchen cabinets add contrast to the otherwise light-toned interior. The oak Androgyne dining table is by Audo Copenhagen, and the CH24 Wishbone chairs are from Carl Hansen & Søn.
How was the collaboration with Finnish Design Shop’s interior designers?
“It was incredibly smooth! We worked closely with designers Maija Rasila and Riikka Soini-Ferraguto on almost every interior detail. They visited the apartment in person to get a feel for the space and take measurements for the interior plan and furniture selections. We received a ready-made design proposal, which we then customized together to reflect our style and preferences. The designers’ expertise really came into play with the rooftop terrace, especially when it came to planning and executing the summer kitchen. Our goal was to find outdoor furniture that was both stylish and practical, and able to withstand the elements.
In addition to helping us select the right products, the designers also supported us with placing the orders and coordinating logistics. All in all, we couldn’t be happier with both the end result and the service we received. It was the perfect solution for our lifestyle and situation.”
The couple plans to add more art to their home. “We believe the right artworks will bring even more softness and warmth to the space through their colors,” Kevin and Iina say.
Indoor relaxation happens around the TV, where Muuto’s light beige Connect sofa offers plenty of space and comfort. The Puffy lounge chair is by Hem.
The white travertine Epic coffee table is by GUBI, and the Urna vase is from Marimekko.
How has your Helsinki home changed since the photos were taken?
“We’ve added a matching ottoman to go with our Puffy lounge chair from Hem, and it has definitely become our favorite reading spot. We’re still on the lookout for art that truly speaks to us. One of our missions this summer is to visit galleries around Helsinki and find the right pieces for our home – now that the rest of the interior has come together.”
“We hope our home will once again be a gathering place for all our loved ones this summer.”
Kevin, you recently signed a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. How much time do you get to spend in Helsinki?
“We live in Vancouver, Canada, for about two-thirds of the year. But every summer, we come back to Finland to enjoy the very best it has to offer. Iina usually makes one or two visits during the winter as well. It feels amazing to now have a beautiful home in Finland to return to.
This summer, we’re hoping our home will once again be a gathering place for the people we love. We can’t wait for barbecue and pizza nights on the terrace, making pasta with friends around the kitchen island, enjoying sunny brunches at the spacious outdoor dining table under the trees – and of course, those cozy, late-summer evenings as the nights start to get darker.”
The striking Pira G2 shelf is by String Furniture. Originally designed in the 1950s by architect Olle Pira, the series has been updated for modern living by Anna von Schewen and Björn Dahlström.
The neutral interior will gradually gain more layers through carefully chosen artwork and personal objects. The white Nessino lamp is by Artemide.
The high-quality Needle Stripes bed linens are by Tekla, and the oak Alken bed is from the Danish brand RYE. The bed was custom-made to fit the low ceiling in the room.
The Plinth marble cubes by Audo Copenhagen serve as striking nightstands. The Cestita lamp is by Santa & Cole.
Designing a home that grows with its owners
Riikka Soini-Ferraguto from Finnish Design Shop’s Studio, what kind of brief did you receive?
“Kevin and Iina had already given a lot of thought to the style of the interior, and they had even preselected a few furniture pieces. They wanted the overall look to be Scandinavian, but not too classic. The brief included room for personal touches, and from the start, they had a vision of incorporating bold, colorful artwork on the walls. At the same time, it was important to maintain a calm and balanced atmosphere, so we kept the furniture choices understated rather than overly expressive.”
“The home truly reflects its owners – and the rooftop terrace, with its greenery, turned out especially stunning.”
What should clients keep in mind when furnishing a newly built home?
“One advantage is that, unlike with renovations, there are usually fewer surprises when it comes to the budget or timeline. On the flip side, there’s no existing interior to reference when making new design decisions. A carefully prepared interior plan – complete with scaled furniture layouts – can help avoid costly mistakes. As always, the best starting point is how the home will actually be used in everyday life. And it’s important to remember that everything doesn’t need to be finished at once. It’s perfectly fine to let the space evolve gradually over time.”
See also:
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
Production: Design Stories
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Published on 8 May, 2025
