Vintage finds set the tone in this East Helsinki home

A house in Vartiokylä, Helsinki — Sonja and Olli’s home is a Scandinavian-modern blend. The wooden semi-detached house was designed by architect Rabbe Tiainen.

Sonja and Olli had built their dream home for three – but when a baby came along, space for four became tight. That’s when the couple found this architect-designed semi-detached house in Vartiokylä, a peaceful neighborhood in East Helsinki.

Residents:

Sonja and Olli Andersson, who both work in the finance sector, live with their children Viljami and Sointu in a semi-detached house completed in 2023. Located in Vartiokylä, Helsinki, the home spans 119.5 square meters. The house was designed by architect Rabbe Tiainen of Helst Architects.

Sonja and Olli Andersson, portrait — Toward the end of the construction phase, Sonja and Olli were able to add a slatted wall to the plans. It separates the living room from the entryway and creates a beautiful backdrop for the sofa.

Sonja, what’s the story behind your home?
“We built our previous house nearby, here in Vartiokylä. It was designed by architect Mikko Nissilä. We liked his architectural language and the way he made use of square meters. When our daughter was born, we realized the space wouldn’t quite stretch to meet the needs of a family of four. We sold the house and found this semi-detached home while it was still under construction. The architecture by Rabbe Tiainen reminded us of our previous home, and we were instantly drawn to the style.”

Louis Poulsen Radiohus pendant light — Above the dining table hangs a Radiohus pendant light by Louis Poulsen. The chairs are Bertoia Side Chairs designed by Harry Bertoia, and the Base dining table is by Muuto.

A Finnish rya, wall rug, on the kitchen wall — The rya wall hanging above the dining table once hung in their previous home. A flea market find, it now has a new spot in the kitchen. The pendant light above the island is another vintage treasure.

Artek E60 stool — The entryway is open and full of light. The ceiling-mounted coat rack was already in place when they bought the home. The E60 stool is by Artek.

HAY Palissade sky grey — On the terrace, Sonja and Olli chose a dining table, bench, and chairs from HAY’s Palissade collection in sky gray.

What made you fall in love with the house?
“With a baby in tow, the idea of building a home from scratch felt overwhelming. We loved that this one was nearly finished. The surface materials felt like choices we would have made ourselves, which played a big role in our decision. We were still able to make a few small changes with the developer, like adding a slatted accent wall in the living room, upper cabinets in the kitchen, built-in wardrobes in the walk-in closet, and other details that make daily life easier. We also love the yard, which was carved out of the plot of an older house. It has several zones, a firepit, and an outdoor terrace. We furnished it with sky gray pieces from HAY’s Palissade collection.”

The nearly finished house was close to perfect. A a few small changes were still made, such as the slatted wall in the living room.

What did you like about the Vartiokylä neighborhood?
“What first drew us in was how easy it is to get to downtown Helsinki, and how the area is made up mostly of low-rise homes. Vartiokylä is filled with single-family houses and rowhouses, with very few apartment buildings. We also have many friends in the area, and with the kids’ schools and daycares nearby, it made sense to stay.”

Warm Nordic Secant coffee table — Upstairs, there’s a view over the living and dining area. The rug is from MattoMatti. The Secant coffee table is part of Warm Nordic’s collection.

Amp chandelier, white, by Normann Copenhagen — The leather sofa in the living room was purchased for their previous home. The white Amp chandelier is by Normann Copenhagen.

HAY Balcony outdoor furniture — The chairs and table from the Balcony series are by HAY.

Can you tell us about the layout of your home?
“The layout in this house is different from our previous one, so we had to make a compromise in that regard. In our old home, the kitchen, dining area, and living room were upstairs, and the bedrooms were downstairs. Here, it’s the other way around. In everyday life, the layout works really well, and the distribution of rooms is now more traditional. The bedrooms are upstairs, and we’ve placed a workspace in our bedroom. We also love that the living room opens directly to the yard.”

How did you decide on the home’s color palette?
“We both have a confident and considered eye for color – and a fondness for it. The walls are light, and we’ve used a lot of wood throughout the house. The kitchen and oak parquet flooring add a warm touch. We brought in color through textiles. The green corduroy sofa downstairs reflects the hues of the garden in summer. The nature visible through the windows feels like a living, ever-changing artwork.”

“We lean toward timeless design and are drawn to the aesthetics of the 1960s and ’70s. Those influences definitely have a place in this home.”

How would you describe your interior style?
“We lean toward timeless design and are drawn to the aesthetics of the 1960s and ’70s. Those influences definitely have a place in our home. The common thread in our interior is the use of secondhand furniture. I often come across great vintage finds. We love pieces that carry a story. We’ve furnished our home slowly, one item at a time, adding things only when the right piece has come along.”

Bruno Mathsson Jetson lounge chair — In the upstairs landing sits the family’s favorite vintage find: the Jetson armchair by Bruno Mathsson.

Artek stool — The primary bedroom includes a spacious walk-in closet. The stool is by Artek.

Vitra Akari pendant light — For reading lights in the bedroom, Sonja sourced vintage lamps. The Akari pendant is by Vitra, and the “Maailman synty” pillow is by Saana ja Olli.

Fem desk by Made by Choice — The Fem desk in the bedroom is by Made by Choice. The table lamp is by Paavo Tynell and was inherited from Sonja’s grandmother.

Your home sounds like a cozy blend of old and new. What’s your best find?
“We searched for a long time for the right armchairs for the living room and were over the moon when we finally found them at an auction. Our best find is the Jetson armchair by Bruno Mathsson.”

What matters most to you when it comes to your home?
“We prefer to choose Finnish furniture whenever possible. We wanted two sofas for this space, and both are from the Finnish brand Kuusilinna. The corduroy sofa was custom-sized to fit in front of the slatted wall.”

String System shelf with a desk — In Viljami’s room, a String System shelf with a handy desk was installed. The light fixture was also inherited from Sonja’s grandmother.

A bathroom with a fluted glass wall — The shower area is separated by a fluted glass wall. The soap dispenser is by Vipp.

A Finnish sauna — The home’s sauna continues the modern aesthetic.

What kinds of compromises did you have to make?
“Our previous home was by the sea, while this one is in the middle of a lush, garden-like residential area. Giving up the sea view was a compromise, but we’re still just a short walk from the shoreline. Our old house was a detached single-family home, and this one is a semi-detached, but we’re very happy with that trade-off, too.”

What do you think is the most successful aspect of your home?
“Mixing vintage and contemporary furniture gives our home a sense of depth and character, and we feel we’ve succeeded in bringing those elements together in the interior.”