This charming red wooden house, painted in the classic Scandinavian style, is located in Isokyrö—a rural town 400 km (250 miles) north of Helsinki and a 40-minute drive from the Bothnian Bay coastline.
Living here is Kaisa Havina and her 10-year-old son, Villi.
Kaisa grew up in this area but left for Helsinki after finishing school. She went to university, built a career, and had her son. But in 2020, during the pandemic, she made the decision to return to her roots with then-6-year-old Villi.
“I have some unusual passions. I love the 18th century, I act in theater, and I adore vintage and retro things. So, naturally, I wanted an old house—because old houses have a soul,” Kaisa told Meillakotona magazine.
For her new life, Kaisa chose a wooden house built in 1952. From the outside, it looks quite compact, but with the basement and attic included, it offers a total of 140 square meters (1,500 sq. ft.) of living space. The house has three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen-dining area, and a renovated bathroom.
“I remember this house from my childhood… I used to pass by it every day on my way to school. An elderly couple lived here—I still remember their names, Martti and Marta,” Kaisa recalls.
The wallpaper in the entryway is Sametti by the well-known Finnish brand Pihlgren and Ritola. The vintage Dior umbrella? It was actually rescued from a landfill—left behind by a previous owner near the garbage bins.
A small heater near the coat rack helps keep this area warm in the cold winter and spring months. Old houses like this one often have heating challenges.
The decorative plate on the wall was crafted by renowned Finnish sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen.
When Kaisa moved in from Helsinki in 2020, the house needed serious renovation to make it livable for her and her son. For the more complex work—like remodeling the bathroom and converting the attic into a functional space—her family stepped in to help.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. Their help was invaluable,” Kaisa says.
Today, what was once an unlivable attic now serves as bedrooms for both Kaisa and 10-year-old Villi.
Nearly every item in the house has a story—flea market treasures, family heirlooms, and restored retro pieces.
These tiger-print armchairs are from the 1950s. They were a gift from Kaisa’s grandmother’s neighbor. After some restoration—new upholstery and polished wood—they became a cozy part of the living room.
The wallpaper here is Dahlia Garden by Boråstapeter.
The coffee table is also a mid-century piece. As for the sofa, it was a flea market find. After a deep clean and reupholstering, it fits perfectly into the home’s vintage aesthetic.
The kitchen ceiling was painted with glossy paint, which reflects sunlight and fills the room with natural brightness.
A dark accent wall, covered in Kvitte Midnight Blue wallpaper by Sandberg, adds depth to the space.
The kitchen cabinets are from IKEA. The chandelier is by Markslöjd.
This tiny pantry was a joint project between Kaisa and her elderly mother. The Skaffer doors were found at a flea market. The small window at the top? It came from an old shed on the property.
Some of the kitchen walls are clad in reclaimed wood from a flea market. The antique copper coal bin was another lucky find.
The vintage wall lamp is a 1950s Finnish design by Valinte.
The countertop is a DIY creation. Instead of a tile backsplash, Kaisa used wallpaper coated with waterproof paint.
This old cast iron Högfors stove has been in the house since it was built. Though there’s a modern electric stove in the kitchen, Kaisa still cooks on the Högfors from time to time—especially in winter, as it helps keep the ground floor warm.
This is Kaisa’s home office.
One of her hobbies is dancing. She sews her own dresses for themed parties. She also restores and resells second-hand wedding dresses, bringing them back to life before passing them on.
The once-unfinished attic is now a cozy sleeping space.
Kaisa’s bedroom has a soft, serene atmosphere. The floor and walls are painted in Tikkurila paint. The rattan chair in the corner is the Peacock model by Parola Rattan.
The upstairs bedrooms are heated with stoves and underfloor heating.
This is 10-year-old Villi’s bedroom. The wall hanging is Fox Bread by Satu Peura—another flea market treasure.
The bathroom underwent a dramatic transformation. Originally, there was no bathtub, just a cramped and impractical shower. Kaisa replaced all the plumbing and found a bathtub that perfectly complements the space. The candles on the shelf add a cozy touch to evening baths.
“Living in an old house teaches patience and acceptance—you can’t change everything,” Kaisa reflects. “But I love living here. It’s much more comfortable than a modern apartment with all the conveniences.”
