Twenty years ago, translator Sisko Hallavainio and her husband made a choice many would call reckless. They traded the convenient, bustling streets of Helsinki for a fading house in Loviisa, a small coastal town where life moves at a different pace.
The object of their affection was a wooden villa built in 1898. Once a lively summer hotel for seaside visitors, by the 1990s it had fallen silent—standing empty for years and weathering harsh Finnish winters alone. When Sisko and her husband found it, the estate was in dire condition, but it possessed a soul that new buildings simply lack.
“We stumbled upon a classified ad in the paper and decided to drive out to see it,” Sisko recalls, sitting in her favourite spot by the living-room stove. “But what truly sealed our decision was the bee pavilion. It was built nearly a century ago by the son of a previous owner. I’ve been fascinated by bees since childhood—how they pollinate the garden and bring life to the flowers. I knew immediately: I wanted to revive those traditions here.”
A Home for Healing
Today, the 65-year-old Sisko lives in the spacious 180-square-metre (approx. 1,937 sq ft) house with her cat, Milli. The villa feels quieter since her husband’s death in 2021 after a long illness, yet it does not feel empty—rather, it has become her sanctuary.
“For one person, this is a lot of space,” she admits with a gentle smile. “But I’m not ready to let it go. My children and grandchildren fill these rooms on weekends. This house holds our history.”
For the translator, this old estate has become a true place of power. She is actively involved in gardening and beekeeping, preserves the historical appearance of the house, and supports local initiatives to promote Finnish traditions.
Every year, Loviisa hosts an “Open House” day, where owners of private homes open their gates to visitors. Sisko participates annually, giving personal tours and sharing stories of the house’s past and present residents. So, if you ever find yourself in Loviisa in the summer, you might just be able to visit her yourself.
A Ritual of Fire and Wood
Her favourite ritual is simple and grounding: she perches on a small wooden stool by the restored stove in the living room, tosses a log into the fire, and watches the flames dance.
In this room, as in several others, the original 19th-century parquet flooring has been preserved, grounding the space in history.
A Museum of Life (Not Just Decor)
Walking through the home feels less like visiting a showroom and more like stepping into a curated museum of a life well lived.
The Hallway
The floorboards here were hand-painted years ago by Sisko’s former daughter-in-law, Tarja Hallavaini, a professional restorer. Although family dynamics change, the artwork—and their friendship—remains strong, and Tarja still visits often.
William Morris Everywhere
Almost every wall in the house is adorned with William Morris wallpaper, creating a lush, botanical backdrop that ties the rooms together.
The Frida Kahlo Kitchen
The kitchen is where the home’s personality truly shines. While equipped with modern necessities—from a dishwasher to a microwave—the heart of the room is the old wood-burning stove, which Sisko and her husband restored. It still functions perfectly. On the stove, in a red dish, you might spot beans grown by Sisko herself in the garden.
The interior features a striking cobalt blue backsplash—a choice inspired by the art of Frida Kahlo.
“Our home is filled with bright colours, bulky furniture, and antiques,” Sisko explains. “We bet on this interior because of the large windows—they let in so much light that it balances the deep, moody tones.”
Apart from the cobalt blue, the house features deep burgundy and emerald shades. The ceiling is painted a delicate “forget-me-not” blue to balance the expression of the darker walls.
A retro blue fridge fits perfectly into the colour scheme, blending with the wooden furniture without looking bulky. The grapes and flowers on the table are also from the garden, just like the beans.
Restoring the Soul of the House
This cozy home is the result of serious effort. When the couple first bought the estate, the renovation seemed daunting. They had to redo absolutely everything: from the sewage and heating systems to the floors. The rooms were renovated one by one.
Now, the house is filled with items that have their own stories.
- The Dining Room: A crystal chandelier hangs above the table; it once belonged to Sisko’s grandfather, who was a priest. The ceiling cornice is painted in the style of the late 19th century.
- The Living Room: Along one wall stands a massive bookshelf, stretching to the ceiling, filled with fiction and books on culture and history.
The armchairs are family heirlooms, reupholstered in William Morris fabric. The coffee table was a flea market find, while the brass tray was brought back from a trip to Morocco. There is no television here—instead, a vintage piano stands ready to be played.
“I am lucky to live amidst this beauty,” Sisko smiles. “It’s like living in a fairy tale.”
A House of Hospitality
The couple was known for their hospitality. Over the years, the villa has hosted colleagues from the Finnish National Theatre, cultural figures, and on one occasion, former President Tarja Halonen (Finland’s president from 2000 to 2012) even stopped by for dinner.
Future Plans and The Bee Pavilion
Sisko is considering opening a small business renting out accommodation—the sea is within walking distance. The guest house in the courtyard could be rented out to holidaymakers in the summer. Eventually, she hopes to rent out several rooms in the main house that currently stand empty.
And, of course, there is the structure that started it all.
A Unique Piece of History: The Grand Bee Pavilion
This is the 1930s bee pavilion that Sisko acquired with the house. It functioned uninterrupted for nearly 12 years. In its prime, it housed six huge hives that produced up to 500 kilograms of honey.
Since her husband’s passing, Sisko has scaled back production. Now, she produces just enough honey for her own needs and as gifts for loved ones—keeping the tradition, and the sweetness of life in Loviisa, alive.
Photos: Anna Riikonen
