This charming little house (just 56 square meters, or about 600 square feet) belongs to Finnish historian and writer Jaana Torninoja-Latola. She has spent her life in Eura’s rustic Finnish countryside, a secluded area near the Gulf of Bothnia known for its Scandinavian architectural heritage.
Jaana and her old yet incredibly cozy Nordic vintage-inspired home in the Finnish countryside.
To be precise, her house is located in a historic workers’ settlement built for employees of the local steel mill. This Alvar Aalto-designed neighborhood is famous for having been home to the renowned Finnish architect and designer in the 1940s.
Under Aalto’s direction, an entire neighborhood of Scandinavian-modernist townhouses was built for factory workers. Today, Jaana lives in one of those homes, preserving its history while making it her own. She shared a glimpse of her timeless Finnish interior with Meillakotona magazine.
The neighborhood consists of rows of small townhouses, constructed between 1944 and 1950. Though made of wood, the buildings are impressively sturdy—a testament to Finland’s sustainable architecture. Even after 70–80 years, the timber has held up well, and regular maintenance has extended their lifespan.
Jaana has lived in various places—Helsinki, Porvoo, Turku… She even spent a couple of years in Moscow, Russia. But in the end, she found herself drawn back to her childhood home, embracing the slow living movement of rural Finland.
“As I got older, I felt an increasing urge to return to where I grew up,” she shared in an interview.
Her home exudes Finnish rustic charm—aged wooden floors, handwoven rugs, paintings on the walls, curtains framing the windows, and fresh flowers from the garden or nearby fields in vases.
But achieving this effortless Nordic aesthetic took some serious work.
When Jaana first bought the house, it felt dark and outdated. The wooden wall panels had been painted a heavy, dark brown. The floors were covered in an old, worn-out carpet that hadn’t been replaced in over a decade.
Since she was in good health and up for the challenge, Jaana tackled the renovations herself—a DIY Scandinavian decor project that included painting the walls, ripping out the carpet, and sanding down the wooden floors hidden beneath before repainting them.
Her home is almost entirely furnished with upcycled furniture and second-hand decor, except for modern appliances. The bright red dresser in her living room, for example, was a gift from neighbors who were clearing out their belongings before moving. Jaana took it in and gave it a fresh coat of paint.
A small workspace is also tucked into the living room—Jaana still enjoys writing at her laptop here.
The desk and chair are another thrifted Nordic gem, while the Picasso print on the wall adds a creative touch.
One wall in the living room is painted a soft blue shade from Tikkurila—a hallmark of Finnish interior design—making it a focal point in the space.
Jaana isn’t just a writer; she’s also a passionate reader.
Her rattan chair and side table usually stay out in the garden, but during the colder months, she brings them inside—a clever hack for small-space Scandinavian living.
The kitchen was renovated in 2017, with cabinets custom-made by a local furniture company. But the dining table and chairs? Yet another flea market find in Finland’s thriving second-hand culture.
Jaana’s home is full of sustainable decor ideas. Take, for instance, the quirky sardine tray used as a backsplash behind the stove—a playful nod to upcycled kitchen design.
A rolling storage cart from IKEA provides a handy spot for kitchen essentials—proof that Scandinavian functionality meets vintage flair.
This is Jaana’s bedroom—simple yet full of character. Two twin beds (she lives alone but sometimes has her grandchildren over), floral wallpaper from Finnish brand K-rauta, and an old chair repurposed as a nightstand.
A glimpse into the cozy Nordic lifestyle of a Finnish writer.
Her outdoor terrace is a favorite spot for tea and quiet moments. The delicate lace curtains hanging here once belonged to her grandmother. Jaana treasures them and hopes to pass them down to her grandchildren one day—a heartwarming example of sustainable heirloom decor.
Photos: Hanne Manelius
