Imagine a peaceful winter scene. A small red cottage in Finland, surrounded by snowy woods. A chubby gray cat lounges by the window. A Christmas wreath hangs on the door. Smoke curls from the chimney, promising warmth inside. The scent of gingerbread fills the air, a teapot whistles cheerfully, and an old clock ticks softly on the wall.
Welcome to the home of Seija and Jarmo, two Finnish retirees who live in the quaint coastal town of Kokkola. For them, this cozy Finnish house isn’t just a home; it’s a family story that began back in 1963, when Jarmo’s parents bought this old wooden house on the edge of a port town.
In 2000, the house was passed down to Jarmo and Seija. They raised their kids here, and now, with their grown sons having moved out, it’s just the two of them living their retirement dream. Their only companions? Two plump cats who split their time between basking by the stove and exploring the snowy countryside.
I love stories like this. There’s something so inspiring about a life lived at a slower pace, where work is behind you, and you finally have time for yourself.
So, shall we take a peek inside Seija and Jarmo’s countryside cottage?
Here’s the house. It’s on the outskirts of town, but it’s far from isolated. This area is a typical private neighborhood, and if you look closely, you can spot other homes nearby.
Their wooden house in Finland is nearly 150 years old, built in the late 19th century. Inside, it’s got three bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, totaling 1,500 square feet. It’s pretty spacious for what looks like such a modest little place from the outside.
And here are the current owners. Meet Seija and Jarmo!
Let’s start the tour in the living room.
There are so many charming details in this space. First off, the wallpaper is lovely (the other rooms have equally beautiful ones). Second, see those photos on the shelf? That’s their twin sons. And third, the adorable sofa? It’s decades old. The couple has reupholstered it several times, most recently 10 years ago. Not bad for such a vintage piece!
This home is filled with treasures inherited from Jarmo’s parents. For example, this cabinet used to be in the kitchen, but now it’s a side table in the living room.
“When we moved here in the early 2000s, we started a major renovation,” Seija recalls. “We replaced the floors and windows, repainted the exterior, slightly expanded the house, and completely revamped the interior. Back then, it was still decorated in a 1960s style.”
Over the years, they’ve done several smaller updates. They’ve replaced the kitchen cabinets twice and redone the wallpaper three times. After getting tired of patterns, they opted for simple plain wallpaper for a while. But recently, they brought the patterns back.
The kitchen got its last update in 2018. The white cabinets were custom-made by a local company.
The kitchen island? That’s from IKEA.
This is the largest room in the house. It used to be the hub for family gatherings. Now, Seija and Jarmo enjoy their meals here, sometimes with neighbors. Occasionally, their sons visit with their families.
These clocks, by the way, are the ones I mentioned earlier. According to one story, they once belonged to the town’s mayor.
As for this table, made from plain wooden boards, Seija isn’t a fan. She calls it their “poor man’s table.” They’re hoping to replace it with a nicer dining table when their budget allows.
The bedroom is simple and cozy — just a bed, a snug blanket, two nightstands, and a purring cat. What more could you need at 65?
Two standout details in this room: a tiny gilded mirror and a high shelf displaying Seija’s favorite perfumes.
Here’s the same room, but with a wider view (and different bedding).
That box on top of the wardrobe? It holds toys from various eras. Some belonged to their sons, and now their grandkids play with them.
“Our love for vintage things has only grown over the years. I’m not one of those lucky folks who find treasures at flea markets or yard sales. Most of the pieces I’ve acquired came from online auctions. Ten years ago, you could still snag them at reasonable prices,” Jarmo says.
Indeed, the financial side of retirement is similar everywhere. Money can be tight, and sometimes you can’t always afford the things you love.
This is the guest room. When the kids visit, they sometimes stay here. Other times, Jarmo uses it when he feels like sleeping solo.
That old trunk? It doubles as a wardrobe. They store clothes and linens in it. And it’s an antique! There’s even a historical engraving on it: 1869.
A cozy corner of the guest room.
And here’s one of the stars of the home — their plump cat, Minnie. Isn’t she adorable?
Out in the yard, there are a few additional structures. In this photo, you can see two sheds. Behind them, there’s a sauna.
And one last random snapshot: I wasn’t kidding when I said the cats love both warming up by the stove and frolicking in the snow.
That wraps up our tour. What do you think of this cozy Scandinavian-style home? If you loved it, give this story a like!
