This old wooden house, painted in a deep brick-red hue, is located in Riihimäki, Finland, a town with a population of around 28,000. Inside, you’ll find a home filled with old and secondhand treasures—even the furniture is pre-owned. Yet, despite its vintage charm, the interior doesn’t feel outdated or impoverished. Every item carries significance for the family living here.
Spanning 150 square meters (approx. 1,615 sq. ft.), the house was built nearly 80 years ago and remains in excellent condition.
The current owners—Kirsi Koivisto, her husband Matti Valtonen, and their 13-year-old daughter Nuppu—have lived here since 2014. When the couple first stepped inside, they were struck by the home’s atmosphere. “It felt like stepping into an old movie about life in a Finnish village.”
However, a major renovation was necessary. They had to complete it quickly to move in, as Kirsi and Matti had already sold their previous apartment and had nowhere else to live.
Since then, Kirsi has continuously updated and redesigned the space. She has a deep passion for decor and a love for collecting old items.
The small table in the entryway is one of Kirsi’s DIY projects. She found the wooden legs separately at a flea market, while the basket also came from a thrift shop. The vintage velvet curtain? A keepsake from her grandmother’s home.
To the right is a storage room that serves as a walk-in closet. Straight ahead, you’ll find the kitchen.
High ceilings and white walls visually expand the kitchen, making the already spacious area feel even larger. Even the floors are painted white.
The kitchen cabinets are from IKEA. The family bought them in the 2010s when they first moved in. A couple of years ago, Kirsi repainted them in a soft mint green and replaced the countertops.
For comparison, here’s how the kitchen looked before the repainting. Kirsi is constantly refreshing her home. A simple can of paint, a roll of wallpaper, and a few flea market finds can transform a space entirely.
Instead of traditional countertops, she opted for a sheet of brass.
Kirsi in her favorite room—the kitchen.
“When we bought the house, it was in decent condition. The renovations mainly focused on plumbing and surface updates—painting the floors, walls, and ceilings. We had a tight budget, but we managed. Although, we did spend quite a bit on paint and wallpaper,” Kirsi recalled in an interview with the local magazine Meillä Kotona.
Over the years, the owners’ tastes have evolved. But paint and wallpaper are great because they’re easy to change. Kirsi has repainted the floors and walls three times already.
On the other side of the kitchen is the dining area. Chairs are another of Kirsi’s passions—she loves hunting for unique pieces and frequently refreshes her home’s furniture. If she grows tired of something, she sells it.
Her latest find? A luxurious leather armchair from a flea market for just 15 euros.
This wooden cabinet once belonged to the local library. After a renovation, it was left out for disposal. Kirsi rescued it, and now it houses various household items.
Another unique element in Kirsi and Matti’s home is a set of old wooden chairs from a local cinema. When the theater replaced its seating, these chairs were put outside with a sign that read: “Free to take.” Kirsi couldn’t resist.
Now, these chairs are part of the kitchen seating. They’re especially handy when guests come over. In the summer, they’re perfect for garden gatherings.
In this home, every item has a story—each piece sparks a conversation with the owner.
This is what the living room looks like. Paintings serve as the main decoration—no need for wallpaper or posters.
The coffee table was handcrafted by Matti, while the armchair is an antique store find.
Here, too, there isn’t a single modern item. Everything is a flea market treasure or a handmade piece—like the ceramic vase with sculpted hands, which Kirsi made herself. The zamioculcas plant growing inside adds a fresh touch.
An interesting detail: there are eight antique dressers throughout the house.
This is the home office. Sometimes Kirsi works here, sometimes Matti does.
The vintage vanity table was repainted black by Kirsi. The checkered pattern on the floor was stenciled on by hand.
The paintings and chairs? Flea market finds. Kirsi paid very little for them but gave them a second life.
Here’s the bedroom.
A view from the bedroom into the child’s room—it’s a walk-through space.
From a technical standpoint, each room has radiators, but some also feature old wood-burning stoves. These stoves are a nostalgic relic from the past. They’re mainly used for ambiance—the house stays warm even without live fire.
The child’s room. The hanging rattan chair is over 30 years old. Kirsi painted it black, giving it a fresh, modern look. You’d never guess this piece came from decades past.
The icon on the wall was painted by Kirsi’s mother.
And with that, our tour of this charming Finnish home comes to an end. The owners have shared only a glimpse of their space. But even from these snapshots, it’s clear—this house is full of character, history, and a deeply personal touch.
Photos: Mikko Kaaresmaa
