With a bit of patience and creativity, it is possible to find affordable lighting solutions that offer beautiful, ambient light for relaxing evenings, while still providing bright, practical lighting when needed.

Carrying all these experiences of trial and error, I had a clear vision for the cottage. It needed to prioritize outdoor spaces (like my first Helsinki unit) while offering expansive views that seamlessly connect the indoors with nature (like the top-floor unit). The interior had to feel cozy, with black elements that add character and warmth. I also wanted walls that reflect light, reminiscent of the glass-walled closet, which is one of the reasons I built the house primarily from glass.

The morning the logs arrived was yet another VERY early one for me. I had made arrangements with some farmer neighbors to allow the truck and the trailer to park in their yards while we unloaded everything onto my property. My driveway was way too tight for a full-sized truck and trailer to get through, so we had to unload the truck first, transfer the logs from the trailer to the truck, and then haul everything onto my property in multiple trips.

There’s something deeply calming about being able to see far into the distance. I’m not sure if it’s because there’s always something new to discover, but the more I look at this view, the more details I find. It keeps my mind engaged during moments of stillness, allowing me to simply exist in the moment, fully immersed in the beauty around me.

Not long after the ground building was complete, Finland decided to freeze solid. The days turned brutally cold, followed by relentless snowstorms. I had chosen to build in winter so the house would be ready for landscaping by summer. What I wasn’t prepared for was the harshest winter Southern Finland had seen in years. After a long time of mild winters, 2021 showed up with a vengeance.

The majestic maple tree became the heart of my property, shaping the design, landscaping, and connection between the spaces around it.

The timing for the groundwork couldn’t have been better. Just a few days after we finished all the digging and filling, the weather turned very cold, freezing everything solid. Right after that, we got a snowfall like we hadn’t seen in years!

The Influence of Finnish Culture on My Work

The large maple tree in the middle of my property became a centerpiece I wanted to design around. It’s incredible to incorporate trees and natural elements into the overall design.

Finding the Right Spots to Build

The Design of the Sauna Building

In this post, I delve into starting the process of making the first decisions on what to build and how I got the permit process underway.

I’ll delve into the details of my dream plot and how I managed to buy it.

Hunt for the Perfect Plot!

From my childhood passion for functional spaces to the transformative experience of renovating my first apartment, discover how these moments ignited my desire to create something unique. Follow along as I recount my adventures in real estate, the search for the perfect plot of land, and the exciting decision to move abroad—all leading to the vision of building our home from scratch.

The story of the house behind Super Finnish’s Nordic vision and brand.

Nordic design seeks inspiration from nature and its authentic elements.

Nordic design highlights the simplicity and functionality of spaces.

My off-grid home! Summer house culture is huge in Finland, and I would like to bring best parts of it to the US.

One home at a time! The beginning of Super Finnish Blog.