Off-grid Home Inspiration

Hello and welcome back to the 14th installment of my series, Beyond the Image, where I share the story behind the house featured in Super Finnish’s marketing. In this series, I take you through the inspiration, the five and a half months of building, and where the house stands today.

In this post, I’ll share the inspiration behind my off-grid home (or cottage if you want to call it that). I’ve owned a few homes, and I feel like the cottage is a blend of the best aspects of all those places.

Beyond the Image: Part 14

I was quite young when I bought my first home; a beautiful one-bedroom unit in an old building in Tampere. I’ve mentioned it in previous posts: I was young and naive, diving headfirst into renovating the entire unit myself. Against all odds, I fell in love with the thrill of transforming a space and creating something better within the old structures. After two happy years in that home, it was time to list it and move to Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

My first home in Helsinki was a small one-bedroom unit with an amazing outdoor area, right by the beach. It wasn’t huge, but just enough to make me fall in love with gardening and designing outdoor spaces.

First Home In Helsinki

In Helsinki, I ended up buying a smaller one-bedroom unit. The space itself was compact, but it had a lovely, spacious patio and was right by the beach. After living in an older building in Tampere, it was easy to fall in love with this unit, offering a chance for small-scale gardening and surrounded by beautiful nature. All just 20 minutes from Helsinki’s city center. That home introduced me to the joy of gardening and the idea of thinking “outside the walls”. I may not have realized it then, but this was when I fell in love with owning at least a small piece of outdoor space.

Oh, I can't even count how many different setups I created for this small outdoor space. One summer, I styled it in a Greek-inspired design, and the next, I brought it back to a more Nordic aesthetic. It was definitely my playground, teaching me the importance of having an outdoor area, even just a small one.

Finding Outdoors from Above

Later in life I ended up buying a larger top-floor apartment with breathtaking views that made me feel connected to nature. The unit had a small balcony where I could create a cozy outdoor seating area, though it never quite compared to the patio in my first Helsinki home.

Even though most balconies aren't very big, they definitely have their own charm.

Walk-In Closet of My Dreams

One of my proudest achievements was the walk-in closet I built in that home. The unit already had a spacious main bedroom with a closed walk-in closet attached. While traveling, I had someone working on-site, tearing down the wall between the closet and the bedroom, exactly as I’d drawn in my plans. It was the first time I wasn’t present or doing the renovation myself, but the result was amazing!

My idea was to open up the bedroom and build a walk-in closet behind a glass wall. It brought an airy openness to the space, though it probably wouldn’t suit someone who prefers to hide a messy closet. Hehe. But for me, that was never an issue.

The walk-in closet, with its lighting and reflective glass wall, created an ambiance like no other. The walls were painted in a gray-ish white, but the dark frame of the glass wall, black cabinetry, and dark details throughout the space made it feel incredibly cozy.

It was pure joy to get into bed early and simply enjoy the vibe of the room.

A Vision Shaped by Experience

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.

I’m grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned through renovating my own homes and creating spaces for buyers. But this place is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite purchase and project, and I have so many more plans for it. Follow along to hear more!

Jussi-Pekka Kajaala

Nordic Visionary, Creative Entrepreneur