A winding gravel road meanders toward the remnants of the Strömfors ironworks harbor in Loviisa, a charming town perched on Finland’s southern coast, about 85 kilometers (50 miles) east of Helsinki. The slope rises gently, punctuated by red-ochre cottages that once sheltered the ironworks’ dockworkers, forming a quaint village of its own.
Among these nostalgic structures, one cottage stands out, its white-paned windows beckoning. Now a year-round refuge for a family, it has been lovingly cherished and restored.
“The exterior is protected, and to us, it’s just perfect,” shares Pia Lohikoski. “We want the interior to feel just as timeless. This is our cottage, and I’m filling it with things that bring us joy.”
The Lohikoskis have adorned their home with an array of beloved vintage finds and rustic country treasures. Pia, an avid collector with a passion for exploring flea markets, has transformed the kitchen into a vibrant space filled with retro jars, colorful dishes, and charming pieces from the iconic Finnish ceramics brand Arabia. The walls are cloaked in traditional, richly colored wallpaper that speaks to the cottage’s history.
“On our first visit, I wandered among the boulders,” remembers Lohikoski. “It was raining, but I fell in love with the yard—it has this enchanting, fairytale-forest atmosphere that captivates all year round.”
This delightful home is featured on Kotona.com, a popular Finnish lifestyle platform dedicated to homes, design, crafts, and the everyday experiences of life in Finland. (Intriguingly, “kotona” translates to “at home” in Finnish.)