House in Finland with Pine and Concrete Finishing

The construction of this two-story house in Mikkeli, Finland, with an area slightly over 150 square meters, was timed to coincide with the start of the annual building fair. It may seem unremarkable at first glance – just the familiar minimalism of modern Finnish architecture, clean lines, and natural materials.

Yet the house turned out so charming that its dark facades (two coats of Tikkurila paint mimicking the Pantone Color of the Year Indigo) received a wave of positive reviews, and buyers were found instantly.

The interior was designed by Finnish designer and journalist John Kivilähti. His aesthetic aligns with Scandinavian simplicity, and when layered with the abundant use of wood typical among Finns, his work always feels tactile, soft, and subtly infused with a touch of shabby-chic.

The interior of this house is paradoxically simple and complex at the same time. On one hand, there's little decoration; the finish includes pine, black and gray plaster, matching furniture and textiles, and concrete floors, which also feature a large fireplace. On the other hand, dense black tones and uneven concrete texture give the interior character and individuality. The concrete, by the way, only seems cold – the floor was thoughtfully designed with underfloor heating.

To soften the harshness of the living space, a stylish Wishbone chair was adorned with a wool throw in the common area on the first floor. On the second floor, plush carpets from local manufacturer Sera Helsinki were placed in the rooms, and woven accessories from Danish brand Tina K home were added to complement the pine.

As for the windows, the designer left them untouched, and there's a perfectly logical reason for that. It’s no secret that Finns love and feel close to nature, which is a long-standing tradition. When large windows open up to forested landscapes and scenic lakes, blinds or heavy drapes would be unnecessary.

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