Helena and Erkki’s two passions are the sea and French style. These come together in Villa Aurora, a log-built exhibition house situated on a plot with its own beachfront.
When the Housing Fair ends in August, Helena Miettinen and Erkki Viljakainen’s old wooden boat will change its home port to Loviisa. A major life change lies ahead as they swap the hustle and bustle of Helsinki for an idyllic small town, where, rumour has it, the residents help one another with everyday chores and share in each other’s joys and sorrows. The one most delighted by the move, however, is likely to be Nano, the lively dog who has made Finland his home after coming from Spain. He will be able to run about in his own garden, free from the four walls of a city flat. The garden and the views from the new home are delightful. One never tires of admiring the seascape. There is plenty of it in Helena and Erkki’s future home, both behind every window of the house and in the cosy conservatory in the back garden as they sit there in the evening.
Over the years, the couple have become familiar with every corner of the Gulf of Finland. Their boat has served as a mobile summer cottage where they have spent all their free time. Erkki has also worked at sea and spent long periods without feeling land beneath his feet. When word got out about the housing fair being organised in Loviisa, Helena and Erkki quickly became interested in building a show home. They were already somewhat familiar with the small town in eastern Uusimaa through a family of friends. They had bought an old house there, where Helena and Erkki would sometimes visit.
The exhibition project got off to a flying start with the acquisition of a large waterside plot. The corner plot purchased by the couple measures a substantial 1,590 square metres. The land slopes down from the roadside cliffs towards the shore. On the opposite bank, the centre of Loviisa is visible with its imposing red-brick church.
The new home has been named Villa Aurora after Helena’s daughter, Maria Aurora. Visitors to the exhibition were able to see another Aurora: an old oil painting hanging on the living room wall features Helena’s grandfather’s wife, Selma Aurora, as the model.
Editor’s review: An exceptionally homely exhibition home, whose interior offers a return to the opulence and classic beauty that are once again in vogue. The narrow-framed log house has an interesting design and a very successful floor plan.
Not a single wasted square metre
The design was based on a two-storey building with a grid-patterned window layout, evoking the archipelago and looking elegant from every angle. The architect’s task was to ensure that the floor plan did not contain a single wasted square metre. Not a single metre of corridor, nor a single unused corner.
In keeping with today’s principles of responsible building, the space was designed to meet actual needs, without any excess square metres. The 124 square metres of living space provide a comfortable home for two people, and maintaining the house requires neither excessive effort nor unreasonable costs. Helena and Erkki’s new home has two bedrooms on the upper floor, with a bright hall between them. One of the rooms is used as a workspace and for accommodating guests. The ground floor is a spacious living area where the living room, dining area and kitchen come together to form a functional whole. The sauna area is at the end facing the shore, which also features a glazed terrace. The complex includes a separate garage building that matches the style of the house.
There was no need to discuss the structural details of the house. Neither Helena nor Erkki could see a better option than a log house. The fully timber, breathable walls were known to be ecological and excellent in terms of living comfort. Kuusamo Log Houses was quickly chosen as the partner for the project. Out of interest, Helena and Erkki travelled to Kuusamo to learn about how their future home would be built. Villa Aurora is constructed from non-settling spruce laminated logs.
The log house is cosy in its own right thanks to its living, textured walls. With the interior also embodying classic beauty, Helena and Erkki’s creation is one of the cosiest homes at the housing fair. When the spiral staircase leading upstairs creaks with a homely sound, the atmosphere is perfect.
The interior walls have been slightly lightened with two coats of wax. Externally, the house has been finished with Virtanen’s four-oil paint in the Jurmo shade. Natural materials have been prioritised in the selection of all building materials. All products containing plastic have been avoided, with the exception of the two light fittings downstairs. Light-coloured Puustelli kitchen units with birch veneer doors were fitted in the kitchen.
The project got off to a timely start and, unlike many exhibition homes, the house did not have to be rushed to completion. This is evident in the end result, which, in Helena and Erkki’s words, is better than they had anticipated.
The interior design was handled by the “dynamic trio”
Helena believes everyone should have a French château as their home. Until then, she wanted her new home in Loviisa to pay homage to the French style. This is evident in many details and the layered nature of the interior. Helena wants to combine the new and the old, modern design and vintage. The overall interior design is opulent and classically beautiful. Beauty has even been sought in the bathrooms. There, brass taps and furniture handles gleam with ornamentation.
The light fittings stand out in particular. On top of the island is a Bloom light by Ligne Roset, made of foam, and accompanying the sofa set is a Big Bang light by Foscarini, assembled from plastic discs. Classic beauty is represented by the multicoloured Murano crystal chandelier found in the hall. Helena acquired it during a visit to Venice.
At the exhibition, Villa Aurora is perfectly showcased as Helena and Erkki’s future home. The interior design has been put together by Helena alongside her daughter Maria Aurora Pennanen, who is studying to be an interior designer, and professional interior designer Henna Räisänen from Onni Interiors. The collaboration between this ‘power trio’ was fruitful.
When visiting Villa Aurora, it is also worth noting the full-sized fireplace, which efficiently retains heat. It is situated in a central position in the living areas, featuring two glass doors. An efficient fireplace is a sensible choice for any detached house.
This article was first published in Uusi Koti magazine, issue 4/2023. The article was written by Jorma Välimaa and photographed by Hans Koistinen.
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