Villa Aurora is brimming with tips for decorating a log house – the log house being built for the Loviisa Housing Fair is sure to charm visitors with its atmosphere.
This year, visitors can admire Kuusamo Log Houses’ expertise at Villa Aurora, a log home rising on the Loviisa Housing Fair site. With the Housing Fair opening in July, there is pressure to meet the deadline for the interior work, and Villa Aurora’s interior design plans are gradually moving from the drawing board to reality.
A formidable trio is responsible for the interior design of Kuusamo Log Houses’ log house, which exudes an archipelago atmosphere. The trio comprises the house’s future resident, Helena Miettinen, her daughter Maria Pennanen – who holds a diploma in interior design and is studying design – and interior designer Henna Räisänen.
– At Villa Aurora, the partition walls are in place and the finishes will be completed early next year. As for the interior, our plans are already pretty much finalised and we are currently making the final furniture choices,”says Räisänen. Räisänen is based in Vienna, Austria, where she also runs her company, Onni Interiors.
– As a team of three, we have sat down regularly to go through simulations of different mood options, for example. This team and division of labour have proved to work well. When I have been in Vienna, Helena and Maria have been able to handle matters that require a physical presence in Finland.
A log home provides the framework for nature-inspired interior design
The guiding principle behind the interior design of the Villa Aurora log house has been French chic, which the trio feel suits the interior of a log house perfectly.
– A log house can be adapted to different styles as needed. In this case, ‘chic’ means modern elegance, combined with a certain carefree attitude and joie de vivre. Our aim has been to strike a fun balance. In this log home, life and the residents’ personalities shine through alongside a well-maintained and carefully planned aesthetic. In my opinion, log walls provide a perfect backdrop for creating this kind of space, says Räisänen.
The decision to build Villa Aurora as a log home was driven above all by ecological considerations. Good indoor air quality, effective acoustics and the positive impact of timber materials on well-being were also key factors. One of the main themes of the interior at Villa Aurora is a closeness to nature, which is highlighted particularly through the choice of materials. The large windows play their part in achieving this closeness to nature, as the changing seasons bring the outdoors into the interior.
Discover the features of an eco-friendly log house on our blog.
Breathable wax for log walls
When it comes to the interior of a log house, the most obvious decisions concern the role given to the logs. Räisänen and Pennanen encourage you to consider the look you want for your log house.
– When you choose a log house as your home, you are already making a certain choice regarding the interior. Of course, the chosen interior style affects the end result, but log is always a warm and natural material. However, the interior of a log house does not have to be neutral and nude; you can bring colour and even luxury elements into the interior if you wish, says Räisänen
At Villa Aurora, the plan is not to alter the log surfaces in any way other than staining; colours are used boldly in carefully selected interior elements. The interior surfaces of the logs are treated with wax containing a light pigment. The wood grain therefore remains clearly visible, but this approach lends a certain freshness to the overall look.
– At Villa Aurora, timber has been given a prominent role and is allowed to be visible as much as possible. The shades of the wall surfaces are powdery, but colour is certainly introduced through various interior design elements, confirms Pennanen.
Untreated log surfaces start to yellow quite quickly unless a tinted surface treatment product is used on the walls. It is important to choose the right kind of breathable materials for the surfaces of a log house. It is always advisable to test the selected products and shades on site.
A play of colours and light
Räisänen and Pennanen describe the interior of the Villa Aurora log home as timeless and stylish, with atmosphere created through lighting, colours and materials.
– We’ve managed to create just the right cosy atmosphere, Pennanen says happily, pointing out that even in a log house you can play around with colours and lighting.
Räisänen advises those considering their interior design to observe how natural light enters the space and how it reflects off different surfaces.
– These interior design choices and the arrangement of the furniture create a flow that naturally guides the eye around the home. There should be enough interesting details in the interior, but not too many. When decorating, it is worth looking above all for things that stand the test of time and the eye, Räisänen advises.
Interior design with a twinkle in the eye
Räisänen and Pennanen keep a close eye on interior design trends, and what seems to be on the rise now is at least a tolerance for minor imperfections, a longing for nostalgia, and the desire to showcase personality in interior design.
– We’ve also seen a lot of projects recently where people are compromising on square footage, but all the spaces are easily adaptable and multi-purpose. The owners of Villa Aurora also wanted spaces that were easily adaptable and multi-purpose, which is why, for example, the Kitchen features a movable island and the other rooms are designed to suit a variety of uses. The necessary electronics are concealed behind doors, which helps to create a harmonious atmosphere.
Henna Räisänen, who has had a long career in the international business world, was drawn to the interior design sector in particular by wellness-focused interior design, elements of which can also be seen in the interior of Villa Aurora.
– I am fascinated by holistic interior design, where it is not just furniture that is chosen, but the atmosphere. The most important thing is that a home is a place where one feels good, both physically and mentally. It must be suited to one’s own life situation, functional, and promote physical health, whilst also enabling one to nurture one’s own mental wellbeing.
But what advice would Räisänen give to those thinking about interior design for their home?
– Interior design isn’t that serious – it should be fun! The best thing is that there isn’t just one right solution, Räisänen points out.
Take a look at the completed Villa Aurora
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