When twelve years of everyday life with my ex-partner came to an end, I was faced with an emptiness — both physically and emotionally. One thing, however, was clear: my dogs and I did not want to leave Katajanokka. We had fallen in love with the area, where seaside walking paths are surrounded by the services of the city centre, yet still sheltered in the island’s own and quiet atmosphere.

I often call Katajanokka the Paris of Finland. There is something similar to Paris here — the beautiful details of old buildings that tell stories of the past, combined with a warm, romantic ambience. I travel often to major cities because they inspire me, and in Katajanokka I feel I get a piece of that every day.

In 2022, I noticed an old coffee roastery built in 1938 that had just been converted into apartments. At the time, there wasn’t a suitable home for my situation. Last year, following my separation — almost as if guided by fate — I realised that a perfect one-bedroom flat for me and my dogs had just become available in the Lumo online store. I rented the home on the spot.

Of all the homes I’ve lived in, this interior feels most like me. It contains elements from my very first home, later stages of my life, and new pieces acquired specifically for this space. The interior reflects a sense of layering, just like I do. Layering develops over time — it cannot be rushed.

I’ve designed my home for myself, so it’s important that it serves my needs. We’re used to seeing a certain number of chairs around a dining table, but I have two and a stool. Living alone, I don’t need more. It’s worth pausing to consider what interior images have led us to believe we need, and what we actually need.

My 58.5-square-metre flat, with its well-designed layout, offers plenty of space for living, working from home, and hosting friends.

The living room brings together the entire atmosphere of my home. My interior style is industrial-inspired — a blend of a New York loft, a Copenhagen penthouse, and a romantic Parisian balcony, with a Finnish twist.

After the breakup, I wanted to bring warmth and a sense of security into my home. Darker tones, such as a walnut-toned TV unit and chocolate-brown curtains, make the space feel inviting. A Calacatta Viola marble coffee table and side table add an edge to the otherwise controlled aesthetic.

I have two sofas facing each other in the living room. I love this arrangement because the focus isn’t on the television, but on togetherness. It makes the space perfect for evenings with friends while also offering plenty of sleeping space for overnight guests.

One of the focal points of the living room is a large wall-length bookcase — or rather, a vase display. I collect vases, and my favourites are proudly on display there. Alongside vases, another passion of mine is lighting. My home features several striking light fixtures that complete the interior. Lighting is the crown of interior design.

Previously, I only had artificial plants or dried flowers at home, as I was striving for perfection and was bothered by the imperfections of real plants. With a new chapter ahead, I realised that imperfection is far more intriguing than perfection. Now, large green plants bring life into my home.

The kitchen reflects the building’s history as a former coffee roastery. The factory-style chrome pipes left exposed inspired the kitchen’s design. I added a small chrome shelf to display chrome coffee cups.

However, the true centrepiece is a long-held dream finally realised: an espresso machine. I’ve always dreamed of opening a charming little café of my own. Making my morning coffee with the espresso machine makes me feel like a barista, even though my latte art still needs practice. Perhaps there was still a hint of the roastery’s aroma in the air that inspired me to fulfil this dream in this very home.

My kitchen has plenty of storage space, which is fortunate because I love collecting beautiful tableware and kitchen tools. The pasta machine on the shelf is a good example — I bought it because it’s beautiful. I haven’t used it yet, but I dream of an evening when I invite friends over, make pasta together, and enjoy wine. That would be the perfect theme for a housewarming party I haven’t yet had time to host.

In a large space, different areas can be defined with rugs. In my living room, a rug brings together the sofas and coffee table, while a cowhide rug defines the dining area. In front of the window, an atmospheric reading nook for autumn evenings forms on the bare floor.

The atmosphere shifts completely in the bedroom. The colour palette is lighter, as the space is intended for relaxation. Painting both the walls and ceiling in the same shade of grey creates a cocoon-like feeling. The grey ceiling also highlights the white ceiling roses I installed. What impressed me in the apartment were the original, carefully selected, high-quality surface materials.

I design my home for all the senses, not just the eyes. The bedroom features an exceptionally soft rug that feels like walking on clouds — it’s the first thing my feet touch each day. It’s no coincidence we say “got out of bed on the wrong foot”; those first steps have a bigger impact than we realise.

I chose a low bed so that my small dogs can jump onto it themselves. They have their own beds, but we always spend part of the night sleeping together. Eventually, they move to their own beds or the floor, as it gets too warm for them in bed.

The bathroom continues the same chrome theme as the kitchen. I’ve added chrome shelves and details, such as a soap dispenser and sauna bucket and ladle.

I favour white textiles in both the bathroom and sauna — they create a spa-like atmosphere and bring freshness to the space. A large bathroom and private sauna are true everyday luxuries.

The sauna is also one of my dogs’ favourite places in our home. They often slip in under the door to rest on the cool floor, where they can sleep undisturbed.

The balcony is one of my favourite spots in the entire home. Located on the sixth floor, it offers open-air views over the rooftops of Katajanokka and the starry sky.

I decorated the balcony with a Parisian theme — the table and chairs look as if they came straight from a street corner in Paris. Sitting there, you can almost imagine hearing a street musician’s violin drifting through the air.

I’m already looking forward to summer, when I can plant flowers on the balcony and prepare delicious meals on the grill. However, the balcony is in use all year round, as it’s the perfect place to cool off after a sauna.

After the breakup, I knew one thing: I wanted a home where I truly feel good. This home is much more than just a flat — it is my sanctuary.

My home also inspires the design work for my own interior brand, naaG Living. The Donitsi candle holders I’ve already launched have found their place in my interior. Meanwhile, the spaces that still appear empty allow me to imagine what they could become.