The Kasper Stromman Design Blog

An introduction to Finnish summer house style

Finnish design is a concept that engulfs all aspects of life. Once you’ve taken it to your heart, you must never again speak of the hideous crimes against design you might have committed in your youth.

But there is of course a design free haven – it’s called the summer house. Here’s an introduction to Finnish mökki style.

1. Finnish summer houses are always built around a sauna. This is reflected in all choice of materials – think rustic, with a settler vibe. Exposed fir tree is good, as is all materials that say “raw” and “primitive”. These days ceramic tiles count as raw and primitive, so they are just perfect for the sauna. You are also free to add as many decorative elements and little trolls as you like – you are free to do what you want here!

2. A fire place is also a must, because you want that sound of pine cones crackling in fire, which will set the perfect backdrop to late meals of Norwegian frozen salmon. Do you want a little fun bear made out of stone on top of the fireplace? You can have a little bear made out of stone on top of the fireplace.

3. Do you also want a little stone man with unruly hair sitting on said fireplace? Go ahead, knock yourself out!

4. Twenty years ago it was commonplace to haul all your old furniture out to the summer place, but not anymore. These days everything has to be new, or pretend-old. However if you bought some old plates out of boredom at some rural auction they deserve a special place on the wall of your mökki. You must never, ever eat from these plates.

5. All in all, you can’t go wrong with decorating your summer house, since everything is permitted. In fact, many design aficionados claim the mökki is the only place they can breath freely since they can stop worrying about design choices and instead have saunas until their skin get all itchy and flaky.

There really is only one interiour design faux pas.

And that’s to bring in design furniture.