The house is quite small, only 7x8 meters foot print in two floors and the basement. It had been renovated multiple times during the years, modernised. There were many layers in the inner roofs for example. And luckily original doors had been modernised with plain plates on top of original carvings. We wanted to strip all layers down and build something which honours the original time and style. In the end for budgetary reasons we needed to do some compromises, though. For example windows, we were not allowed to follow original plans and drawings and replace the ‘modernised’ windows from 80’s with original style. Nevertheless the original plans were made by then famous and later celebrated architect who has designed many buildings and city plans in Helsinki and elsewhere in Finland, sigh. Good news is that decision to postpone window renovation probably saved us from bankruptcy
Some pics how it was when we bought it.
The porch is later design and added to the house at 70's
The closets were small, and materials in roof and floor was something which didn't belong to the house. We crossed fingers that we could find original floor and roof under the layers. We knew those might be awesome...
Workig stove
and very personal color, challenge to design. Not in perfect shape, but hey, hundred years of hard use.
Stairs to second floor. We managed to save these. Although re-assembled but with the authentic sounds, you might know what I mean.
These were the stairs to basement where in 70's had been built sauna and shower. When heated and running water came to the house
We didn't thought for a second to preserve this, although the last lady living in the house went for a wash to the basement daily, in the age of 97....
Decision to move shower to upstairs was also easy because the room height was pretty low. 1m85cm as I am, I couldn't stand straight
Stairs from first to second floor. We absolutely wanted to save the pole and the steps and the old patina.
Flying closet on top of the stairs and 'corner' of the lamp we saved as well (and searched a pair for it)
This was wrong, all wrong. But hey, we didn't know then how wrong
There has lived more than one family on the house. Therefore small kitchen also in second floor. And leaking roof on the closet...
But all we could see was possibilities, old garden and the location
...