A charming second home in the loft of an old house in Finnish Hanko

Charming city Hanko was familiar to the Gefwerts, as Tiina has sailed throughout her life and liked the city's leisure atmosphere. She knew that she wanted an apartment in an old house and found the idea of living in a charming and rustic house right in the center of the city, while still having her own garden, a tempting one. Her family can travel everywhere by bike or on foot, and even the beach is only a few minutes away. ‘I wanted to combine the new with the old, and to create layers and contrasts. The apartment's kitchen is new, but the rugs around it are old. I bought an antique mirror and some old paintings at an auction and used them to add atmosphere to the large rooms.’

Tiina completed a substantial renovation of the entire apartment. She wanted the loft to remain as open as possible, so the bedrooms and bathrooms were positioned at the sides of the apartment to keep the lounge space large. Skylights were added during the renovation to let in more natural light.’The dining area, living room and large open kitchen all join together to form one large open space. The stunning ceiling beams create regularity in the space across the entire length of the ceiling.’

Tiina has worked as an interior designer for a long time, so she values durable, high-quality materials. The apartment's white kitchen is located under a sloping ceiling. Gefwert chose a Dekton Entzo kitchen countertop because of its soft colour and the material's excellent properties. The apartment has many beautiful brass details. 'The material extends from the worktop to a backsplash. The sink and faucet are both brass, and both are made by Grohe. The kitchen island is a great place for cooking food for as many people as needed. It can also function as a serving table.'