When you step into the flat of Armand and his family in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, the first thing that catches your eye is the art. There is plenty of it throughout the home.

“I love the vintage paintings I find at flea markets. In the living room, there’s also a large piece that I painted myself. I paint when I feel inspired – I never force creativity,” Armand explains.

Armand’s connection with Finland began during a visit to see his mother. She has lived in Finland for nearly 20 years, and it was the country’s snowy winters that particularly captivated him. Seven years ago, he decided to leave the Philippines with his wife and daughter and build a new life in Finland.

“At first, we lived with my mother because our financial situation wasn’t yet stable. Then we moved into a studio flat. Our current apartment is what I would call our first proper home. I’m really happy here, and the neighbourhood is lovely too,” says Armand.

Their current home is a two-bedroom apartment. Its interior reflects Armand’s vision, which he describes as “vintage minimalism”: everything unnecessary has been stripped away.

Armand says he has long been interested in interior design. This home was the first place where he truly felt able to express his own aesthetic freely.

The creative character of the paintings sits beautifully alongside the clean lines of the furniture. Particularly charming is a round wooden dining table made by Asko in the 1960s, around which Armand has arranged a collection of mismatched chairs. Metallic details throughout the interior add energy and contrast to the warmth of the wood. The overall effect is carefully curated yet full of personality.

“I wanted a style with less clutter and more practicality. We don’t buy things we don’t need; instead, we try to make the most of the space we have,” Armand explains.

For Armand, the best moments are those spent at home with his family. At weekends, they sleep in and linger in bed chatting for hours.

“We do absolutely nothing,” he sums up.

He also enjoys cooking together with his seven-year-old daughter.

I ask what they particularly enjoy making.

“Chicken adobo,” his daughter replies shyly from beside him.

“The national dish of the Philippines,” Armand adds with a smile. The word adobo refers both to the sauce and the cooking method. The marinade is flavoured with ingredients such as bay leaves, vinegar, soy sauce and garlic.

Armand says his daughter is already old enough to prepare breakfast and make coffee. She happily joins in with the morning routines.

In keeping with Armand’s design philosophy, the kitchen has been kept exceptionally minimalist. The coffee machine is the only appliance left on the worktop; everything else is tucked away in cupboards. The rule is simple: only what is necessary should remain on display.

Home also offers Armand peace and time to himself. One of his favourite spots is a cosy reading nook in the living room, where the calming glow of a vintage lamp creates the perfect atmosphere.

“I run a cleaning business. After a stressful day at work, it’s wonderful to come home and unwind,” he says.

Back in the Philippines, Armand worked as a wedding photographer, a profession he has put aside for the time being.

The family moved into their current Lumo home just over a year ago. The decision was an easy one, as Lumo offered a smooth rental process and a home without a rental deposit.

“We fell in love with the apartment immediately. During our very first viewing, we could already picture where all the furniture would go,” Armand recalls. “That doesn’t happen with every apartment.”

For Armand, home represents both a sanctuary and a source of inspiration. While interior design matters to him, the true feeling of home comes from the people who share it.

“Deep in my heart, home isn’t just a place – it’s about togetherness. When my family is together and everyone is doing well, I feel at home, wherever we may be,” he reflects.

Pitäjänmäki offers tranquillity and easy access to nature. A river runs close to the apartment, and from the balcony there is a view of a charming little hill. During the winter months, Armand and his daughter go sledging there, while in summer they enjoy picnics by the river.

In the future, Armand dreams of transforming the balcony into a small garden where he could enjoy his morning coffee during the summer. Until then, he already finds peace in everything they have created so far.