When Elsa moved into her current Lumo home in Tampere, she had a clear vision: to create a space where she could unwind in the midst of a busy life.

“I wanted a home with a calm atmosphere. A place where I can take a breath and feel safe,” Elsa explains.

For Elsa, the best moments at home are the days and evenings when the sun streams through the trees outside her windows, casting a cosy glow indoors. Her home sits gracefully behind the trees, which provide a natural shelter around it.

“The trees outside my windows are important to me. They bring that homely feeling and privacy I long for.”

In her interior design, Elsa has focused on a soothing colour palette and rich textures. Warm and light tones flow through the entire home. The Lumo paint benefit helped Elsa achieve exactly the look she was after.

“I’ve never been one for bright colours in interiors. I like my home to feel serene and calming.”

Elsa’s approach to decorating is thoughtful, allowing her rooms to take shape gradually. She often moves furniture from one room to another, testing what works together. She finds inspiration online but also discusses interiors frequently with her sister, who has shared many ideas.

Although she prefers a calm aesthetic, Elsa isn’t afraid to experiment and make bold choices. Golden accents and carefully selected details appear throughout her home – in candle holders, lamps and kitchen handles. She believes a home should contain items and furniture that genuinely appeal to you.

“I’ve made appliances part of the décor rather than hiding them away. Why conceal beautiful objects?”

On her kitchen counter, for instance, black Smeg appliances are neatly displayed.

Elsa’s home is full of carefully chosen, unique pieces: a vintage display cabinet and chest of drawers with fascinating details, a semi-transparent coffee table, a dining table adapted from a bar table, and a painting with a textured, rippling surface.

“I like objects with a story. They’re not just furniture, but part of the home’s soul,” Elsa says.

One especially meaningful piece is a column in the hallway, made by her grandfather. On top, Elsa places changing displays – currently, a large vase.

The decision to move into this home was also influenced by a new family member. Elsa was expecting a puppy and wanted a space that would suit her new companion too.

“Now Vinski adds just the right touch of chaos to this otherwise calm space. The funny thing is, his colouring matches the décor perfectly,” Elsa says with a laugh.

Elsa’s home proves that minimalist interiors can be both warm and personal. Golden details, textured surfaces and glimpses of trees through the windows create a stylish yet homely hideaway.

“I don’t need a lot of things around me, but I want the few I have to be beautiful and meaningful.”