Enchanting Lumo home: Eva's home combines beauty with practicality
We searched among Finland's Lumo homes for the most enchanting ones and found this gem. Let's take a peek inside and get to know the three-room apartment on Annankatu, where the harmonious and serene ambience is enlivened by splashes of colour and interesting details.
Right in the heart of Helsinki, in the charming surroundings of Annankatu, lies Eva's Lumo home, where she lives with her two school-aged children.
The interior of the 63-square-metre apartment has evolved gradually, combining harmony and creative solutions. Now, Eva shares with us the cornerstones of her home and interior design philosophy.
Interior respecting the spirit of the old building
Eva has always been interested in interior design, and for her, it means above all preserving the atmosphere and history of the home.
When Eva moved into the Annankatu home just over two years ago, she wanted to ensure that the wonderful spirit of the new home would take centre stage.
The interior now combines Scandinavian clarity and harmonious tones, in perfect balance with the house's 1880s atmosphere.
"When I first stepped in here, the apartment immediately felt like home, even though it still had the previous resident's belongings and furniture," Eva recalls with a smile.
Eva has built the interior gradually, and most furniture has been acquired specifically for this home to fit perfectly.
Lovingly cherished and inherited items, such as dishes and statues from her grandmother, also add layers to the home.
"You really don't need to, or even should, decorate the entire apartment at once. Especially the biggest purchases should be made thoughtfully," Eva adds.
Aesthetic and practical
Beauty is present everywhere in Annankatu – not just within the home's walls but also outside.
The windows offer views of a beautiful courtyard, and the nearby streets are full of fascinating buildings.
Sometimes it feels like being on a city holiday, Eva laughs.
"I want the home to be beautiful. However, the functionality should not be compromised, and I have made some creative solutions. There isn't much storage space in the kitchen, so my lovely dishes are displayed on open shelves, adding to the decor," Eva reflects.
Practicality is evident in almost everything: shoes are neatly displayed rather than stuffed in a cupboard, and the wall-mounted television also serves as an art piece.
A significant part of the home's look is the lighting. Eva particularly likes dim and soft lights.
Eva's home now has one windowless room that is currently used by the children.
"In the future, it might be a nice idea to emphasise the naturally dim atmosphere of the room even more with a darker colour scheme. I would style it with a large armchair and a small lamp, making it a perfect place for relaxation," Eva plans.
A home should reflect its residents
Eva believes that the best home is one that reflects its residents. The traces of life and everyday living should be visible, and the home should tell something about the people living there.
Eva encourages bringing out one's personality in even small ways. With a touch of creativity, almost anything can become an interesting addition to the decor, she emphasises.
"The painting in my kitchen is made from a shopping bag from an olive oil shop in Nice. The print was so beautiful that I cut it out and framed it. Now, it brings a lovely piece of France into my home."
In her own interior design, Eva has boldly forgotten the mandatory decor norms. There doesn't have to be a TV stand, and the television can be mounted on the wall to keep the space more open.
"The most important thing is that the home feels like ours. For me, an enchanting home is a nest-like sanctuary where the mind can rest," Eva sums up.