Forget fusty and dusty. Secondhand finds in this home are as bright and cheery as if they just stepped off the showroom floor.
The 1956 home's architecture mimics the furniture's cheerful tribute to the past. Over the past five years, Rikola and her husband have uncovered the original floors and preserved the walls and floor plan while slowly remodeling. "Respecting the history of the house is one of the most important things to keep in mind for us when renovating," she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jutta Rikola, husband Panu, 1-year-old son and 2 dogs
Location: Oulu, Finland
Size: 1,100 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, 2 half baths, home office
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The couple did most of the work on the kitchen themselves, with the help of a carpenter and close friend. Rikola chose her favorite color, blue, to contrast with bright whites for a fresh feel.
"Eat" sign: Oh Dier, Etsy; counter: beech, Bauhaus; cabinetry paint: Tikkurila M350 |
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BEFORE: Little of this previous kitchen remains. Rikola retained the general layout but tore out all of the outdated cabinetry, countertops and flooring.
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AFTER: Salvaged kitchen cabinetry saved money — these cabinets cost about $200. A little plywood and several coats of paint were all that was needed to fix them up.
Tile: Emery et Cie; sink: Domsjö, Ikea; range hood: Savo |
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BEFORE: Although Rikola wanted to brighten up the home, she preserved as many of the old layers of wallpaper as possible underneath the new treatments.
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AFTER: A vintage pendant, table and chairs feel like a natural tribute to the home's 1950s roots.
Refrigerator: Gorenje |
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BEFORE: Structurally the house was in great condition. Despite the 1980s remodel, original details — doors, trim and wood-paneled walls — shone through.
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Rikola used a traditional pasting method of wheat flour and water to install the new wallpaper. She also made the origami-style pendant herself, using cardboard and instructions from Finnish blog Kolmas Kerros.
Wallpaper: Grove Garden, Osborne & Little; floor paint: Tikkurila 0405
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BEFORE: The couple lucked out when they discovered original wood flooring underneath linoleum and vinyl. The hardwood just needed a little sanding and painting.
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AFTER: Peppy lime-green walls dose the living room with a jolt of modern color. A coordinating room screen made from from fabric and plumbing pipes sits on casters, ready to separate the space as needed.
Yellow chair: Hee chair, Hay; fabric for partition: Ananas, Marimekko; wall paint: Tikkurila H388 |
Bedspread: Ebba, Ellos
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The red hue of a vintage armoire-turned-TV-console stands out against the green walls.
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Red side table: Stone, Kartell; couch-armchair: vintage
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BEFORE: This small butler's pantry became a changing room for the couple's son.
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AFTER: A colorful wallpaper backsplash has completely transformed the space. Beech countertops and a small ceramic sink make baby bath time easier.
Wallpaper: Paradiset, Josef Frank |
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The cabinetry in the changing room was recycled from the kitchen. The framed pants hanging on the wall belonged to Panu when he was little.
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Unlike the rest of the home's bold colors, the master bedroom's pastel color palette creates a soothing feel.
Pendant: vintage; curtains: Eurokangas |
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Rikola, a graphic designer, does most of her work in the home office. Her favorite turquoise hue covers the walls.
Wall paint: Tikkurila V370 |
Green lamp: Loft Zig-Zag Floor Lamp, Jielde
