VISITING HONKA TRIBE MEMBERS
In a snowy pine-forest setting in Lapland stands a classic beauty – the Salonen family’s beautiful log home complete with glazing bar windows. Anniina and Arttu, a 30-something couple who have settled in Sodankylä, Lapland, wanted a durable log home that is healthy and safe for the whole family. Their compact log home was completed surprisingly quickly, and they added the finishing touches with atmospheric interior decoration. This is a home where you can relax!
Having moved from Savo to Sodankylä for work, Anniina and Arttu fell in love with the unique nature of the North. It was soon obvious that they had to start building a home, because Anniina had been dreaming of a detached house since her upper secondary school days. They were not daunted by this, because both had experience of building projects: when Anniina was younger, her parents had three detached houses and one summer cottage built, and Arttu is a building engineer by training. The foundations were laid in May 2017 and their log home was completed in spring 2018.
Good designer a crucial element
Anniina and Arttu wanted a warm log home with a touch of tradition and a cosy feel, but with a modern twist. The building should also fit into its surroundings. They wanted to have large windows, compact but peaceful bedrooms, a large dining area, and all of this in a compact package. The couple designed their dream plan for their request for tenders, but Honkarakenne’s local log-home expert surprised them with his ideas.
“Actually, Honkarakenne’s Jan Backmann fully re-designed it for us after we realised that he was so experienced and already had good ideas regarding the floor plan. We listed almost two pages of wishes and he tweaked the floor plan until he could squeeze everything into the number of square metres we wanted. And all within the limits of our budget.”
Anniina Salonen
Contrary to other home suppliers, the Honkarakenne representative went through their offer in detail in a face to face meeting. Such good service convinced the couple that they were getting what they wanted, so they chose Honkarakenne. It was, after all, going to be the biggest investment of their lives.
“We also liked the look of Honkarakenne’s high log profile. All the material delivered was of high quality and the end result is impressive.”
Arttu Salonen
Honkarakenne’s representative suggested a bay window, which is now one of the couple’s favourite details. The glazing bars can be removed if they feel like a change.
Log construction was easy
Anniina and Arttu did not choose a turnkey delivery, because they wanted to be personally in charge of the construction project, hired workers and material choices. The selection of surface materials and furniture were not so urgent, and they could be still be changed as work progressed. The construction project proceeded well and according to plan.
“Neither of us had any experience of log construction, but we were surprised by how easy it was. We were able to affect and participate in construction. We feel good about living in this house, as we are aware of all the construction stages and structures that went into it.”
Anniina Salonen
After Honkarakenne delivered the timber, the walls went up pretty quickly. With four people working on them, the walls were ready in as many days. When Arttu compares this to the construction of other building types, this feels easiest.
“Once the logs are in place, the exterior and interior walls are ready in a matter of days.”
Arttu Salonen
The exterior colour was chosen to fit in with the pine forest landscape. Anniina tried five different colours on bits of log and was lugging them around the plot. The right colour scheme was found by viewing colours at different times of day.
Logs were the right choice
Anniina and Arttu are delighted with the result, and logs seem the right choice of material. They opted for logs, because they wanted the indoor air to be as good as possible.
“I want my house to be healthy and have a long lifespan. I know where the building material comes from. We have a small child, so I can’t help thinking of all the things he could be exposed to. That’s why Finnish logs were a natural choice for us and fit in so well with the landscape here in Lapland. We chose all materials under the same principle, the wall paints are natural, too.”
Anniina Salonen
The bedrooms have a fresh, light décor, complemented by the snowy landscape.
A modern interior includes a range of beautiful, personal details. The beautiful, old bread shovel is from Granny.
During her maternity leave, Anniina pottered around the building site, making macramé, which also kept up her spirits. Aatos’s room invites you to play in it, and their dog Pihka wants to join in the fun.
Warm atmosphere and good acoustics
When visiting friends, the couple have noticed that the acoustics in log homes are different, in a positive way. They have also corrected many people’s prejudices about the energy efficiency of log homes. A log home is warm and there’s no draught.
However, there is one thing that the family would change. If they ever build another home, they’ll use Honkarakenne’s non-settling logs to avoid the trouble and expense of the inevitable minor repairs later on. In all, the couple consider their log home almost perfect. It has a wonderful, cosy atmosphere in a natural setting.
The sauna has a natural ambience, and light is filtered beautifully through the glass wall.
Building facts:
- Building type: detached house
- Floor area: 140m2
- Living area: 129m2
- Rooms: 4 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dining area, sauna, utility room
- Log: Honka logs, 204 mm
- Heating system: Water-air-heat pump and water-circulation underfloor heating
- Exterior wall colour: Poro 5087 (Tikkurila)
- Interior wall colour: dark log walls -individual mixture of Tikkurila Poro 5087 and Villa 3439 colours. Light log walls – Auro Plantodecor, uncoloured
- Kitchen furniture: Keittiömaailma A La Carte (Festa), counters Silestone quartz
- Year of construction: 2017–2018
- Location: Sodankylä
How can we help you?
Share your log home dreams with the nearest Honka representative. We will help you to realise them.
Get in touch
