This entrepreneurial family escapes the everyday hustle and bustle to Ylläs, Finland, where they built the log cabin of their dreams. The starting point for the design was having large windows overlooking the fell, and the lounge area by the windows has become a favourite spot for the whole family.
Eva-Maria, Toni and their two children had been spending their holidays at Ylläs for years before they decided to build a cabin of their own there. They sold their current cabin, and in the winter of 2020 they found the perfect plot on which to build the holiday home of their dreams.
“We fell in love with the location and surroundings of the plot. The fell is almost visible behind the trees, and no cabins will be built to block the view. It was clear from the start that we wanted large windows, so that we could see the fell with all its lights,” says Eva-Maria.
The location is ideal for the active family: cross-country skiing and mountain-biking routes run by the cabin, and the children can reach the cabin by just skiing down the hill.
It was also clear from the beginning that they wanted a log cabin.
“We felt that log was the right solution due to its environmental friendliness and good indoor air quality. We wanted to have clean air without any plastic,” Toni says.
We felt that log was the right solution due to its environmental friendliness and good indoor air quality. We wanted to have clean air without any plastic.
Toni, the customer
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Large windows as the starting point for the log cabin design
The couple knew exactly what kind of cabin they wanted, and they contacted Honka’s representative Veijo Kivimaa, with whom they started to outline the floor plan and appearance of the cabin. The couple also requested quotes from other companies, but Honka felt like a clear choice because of the quality and experience it offered.
“I also felt that Honka was a good and reliable brand. Compared to the other companies, Honka provided us with the clearest plan – we knew right away what we were buying,” says Toni.
The couple started to design the building with Honka’s architect. The starting point for the design process was that the couple wanted large windows and a terrace overlooking the fell. They also wanted to have a common lounge area downstairs, and, due to the sloping shape of the plot, a basement floor was included in the designs.
“It also adds a touch of luxury to the cabin. We can store our snowmobiles and hobby equipment in the warm basement where they can thaw. And we can leave our outdoor clothes there to dry when we come inside,” Eva-Maria points out.
A project for the whole family – a holiday home
Construction began at midsummer in 2020. The foundations and basement floor had been completed at the end of August, when Honka’s log package arrived on the site.
“Construction progressed really rapidly, and the cabin was completed in exactly six months,” Toni says.
The family stayed at the construction site on weekends, and Toni participated in the construction particularly for the part of building technology, as it is his area of expertise. Eva-Maria, on the other hand, painted the logs both inside and outside the cabin. The children played in the yard and helped with cleaning, among other things. The family ate lunch and snacks by a campfire.
Construction progressed really rapidly, and the cabin was completed in exactly six months.
“Since we knew that we would be here every weekend, we included the whole family in the project from the start. Even though we spent a lot of time here during the construction, everyone in the family has fond memories of that time. The cabin feels particularly important and home-like, now that we all have contributed to its construction. And of course it’s nice to get to know the cabin thoroughly, all its materials and construction phases,” says Eva-Maria.
Investing in building technology seemed like an obvious choice due to Toni’s profession as well. One of the most important aspects of the construction project was to make the cabin as environmentally friendly as possible. The cabin is heated with geothermal heat, and building automation takes care of energy use and safety.
Of course it’s nice to get to know the cabin thoroughly, all its materials and construction phases.
– Eva-Maria, the customer
Better than what the family dreamt of
The couple gives the cabin a grade of A+. The result is even better than what they dreamt of. They feel that, in addition to the building itself, the interior looks exactly like they wanted, and they would not change a thing.
For the high-ceiling lounge area, they designed and commissioned a gorgeous, slatted ceiling, which is an interior design element in its own right. The stairs, made in collaboration between local entrepreneurs, also make for an eye-catching element.
The couple wanted the interior to have a harmonious look, so they chose natural and earthy colours. The logs were treated with a light matte tone, and the wide-plank parquet flooring matches the walls. In addition to natural colours, also black has been used here and there. For instance, the kitchen is black. The decor of the cabin also features a Lapland theme, which has been introduced with small decorative details.
A second home
The family lives in Tornio, two and a half hour’s drive from the cabin in Ylläs. Suitable distance was one of the reasons why Ylläs became the place where the entrepreneurial family spends its free time. The cabin can also be easily visited during weekends.
The family enjoys snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and biking. At the cabin, days are spent engaged in various outdoor activities, separately and together, after which they have a sauna. Then the family cooks together and lights a fire in the fireplace and plays board games in the evening. The family spends most of its time together in the kitchen/livig room with the large windows.
“We always spend Christmas here and all the holidays in the winter. We often come here on weekends too. This is a second home to us,” Eva-Maria says.
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House facts:
- Log: Honka multi-laminated square log, MLL 204N pine
- Floor area: 104,5 m2 + basement
- Living area: 96 m2
- Rooms: Hallway, utility room, bathroom, sauna, 1 toilet, 3 bedrooms, living room+ kitchen, basement garage
- Log surface treatment: Interior: Osmo Color wax, colour Silk, once applied.
Exterior: Tikkurila Valtti Color, colour Piki 5089 and Sora 5063, twice applied.=> Read what to consider when choosing a dark facade colour for a log house - Year of construction: 2020-2021
- Honka ID: 4001249
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