Kitchen Renovation in a 1920s Wooden Home
I’m so happy with our new kitchen. It feels like a second living room now! I find myself spending more time here than in our TV room. It’s spacious, calming, and beautifully functional. It has become our everyday heart of the home.
The Kitchen Before
When your kitchen transforms, it transforms your life. This renovation was more than a makeover — it was a symbolic new beginning for our home and family.
The Kitchen Transformation
This project involved reimagining an old kitchen in a green wooden house from the 1920s: a home full of history, soul, and stories. Our goal was to create a kitchen that felt both fresh and timeless, while deeply honoring the original spirit of the house. A space where family could gather, cook together, share morning coffee, and enjoy slow, everyday moments.
The design was inspired by the surrounding nature, the soft moss in the garden, the apple trees outside the window, and the deep sense of grounded calm that lives within the home. We approached the renovation with a mindset of continuation, not replacement. The kitchen was never meant to feel “new,” but rather as if it had always been there — simply waiting to bloom.
We preserved the old wooden floor, the ceiling, and beloved original elements like the family’s dining table and wooden bench — the most cherished spot in the house. Several existing cabinets were kept: one repainted in a gentle green inspired by the outdoors, and another subtly updated with new cabinet doors. We also kept the original lamps, the fridge, and the old, brown-colored stove.
The overall atmosphere brings together old and new with harmony. A gentle modern touch flows through the kitchen without overpowering its roots — the tones, materials, and layout are all designed to feel natural, effortless, and welcoming.
The kitchen cabinets are from Aina Keittiö, and I had the pleasure of being mentored by Eeva Poskela from Aina Keittiöt throughout the design process.
For the family, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This renovation wasn’t just about design — it was about their lifestyle.
Today, stepping into the kitchen feels like stepping into a memory. One that’s alive, evolving, and finally in full bloom.
The Kitchen After
The new kitchen design strikes the perfect balance between a fresh, modern look and honoring the character of our 1920s home. It’s unique, personal, nothing off-the-shelf! I sit here by the window every day, with no curtains, just light. And I feel grateful.
Essi guided us through every design decision with care and clarity. She helped us see the right options without overwhelm, and brought a vision to life that respects the soul of this house. The materials make it easy to keep clean, and the atmosphere is simply peaceful.
We ended up with a calm, harmonious, and beautifully neutral kitchen that works on every level. At first, we imagined green cabinets, but when we saw the soft cashmir color, we knew immediately — this was it. The design evolved naturally into something that felt balanced, spacious, and completely right for the house.
We were able to keep so much of the original charm — the brick wall, the old stove, vintage cabinets — even one cupboard that became a real standout. The wallpaper we chose with Essi tied everything together in a way that felt like us.
Being part of the renovation process made it all even more meaningful. We learned a lot along the way, and I appreciated that things weren’t rushed — each piece found its place in time.
Essi Koski-Lammi
Essi Koski-Lammi is a Conscious Interior Designer, Inner Alignment Healer, and Spiritual Business Advisor. She believes that how we live, work, and care for ourselves is deeply influenced by the connection between the spaces within and around us. With a diploma in interior design, over 22 years of experience in energy healing and meditation, MSC in Business and a strong background in global branding and marketing, Essi combines her expertise to empower women to transform their homes, businesses, and lives — and most importantly, themselves — so that every part of life feels aligned and truly their own.
