Behind the scenes

Related to the previous post referring to last summer's as labor camp we thought it might be fun to post a few quick and dirty behind the scenes photos (non-styled, non-edited) including some of the key characters (non-styled, non-edited) during the last few, perhaps the most intense weeks.

Pekka, Sofi and Urho witnessing arrival of Tosca slates for the front entrance

The best thing in a big project is that everyone, irrespective of what their skills are (or are not), can make themselves useful. It does not matter if you are a generalist or a more detail oriented person, a perfect task to flatter your strengths can easily be identified.

Pekka's father Kari was responsible for priming and painting the door frames

Pekka's mother Merja finished a huge number of different assignments ranging from child care to painting

If you really are a pro, your skills will not remain unutilized to their fullest potential. In these cases, the bar is set really high and tolerances at minimum. And you need to deliver. It is a family business, and no such thing as truly constructive criticism exists. Needless to say, not very many team members meet the criteria to be included in this high-class worker group.  

Pekka's sister Irmeli preparing a complicated diffuser

And then there are those tasks which are too dirty to assign to a non-resident. Tasks which still need to be done, and they will, because it is yours, and no one else (but an overly committed resident) would take responsibility. Fortunately in a high-performing team the value of this kind of work is also acknowledged and thus completed with class (at least without audible complaints).

Minna washing a big and dusty rock in the bunker

And what do the minors do in the meantime? Let's be honest - at the age of 4 and 1 they were still a bit young to be included in the actual work force. Thus, their key task was to adjust in the constantly changing conditions, by finding a quiet corner or a place to play and avoiding the most intense eye of the renovation storm. And since they are both born in the middle of it, they simply don't know any other way and fit in just perfectly.

Sofi watching her favourite kids' show comfortably in our bed

Eino relaxing at the backyard terrace after being kept out from harm's way in an inflatable pool

So, by trial and error, everyone making the best use of their skills, whatever they may be. Accepting detours as a part of creative and operative process.

Just pick up a hammer and do it!

Journey's end

A journey which begun in April 2015 has now ended. The Most Beautiful Home of Finland in 2017 has been chosen. In the end, the choice was quite obvious for us Finns, the winner being a beautiful home from Luvia, located right at the shore of Gulf of Bothnia.

We proudly finished at fourth place. Being two competitive spirits it would have been great to win, not only the competition but also the hearts of the Finnish people. But looking back, the past year has really shown us something much more valuable by proving true an old piece of wisdom: it is the journey, not the arrival, that really matters.

And what a journey it has been. Last summer was not a vacation, it was a labor camp, which feels like hell but truly makes a great story afterwards. Restricted with budget and time, friends and relatives were called in to help to finish what needed to be done. We were often simply exhausted and occasionally demotivated by all those bumps in the road, which in the end make the story worth telling. But it is amazing what humour, cold beer and a few hours of sleep can do. Next morning, we were again ready to tackle the challenges with a fresh spirit.

 
As a result, we have all grown wiser and learned to laugh at failure. We have realised the true importance of having a shared vision and clear objectives, and thus achieved so much as a family. We are proud to have started to show Sofi and Eino that anything is achievable. If there is a will, hard work will lead the way.

This home has been our project since 2012. And it will continue to be just that, quite a few more years. Next summer, however, will be a bit different. We don't usually travel very much for obvious reasons - a simple choice between investing savings for example in slate terrace materials vs. flights overseas. But summer 2017 will take us to San Francisco, to see some dear friends, the Eames House (and a bunch of other case study houses), Highway One, MCM antique fairs. Another dream coming true.

Last but not least, thank you. All of you. Thank you so much, for all your support, votes, and positive comments. We tend to walk our path, located a bit aside from mainstream, and it's been just overwhelming have such a crowd following our walk. If you continue to be curious, please stay with us. As the road will go on and on...

(all photos in this post by our fantastic and inspirational friend and photographer, Nani Annette) 

Time to vote and win PH80!

Now, it is time. We need your support to win the title of the Most Beautiful Home in Finland! Our home was the only one to receive the perfect score from the judges, so we just might have a chance!

Every vote counts, and we are extremely grateful of every single one we receive. So, if you think we would deserve the title of the Most Beautiful Home in Finland, please cast your vote for finalist #3 (Omalla tyylillä) by midnight at March 19, 2017 here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the view below and fill the points marked on red. 

If we win, we will celebrate by running a great giveaway in Instagram (@olivegreenblog) where you can win PH80 designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, and two of your friends will receive small surprises. So make sure to check out instructions in our Instagram feed how to participate!

Thank you so much already in advance!! 

One of the finalists!

It has been quite a journey.

In 2012 when it started we did not think about TV shows. Instead, we thought about making a home. We had too small of a budget, limited resources and time, growing family and demanding jobs. But also, a shared vision, can-do attitude and patience to take small steps.

Four years later, commitment to Suomen Kaunein Koti forced us to finish up a million incomplete projects. Given the deadline we had to stretch and simply make everything happen. So with some help from our family and friends, at 2 am the previous night, only a few hours before the production crew arrived, we finally dropped the hammer and decided to call it a day.

Not knowing what to expect it was great to notice that the production team was very easygoing but professional, efficient but creating a relaxed atmosphere. Thanks guys, it really was a fun morning!

The first appearance on the backyard (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

After the photo shoot, we waited for nearly six months. Then, on a random day in January we saw the first ads in TV. The night when our episode was played was unbelievably exciting, as we had no idea what was coming. But it was fantastic. We simply couldn't have wished for more.

Overview (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

We were completely blown away by the judges' comments and compliments, but also their expertise in architecture and design. They paid attention to several relevant details, and it was great to listen to their discussions. By the way, the red carpet to mark our favourite spot just needed to be in the living room next to the Eames Lounge Chair!

The Red Carpet and the Three Judges (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

"Good planning allows less depth in a countertop" (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

"Is there an acoustic panel on the back...?" (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

And the final outcome got us screaming! Of course we thought it would be nice to make it to the finals, but to do that with a top score did not cross our minds. We are happy, excited and really eager to see how this journey continues.

So when the time comes, please - don't forget to vote!

The Perfect Thirty! (source: MTV3 Katsomo / Suomen Kaunein Koti)

(all photos are screenshots from Suomen Kaunein Koti 2017 episode 3: Omalla tyylillä by MTV3)

Simply a great week

It's been a great week. 

First, the results of Fennia Prize 2017, Finland's biggest design competition for companies and organizations, were announced on Thursday. The Fennia Prize Grand Prix was given to Merivaara Corporation for Q-flow surgical light. Guess who was responsible for the industrial design? 

Then today, our home won the first step of Suomen Kaunein Koti (the Most Beautiful Home in Finland) competition. We will be up against the nine other finalists for the first prize. The judges really, really seemed to like our home and after all the work we have put into the project, it felt fantastic. It was great that so many of you supported us during the show

More about both really soon. First, it is time to celebrate!

Most Beautiful Home in Finland?

Why did we go on a crazy renovation frenzy last summer?

Bit surprisingly, sometimes during Spring 2016 we got committed to a Finnish TV show called Suomen Kaunein Koti (the Most Beautiful Home in Finland). Inevitably, this lead to an assessment of all the unfinished projects we wanted to complete before "going live". As the list grew quite long, not everything got finalised but having a crystal clear deadline definitely speeded up things a lot.

Guess how it look around here today?

In Suomen Kaunein Koti, the most beautiful home is selected among 30 homes. First, in each episode focusing on different category, a group of judges selects their favourite out of three homes. After 10 episodes, the Finns get to choose the winner by voting among the top 10 homes.

Filming took place last summer, and since then we have been waiting. We only knew that the show would most likely air sometimes during the first half of 2017, but nothing else. No idea how our interviews went, did we succeed in telling our story the way we have felt and experienced it. No idea of the outcome, did the judges enjoy visiting our home. And quite honestly, only vaguely remembering how everything here looked like back then, as we were pretty exhausted after such an intensive summer.

So, the wait is finally over. The season started on January 9th. Next week, on Monday January 23rd, our home will be competing against all the other beautiful Finnish homes (channel MTV3 at 20 pm). If you have access to Finnish TV, tune in and please let us know how did you like it!

The game is on. May the most beautiful home win!

Relax. What's so great about TV anyway?