Couple restores 18th-century dining hall in Finnish villa after decades of neglect

A husband and wife in central Finland are reviving a derelict 18th-century villa, Päkärin huvila, after purchasing the property in Keuruu despite its severe disrepair, state broadcaster Yle reports. The villa’s dining hall, built in 1738 and expanded in the 1880s, is among the oldest surviving sections of the log structure, which had suffered from a leaking roof and poorly executed past renovations.

Hanna-Kaisa and Antti Heinämäki first encountered the overgrown estate in 2023, accessing the front door only after clearing a path through wild raspberry bushes and neglected gardens. Inside, the abandoned building bore the marks of 1980s and 1950s-era modifications, with water damage and inappropriate materials further degrading the original timberwork. Despite the deterioration, the couple saw potential in the property’s historical features—including its original windows, interior doors, tiled stoves, and plank flooring—many of which have since been restored.

The restoration proceeds room by room, with all flooring removed to repair the substructure’s log beams. Where possible, original planks were preserved; in other areas, new boards were commissioned to match the historic design. The villa’s thick log walls insulate the interior from external noise, while the tiled stoves and restored plank floors contribute to its period character. “Something in my head switched off, and something in my heart switched on,” Hanna-Kaisa Heinämäki said of their decision to buy the property, acknowledging it was driven more by emotion than practicality.

Finland’s National Board of Antiquities and regional development centers provide grants for heritage building restorations, though demand far exceeds available funding. Nationwide, only about 5% of buildings predate 1920. In recent years, the Board has distributed over €1.2 million annually in grants, fulfilling roughly half of the 350–500 applications received each year. The average award in 2025 was approximately €6,600—covering about 40% of eligible costs, though recipients often report the grants offset only a sixth of total expenses.

The Heinämäkis have secured multiple grants for Päkärin huvila, including €12,500 in 2023 for a new standing-seam metal roof (total cost: €50,000) and smaller sums for log repairs, joinery, and flooring replacements. To manage costs, the couple have staggered the work over several years and performed much of the labor themselves. Antti Heinämäki taught himself masonry to restore the villa’s five tiled stoves, while Hanna-Kaisa learned to refurbish windows, doors, and wallpaper using traditional techniques.

The property is protected under Keuruu’s zoning plan as a culturally and architecturally significant structure (designation sr-2), requiring preservation of its exterior appearance. While the designation limits modifications, it also qualifies the owners for restoration grants. The Heinämäkis credit the Regional Museum of Central Finland for guidance throughout the process, noting the collaboration has been invaluable in navigating the project’s challenges.

Work remains ongoing, but portions of the exterior cladding have already been returned to their late-19th-century appearance, reversing 1980s-era alterations. Historical records indicate the villa once operated as a roadside inn, with later additions housing Keuruu’s first municipal doctor and his family.