Finnish Sensibilities And Eichler Homes

When I was a teenager I was an exchange student and lived in a city near Helsinki, Finland. It was a challenging year – and a wonderful one. I was welcomed into my host family as a third daughter. I went to school, learned Finnish ways, and came to the realization that I was strong and independent. I was lucky and had the best host family that anyone could want, but spending an entire year away from the U.S. and all that was familiar was an eye-opener – and probably the best growing experience I could ever ask for. I came to love Finland, my Finnish family, and my Finnish friends. I also came to love the kind of architecture and design that I appreciate so keenly today.

A recent publication by Dwell magazine brought back all these memories. It was the title that intrigued me: This Cozy Finnish Home Would Not Be Complete Without A Sauna. Truer words were never spoken! I remember many a cold Finnish winter’s eve spent in the warmth of the sauna. The beautiful home featured in Dwell was designed by Tuomas Siitonen and is a perfect example of how modern Finnish architecture combines the tradition of hearth and sauna with sleek, contemporary lines.

Although I didn’t realize it then, my year in Finland influenced so many things that were yet to be in my life, part of which somehow morphed into my appreciation of Eichler homes. As an Eichler homeowner, advocate, and realtor I thank you, Dwell, for the trip down Memory Lane!

Drawing: Tuomas Siitonen