Modernising the ceiling panel while honouring the home’s original DNA

How would you describe the home?

• A 300 m² brick row house in Helsinki.
• Built in the mid-1970s, but the architecture strongly reflects the design principles of the 1960s.
• Residents are Tunna and Jenni Milonoff and their children.

How would you describe the style of your home?
We’d describe it as mid-century modern. Our home is serene and modern, with a touch of bohemian flair. There are warm surfaces, design classics, as well as objects and memories gathered over the years. The overall atmosphere is calm and happy, with the possibility to fully relax being a key element.

What was the starting point?
From time to time, an unexplained and strange smell would waft through the house and started to bother us. When we began investigating, we discovered that the ceiling’s vapour barrier was inadequate. It was leaking and allowing odours from the structure to enter inside. This meant the entire upstairs ceiling had to be dismantled — a major disappointment, as we had fallen in love with the home’s original pine slatted panel ceiling.
Removing it intact and reinstalling it would have been very time-consuming and expensive, so we decided to replace it. The main goals of the renovation were to achieve fresh, clean indoor air — and as a bonus, to reduce heating costs.

What possible challenges did the project present?
At the time, Tunna was recovering from burnout, and on top of that came this unexpected renovation. The home plays a crucial role in healing, so the timing couldn’t have been worse — the renovation ended up slowing down his recovery. We needed external help to guide us through the process, fine-tune the details and nuances, and keep the budget under control. In a way, we needed a captain to steer the ship through the storm to a safe harbour. The renovation design and project management were successfully handled by Oskari Oranen from Oranen & Turklin Design Studio — someone we already knew and trusted.

What kind of panel were you looking for – and what was essential in choosing it?
We were looking for a panel that would resemble the original in both its form and proportions. The idea was to find something that would capture the spirit of the 1970s ceiling, yet bring the space into the present day — like a third-millennium cousin of the original. We’ve previously had wooden ceilings in our homes, and in this house especially, it was a strong and essential part of the overall feel.

There were plenty of narrow slatted panels available, but hardly any wider ones. A narrow slat would have looked too dense and different from the original, so it wasn’t an option. Our designer, Oskari Oranen, had come across Botnia Panels’ products during his search and recommended them to us.

Which product was used?
In the entire upstairs ceiling (living room, open kitchen, entryway, and bedrooms), we used a wide slatted panel (65 mm) in oak. Product code: LP1-B-O-02.
In the bathroom, we used a moisture-resistant slatted panel with a narrower 36 mm slat in the same oak tone. Product code: LP2-B-O-01.

What attracted you to this panel and why did you choose it?
Aesthetically, it was exactly what we were looking for — and the slat width matched that of the original quite closely. The panel had the same spirit as the original ceiling, while bringing it into the 2020s. It modernised the space while still preserving the soul of our home.

Another key factor was that the panel’s proportions fit perfectly with the lighting fixtures we had chosen: Wever & Ducré PIRRO recessed spotlights. The lights were installed directly into the slats, and the slat width was ideal for this. This compatibility between the panel and the lights was crucial to us.

We also value Finnish design deeply, so the fact that the panels were locally made and beautifully crafted was a big plus.

 

How did the installation go?
The installation went smoothly and took about two weeks from start to finish.

How do you feel about the final result?
We’re extremely happy with the outcome! The updates and modern touches made during the renovation were all done with great respect for the home’s original character — and we feel it was a success. The panels were a key part of the result, and we’re very pleased with our choice.

Photos: Pauliina Salonen

Note: In the article published in Avotakka, the panels are referred to by their former brand name Laatupaneeli. This has since been changed to Botnia Panels.