{ my country home }

My Country Home store is a real treasure. Just looking inside from the window, the place is like its own little world, a world created by Virpi Kostiainen, the lovely owner of the store. Virpi has gathered a charming collection of pale colors, different shades of white and old silver. The feel is romantic and at the same time simplistic. Beautiful dresses are hanging from a rack, the cutest clogs are organized in a row on the floor, and the tables are full of beautifully selected little decoration details. 

Virpi has collected the selection of the store from over 30 brands like Bloomingville and Jeanne D'Arc Living, and some of the items are handmade. She makes clothes from linen and old lace, and has made adorable Christmas candy cones as well. The store truly feels like a combination of old and new, bought and handmade, everything creating the charming atmosphere together.

Virpi was lovely and took a moment to chat with me, and share the story of My Country Home with us. I also asked Virpi what her Christmas is made of.

1. How did the story of My Country Home store begin?

The story of My Country Home started in July 2008, and in May this year the store moved from a smaller town to the downtown location in Tampere, Finland.

2. What do you love the most about your work?

The customers really. I love to work with people, and be able to help them with tips and ideas for their homes. In addition to the store, I also do interior design consulting. I enjoy creating solutions for the customers, but most of all, I enjoy being here in the store meeting different kinds of people every day.

3. Who are your customers?

Oh, almost all ages, 18-80 year-olds! Younger customers have really fell in love with this style, and some of the older customers find this style nostalgic and familiar in a way, I think. I have people stopping by just to talk, or to calm down after a busy day before going home.

 4. How do you dress up your home for the holidays?

My Christmas is white and simple without glitter and sparkle. When the holiday season begins, I hang evergreen wreaths and light candles. I also have lots of flowers all around the house. Those kind of little things make the holiday feel. A Christmas tree is also really important. We have a big tree that is decorated with white and old silver, and the kids have their own tree upstairs.

5. How do you prepare for Christmas?

I used to bake and cook all the Christmas food. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and learned to make all the casseroles and other traditional Finnish Christmas dishes. Now, when I work seven days a week, I don't have time to do all that. There are some wonderful local bakeries and stores that offer really delicious holiday foods, so we will still enjoy a great Christmas meal this year as well. And the fun doesn't have to be only for those few days. We have been baking with the kids already the whole fall. It's important to find a balance between preparation and enjoying the holidays. Nobody wants to be dead tired on Christmas morning from cleaning. So, if I don't get everything done with the traditional big clean up before Christmas, we will just dim the lights. Everything looks beautiful in candle light!

Virpi, thank you so much for the interview and opening the doors to your store. I found so many ideas and inspirations for decorating my home for Christmas.

 

 

 

{ images by Tiina Rinkinen for Sparkling Ink }

Comments

[Kristin]

What a great post, Tiina! I loved reading about My Country Home and seeing the photos. This looks like a place I would love to visit and get lost in for a few hours.

(The silver acorn ornament is cute!)

[joanie]

I would love to climb through the computer and enter their "world" ! Beautiful, thanks for taking us window shopping :)