This woman’s story has been on my mind for days. Her home is nothing like my style—there’s not a hint of Scandinavian minimalism in sight. Yet, the journey she took to live here is nothing short of incredible.

She’s 71 years old. Most of her life was spent in Turku, Finland, where she worked as an artist for various companies. When retirement approached, she left her job and started selling her unique glass paintings on her own. The earnings were modest (even now, her works sell for just 8–10 euros), but they were enough to cover her basic expenses and pay off her loan.

Her name is Hilkka. And in the early 2000s, at the age of 51, she shocked everyone with a bold decision—to completely transform her life. Hilkka sold her apartment in Turku, borrowed money from her brother, took out a loan, then another, and bought an abandoned old mill in the town of her childhood. Her dream? To turn it into a home-gallery where she could live, paint, and welcome visitors.

At the time, the mill was little more than a forgotten relic from the 1920s, surrounded by overgrown weeds. No one believed she could pull it off. The building had been left to decay for years, and the cost—both financial and physical—was overwhelming. But Hilkka was relentless. She sold everything—her apartment, car, jewelry, furniture. All she kept was a bicycle and one set of clothes.

The first year was spent just clearing the land. Inside, there was an endless list of work to be done—part of the structure had to be dismantled, the roof insulated, underfloor heating installed. It wasn’t just hired workers who helped. Volunteers, local townspeople, and even a childhood friend with his skilled son pitched in. Hilkka endured more than her fair share of hardships. She broke her ankle. Then suffered two ischemic strokes. But nothing could break her spirit. Today, the old mill has become her true home.

The first floor is a working studio and gallery, while the second floor is her living space. Hilkka admits she sometimes questioned whether this crazy idea was worth it. But now, at 71, she has no regrets. She says this old mill is exactly the home she always dreamed of.