Family cottage in Lapland gets an impressive makeover thanks to designer Marja Huhtaniemi

From the frost-covered logs to its authentic location - it's actually in Lapland - this is the Christmas cottage you've always dreamed about.

"It's really nice to come here to unwind and get away from the normal humdrum together with family and friends," the homeowner says. He and his family are the latest generation to enjoy the holiday home since it was first built 30 years ago on the outskirts of a village in Lapland.

The cottage has never left the family, and for good reason - it's a favourite leisure spot year-round, and particularly during the winter - ski tracks right next to the cottage are perfect for a stint of cross-country skiing, or the whole family may opt to spend the day at the nearby downhill skiing resort. On colder days, it is cosy to huddle under a warm blanket in front of a roaring fire.

It took some work to get the home ready, however. Nothing against Santa and Mrs Claus, but a fairy-tale home straight out of a Christmas card needed updating for the modern homeowner.

When the cottage was handed over to the younger members of the family, a decision was made to lay new flooring throughout and freshen things up at the same time. They sought out Marja Huhtaniemi, a designer who happens to be a family friend, to oversee the sizeable project.

On seeing the home, Huhtaniemi was able to pinpoint the problem areas, one of which was the look and feel of the interior design. "Different elements renovated at different times over the years no longer seemed to work together, and the overall feel was rather stuffy," she says. "[I wanted to] aim for a timeless quality."

The designer saw the project as a chance to bring a harmonious feel and add some Nordic touches to the cottage, such as ancient silver logs and durable slate. For the interior, she chose durable, comfortable materials and textures that would "create a pleasant atmosphere and stand the test of time".

The wood also presented a problem. Before the renovation, the inside end walls were pine panelled and, like in many Finnish cottages, the flooring was varnished pine. The original light blue tiling and fittings in the bathroom made the space resemble public baths.

"Floor material is an important element in defining the overall look," says Huhtaniemi, who wanted to choose a shade that would match the colour of silver logs. "Finding the right hue was a challenge, but worth the extra work in the end." She also replaced the pine-panelled end walls with clay plaster, offering a reprieve from the monotony of endless wood and creating a serene backdrop to the space.