Transforming Piettolan Tila Retreat Space: A Conscious Approach to Interior Design
Nestled in the heart of Finland, Piettolan Tila’s retreat space is more than just a beautifully renovated space. It’s a place where the whispers of the forest and inner wisdom have found a second life, transformed from an old horse stable into a sanctuary that speaks to the body, mind, and soul.
With this conscious interior design project, I wanted to go beyond aesthetics and create a space that would support my client’s highest potential—and the potential of everyone who enters the space—helping them all to connect with themselves and with nature on a deeper level.
Piettolan Tila’s retreat space design journey was one of intentionality, intuition, and energy. I approached it with the belief that space is more than its physical structure and appearance; it holds an energy that can nourish, uplift, and transform lives. My goal was to bring this space harmoniously alive, balancing every element to make guests feel at ease, supported, and at home.
Designing for Energy and Purpose
The foundation of my work is rooted in what I call a “vibe-first” approach. Instead of starting with a specific look or style, I focus on the energy the space will hold. Piettola Tila needed to be more than just a beautiful retreat; it needed to feel inherently calming, a place where guests could shed their day-to-day anxieties and feel grounded in their surroundings.
The design process began with careful attention to the land, the structure, and the existing energy of the space. The stable had its own energy, shaped by years of use, weather, and time, which I honored while clearing the way for its new purpose. I then took my client on a visualization journey to discover the space—and herself—in their highest potential. Based on that, I created the mood board, color scheme, and visual style for the space.
I selected materials like soft, natural linens, cotton, and warm woods, elements that didn’t just look beautiful but felt alive in their own right. Every color was drawn from Nordic nature—a palette of mossy greens, earthy beiges, and crisp whites, chosen not only to look harmonious but to feel grounding, safe, uplifting, and supportive.
A highlight of the project was partnering with a talented plant designer to create a living, breathing forest wall. This 6-meter expanse of greenery not only brought the Nordic forest indoors but also helped transform the space energetically. Plants are potent allies in creating calm and balance, purifying the air while inviting guests to breathe deeply and feel rooted. This forest wall became a living reminder of the natural world and its restorative power, a presence that filled the room and echoed the beauty outside.
A Fusion of Past, Present and Future
For me, designing consciously means creating with a sense of history, understanding the present, and the vision for the future, and connecting it with a strong sense of purpose. To give Piettolan Tila warmth and a story, I incorporated furniture pieces from my client’s own family—items that held memories and stories from generations before. Vintage pieces brought a different kind of energy to a space, one that felt lived-in, familiar, and grounding. With these elements, the retreat became more than a new creation; it became a continuation of a legacy.
Alongside these vintage treasures, I brought in custom-made pieces—a sofa, sofa table, and side table that suited the space perfectly to enhance the room’s layout and aesthetic, creating a seamless harmony between old and new. The sofa table and side table were crafted from the original wooden floors of the main building at Piettolan Tila. This blend created a layered, unique, and sustainable story—a tapestry of materials and histories that supported the life of the space.
A Sanctuary for Inner Calm
At Piettolan Tila, I wanted to create a sanctuary that would genuinely nurture the soul. The dedicated space for yoga and mindfulness was created for exactly this purpose—a calm, quiet area where guests could drop into the present moment and tune out the outside world. From the soft lighting to the tactile surfaces, every element in this area invited relaxation, breath, and connection. I believe that spaces should not just be seen but felt.
When designing with wellness in mind, I consider how guests would interact with the space —how they’d move through it, where they’d pause, and how the room would feel. It is about creating flow, a rhythm in the design that echoes the rhythm of nature itself, so guests feel a sense of comfort, and belonging.
A Conscious Approach to Design and Life
For me, the Piettolan Tila project was a chance to bring together everything I believe about conscious design. It became a space that told a story through each natural fiber, every piece of reclaimed wood, and each lovingly restored vintage item. It is a space that honors sustainability, not just by being kind to the earth but by supporting the wellness and peace of those who step inside.
Conscious design isn’t about aesthetics; it is a way of life. It means creating beutiiful, timeless, sustainable environments that uplift, heal and inspire. With Piettola Tila, I wanted to offer more than a beautiful space. I wanted to create an experience—a sanctuary where the demands of the outside world could fall away, replaced by an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and simply be.
Piettolan Tila now stands as a reminder of what’s possible when we design with intention. It’s a retreat where guests can feel at one with nature and themselves, and it’s a reflection of my passion for creating spaces that serve and uplift the human spirit. For me, this project became more than just a finished design—it’s a living testament to the power of conscious, soul-centered design.
Heal with me for a sec.
Take a moment to consider the energy in your own space. Is there a spot in your home that feels calming and grounding? To invite more harmony, try incorporating natural elements like a small plant or a linen throw in earthy tones. Even one or two consciously chosen items can transform the atmosphere, grounding you in a gentle, supportive environment. Just as I did with Piettolan Tila, focus on creating spaces that don’t just look good but feel nourishing to the soul.
Essi Koski-Lammi
Essi Koski-Lammi is an Interior Designer, Intuitive Healer, and Inner Alignment Coach with over 20 years of experience in energy work. She guides purpose-driven women and businesses to reconnect with their authentic essence through inner alignment coaching, strategic business channeling, and conscious interior design. Essi’s mission is to create harmony and beauty in both inner and outer spaces, allowing clarity, success, and well-being to flow naturally.
