Inside the red brick walls of the shoe factory designed by Emil Aaltonen, there are loft-style Lumo homes with four-meter-high ceilings, large windows, and original structures such as concrete beams and brick walls.

The apartments range from small studios to family homes, like the bright three-room apartment of Valpuri Tauriainen's family and the two-person home of Aino Veijalainen and Eero Salo, where the square meters are used thoughtfully and efficiently.

In the corner apartment of the shoe factory lives Valpuri Tauriainen and her partner Timo Suomi. The family also includes Timo's sons, who stay on weekends, Valpuri's daughter, who stays every other week, and their dog Pepe.

Before moving to the three-room apartment, the couple lived in a smaller apartment in the same building, but when the renovated three-room apartment became available, they didn't hesitate.

"There is a lot of demand for the apartments and even a bit of a queue. When the corner apartment became available, we immediately seized the opportunity," Valpuri says.

The high windows of the old factory and the exposed beams immediately charmed them. The timelessness of the building is also reflected in the interior, with furniture carefully selected, often from vintage shops or Tori.fi.

Valpuri and Timo's home shows that they are enthusiastic fans of Alvar Aalto's architecture. They have toured Aalto's designed sites around Finland together, bringing small mementos from these trips into their home.

On the living room wall is a poster from the Paimio Sanatorium, which Valpuri persistently sought out after a museum visit. In the kitchen, there is a framed letter from Alvar Aalto.

"The clarity and clean lines of Aalto's architecture appeal to both of us. It inspires us to make thoughtful and timeless choices in our own home's interior as well," Valpuri says.

In another home in the same factory lives student Aino Veijalainen and anesthesia nurse Eero Salo. Their 43-square-meter home is a prime example of how good design and a shared vision make a small home cozy.

"This is a small apartment, but the high ceilings and light make it feel bigger," Aino says.

The core of their home's interior is art. The walls feature works by Aino's father, Jyväskylä-based visual artist Reijo Veijalainen. Eero's grandmother's artwork has also found its place in the couple's home.

The couple says that most of the interior is recycled, inherited, or other treasures accumulated over the years. There are also souvenirs from trips, like a small dachshund statue found by chance in Riga, which immediately reminded them of their own dog Muru.

The only significant investment in the new home was a light-colored sofa, which they searched for a long time. Finally, the purchase decision was made on a whim while lying in bed at midnight.

The living room has become Aino and Eero's favorite place at home. Light fills the room, and the low sofa opens up the view of the entire space. Green plants are arranged on top of the kitchen cabinets to keep the space open.

"The best part is coming home after a long workday and knowing that you have a place that you have made your own, and most importantly, there is the person with whom you have created it," Eero says.

Both homes share not only the building's history but also the diverse common areas of the housing company and the communal atmosphere of the courtyard, which is an important part of everyday living for many. Residents greet each other, exchange news in the yard, and actively use the facilities offered by the building.

"Here, neighbors greet each other, play ping pong, go to the sauna, or browse old books in the housing company's library. It feels like people genuinely enjoy living here," Eero describes.

Valpuri's family particularly appreciates the practical spaces that make everyday life easier and increase living comfort.

"It's a luxury not to have to hang laundry at home," Valpuri says.