Book It: A Shoppable Finnish B&B Pops Up in Paris

There's a long tradition of aitta, or no-frills countryside cottages, in Finland. And now the cozy concept is hitting the road with the Mobile Home 2017 project—part of the Nordic nation's centennial celebration.

First stop: Paris. There, six Finnish-style cabins will pop up on the Left Bank for 100 days beginning in January 2017. 

Called Koti (that's Finnish for "home"), the living installation takes place at the Institut Finlandais, with bookings available now through Airbnb.

The project was created by Linda Bergroth, a designer who splits her time between Helsinki and Paris. She drew on the cabin typology to evoke the feeling of a haven, one where overnight visitors can truly escape the busy city.

"In Finland, as in much of the rest of the world, home is where the heart is. But just as important to the idea of home comforts is the countryside cabin: frequent, refreshing visits to the cabin, often shared with family members, are considered an essential part of everyday life."

—Linda Bergroth, designer

The six spruce timber cabins—each accommodating up to two guests—will be situated around a shared central courtyard that will be activated with a series of performances, talks, concerts, and restaurant nights.

To further capture the feeling of Finland, the space is filled with local designs including clean-lined wood furniture by architects Mattila & Merz for Fiskars-based brand Nikari. 

Other homegrown treats include bedding, robes, slippers by Lapuan Kankurit, a family-run textile company that now in its fourth generation; tabletop ceramics by Nathalie Lahdenmaki; and Piippu coffee pots by Kaksikko—and everything is available for purchase should you see a souvenir.

"Getting back to nature in a simple cabin," Bergroth says, "can help us all to reconnect with family and friends and unwind from the pressures and responsibilities of day-to-day life." 

Now you can do it without ever leaving the city center.

Rooms from 90 Euros. Booking is now available through Airbnb.

Cover image by Linda Linko for Institut Finlandais.