A Finnish cabin on the banks of the Sázava

The story began with a longing for a calm place that would give them a break from the daily grind. "We've always loved nature, and we wanted somewhere we could escape to a calm environment," says Kamila. "Our journey to a KONTIO cabin started as a search for an escape, but it ended up becoming a place we've come to love as our second home."

Kamila and Roman, a family with two sons, Kuba and Ondra, had always dreamed of a retreat where they could spend calm weekends and escape the daily carousel of work — school — hockey. Their search ended surprisingly close to home, on the bank of the picturesque Sázava river, where they found a beautiful plot that became the site of their dream KONTIO cabin.

The Finnish cabin has proudly been part of the AMAZING PLACES collection of magical spots since October 2024 ♥

Captivated by Finland

For Kamila and Roman, who had travelled through Finland themselves and fallen for the atmosphere of its cabins and saunas, building a Finnish cabin on the bank of the Sázava was an easy decision. "We wanted to combine the comfort of modern living with the charm of the Finnish countryside," explains Roman. "Finnish cabins have a unique atmosphere and quality that captivated us." Despite how close it is to their home, the spot on the Sázava riverbank was ideal for their needs. "We want our children to experience nature and outdoor activities," says Roman. "Being by the river gives our sons the chance to fish, kayak and do other sports they love."

"On top of that, both boys play hockey, and we don't always have a lot of time for trips out of the city," explains Kamila. "Having a cabin on the Sázava riverbank means we can spend quality time together as a family without having to travel far."

Shared time at the cabin as family therapy

For Kamila and Roman's family, cabin life isn't just an escape — it's a way to build shared memories and stay connected to nature. And for them, the KONTIO cabin on the banks of the Sázava is exactly the place that gives them all of that.

An Arctic-pine cabin = sustainability in construction

Kamila has always cared about sustainability and the ecological side of her life. So when it came to choosing the material for the cabin, the decision was simple. The choice of supplier was also clear — not least because the couple already own a family home from the same Finnish manufacturer, KONTIO, which builds homes from fine-grained pine grown in the Arctic regions of northern Finland…

"It's important to me that our home is kind to the environment," says Kamila. "Choosing Finnish Arctic pine was ideal for us, because this type of wood is known for its durability and resistance to outdoor conditions, and Arctic pine also has undeniable health benefits — the indoor climate is simply wonderful. I know saying that can sound like a marketing line, but it's the truth. The best thing is to actually try a house or cabin like this, to visit one. Our family home, built from Arctic pine, is 11 years old, still smells beautifully of wood, and it's simply a beautiful place to live."

Wood and Nordic design belong together

Wood is an amazing natural material with an energy all its own. In this family's house and their cabin alike, the wood is left exposed practically everywhere.

The Nordic design so characteristic of cabins in northern Europe comes through in the KONTIO cabin's purity and simplicity. "I love the minimalism and clean lines of Nordic design," Kamila adds. "Our interior is simple but elegant, with an emphasis on natural materials and muted colours that create a sense of calm and harmony."

"We care about it!"

One of the main reasons Kamila chose a timber cabin was sustainability. "It's important to me that our building has as little negative impact on the environment as possible," Kamila explains. "Finnish Arctic pine is a renewable resource, and using it means we're helping reduce our carbon footprint."

A Finnish cabin for short-term rental? Yes.

Kamila decided to make use of the days when the family isn't using the cabin themselves, and started renting it out. "Our 'finskä chata', as I call it, has become a little project of mine."

A wooden mosaic full of design and inspiration

When designing the house, Kamila took inspiration from the manufacturer's model, which she and her husband then adapted to their wishes. They extended the ground floor compared with the original model, and the bedroom now takes up part of the terrace, which sits under the same roof. The whole cabin faces the river, letting the family relax on the terrace in any weather and admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Kamila and Roman cherish these moments of calm.

The whole family enjoyed furnishing the cabin

On the ground floor you'll find the main living room with a kitchen corner made by a carpenter to order, and a large dining table that extends to an oval shape up to 1.8 metres long. A sofa set from the Czech manufacturer Jech completes the space beautifully. All the Nordlux Strap-collection lighting is in anthracite and pairs perfectly with the soft white-pigment finish throughout the interior. Curtains and drapes designed by Mrs Drozdová of the firm Juuu add to the cosy feel.

The ground-floor bedroom holds a double bed, a brick-coloured wooden armchair and a large built-in wardrobe offering plenty of storage. For the bathroom, Kamila chose simple anthracite fittings from Dorint, who also supplied the tiles. The combination of dark fittings and wood creates a tasteful, timeless interior.

Children are happy where they have their own space

For the boys, a sleeping loft with a generous 27 square metres of floor space is ready and waiting. It has a tall made-to-measure mattress, pleasant lighting, and a rug for the boys to relax on.

Upstairs you'll find beautiful pine board flooring that adds to the cosiness of the space.

The exterior of the cabin is finished with a grey-pigmented stain, which Kamila chose deliberately because it extends the maintenance interval to roughly 15 years. For the roof, the couple chose metal sheeting from the Nordic brand Ruukki.

The ground floor of the cabin is fitted with remote-controlled underfloor heating, letting the family switch on the heat from the comfort of home and arrive at a cabin that's already warm and welcoming. Supplementary heating comes from a wood-burning stove, which gives the cabin just the right atmosphere.

The Finnish cabin opened up a new dimension of togetherness for the family

For Kamila and Roman's family, living in harmony with nature on the banks of the Sázava is exactly what they need. The city is within reach, yet they can still enjoy the calm of nature. You can have the best of both worlds — work in the city, then come to the cabin, where you can rest and recharge on the terrace with a view of the river. For them, this way of life is the ideal combination of modern comfort and rural calm.