Interview with Henna, Frenchic Brand Ambassador from Saarijärvi

Discover interesting background information and read about the personalities of our Brand Ambassadors!

Pictured is Henna's first Frenchic collaboration: blueberry walls in the living room in the Smooth Operator paint shade. Red chair and table in the Hot Lips shade.

What is the story behind the name of your IG account " One Peculiar Home ", and how does the story behind the name reflect your creativity?

"I've always been interested in strange things and oddities, difference and the courage to show yourself as you are.

When my enthusiasm for home decoration grew at some point, I started to see more unusual details for interior decoration at flea markets, for example, and suddenly I was encouraged to bring strong colors into my home - especially at that time (and I guess it still is), our home was a truly atypical Finnish home, so the 'some extraordinary/strange home' Instagram account was born.

At that time, I wrote all my posts in English and I had a large number of foreign followers, so the account name also became one.peculiar.home.

I feel like I have a lot of creativity and enthusiasm inside me to make all sorts of special solutions for our home, but because they would often require a lot of time and money, only a small part of them gets implemented."

What city do you live in and what kind of person are you?

"I live in Saarijärvi, my hometown in Central Finland. I moved back here 12 years ago.

We bought a house here in the countryside a little over 3 years ago - a blank canvas on which to paint a home that looked like ours. I'm an introvert, a sensitive admirer of beauty, I love being at home, but getting away from it all to the big city is also food for the soul every now and then.

"I draw inspiration from everything in life; music, cultures, subcultures, nature, art... As is typical for a Taurus, I am also stubborn and comfortable."

Do you have a secret source of inspiration that you haven't shared with your followers before?

"Hmm, I can't think of anything I haven't shared, of course there might be some individual people/accounts like that."

How did you start collaborating with Frenchic, and what appeals to you most about their products?

"In the spring of 2020, I implemented my first Frenchic paint collaboration for my then 4-year-old son's room. As I recall, Minna contacted me asking if I would be interested in collaborating. I immediately liked the ease of Frenchic products (desire for comfort) and the velvety, smooth end result."

What music is playing in your headphones?

"I love music and I couldn't live without it. I also listen to a really diverse range of music, although my favorite music is gothic/heavier.

"Right now, the headphones could have the following combo; The Birthday Massacre, Blaqk Audio, Zeromancer and a new acquaintance, Venice May."

Favorite Podcaster?

"Hello From The Magic Tavern"

Who are you following on Instagram right now?

"I don't follow anyone in particular, but to name a few favorites: theintrovertedition, mylifeinmulticolor, hagvvitch, oldflame1"

Tell us what you think is the next hot interior design trend.

"Oh, I'm probably the worst in the world when it comes to these trends, because I'm a person who follows my own path...although I'm sure those trendy things can also be brought into my own home and sometimes I'm accidentally a trendsetter myself."

"I think the most wonderful thing is always being 'trendy' and decorating just the way you want. So I hope that -that- would always be the hottest thing. Contrasts and courage, special combinations."

What is your favorite Frenchic shade, and how have you used it in your home?

"Steaming Green (and many others). I first painted our library room with this green wall paint up to the ceiling and liked the shade so much that I also used it in our upstairs bathroom, where I painted the tiled walls and sloping ceiling with it."

"Also the latest Stirling , deep forest green is an absolutely gorgeous shade of green - it was used in our kitchen cabinets. I really like all the Frenchic shades we have, naturally 🙂."

Do you have any specific routines or habits that help you focus on creative work?

"Definitely music and the fact that there is time and a quiet moment... if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, then you don't even dare to start creating. Of course, creative thinking can be done anytime and anywhere."

Is there a particular renovation project that you are particularly proud of?

"I definitely did the remodeling/renovation of our kitchen and library. The fact that we were able to make a big change to our kitchen on a small budget, by recycling old fixtures. We still need to get rid of the 90s corner hood/oven hassle."

Tell us a secret hack you always use in your own projects.

"Once again, because comfort = laziness, I always try to get by as easily and with as little work as possible. What I hate most is protecting everything when painting."

I probably don't have any super hacks to share, but I get some nice big cardboard with neat edges from cardboard waste at work, so I use that as a mobile protective surface when painting walls, for example."

How would you describe your home decor style, and how does it appear in your projects?

"Eclectic and bold, visible in the use of colors and their combination. Our rooms also don't follow just one theme, but each room can have a different theme. Recycling is also visible and it's always better if you already have materials from home for the project."

Tell us your favorite food and what kind of drink goes with it?

"My favorite food is Indian, especially chicken tikka masala made by my husband. I drink milk with it."

Do you have pets in your household? If so, who are they?

"Chinese Crested Dog Alvis 12 years, 2 cats; rescue Tinker Bell aka Tiuku 11 years and home changer Nelli 6 years."

What surprising fact do your followers not know about you?

"Many people probably know that I am a fashion designer by training, but perhaps not everyone knows that a few years ago I was planning to start a side business as a bespoke corset maker and otherwise with the intention of building special corsets. Years ago I planned to start an online store specializing in alternative clothing called Macabre Mannequin, but unfortunately all these dreams have been put on hold by the rest of life. Nowadays, more than the world of clothing, I am interested in - surprise, surprise - interior design."

Tell us what project you're currently working on or on your drawing board.

"The next project is a basic, boring white wardrobe in the bedroom, with a little paneling added and a new shade of paint in Finland!

I'm also thinking about renovating the living room. I'd like to build a solid, full-wall bookcase that will also hide the TV and color drench the room with Frenchic's eggplant shade Boujee .

Above all, I want to encourage people to recycle old things and of course painting is a great way to renew old things. Let your creativity out of the closet, use colors, experiment! It's best to notice that your own creative courage has created something that your eye/mind can rest on and if it goes wrong, then do it again.

Also, 'food for the eyes' and creating your own environment where it's good to be and breathe = energy for your body and soul = a healthier you!

Pictured below ... another favorite thing at home; a giraffe painted with Frensheen Gorgeous gold, and in the same picture a glimpse of Boho Berry on the stair railing."

Thank you, Hannah!

Follow Henna's colorful and inspiring account on Instagram here @One Peculiar Home.