Acupressure mats have found their way to Finnish homes.

Gone are the days when spike mats only brought to mind scenes of long-bearded fakirs lying on beds of nails. The household version of this ancient Indian remedy is becoming a common utility also for Nordics seeking ways to relieve their pains and stresses. The mat, consisting of no fewer than 6,510 plastic spikes placed in yantra-shaped discs, promises to release energy and hormones by stimulating the body’s acupressure points and as a result provide relaxation, ease muscle and joint pains and tensions, improve your circulation and help you fall asleep. Reportedly, it has even helped some people get rid of their back pains and injuries.

Turquoise, florals and coastal chic are the key trends in stylish interiors this spring.

It may still be cold outside but there are plenty of ways to bring a sense of spring warmth indoors. Hot colours, fresh florals and seaside breezes are the inspiration for this season’s trends in interior design.

Tropical tones

Turquoise has been named “colour of the year” by Pantone, the international authority on colour, and interior designers have followed suit with a host of tropical hues for our homes.

Rising demand for housing is revitalising the construction industry, but demand for office space is still weak.

So far, 2010 has promised a brighter tomorrow for Finland’s biggest construction companies, but the future remains uncertain. Construction company Lemminkäinen, which released its annual results on 12 February, believes that construction will start to pick up this year. Home sales started to recover towards the end of last year and building renovations continue to increase.

For individual homeowners, a heavy snow load piling up on the roof can cause sleepless nights. In modern houses the likelihood of structures giving in under even an exceptionally heavy snow load is small, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

The building regulations concerning the structures’ ability to accommodate snow loads have changed over the years and vary by region. Therefore each building should be capable of withstanding a maximum weight according to the regulations in effect in the region at the time it was built.

Heavy snow puts roofs at risk and hanging icicles threaten pedestrians. It is up to the owner of the real estate to clear away the dangers.

Throughout February large parts of Finland, the southern coast and eastern regions in particular, experienced exceptionally heavy snowfall. According to Finland’s environmental administration SYKE, the overall snow load grew considerably. In some areas wind and weather conditions may cause snowdrifts that threaten the structural integrity of buildings, and real estate owners have been busy clearing away excessive snow from rooftops.

I talked to one of my neighbours the other day. Well, yelled at him, to be more precise. It was 01:00 o’clock in the morning, and he was sitting outside in the yard with a ghettoblaster and a beer, listening to some very loud and very bad music. It’s one thing to have Romeo serenade Juliet outside your window, quite another when he’s doing it with Brian Adams.

We’ve lived in this building for around six months now, and other than the occasional “Moi” on the staircase, this marks the second time I have actually spoken to one of my neighbours. The first time was when the young couple downstairs threw a party that ran until 05:00 on a Monday morning.

State-subsidised housing production trebles as commercial output halves.

Things are looking up for renters in Finland as the frenzied increase in rental prices is finally slowing down, according to the RAKLI rental barometer, published by the Finnish Association of Building Owners and Construction Clients.

“Rent on smaller properties has clearly stabilised and rent on larger properties is even expected to drop,” says RAKLI director Aija Tasa.

Finding a rental apartment in a new country can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you have never rented before. To make the process a little easier we have collected a few tips on what to look out for and how to get started.

Where to find available apartments

Some of the best places to start your search are: the local newspaper and internet sites such as: oikotie.fi, sato.fi or vuokraovi.fi (two of the latter provide information in English)

The need for economic stimulus has given Finland's government an opportunity to pursue its energy efficiency aims.

A state subsidy introduced this year for structural renovation work on ageing apartment buildings will probably be extended into 2010. If an agreement arrived to during budget negotiations is carried through, the ten-per-cent subsidy will be available through to the end of March next year. The scheme was originally introduced by Finland's government as part of a package of stimulus measures designed to boost flagging demand during the economic downturn.

Kitchen designers work hard to create cosy and convenient solutions for even the most cramped conditions. A new exhibition presents compact kitchens, both classic and contemporary.

As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. But how can a space that is often cramped and cluttered be made to feel functional, homely and pleasing to the eye? Especially in a small city apartment, both practicality and aesthetics are often the first victims of space limitations. Today’s kitchen designers work with very much the same problems that generations of interior architects have brooded over.