THINKING

pas feature large in Estonia, and spa tourism is big business, but Estonians’ love of a sauna is embedded in their cultural heritage. Whether at home, in the country, or in the gym, it’s a custom that dates back to the 13th century. There are two in situ at Villa Tuulevahtra, where tradition dovetails with the contemporary to produce a magnificent family home.

Designed and built by the current owner in 2018, Villa Tuulevahtra, set on 48 acres (19.33 ha) in Harju county on the northern coast of Estonia, is a stately mixture of Colonial and Nordic styles, its stone construction clad in wood and painted sky blue to balance the white columns, balconies, and terraces. Entry to the primary house is via a private road that loops around to raised steps and a generous indoor porch in which to leave outdoor coats and shoes— another classic feature of Estonian living.

The main hallway is open and spacious, setting the tone for this 3,388-square-foot (314.8 sq m), three-bedroom, three-bathroom property. This flows into an open-plan living area made for relaxation, with comfy plush couches, a fireplace, and Barcelona chairs to put before it, all flooded with light courtesy of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out to the grounds. A stylish kitchen with dining area is reached through glass-paneled doors and also offers a formal dining room with a grand period dresser. A guest suite and utility area are found at the other end of the first floor.

Throughout, the oak wooden floor, staircase, and neutral colors are offset with elegant, patterned wallpapers. Ceiling spotlights are interspersed with statement chandeliers and shades, and the careful placement of dark wood antiques and furniture alongside present-day modish pieces is another triumph in merging styles.

This flair is echoed on the second floor, where two bedrooms—one with an antique-style bed and furniture, the other modern and bright—open out on to a balcony. There is a formal office/library and sitting room with charming seating and rugs, and access to a roof terrace that sits atop the dining room. Every space, layout, and placement of furniture, ornamental pieces, and art is in keeping with the principles of feng shui, encouraging a sense of harmony in every room. It is the same for the sauna. Reached via a bathroom, it’s a rich mix of olivewood walls, ash seating, and an aspen ceiling, with a decorative stainless-steel heater produced by Finnish designers Sawo taking center stage. “This is a typical Finnish-style sauna, with electrically heated coals—it’s one of the most popular in

Let off steam

The attractive summer house sits on around 12 acres (5 ha) of beautiful grounds (left) while one of the saunas (top right) and a bright and airy bathroom (above right) offer total relaxation.

Estonia,” says Ebe-Kai Mutso of Signature Estate Collection, Christie’s International Real Estate’s affiliate in the region. “Estonians are very particular about their saunas!”

Replicating the white and blue colors of the main home and set on a raised wooden deck reached by a stone pathway, the 610-square-foot (56.7 sq m) single-story summer house hosts the property’s second sauna, this one wood-heated. The building also has its own kitchen with monochrome decor, which is lifted by a pastel-patterned tiled floor and a blue wooden ceiling. A glass greenhouse completes the set-up. “Summer houses for entertaining and barbecues are prevalent in Estonia and this one has the usual kitchen, plus a sauna,” Mutso says.

Both buildings sit in landscaped grounds, the lawns split with color-popping flowerbeds and water features, surrounded by natural forest. There is a pervading sense of calm and peace here, where hours can be spent on the back porch looking out over the gardens and watching the sun go down.

“It’s very quiet and secluded,” Mutso says. “It has excellent access, it’s just that you can’t see the roads. And the size of this plot is extraordinary. Generally, it is only old farmhouses with agricultural land that have so much acreage.”

Its position makes it an ideal property for people who love to take it easy, but for those with more energy it is surrounded by national parks, perfect for hiking. Türisalu limestone cliffs, the Keila waterfall, and Laulasmaa beach—translated as ‘singing grounds’—with its soft white sand, wind for kite surfing, and opportunities for cycling, running, and walking, are all within a five-minute drive.

The Niitvälja golf center is 10 minutes away, as is the five-star Laulasmaa spa, which offers a private beach, medicinal mud treatments, and luxurious comfort for the ultimate well-being experience, boosted by a Michelin-recommended restaurant, Wicca. For fine dining and cocktails, Keila-Joa Castle—included in Condé Nast Traveler ’s “Nine Incredible Castle Hotels Around the World”—is the grandest of destinations.

For such a secluded property, it is easily accessible, and is just 40 minutes from Tallinn international airport. The city of Tallinn itself, the country’s capital, makes for an afternoon or evening jaunt, its picturesque old town, cafes, restaurants, and shops just a 20-minute hop.

“Villa Tuulevahtra is a wonderful single-family home that would also make a great weekend or holiday retreat,” Mutso says. “The city is expanding and more people are moving out, looking to live in the countryside. But to get this size of a place again? It’s not possible.” b