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DESIGN
Sensory appeal, natural materials, and craftsmanship are at the heart of Runo's design. These are the elements behind the 'Runo vibe': that feeling of well-being and peace that you can't quite put your finger on.
The creators of Runo
Interior Designer:Joanna Laajisto –Studio Joanna Laajisto
Architect:Eve Sarapää –Arkkitehdit Sarapää Oy
Development Consultant:Jani Heikari –H & H Consulting Oy
General Contractor:Antti Blomqvist –BCM-Rakenne Oy
Carpenter:Kim Haapatalo –Haapatalo Carpentry
DETAILS
Bedside tables:
TEBIAN Lucia bedside table
Pendant light above the bedside table:
Noergaard & Kechayas
Large wool rugs in rooms and lounge areas:
Roots Living
Wall paint color:
Tikkurila G487 Batisti
Room armchairs:
Carl Hansen & Søn / E015
Room flooring:
Solid oak plank: Stöckl Parkett, Epico Trend 240, Oak, Character, Oil-waxed
Room desks:
Designed by Joanna Laajisto, custom-made for Runo by: Haapatalo Carpentry, Haapatalo Oy
Attic sauna soundscape:
Tunement
TIMELESS
Interior designer Joanna Laajisto was the first to step in and bring the vision to life.Joanna Laajistoand her office, as well as architectEve Sarapää. They brought out the soul of Runo by honoring the old while creating a timeless space where you can sense a feeling of tranquility. The interior features plenty of rustic charm, texture, and a countryside feel.
"For me, the best part of the RUNO project was restoring an old, underutilized, and worn-down building and giving it a new lease on life. Lead architect Eveliina Sarapää, who specializes in renovation projects, played a huge role in that. The renovation was carried out to a very high standard by modern requirements, with the goal that the spaces would stand the test of time, both physically and visually. This also applied to the choice of materials and furniture, all of which are high-quality, durable enough for public spaces, and repairable. For example, all the loose furniture in the building is solid wood, and most of it was manufactured in Finland or elsewhere in the Nordic countries," says Joanna Laajisto.
RUNO
The old Valtimo building, a grand structure that has stood for over a hundred years, has held a wealth of history and life within its walls: the city's first cinema, a library, a barbershop, homes for Porvoo residents on the upper floors, and most recently, a tourist information center. Restoring this building, which has seen so much life but had been underutilized in recent years, into a top-tier hotel required a complete renovation.
FOR MOMENTS
Every room in our historic building is unique—the kind where you can easily find your own personal favorite. When restoring the old Valtimo building into a hotel, we wanted to preserve as much of the original structure as possible while cherishing and selecting natural materials and craftsmanship. The result is the Runo atmosphere that prevails in each of our 56 rooms, a place where the mind rests and the body calms down.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
The timeless Lucid tables found by the beds in our rooms delight with their quiet beauty. The tables were designed for Runo by Teppo Lakaniemi, founder of .TEBIAN.'When I designed the Lucid table for RUNO Hotel in 2021, I thought of it more as a side table than a nightstand. How is it used now, and what if, at some point in life, it’s no longer used as a nightstand? It should still be relevant. That way, it would have an eternal life.'
SENSES
Our attic sauna’s 60-minute soothing soundscape combines authentic nature sounds with music to create a relaxing journey through the Finnish seasons, month by month. The RUNO Spa Track was produced by Tunement, a company specializing in sound branding, with the core idea that no matter the season, the sauna is always warm in Finland.
DESIGN
We love small, soulful details: objects that carry their own story and meaning long before us. Our interiors feature many restored and repurposed pieces. From flea markets, we have sourced vintage Arabia ceramics, egg cups, shot glasses, and pitchers, beautiful everyday objects made to last. Small details with lasting meaning.
From a dream
The story of Runo began decades ago, when the hotel’s founder, Erkka Hirvonen, grew up immersed in the daily life of his family’s estate, Rutumi Manor. The days were filled with people enjoying life, staff fully embracing their roles, and moments that felt truly meaningful. The dream of owning a hotel—a place where everyone would feel like they were visiting a dear friend and experience something unforgettable—had come to life.
