Young couple transforms brushwood island into dream retreat

A young couple living in Finland was searching for their place on Earth. The students ultimately wanted to buy a summer cottage where they could spend their free time. Instead of their own four walls, the couple became owners of something much better.

Owning holiday cabins located in the mountains, by lakes, or by the sea is a common investment for those dreaming of a private place to relax. Having your own retreat in a tourist-attractive city significantly reduces vacation costs, but it also means maintaining the property year-round, including repairs and various tasks. Despite this, many people believe that their own oasis of peace is worth the extra work. The young couple from Finland decided to take it a step further in creating their sanctuary.

Oliver Russell is half-Finnish and half-American, having spent most of his life in Finland. He returned to Europe before his studies because attending university is costly in the United States. In Finland, Russell can study for free. Shortly after returning, he met Helena Tomaszewska, with whom he quickly entered a relationship. After two years of living together, the couple decided to look for a summer cottage where they could spend time. While browsing the listings at a real estate agency, they came across something much better.

Oliver Russell and Helena Tomaszewska noticed an offer to sell an island located three hours by car from Helsinki. Initially, the unique plot was listed for sale at $36,569, but Oliver managed to negotiate a lower price - $31,000. For this price, the couple acquired 2.5 acres of tree-covered land. The uninhabited island had no buildings, but Oliver and Helena were not intimidated by the potential work. Instead, they quickly got to it.

The couple purchased the island in March 2024. The first thing they set up on the wooded land was a platform with a tent. Currently, the island already has a shower, an outdoor toilet, and a sauna, which is crucial from the point of view of Finns. Ultimately, the young students plan to build a summer cottage on the island. The construction will take longer than an average project because Helena and Oliver want to build everything themselves, combining the "island" project with their studies. They document their journey toward their dream summer retreat on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Their profile on the first of these social networks is currently followed by over 293,000 people.