The creative family creates a paradise for artists with their own hands

Ivar Riekkranta and his wife, Tatiana, have resided in Sonda, Estonia, for seven years, a location they chose after selling their apartment in Kohtla-Järve. The couple inherited a house previously used as a family “summer residence” for two decades and dedicated significant effort to transforming it into a year-round home. Reflecting on their decision, they express regret only for not moving there sooner.

Rieckranta, a well-known Iida-Viru painter, initially envisioned the property as a space to foster a creative environment, sharing the inspiration of nature with colleagues and establishing an “artist’s paradise” for work and relaxation. Seven years after their initial meeting, a visit revealed substantial renovations. The house’s exterior has been updated with renewed walls and a fresh white paint scheme complementing the surrounding greenery.

New additions, including a large garage, bathhouse, and guest house, have been constructed. The owners have undertaken a project to revitalize the area, with much of the work completed over the past decade, only recently initiated. Riekkranta has personally contributed to half of the construction.

The original garden remains largely unchanged, offering a bountiful harvest of blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and apples, a testament to the family’s connection to the land. Rieckranta’s pursuit of a creative space near nature continues to be a central element of their family life.

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