Milieu is a series that explores the unique ways in which we breathe life into our homes.  From coastal towns to city living, our homes are a celebration of small, simple moments. They’re a reflection of our lives. Our stories. Our milieu. 

It's not every day that we get to venture into the Estonian forest, and after admiring Kadri Otsiver's visual diary for a while now, we jumped at the chance to invite you along! 

Kadri lives in the captivating Estonian forest in a home that she and her partner lovingly (and meticulously) designed and built over the last few years. Surrounded by endless evergreens, babbling brooks, walking paths, and wildlife, her life in the forest is nothing short of inspiring. But we'll let her take it from here...

Before we begin, please, introduce yourself! 

Hello, my name is Kadri. One of the more unusual aspects of my life is that I live in the forest year-round — and I genuinely enjoy it. Some see me as a country person, others as a hippie, or even a hipster. Whatever the label, this way of life suits me.

When I have time off, I enjoy exploring villages in the nearby national park or having coffee at a café in Tallinn — I’m very much into the local coffee scene.

I value quiet, solitary activities like reading, photography, and reflection. The forest provides the perfect environment for that. While I appreciate the energy that comes from spending time with kind people, my social threshold is low, and I spend much of my time turned inward.

Has Estonia always been home for you? 

I was born in Estonia, but in my twenties I felt more like a citizen of the world. I lived in Palestine, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, and the UK. It wasn’t until my thirties that Estonia began to feel like home again.

What inspired you to build a home and life in the forest? Or is it something you’d always dreamt of? 

This idea stemmed from the contrast in living conditions, and it definitely wasn’t something I had dreamed of as a child — or even as an adult. While traveling, I often found myself in very modest situations: cramped or moldy apartments, places with no real space to call my own, and where nature was something to visit, not something to live among. So when I visited my family in Estonia, the clean air, quiet forests, and the abundance of personal space felt like such a luxury. It gave me a sense of ease and belonging.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of building your house? Did you and your partner do a lot of it yourselves? 

We had built two greenhouses together, and that experience made us realise that a real house is something best left to the professionals, haha. I wish I could paint this idyllic picture of us building everything with our own hands, but sometimes you just have to be realistic and trust the experts. That said, we were definitely very involved in the decision-making process — and oh boy, did we learn a lot about building along the way!

How would you describe the design aesthetic of your home? 

Naive, somewhat eclectic, yet harmonious. My design taste really evolved throughout the building process. Since I decided to design everything myself — without any real prior experience — the space definitely has its fair share of flaws from a designer’s perspective. Now that I’m more skilled, I notice those things. But at the same time, I actually appreciate the naivety with which this space was created — in the same way I appreciate naïve art. It genuinely reflects the materials, colours, and shapes that felt like me at that point in time.

What does a typical day look like for you in the summertime? 

This summer, I’m also helping a local art harbour with marketing, so a lot of my time revolves around that place. On weekdays, I usually get up around 7:30 am. I take a morning walk in the forest with my cats, then get ready for the day, have breakfast, and catch the bus to work. I get back home around 6 or sometimes as late as 8, and then I work on the new hut, water the plants, or take care of other house-related tasks.

What is one of your favourite things about the Estonian forest in summer? 
If you asked what I don’t like, I’d have an immediate answer — ticks and mosquitoes. But what I do like? So many things! Right now, I’m just in awe of how many beautiful wildflowers are in bloom. It’s incredibly inspiring and beautiful.

Have you learned a lot about foraging and gardening since moving here? Or is this knowledge that you already had? 

I’ve definitely learned a lot. It’s a field I had no real connection to before, and now I’m really curious to explore it further.

What is something that people might be surprised to see in your house? 

Hmm, good one. Maybe my hip-hop and electronic music vinyls. My followers probably assume I only listen to peaceful music, but my taste is actually quite varied. My music palette is much more colourful than people might expect.

Where in your home do you feel most creative? (Or perhaps it’s outside!)

I’m always most creative when I’m moving — walking or cycling through the forest. The sauna is also a place where good ideas tend to emerge.

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations? 

Everyday occurrences! A painting, a song, a photograph — or simply something I notice around me in daily life. I do enjoy browsing design magazines, Pinterest boards, and social media accounts, but it’s those spontaneous, real-life moments that inspire me most. Like right now, as I’m writing this in a Swiss alpine hut, wearing a deep blue hoodie and sitting on a dark brown chair — suddenly noticing what a vibrant combination that is.

If you'd like to see more of Kadri's home or follow along with her latest innovative project, you can find her on Instagram @metsamoodi. Her creativity and devotion to this beautiful part of the world always provide a reassuring breath of fresh air.