A Latvian Home

What makes a home Latvian? Is there a distinct design aesthetic or code that sets it apart? To explore these questions, we turned to Zane Tetere-Šulce, lead architect at OAD, and Anda Ozoliņa, interior designer — both celebrated local talents with global experience. Their insight? The answer lies less in form and more in function and content.

For Tetere-Šulce, the key lies in the Latvian concept of dzīvesziņa — our collective belief system or guiding worldview. Today, when many of us are charmed by the ideas of feng shui, Vastu Shastras, and fellow international philosophies, she invites us to remember our roots and consider the local geographic and cultural context. “All these ideas can co-exist but you should never forget who you are,” she says, emphasizing that many answers can be found in the historical Latvian farmstead—an element included in Latvia’s Cultural Canon—and in the customs and rituals associated with it.

Even small acts—like attaching a rowan tree branch to the door to ward off evil spirits and attract good health, or practicing the winter ritual of vakarēšana, where people gather for an uplifting evening of crafts, repairs, and togetherness—offer insights into dzīvesziņa, highlighting Latvians’ deep connection to the rhythms of nature.

A Latvian home is also distinguished by craftsmanship, a practice we have succeeded in preserving. “Craftsmanship is a way to be in touch with nature and one’s body. It’s about being part of a cycle,” shares Tetere-Šulce.

Today, this is felt in the popularity of building one’s own house or renovating a historical property, as well as crafting furniture. Magazines such as Lauku māja (Country Home) and Māja laukos (House in the Country) celebrate talented individuals who’ve made something beautiful with their own hands, from benches to sheds and houses.

Indeed, “the Latvian identity can be expressed in many different ways,” says Tetere-Šulce. For example, in one client’s home, she and her team centered the design around a hearth and manteļskurstenis (coat-chimney), which then naturally encourages gathering around it and spending time together as a family. Above it, the skylight facilitates dialogue with the deities and the stars, which hold great meaning to Latvians.

Anda Ozoliņa, known for designs that honor their environment and setting, also believes that certain aspects of a Latvian home are timeless. She points out that “every era has its tricks” but, “while forms, finishes, and details may evolve, the fundamentals remain unchanged.” A Latvian interior is characterized by its choice of materials and color palette—wood, metal, stone, earthy tones, and pastels—reflecting our deep connection to the natural world, explains Ozoliņa.

Several of Ozoliņa’s designs epitomize this philosophy—while undeniably contemporary, her homes embrace a natural material palette and an earthy color scheme. Her clients aren’t looking to experiment; they seek her out because they know she won’t design a Spanish seaside cottage but will instead create something in harmony with the local surroundings. A home imbued with Latvian spirit.

So, a Latvian home isn’t defined by a certain form but by how it reflects our identity, revealing values and beliefs through layers of detail.