Hi! I’m Kristina, and with my husband, Nick, we created Koti—a backyard sauna space inspired by my Finnish roots and a love for how sauna brings people together.

Sauna has always been part of my life. I grew up spending time on my family’s farm in Nissilä, Finland, where the wood-fired sauna was at the heart of it all. We’d build the fire, wait for it to heat up, take turns throwing water on the stones to make löyly (steam), then run down to the lake to cool off. Evenings were for sitting by the fire, wrapped in towels, talking or just listening to the sounds of the forest and soaking up the midnight sun. It was peaceful, grounding, and full of connection.

In 2023, feeling burnt out from my corporate job, I took a break. While staying at a remote cabin in Finland, I had a long sauna session that sparked the idea for Koti. That experience inspired me to create a space that captured the same magic of connection and relaxation I felt on my family’s farm.

When I got back to the US, Nick and I started searching for the right place. We checked out commercial buildings, but none of them felt quite right—too urban, too disconnected. We even looked at buying property, but most homes wouldn’t allow a small business. Eventually, we realized the answer was right in front of us: our own backyard in Milwaukie, OR. It gave us the freedom to create something intentional and personal—exactly how we imagined it.

Fast forward to today, and we’re a few weeks away from opening! We’ve got our home business permit, our sauna is nearly ready, and we’re so excited to welcome people in. Whether you come for the heat, the quiet, or the firelit conversations, Koti is a place to slow down, breathe, and feel at home. We can’t wait to meet you.