Hi! I’m Kristina Erickson, and alongside my husband, Nick, we’ve created Koti—a space inspired by my lifelong connection to sauna and the deep sense of well-being it brings.

Sauna has always been a part of my story. Growing up, summers on my family’s farm in Nissilä, Finland revolved around the puu sauna—our beloved outdoor wood sauna. The rituals were timeless: building a fire, creating löyly (steam), cooling off in the lake, and sitting by the fire under endless summer skies. Surrounded by nature and tradition, I discovered the power of sauna as a place for true belonging.

In 2023, feeling burnt out from the corporate world, I decided to take a break from work. During this time, the idea for Koti was born. While spending time at a remote summer cabin in Finland with friends, I found myself immersed in the deep relaxation of a long sauna session. It was there that I felt a powerful, undeniable sense that creating a sauna space would come next. Inspired by that experience, I set out to build Koti—a space where I could recreate the magic I felt on my family’s farm and bring people together through the transformative power of hot, cold, and connection.

We knew we needed a space that would allow us to fully embrace our vision for Koti. Our search initially took us to commercial spaces, but we quickly realized that none of them offered the fresh air and deep connection to nature that were essential to our concept. We then turned to residential properties, only to find that many didn't permit home businesses. That's when it hit us: we were going to create this space in our own backyard in Milwaukie, OR! It offered the freedom to create a space with intention, one where we could bring our vision to life and share it with others just as we had always imagined.

Fast forward to today, we have a home business permit to operate Koti in our neighborhood. We are a couple months away from opening and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you're here to embrace the contrast of hot and cold, share conversation by the fire, or find a quiet moment to yourself, Koti is your space to slow down and be present. We can’t wait to welcome you home!