Home baths are an integral part of the home and Finnish sauna culture

Sauna and sauna bathing have always been an integral part of Finnish culture. On weekends, relaxation usually starts with a sauna, not to mention the Christmas sauna or the Midsummer sauna. These have their own rituals, which have a long tradition. There can be several saunas – in a cottage, a town house or a rural home – and the atmosphere changes with the environment.

Nowadays, the sauna is no longer a solitary space in the home, but a natural part of the bathroom and dressing area. This means that the space has become a “home spa”, with increasing investment in terms of both space and economy. A home spa is a place for everyday relaxation, not just for the weekend. It is atmospheric and peaceful, a place to retreat from the hustle and bustle.

Home spas are an important place for Finns, and they want to invest in their quality and functionality. This takes into account the users, their wishes and their habits. Delicate details in the design add the finishing touches and luxury to everyday life.

In the dressing area, adequate storage space, comfortable seating and a fridge for sauna drinks are things that bring comfort to bathing users. In the bathing areas, sufficient square footage allows for a bathtub and various shower solutions to suit every preference. In the sauna, on the other hand, there are many ways to enjoy the sauna baths – with traditional shaped baths, with a rigid plank floor, in light or dark tones. There are many options!

The finishing touch to an atmospheric relaxation area. Materials and quality of work play a major role and are increasingly the focus of attention. Convertible lighting is something that, if well designed, will make the space more comfortable to use. Lighting brings warmth and a curious atmosphere to a space, but it also has to work for cleaning. Sound systems should be considered when designing a home spa. It’s a matter of taste whether you want to listen to music or a game of hockey in the sauna, but you can do that too – even with a picture if you want.

The different atmospheres of houses

The exterior of the house and the materials already give you an idea of what you can expect to find inside. Designed as a whole, the home carries the atmosphere from the front door through the entire house. The materials, lighting, furnishings and textiles chosen for the living rooms combine to create an interior style that, at its best, continues throughout the house.

The two-storey traditional wooden house conveys a warm and cosy atmosphere. The house’s design language is characterised by soft, rounded shapes, authentic natural materials, atmospheric soft lighting and warm colours. One could easily imagine such a house with a spacious dressing room with warm furnishings, an enjoyable bathtub and beautiful showers, as well as the round-edged ceilings of the Classic collection. The colour scheme is a natural one – shades of brown, grey and natural white.

A modern stone house, on the other hand, conveys a sense of rigidity, timelessness and dignity. The formal language is angular, the lines are clear and the colour contrasts are larger. This also influences the interior design style of the house, from the surface materials to the furnishings. In the Home Spa, clear shapes and precision continue. This is reflected in the spatial design, the design of the furniture and the choice of materials. Modern showers, a Jacuzzi embedded in tiles and the Relax range of ceiling tiles are all in keeping with this style.

A home bathroom is the crown jewel of any home – usually hidden from view and only revealed to a select few.

“Every home is different, its activities and routines are determined by its inhabitants. From washing to cooking, from working to relaxing and from one life situation to another, a home needs to adapt and function successfully around the clock. Accessibility and aesthetics are the key words on which I base my design. I design homes and spaces that are comfortable, personal, easy to work in and easy to live in.” Interior designer Marika Kurki www.marikakurki.fi p. 0500 898 980