Between 2022 and 2024, the Bonaguro family fulfilled a long-held dream by building a home that reflects exactly who they are. “Our family is a Finnish–Italian blend of creativity, passion and living life to the fullest,” says the mother, Heini Bonaguro. Their home embodies this unique combination, exuding modern elegance together with warm, practical comfort.
The Bonaguro family – parents Heini and Mattia, children Noah and Luis, and their English bulldog Hulk – live a life filled with ice hockey, everyday inspiration and, most importantly, time spent together enjoying good food, laughter and small but meaningful moments. “Our life is a mix of our dream home and the ice rink – and we love it!”
A home that tells the family’s story
Heini, who works as an interior designer, wanted to create a home that reflects the family’s Finnish–Italian roots as well as their love for aesthetics and functionality. “What mattered to me in the design was that our home tells our story.”
The sauna and bathroom areas are no exception. Natural materials and a harmonious color palette create a calming atmosphere. The bathroom’s timeless warm beige tones and matte tiles support the home’s cohesive look, while copper shower fixtures act as striking focal points, bringing warmth and luxury to the space. The sauna features heat-treated wood that evokes both modern and traditional Finnish sauna ambience.
Mondex Kaira – a blend of sleek design and enjoyable steam
The heart of the family’s sauna is the Mondex Kaira E2 WiFi stove. Since every detail in their home is carefully chosen to support its streamlined look, the elegant design of the Kaira fits seamlessly into the overall atmosphere of the sauna and bathroom area. “Choosing the right stove was important to us because it directly affects the mood and the experience. When choosing, we especially appreciated the Mondex Kaira’s Finnish origin, stylish design and quality.”
Beyond its beautiful appearance, the stove needs to be fully functional to properly serve the family. The Kaira E2 WiFi model can be controlled remotely via a mobile phone, making it easy to schedule sauna sessions even on busy days, as the stove can be operated from anywhere.
Just like many other Mondex stove models, the Kaira allows adjusting the steam quality by throwing water onto different parts of the stove. Throwing water onto the lower part of the stove produces soft and humid steam, while pouring water onto the top creates stronger, more intense heat. The Kaira offers exactly the kind of steam the Bonaguro family had dreamed of – wonderfully soft and pleasantly humid.
“The beauty of the stove is something I love to look at – it gives the space a sense of elegance and charm.” Heini Bonaguro
The sauna – a haven for balance and recovery
The sauna, designed with great care down to the smallest detail, was the final space completed in the Bonaguro family’s home. For the family, the sauna is much more than a room that Finnish homes are simply expected to have – it is a place where they unwind after a long day or after sports. The boys, Noah and Luis, who are active ice hockey players, enjoy the sauna’s restorative effect after practices and games, and on weekends the sauna often fills up with friends. It’s not uncommon to come straight from the outdoor rink into the warm sauna.
The family had waited eagerly and patiently for their first sauna session in the new home. “The sauna was the final element to be completed in our home. When it was finished, it didn’t just meet our expectations – it exceeded them completely!” The space has received praise and admiration both from the family and from visiting guests.
The meticulously designed sauna, together with the soft steam of the Mondex Kaira stove, has made the family’s sauna moments even more enjoyable. The sauna is a place where the family restores balance and recovers from everyday life, and Heini feels proud of the result: “This sauna concept completes the atmosphere of our home – it’s the perfect place to relax and take care of our wellbeing.”
The sauna has become the family’s shared wellbeing oasis – a space where relaxing warmth, aesthetics, balance and self-care come together. And best of all, a well-designed sauna is a space that brings joy and wellbeing for years to come!
You can find the Bonaguro family on Instagram at @hbonaguro ja @bonaguro_brothers.
