Friends of KOTA: Maria Friström

Recently, we introduced the very first guest in our Friends of KOTA series—someone who lives and breathes the art of beautiful spaces. Meet Maria Friström: a visionary real estate investor and interior designer from Finland whose passion, intuition, and love for timeless design shine through in everything she does. 

In the heart of Helsinki, Maria draws unexpected inspiration from the quiet corners of libraries. Among shelves of cookbooks and design volumes, she sees more than paper and ink—she sees palettes, moods, and emotions. “The harmony of colors on a plate reflects my artistic philosophy,” she says. And that philosophy extends into her interiors: thoughtful, layered, bold.

Picture: KOTA King Chanterelle Yellow 

Her approach to design goes beyond trends. Maria believes homes should reflect how we want to feel, not just how we want them to look. “A lot of people design their homes based on trends without realizing how they want to feel in them. That’s what they think about in hotels and restaurants—so why not at home?”

Maria finds joy in surprising people. “When I first started designing this space, the contractors didn’t understand it,” she laughs. “But when it all came together—they saw it.” That moment of transformation is where her passion lives: in the play between vision and reality, the magic of unexpected elements coming together.

And when it comes to her KOTA sofa bed? The love runs deep—personally and professionally. “My husband is one of the co-founders of KOTA, and I’ve invested my pension and my life into it as well,” she shares with a smile. “But beyond that, I love it as a product. It’s a high-end design piece at an affordable price. You get so much in one.”

For Maria, versatility is key. “My favorite color depends on the day,” she admits, “so the fact that I can change the cover to match my mood or evolving style is something I love.”

We’re honored to have Maria as the first face of this series—a creative force who reminds us that a home, like life, is best when it’s lived with curiosity, joy, and a little bit of boldness.

See the interview here 

Interior Designer: Maria Friström, Helsinki

Instagram: @marialovesrealestate