1.Kanji Ueki 

Having worked in both Tokyo and Milan, Ueki has spread his works all over the world. Creating his own business Cassapo & Associates, their projects have provided spacial designs for Apple stores and high-end commercial spaces. Their projects showcase the textbook Japanese interior style of large minimalistic spaces and incorporate natural materials such as hardwoods and bamboo. Ueki works closely with Maruni, a product design company, where he produces sculpture-like wooden furniture.

2. Hashimoto Yukio

The designer now lectures and teaches at various Tokyo universities with over 10 years of experience under his belt. Utilising the Japanese interior design concept of lightness and ambience, Yukio’s work is beautifully showcased in commercial spaces, hotels and restaurants. The play on light and dark creates a mesmerising and sensual atmosphere in all of his unique spaces.

3. Koichi Futatsumata

Establishing the company CASE-REAL in 2009, Futatsumata focuses on providing a practical and sustainable solution to interior design problems. Specialising in product design, he creates incredibly clean and monochromatic designs for interiors, most commonly seen in Aesop stores.

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4. Naoko Takenouchi

Takenouchi was previously a restaurant designer in Tokyo, and has now partnered up with Britain’s Marc Webb to form the integrated design firm- Takenouchi Webb. Bringing a fusion style to Japanese interior design, his projects are a wonderful mix of western styles, texture and the Japanese design fundamentals such as minimalism.

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5. Tokujin Yoshioka

Having worked under the name of our next designer, Yoshioka has climbed the popularity ladder of Japanese interior designers. A go-to designer for commercial spaces, his clientele range from Issey Miyake to Hermes and Peugeot, just to name a few. His works are renowned for an airy, retro and futuristic style.

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5. Shiro Kuramata

One of the most celebrated and significant designers, we couldn’t leave him off the list. Kuramata’s futuristic and practical designs to this day are showcased in New York’s MoMA and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. Creating both beautiful spaces and furniture pieces, his work can be described as a fusion between oriental design and occidental styles.

5. Shinichiro Ogata

Owning the widely popular design studio Simplicity since 1988, he’s produced traditional Japanese design in mostly commercial interiors. Doubling up as a famous chef, Ogata focuses his discipline on environmentally sustainable design and paying homage to traditional Japanese fundamentals. His works traditionally use Japanese materials which create a naturally beautiful and elegant interior design style.

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Feeling inspired? Japanese interior design is truly a beautiful reflection of contemporary culture through minimalist and sustainable design. Consider taking inspiration from the Japanese interior designers in your next interior design online, to achieve harmony in spatial and aesthetic attributes. 

The post Japanese interior design- the top designers you need to know about appeared first on Designbx.

Trying to live a clean and simple life can involve decluttering your home. Minimalist interior design is as simple as keeping it to the basics. The style is known to be clean, sleek and sophisticated. Mastering the minimalist interior design trend allows you to dip into the other territories of Scandi and Japanese interior design.

1. Quality over quantity

Minimalism is all about embracing what you have and actually need, so ask yourself whether each piece will withstand everyday wear and tear and whether its built to last.

Not only will you be sticking to the basics, but you’ll be doing a favour for the environment by keeping pieces out of landfill.

2. Let the light in

Also featured in Japanese interior design, natural lighting in a major must for minimalism. Leaving windows bare can highlight and shadow your space beautifully and also add some colour, or alternatively thin curtains and blinds can be used to still let the sunshine seep in.

3. Simple accessories

It’s all about the power of simple objects. For instance, think of naked lights instead of a boisterous lamp shade to add a simple touch to your modern interior design. Indoor plants are an everlasting element of colour and nature, and a focal point to any space.

4. Neutral colours and natural textures

It’s key to restrict the colour palette in your minimalist space. Stick to lighter colours that can reflect light such as whites, bare greys and pastels. Natural fibres and wooden furniture help complement the bright whites and add texture, as popularly used in Scandinavian interior design styles .

If you’re a colour lover, stick to one colour as less is certainly more.

5. One in out policy

For every item that comes into your home, something else needs to be taken out. This is Colleen Madson’s  ‘one in, one out’ policy that can apply to just about any aspect in our lives, but best describes minimalist interior decorating and avoids over cluttering space.

The item you boot out doesn’t need to match the item that’s coming in, but it’s important that each piece holds a purpose and importance in the space.

Check out more decorating styles!  

The post Minimalist style guide appeared first on Designbx.

A mix of Scandinavian interior design and Japanese minimalism has given birth to an entirely new trend Japandi interior design style. A philosophy of Zen inspired by simplicity and naturalness. This philosophy is translated into home decor by adapting clean lines, the most minimalistic approach to decorating, and simple furnishings.

Mayumi and Atsushi Kawamoto of MA-Style Architects are a husband and wife team decorated with countless, prestigious design awards. Their website boasts an impressive portfolio, as well as a step-by-step outline of their design process when meeting with clients. They hardly deviate from their respect of Japanese inspired design, however they do say that their process is generally influenced by the client’s requests. 

At the beginning of every design, the Kawamotos ask themselves several things. One of the key questions they ask is “how will this design enrich their lives?” After collating answers, they are sure to constantly refer back to the list to ensure the designs are specific to each client.

Read on to discover how to add elements of Japanese-inspired interior design to your home.

1. Using sliding doors or screens

An increasingly popular feature in modern homes of today, sliding doors and screens establish spaces which embody the qualities of the zen philosophy. Screens and sliding doors are not only a practical addition to the home, their presence is subtle and discreet. They add lightness and intrigue without overpowering a space, as seen in spaces transformed by Shoji. It is imperative to remember that an essential quality of Japanese style is to keep the space as minimal and humble as possible. The addition of sliding doors and screens adheres effectively to this brief.

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2. Use a low bed

As we navigate to the bedroom and investigate how to incorporate a Japanese style, an effective addition is a bed that sits low to the ground. This subtly mimics commonly used futon beds in Japan, a thin mattress that sits directly on the ground without a frame. A compromise is to invest in a low standing bed frame. Stylistically, this concept gives the illusion of space. The room will feel instantaneously bigger, and the bed won’t be an obstruction to the rest of the room, once again adhering to the humble and understated nature of Japanese-influenced interior design.

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3. Incorporate wood and bamboo

Wood and bamboo are two incredible raw materials that go a long way toward creating the Japanese style. The raw and earthy appearance couples perfectly with the emphasis on light. When selecting wood and bamboo to incorporate in the home, ensure the pieces you select are light in colour. This ties in perfectly with the concept, not overburdening  the space and assisting with reflecting natural light.

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4. Installing a soaking tub

Commonly known as an ‘Ofuro’, Japanese soaking tubs boast a plethora of benefits. They are deeper than western bathtubs and are typically housed in wood, but also available in acrylic and polyester They are ergonomically designed to offer support and relaxation. Aside from their physical health benefits, soaking tubs are a wonderful and unique design feature to add to the home. Granted, not every house has the space to accommodate a bathtub let alone a soaking tub. However, if possible, for both health benefits and fantastic design individuality, substitute your westernised bathtub for an Ofuro.

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5. Adopt a minimalistic approach to styling

The Japanese style truly adheres to the phrase “less is more”. The Kawamotos exhibit this principle when designing for their clients. They utilise the space in a non-overbearing way, keeping in mind understated styling for the everyday use. A minimalistic approach to styling creates a space that is in a way, uninhabited, free and open. The intention is for your home to create a desired mental state. What better way to instill clarity in the mind than to have clarity in the home?

This movement has truly gained traction and shows no signs of slowing down. A Minimalist interior design is incredibly popular in modern day homes, and truly pays homage to the foundations of Japanese design.

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Find out more about Japandi interior design to help you add some extra Zen to your home! 

The post Top tips for a Japanese style home appeared first on Designbx.