The theme over on on Remodelista this week was “Japanese Autumn,” with post after post on design classics, new and old, from the small country with a mighty design history. Here are five to consider:
1. Wooden Blinds
Above: The Rawene House, a mindfulness compound in New Zealand designed for a sound healer by Stevens Lawson Architects and Katie Lockhart Studio, is chock-full of Japanese/Shaker design inspiration. The handmade wooden blinds are straight from Japan. Photograph by David Straight, Mark Smith, and Harriet Were, courtesy of Katie Lockhart Studio, from A Soulful, Monastic House in New Zealand, Japanese-Shaker Style Included.
2. Noguchi Lamps
Above: A Noguchi lamp is the perfect and only decoration in this little corner occupied by a Stovax wood-burning stove. See A Tale of Two Styles: Proper Victorian on the Outside, Modern Zen on the Inside for the rest of the exquisite home. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House.
3. Hard-working Sinks
Above: Julie discovered a new everything-in-the-kitchen-sink system, “inspired by compact, space-saving kitchen units often seen in Japan,” as the founders say. See Kitchen of the Week: A Japanese-Inspired Kitchen from Otomoto, a New UK Venture for the details.
4. Donabe Clay Pots
Above: A must in every Japanese kitchen is the donabe, a clay pot used for cooking rice, soups, stews, and more. Toiro, a store in LA, has an unparalleled collection of donabes for sale. It’s part of Remodelista’s roundup of 20 Best Online Shops for Japanese Housewares Design.
5. Hinoki Tubs
Above: A hinoki soaking tub is the standout in this serene bathroom. See where to source it—and everything else in this space—in Steal This Look: A Spa-Like Sanctuary in LA. Photograph courtesy of Rizzoli from the book, The Perfect Bath by Barbara Sallick.