JAPANESE AUTUMN INSPIRATION

WARM UP WITH INTERIOR DESIGNS FROM A SURPRISINGLY COZY COUNTRY

BY JORDANA GAGNON AND TAI KOJRO-BADZIAK

In North America, we like to think of Japan in spring when the cherry trees bloom and people gather to drink sake under pink-laden boughs.

However, in Japan, the colors, sounds and smells of autumn are just as evocative, bringing with them a unique flavor all their own. From hiking along trails flanked by bright red maples (momijigari) to the ancient art of kintsugi, the repairing of broken things (namely dishes) with gold to increase their value, Japan has mastered the art of appreciating the slow descent from the blossoming life of summer to the delicate silence of winter.

This appreciation is rooted in wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy acknowledging the transience and imperfection of life (which is perhaps best articulated in Junichiro Tanizaki’s classic,

‘In Praise of Shadows’).

EMBRACING THE BEAUTY IN TRANSIENCE

So, in the spirit of celebrating the impermanence of summer, and preparing ourselves to welcome the velvety charms of autumn, we’ve gathered together some Japanese interior design inspiration. Hopefully, they will remind you to embrace the aesthetics of imperfection – and add in a dash of wabi-sabi to your home!

JAPANESE INTERIOR

Flatweave Natural Area Rug From the bedroom to the living room, this natural, flatweave rug will both brighten and cozy up any living space with its natural fibers. Featuring longlasting jute, this rug gives any area a rustic charm and should wear beautifully over the years. Large Cap Ivory Cement Coffee Table Anchor your living room with this magnificent cement coffee table. Its simple design and whitewashed look are inspired by nature, making it the perfect focal point for family and guests to gather around for natural conversation.

Kintsugi Japanese Ceramic Bowl Like gold sparkling in the deep blue sea, this kintsugi bowl embraces beauty in brokenness. Place in any room, from the entryway for keys, to the kitchen counter for knick-knacks, and enjoy the daily reminder that there’s still value in imperfection. Concrete Wood & Steel Dining Kitchen Table

Where warmth and coldness collide, this solid kitchen dining table will stand the test of every season. In a nod to Japanese architect Tadao Ando, this table is built to highlight simple, honest materials like concrete and wood. Gather around this table on chilly autumn days to appreciate warm drinks and good company.

Stone Grey Round Dining Table

This simple design unites glass and stone with pure, clean lines of nature. The stone-like pillar will root every meal and gathering, creating a great piece to design your entire kitchen around.

Avalon Rattan Bar

This bold-textile bar features a warm, natural texture that’s sure to draw guests in for a closer look. It’s perfect for a living room that needs a splash of interesting contrast, and with its ample storage space, it will accommodate whatever bottles and glassware you fancy. Rivera Rattan Drum End Table

Crafted from natural-fibre rattan, this hourglass end table is compact enough to fit into any nook or cranny, while its natural weave and weathered driftwood finish will blend in seamlessly with your other furniture. Hilo Basket Planters

Woven from rapidly renewable water hyacinth, these basket planters add an effortless natural texture to any space, which might just make your plants feel like they’re back in the wild! And, because each basket comes with a liner, you can protect your flooring each time you water.

Artesia Natural Large Rattan Bowl Add a pop of contrast to the kitchen counter with this beautiful, natural-tone rattan bowl. This large, durable bowl is woven in the Philipino hapao pattern, which is traditionally used for weaving bags and baskets. Indoor Water Fountain Though it’s not a true outdoor shishi-odoshi (deer scare) fountain, this indoor/outdoor bamboo fountain will immediately bring the sights and sounds of nature into your home. It’s a great item to place in your sunroom where you can unwind to its gentle sounds. Linen Room Divider For a simple room divider, these ivory curtains offer a clean, bright method to naturally divide a room in your home. They’re made from a high-quality linen fabric that’s soft to the touch, yet durable enough to last for years to come.

Blue Japanese Cotton Linen Curtain

For some serious Japanese flavor, these thick linen curtains with their blue wave design add an eye-catching splash of color. Place in the doorway of your choice to hide clutter without the pain of adding a door.

Aria Solid Wood Folding Room Divider

A variation on a traditional Japanese shoji (sliding screen), this room divider will tastefully split up any room, while still allowing natural daylight to shine through. It comes ready to place, and because it’s made from solid aria wood, it’s very durable. Freestanding Soaking Bathtub You’re one step closer to nature – and Japan’s time-honored bathing ritual – in this beautiful ofuro – i.e., Japanese soaking tub. Its upright design is inspired by a Japanese Peace Pagoda and will fit neatly into almost any bathroom, be it small or irregularly shaped.

KIM + ONO Peony & Butterfly Robe

Wrap yourself in Japaneseinspired luxury in this lightweight kimono that’s perfect for quiet rainy mornings, or just after a luxurious soak in the tub. Inspired by Japan, designed in San Francisco, and finished with a French seam, this robe is the culmination of culture – and comfort! Custom Carved Macrame Wall Decor

Spruce up your home decor with some custom-carved macrame –inspired by nature. The warm, neutral tone combined with the natural fibers create a beautiful contrast and makes an elegant feature piece for your living room wall.

Art Inspired by Japanese sensibility, Instagram influencer, Natalie Ciccoricco wields thread and artistic passion to create ultraclean and deceptively complex embroidery pieces that are sure to inspire – and find a place in your home!