JAPAN MEETS SCANDINAVIA
As an interior designer, you are usually close to social developments, as the needs of the clients are reflected in the individual projects.
Only recently we were allowed to submit a competition for a development in a privileged location. We have described our style as ‘European Zen’ – how significant and confirming is the new style that is popping up in the living area: Japandi.
Is Japandi a flash in the pan or does it show needs in our society?
Japandi means the fusion of a Japanese furnishing style with Scandinavian living culture. Light meets dark and clean meets haptic. Emptiness meets space, reduction meets contrast – respect meets aesthetics….
Zeitgeist
Society is changing. External events and challenges give rise to the desire for a calm and safe home – a place of retreat for oneself and one’s loved ones. Restlessness and overstimulation of the senses should please stay outside.
External clarity enables inner focus.
Reduction
Focus on the essential – the reduced aesthetics of the Japanese living style meets the unagitated and straightforward furnishing style from Scandinavia. Less is more – and the little should be beautiful, but functional at the same time. Japandi leaves space for things and thus creates spatial emptiness and reducedness, which liberates the interior and gives it room to breathe.
But it also means creating order – not only since Marie Kondo has it been known how soul-cleansing cleaning out can be.
Reduced wooden chairs are very much back in fashion.
Recycled teak Black stained or natural Chair York CHF 349.- incl.
to order via info@go-interiors.ch
Colours
Both styles hardly use patterns – the use of neutral colours offer relaxation for the eye and the senses. Nevertheless, Japandi is extremely lively due to the contrasting materials. Japanese woods tend to be dark ( rosewood, walnut, wenge or dark lacquered woods ) mostly natural – Scandinavian woods are light, birch, maple or beech. Bleached oak can also be used. The colour scheme leans on nature and uses a lot of beige – brown – black.
Woven armchairs and chairs underline the style.
From CHF 409.- incl. in our showroom on the Seestrasse.
Décor
Here, too, the rule in Japandi is: less is more!
Decorations are used very sparingly and follow the Japanese wabi-sabi: they are allowed to be a little imperfect, but at the same time they must be highly functional. Decorative elements such as pampas grass, branches or solitary plants create a connection to nature and enhance sensuality.
Various vessels live in our showroom at Seestrasse 344 in Zurich
TIP & HANDS ON
Create order – prefer furniture with storage space. Choose a straightforward and clear design. Restrained and economical furnishing.
Neutral colours relax the eye. Open spaces in the room create expanse.
Accessories should be handmade and useful. Wood is the most important material.
Set strong contrasts between light and dark.
My secret tip: Fast Furniture was yesterday!
Choose favourite pieces that will stay with you for a long time and give you pleasure every day. They may even cost a little more. Sustainability also applies to living; take your time when choosing. Beautiful things are not found at the push of a button, they usually find you.
Nicole’s blog is published sporadically.
It holds useful tips for your personal world of well-being, presents latest products and reveals interesting facts from the everyday world of a professional interior designer.
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Nicole Gottschall
Head of Design GO INTERIORS
Interior Architect VSI.ASAI / Owner
Copyright GO INTERIORS GmbH Seestrasse 344 CH-8038 Zürich
www.go-interiors.ch T 041 44 463 83 83
