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Somewhere (usually atop a wooden table) is an earthy vase filled with branches or other assorted greenery.
A room for RW Guild, designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch with styling by Colin King, that fuses Japanese and Scandinavian influences. Recently, the style—colloquially called “Japandi” has been seeing resurged interest.
Everything is orderly, but in a way that feels serene rather than strict.
You know its vaguely Scandinavian, but not solely of the Western worldyet its not entirely Eastern either.
Instead, its an aesthetic amalgam of both, known as Japandi.
A Japandi bathroom as seen in “Japandi” living. It includes a table by Woodchuck as styled by Tinta.
Whats the exact definition?
Most agree its a merging of two historic less-is-more cultures.
I see Japandi as two very distinct minimalist styles that are married harmoniously, AD100 designer Brigette Romanek adds.
A Japandi-style photo shoot for RW Guild with furniture and lighting designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, all styled by Colin King. “Japandi designs come from a close relationship with nature and were decided by the combining of materials, techniques and usage," King says.
Natural light, too, is prioritized, often employed in an artistic, almost Vermeer-like way.
Furnishings and objects are kept to a minimum, King says.
A Japandi room looks, and feels, honest.
A Brigette Romanek kitchen with Japandi influences. “The principles behind Japandi represent a sense of calmness and ease, which all of us can relate to and need in our lives,” she says.
Some notable Japandi spaces?
According toJapandiLivingby Laila Rietbergen, published by Lanoo, the styles origins trace back to the 1860s.
He developed an obsession with their culture.
When he returned to Denmark, he published a book of his findings titledJapans Capital and the Japanese.
From that time, Nordic designs started to become influenced by the aesthetic.
Nordic design was reinforced by Japanese art aesthetics.
Where they differ, they complement each other.
Where Japanese interiors are sleek, Scandinavian ones are rustic.
So why is it resonating now?
The directness and simplicity of such everyday solutions often amaze us today, he says.
I think homeowners today are really craving interiors that will stand the test of time, he says.
Its the practice of curating a home rooted in beauty and function.
So go aheadinvest in a Noguchi lamp, a sleek wooden table,earthy vasesand some wabi-sabi pottery.
Its a style thats here to stay.
