SOURCE: Sotheby’s
Calm, uncluttered homes that nourish the mind, body and soul provide a zen-like refuge from a constantly busy world, writes Riya Patel
The type of minimalist living and design associated with Japan, thought to be influenced by Zen Buddhism, is one that the world keeps returning to with fascination. In the early 2000s, the influential work of Japanese product and furniture designer Naoto Fukasawa—celebrated this December at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and perhaps best known for his work designing for lifestyle brand Muji—helped ignite an international interest in minimalism, in the belief it could help people live simpler and happier lives at home.
Books such as Marie Kondo’s bestselling “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying” (2014), Fumio Sasaki’s “Goodbye, Things” (2017) and Kenya Hara’s “Cleaning” (2023) have all periodically revisited the idea that the art of living with less can be transformative to mental health. The rapid rise of digital technology makes a more meditative lifestyle appealing, too. “The world around us is increasingly noisy and exhausting,” says London-based interior designer Yoko Kloeden. “The more time people spend online, the more they crave real connections in real spaces with real people.” Kloeden has become known for creating calm and cozy homes that mix British and Japanese styles of living. “[Japan] is a country steeped in history and distinctive aesthetics that has profoundly shaped my sense of beauty and comfort,” she says.
In a minimalist home—with little to put “on show”—the interior itself is the focus. Humble and natural materials such as wood, stone, straw and paper are in place of ornament, and views of nature do the work of paintings. A great example is Hotaruan, a family home in Kyoto dating to 1900. Everything has its place in this remarkable historic house, which is characterized by the form of its traditional thatched roof, elegant rooms lined in warm timber, tatami mats and pebbled courtyard gardens. Even the modern addition of a functional freestanding kitchen blends in with its serene aesthetic.
While some of the home’s details are unique to the period, others have endured to be part of a contemporary expression of Japanese minimalism. Kloeden believes the style’s longevity is down to its ability to bring people together on an emotional level. “What has become known as Japanese minimalism was first developed in tea houses for Samurai warriors and Shoguns,” she says. “It appealed to those whose ‘workplaces’ were battlefields and who needed a space to have a human-to-human connection with guests. It’s not surprising that the principle is timeless.”
West Wind Estate, comprising two homes set in a landscape of gardens, koi ponds and a vineyard, shows the international influence of Japanese minimalism at play in California. The property blends references to traditional Japanese architecture, such as shoji screens, with touches of contemporary comfort. It is described as “American sukiya,” referring to the Japanese architectural style that emphasizes natural materials, simplicity, and a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Stephanie Lamarre, the selling agent, says potential buyers are attracted to the “peaceful experience” and “superb quality of craftsmanship” at West Wind Estate. “The owners chose materials designed to be sustainable and energy-efficient,” she explains, highlighting the extensive use of cedar, copper roofs and insulating shoji screens.
As the climate crisis calls for more mindful ways to live and consume, a philosophy with respect for materials and nature at its heart once again finds itself topical. Kloeden’s London homes and the relaxed style of the California property demonstrate there are fruitful ways to adapt Japanese minimalism across geographies and contexts, too. “Minimalism, to us, isn’t about creating empty spaces; it’s about designing harmonious, restorative environments that nurture wellbeing and tranquility,” Kloeden says. Welcome news for those who aren’t quite ready to throw out all their belongings to live a clutter-free life.
SOURCE: Sotheby’s