Your Villa Magazine - Foothill Cities - July-September - 2022

D E S I G N + B U I L D After the last two years, have you found yourself seeking more simplicity and comfort in your home? Add in natural elements and you have a design look that is common to both Japan and Scandinavia. We designers are calling it Japandi. The goal of Japandi is to create a space that fosters a feeling of art, nature, and simplicity. It combines Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism. It’s a blend of function and form, focusing on clean lines, bright spaces, and light colors. Another factor is the Scandinavian notion of hygge, the concept of coziness in design that has found increasing popularity in the U.S. over the past few years. Basically, your home should be your sanctuary and provide a feeling of comfort every time you walk in the front door. It should calm your spirit and fill your soul. If you’re a fan of minimalism and hygge, chances are you have already started to experiment with Japandi style. To really play with this look, focus on natural materials such as unfinished woods or bamboo pieces that bring in the feeling of nature and simplistic beauty. Using muted colors with hints of pale green or bringing plants and greenery into your will give it a sense of outdoor living. Now, fuse hygge with the Japanese notion of wabi-sabi, the idea that there is beauty in imperfection, and you complete the design marriage that is Japandi. Japanese and Scandinavian design styles work so well together because they are both rooted in minimalism and comfort. The shared aesthetics of the two come together to create a style that is both easygoing and sophisticated. And where the two approaches diverge, their differences actually complement each other. Where Japanese interiors are sleek, Nordic ones are rustic. The richer (but still neutral) colors of Japanese design help to keep the stark, crisp palettes of Scandinavian homes from feeling clinical or cold. Japandi doesn’t mean cheap, though. Japandi styles often incorporate beautiful craftsmanship with a focus on quality and handmade pieces that will stand the test of time and work with your decor for years to come. The muted color paint choices complement Japandi furniture and accessories. Calming, tranquil, and peaceful palettes are typically chosen, but when brighter colors are incorporated, they are done so meaningfully and subtly. Additionally, Japandi furnishings often emphasize sustainability. The prevalence of natural materials and simple designs makes it a great green decor style. The emphasis on quality is a clear antidote to the one-time-use culture that some have embraced for so long. Instead, focus on pieces that are sustainable and safe for our planet. With more and more consumers looking toward eco-friendly furnishings, Japandi answers the call. Reducing clutter is also key to achieving the Japandi style. This design aesthetic focuses on clean lines and open spaces. But if you have an active household and struggle to find that minimalist look, use natural containers such as boxes and baskets along with built-ins or folding screens to hide excess stuff and keep your space feeling clutter-free. To get the best of both worlds, draw on the coziness of Scandinavian design with warm textures and soft pieces while maintaining the elegance of Japanese decor. While both styles have a focus on the utilitarian, it’s important to maintain a Zen-like sense of calm in your space. Though both Japanese and Scandinavian decor aren’t new, the combination of the two is sure to be a rising trend over the next few years. Contact a design consultant from Michelle Jett – Decorating Den Interiors at 1-877-JettDec (538-8332) today and request a consultation about how you can implement the Japandi style in your home! Have You Heard of Japandi Design? 22 | YourVilla Magazine