The Hype of “Japandi”
Updated: Sep 22, 2022
Marie Kondo, the author of The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up, took America by surprise in 2014 with her philosophy on pairing down and minimizing items in your life.
Her quirky, artful appearance and calm demeanor made her an interesting and relatable modern-day Mary Poppins that many could relate with. Marie Kondo’s presence questions “the accumulation of things” that societally, has become a way of life.
In the past decade we’ve seen varying renditions of the movement of pairing down from Tiny Home living to Capsule wardrobes, and the latest, a design aesthetic known as “Japandi.”
So, what exactly is Japandi? Japandi Design is when rustic Japanese minimalist design meets Scandinavian functionality. Aesthetically, when these two worlds collide, it is a calming
combination of clean lines, neutral tones, textured materials and organic artful pieces. It’s a visually clean and soothing reaction to a world full of “Stuff.”
How do I as a designer respond to Japandi? Like any trends, they will come and go, but what I find intriguing about trends is that it’s usually a reaction to something of the time IT “lives” in. Japandi, is an aesthetic response to the chaos of things, and the busyness of modern-day life. Its visually minimal while being hugely functional. I take note on the family I’m working for through discussion with them, questionnaires I send them, and inspiration pics they send me. Most of the inspiration pics my clients send me have some form of “Japandi” in them. Whether or not the client realizes this or not, the running theme recently, seems to be an aesthetic neutrality with elements of earthiness. I personally gravitate towards elegant high style as a preference. I love the grandeur of high ceilings, lots of millwork and arched doorways. That will undoubtedly make its way into my expression of Japandi.
Like any design style, there are features which will define it, however that is only a starting place.
Would you like to learn more about this stye and it's function in your home? If so, don't hesitate to reach out anytime!
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Aidan Cusson
AC Interiors Design