5 Beautiful Gardens – Kyoto
During the heart of the pandemic, I penned an article about the ‘5 Beautiful Boutique Inns in Kyoto’—a nostalgic endeavor fueled by the yearning to revisit and a hopeful beacon for those patiently awaiting Japan’s borders to reopen. Since then, I have seen a surge in upcoming travel plans from friends and admirers. Raised in […]
Design Principles – 5. Taru O Shiru (Less is More)
In a world where the pursuit of “more” seems relentless, there is profound wisdom in embracing the concept of Taru o Shiru, which directly translates to “I know what’s enough.” It’s an idea deeply rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy, and it serves as the fifth and final principle in our exploration of ‘The Japanese […]
Design Principles – 4. Shizen (Nature)
We’ve reached the heart of our exploration in ‘The Japanese Art of a Calm & Balanced Home’ series. Today, let’s dive into the fourth principle, Shizen (Nature). In Japan, nature is not a distant backdrop but an intrinsic part of life. With its distinct seasons and often challenging natural conditions, the Japanese have developed a […]
Design Principles – 3. Ma (Space)
Today, we are going to explore the third principle of our series, ‘The Japanese Art of a Calm & Balanced Home’ – Ma (Space). In Japanese, ‘Ma’ translates to ‘internal’ or ‘space’, where the abundance of empty space is celebrated, reflecting how one’s mind should be when meditating. In Western design, we often perceive objects […]
Design Principles – 2. Nagame (View)
Continuing our exploration of ‘The Japanese Art of a Calm & Balanced Home’ series, we delve into the second principle – Nagame (View). In the world of Japanese architecture, windows and doors are not merely functional elements but serve as exquisite picture frames, framing the captivating garden views from within. At Yoko Kloeden Design, we […]
Design Principles– 1. Hikari (Light)
Earlier this year, we introduced our 6-day email guide titled ‘The Japanese Art of a Calm & Balanced Home’, where I shared the fundamental principles of Japanese design that shape the way we live and create our homes. While I hope you have subscribed and enjoyed the email guide, I would like to showcase how […]
Hotels Immersed In Nature
Central to our health and wellbeing, being in close proximity to nature is seen by many cultures as one of the greatest luxuries for living. For those of us that live in densely populated cities, it feels more important than ever to diversify our surroundings through travel, and experience the natural beauty and intricacies of […]
Our Guide To Japanese Design
Since starting the Yoko Kloeden Design studio in 2016, it has been my intention to create spaces that convey a sense of calm and balance, where I am able to translate my inherent appreciation for nature and connection to Japanese aesthetics into the homes of our clients. As part of the reason many of our […]
Carving Out A Jewel Box Suite
In Spring last year, Yoko Kloeden Design built a luxurious, feminine master-suite in Ealing, London for corporate lawyer Stephanie who was looking for a restorative, feminine boudoir to reflect her personal style. Carving out an additional floor for a luxurious bedroom, dressing area and ensuite, the space uses a rich and opulent colour story inspired […]
Essence Of Japan
Set in a quiet neighbourhood in Ealing, a couple from Hong Kong approached us with the blank canvas 1960s house to start the new chapter of their life in the UK. Tailored to appreciators of Japanese aesthetics, a blanket of oak and lime wash creates a minimal yet tactile background while shoji screens and tatami […]