Can a Home Be Calm and Bold?
As the evenings draw in and light fades earlier from our windows, it’s natural to retreat indoors—physically and emotionally. This seasonal shift brings an instinctive longing for warmth, protection, and intimacy in our homes. But for many, it also rekindles a design dilemma: how do we create spaces that feel calm and timeless, yet still […]
The Secret Behind Japanese Interiors
We were honoured to featured in AD Spain, following recent coverage in AD Middle East and AD Germany, exploring how Japanese design principles create homes that don’t just look beautiful — they feel deeply right. The feature, titled “5 Golden Rules of Japanese Design to Bring Calm to Your Home,” draws from an in-depth conversation […]
Design Lessons from Japanese Vases
Recently, while exploring the traditions of Japanese ceramics, we were reminded of how profoundly objects can shape not just what we see, but what we feel. In Japan, the vase is never a mere container—it is an essential part of the composition, inseparable from the flowers, branches, and water it holds. This philosophy resonates deeply […]
In Praise of the Imperfect
Artificial materials may imitate the look of wood, stone, or linen, but they rarely offer the same emotional resonance. A home isn’t a showroom — it’s where we ground ourselves after long days, raise our children, and create calm in the chaos. At our studio, we’ve always believed that natural materials are worth choosing not […]
The Summer Threshold
Most of us instinctively feel better in nature — calmer, more present, more alive. It’s not a coincidence. Decades of research have shown that proximity to nature lowers blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels, improves cognitive function, and even shortens recovery time from surgery. But what if you live in a dense city, with limited green […]
Cool by Nature
As temperatures soar across Europe, the urge to retreat somewhere calm, shaded, and breathable feels instinctive. While modern solutions often default to mechanical cooling, some of the most elegant answers were shaped centuries ago. In this journal, we revisit traditional homes in Japan that were built to live beautifully in heat. They offer timeless lessons […]
In Praise of the Subtle
We were recently featured by Monocle in the article “Discover Yūgen: The Japanese aesthetic transforming modern home design”, and we wanted to share the essence of that conversation with our readers. For centuries, Japanese design has offered the world a way to experience beauty beyond the obvious. Where Western traditions often favour bold statements, Japanese […]
Lessons from Chochikukyo
Earlier this spring, during my return to Kyoto, I carved out time to visit a place I had long wanted to experience — one not found on the usual tourist trail. Chochikukyo, or “The Hearing Bamboo House,” is only accessible by advance appointment. Hidden in a quiet residential neighbourhood, it’s the kind of place that […]
A Family Sanctuary in Surrey
Our Barks & Bliss project recently featured in 25 Beautiful Homes with the article “Seeking Sanctuary”, which explored how we helped our clients shape their Surrey nearly new build into a serene, timeless family home. We would like to share this story with you as it captures the heart of our design philosophy. You can […]
A Quiet Journey
At Yoko Kloeden Design, every project is shaped by a quiet respect for how architecture and interiors can support the way we live. Recently, I had the opportunity to share my story — and the philosophy behind our work — with The Sunday Times. I wanted to reflect on that article here, in my own […]