Shizen (自然) is the Japanese design principle of working with nature rather than decorating with it — choosing materials that breathe, age and register the season, so the natural world is structural to a room rather than applied to it.
The thinking comes from the tea house. The chashitsu formalised in the sixteenth century, as perfected by Sen no Rikyū, were built from earth, unfinished timber, bamboo and straw, floored in tatami and lit through washi-panelled screens — every material sourced close by, and every one of them visibly changing with the year.
This article shows what shizen asks of a London home: lime paint that regulates moisture and dries to something closer to stone than to paint, hand-glazed zellige tiles where no two are alike, Victorian floorboards sanded back and same-era reclaimed brick in a Brixton kitchen, and oak vessels turned from fallen trees by Ash & Plumb.
None of this is about importing Japanese materials wholesale. It is the same reasoning applied to what a Victorian house already has — the constraints in London are different, the principle is not.
1. Embracing Natural Materials
Within the confines of our ‘Architecturally Revived Haven‘ project, the guest loo tells a story of natural authenticity. Traditional lime paint and hand-glazed zellige terracotta tiles transform the space. Lime paint, highly breathable and porous, regulates moisture while offering a soft, matte finish reminiscent of natural stone. Zellige tiles, crafted from natural clay, radiate weathered charm, each a unique piece like nature’s own diversity.
2. Tapping into heritage
In the ‘Culinary-Inspired Home‘ project, heritage finds a voice. Victorian floorboards are sanded to life, celebrating their history, while old bricks from the same era clad the walls. Echoes of the client’s cultural heritage emerge through antique pendant lights, decorative masks, and mudcloth cushions, all collected from the client’s home countries France and West Africa and brought together harmoniously.
3. Showcasing local artisans’ work
Artistry meets sustainability in our ‘Essence of Japan project, where local artisans shine. Oak vessels by Ash & Plumb, handcrafted from fallen trees, mingle with clay creations by Holly Dawes, shaped from beach-sourced wild clay. The harmony of these pieces resonates with the principle of Shizen, linking the space to the essence of the natural world.
See how Shizen connects to Yūgen and the other four principles in The Quiet Beauty of Yūgen, and how it shares a source with fukinsei — both are among the seven characteristics of Zen art named by Hisamatsu Shin’ichi in 1958.
If the calming balance of nature speaks to you, consider our guide as a companion on your design journey. Discover how we blend the Shizen principle with modern design to create inviting spaces that embrace the spirit of nature.
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