When Everything Is a Feature, Nothing Is
In Japanese ink painting, the master’s hand is recognised not by what is included but by what has been cut away. A branch removed from the composition. A corner of the landscape left unpainted. An entire figure suggested by three brushstrokes rather than rendered in full. The Japanese call this Kirisute no Bigaku (切り捨ての美学) — […]
Danshari: Before You Renovate, Let Go
At Yoko Kloeden Design, when we take a brief for a new project, we ask our clients to provide a full inventory of their storage requirements. What arrives is a laundry list: seasonal wardrobes, sports equipment, wine, books, kitchen appliances used once or twice a year, collections accumulated over decades. The brief then becomes a […]
A Tale of Two Gardens
I grew up in Kyoto, visiting the Katsura Imperial Villa grounds as a child. I first visited Versailles as a university student. Two gardens built in the same century, on opposite sides of the world, both extraordinary — and yet the feeling of being inside each could not be more different. One makes you feel […]
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 […]
Homes as Living Systems, Not Objects
The way we design our homes reflects how we see our relationship with nature. As a studio working between cultures — rooted in Kyoto, practising in London — I have become increasingly aware that this relationship is under strain. Climate change, overheating buildings, and a growing sense of disconnection from our surroundings are forcing us […]
The ABC of Japanese Gardens
Japanese gardens transcend mere scenic beauty – each is a layered, philosophical landscape that embodies a deep reverence for nature. These gardens function as microcosms of the natural world, rich with symbolism and designed to inspire contemplation. Over centuries, distinct styles evolved, each reflecting a unique purpose and context. From the austere Zen rock garden […]
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 […]