Although the term 'Japandi' has sprung up more recently, the fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian influences has been inspiring designers for centuries. With a focus on organic textures, natural materials and earthy tones, Japanese and Scandinavian interiors use minimalist sensibilities to promote a feeling of comfort and a connection to the earth. An appreciation for craftsmanship and material is at the heart of both aesthetics. We have selected four of our makers whose works exemplify the understated elegance of the Japandi look.
Akiko Hirai, Moon Jar, 2022
Akiko Hirai's ceramics have been internationally acclaimed for their volcanic textures. Her glacial moon jar, inspired by ancient Korean ceramics, is imbued with a dichotomy between soft and hard, gentle and aggressive. Coated in translucent, glowing glazes, its gnarled, rocky surfaces are acutely in touch with the earth and the potential of clay. Each moon jar is a standout masterpiece which fills a room with its personality.
See more of Akiko Hirai's work here.
Hugh Miller, Ceremony Stool No. 1, 2019
Hugh Miller's practice is deeply inspired by Japanese design and its ethos of creating beauty in the everyday. Trained as an architect, he views each piece of furniture as a miniature space, leading to objects whose pared-down intricacy brings out the beauty of their materials. Handcrafted in the United Kingdom, his stool is made from British elm and Japanese bamboo and inspired by both Japanese design principles and British cabinetry techniques. The stool is a fusion in both its material and its philosophy.
See more of Hugh Miller's work here.
Kuniko Maeda, Untitled, 2022
Working with recycled paper, Kuniko Maeda uses her training in traditional Japanese woodcarving to transform this humble material into intricate artworks populated by abstracted forms. Interested in the unique properties of materials, she allows the paper to find its own form. Hovering between panes of glass, the paper forms in Untitled appear lithe, capturing movement in a moment of stillness.
See more of Kuniko Maeda's work here.
Gilles Le Corre, Cylindrical Vessel, 2019
Sculpted from a wild clay, Gilles Le Corre's vessels are made up of rock-like forms that echo the channels carved out into stone by water. Soft glazes and gravelly clay come together in a vase which brings the coastal landscape of northern France into the home.
See more of Gilles Le Corre's work here.
