With my last blog post we were in the South of France. This week I got inspired, after watching a video on You Tube, by the exhibition “Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk” at the Victor and Albert museum in London. So let’s travel this time to Japan.
Plum Blossom wallpaper De Gournay - hanging lamp by Frederico Peri via Nilufar - Gogan sofa Moroso - postcard via Flickr
A kimono is a timeless classical garment. The term kimono was only use since the end of the 19th century, it means simply: the thing to wear. It was since the 16th century the principal garment for everybody in Japan. No distinction between men or women, poor or rich. It is a straight seamed garment, simple construction. The fabric, the print or the embroidery would reflect the gender, their position, their wealth or the occasion.
Take a look at the series of short videos to see the beauty of those traditional costumes and get inspired.
A kimono would be cut out of one piece of cloth. They would cut the different pieces, mark the dessin and it would be send to different workshops to do the dyeing, printing, and embroidery, before they would assemble the kimono.
Kimono Suntory Museum - True metal basket weave wall covering Maya Romanoff - Wave table 1stDibs - Taliesin Origami chair via Wright Chat - picture on the righ via Lushome - Sputnik chandelier Vintage
All over the world the kimonos will be presented on a T-bar to show the amazing craftsmanship of each piece. The fabrics can be very refined or can be a basic, such as cotton or hemp. The prints and embroideries turn this simple garment in a piece of art. So how did I get inspired to create those mood boards? Exquisite materials and simple shapes to create an interior that reflects this beauty.
Uchikake (over robe) Met Museum - Pearl Bay wallpaper Thibaut - picture on the right Wall Deco - lounge chair 1stDibs - mid-century Cocoon flush mount Vintage - Mom wall lamp Penta - Channels Copper rug The Rugcomapny - limited edition pair of Roberto Rida side tables 1stDibs
Looking for vintage pieces in combination with contemporary design. To take care how the light will be diffused through the handblown glass or rice paper. Creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Hand painted wallpaper on a silk base, grasscloth wallpapers, rice paper, oxidized metals, dark wood, brass, and you feel immediately that this will turn in to an amazing interior, filled with emotions through the materials. And why not having a kimono as a piece of art in the room? Maybe finding a kimono can be difficult or quite expensive, a precious piece of fabric can be a perfect option.
postcard via Flickr - wallpaper Tallulah Plain Zoffany - mirror Achille Jean Louis Deniot Pouenat- wall lamp Deva Valerie Serin-Lok Pouenat = wooden bowl Etire Analogue Life
Delicate, faded colors as we can see them on old post cards.Think of the powders faces of the geishas. Minimalist interior; we don’t need a lot, we need pieces that will make us joyful each time we see them or use them. Looking for objets that have a soul, created with love. Those handcrafted pieces will have some imperfections, that is just perfect. You feel the hand of those who made them. It is as with the kimono; all the seams are hand stitched, the seams are not pressed flat, this to disguise the not tightly sewn stitches. And imagine, the kimono were taken apart to be washed. Once cleaned it would be re-sewn by hand.
Kimono Edo period XVIII century via Japonia - Regatta stripe wallpaper Cole & Son - ceramic bowl via Let it Rock - Moma Lotus Resort via Archilovers - Flores chandelier Miliashop
The Edo period, XVIII century, has some surprisingly modern kimonos. More graphical floral designs in combination with black and white stripes. Those stripes will bring a lot of contrast in your interior design project. Combine them with natural tones, make the combination of materials interesting. Small weaves in fabric, mat in contrast with shiny, leather and silk, show the fiber of the wood.
men’s kimono from Edo period via Japonia - room divider Maison Valentina - armchair Radar Claesson Koivisto Rune - coffee table Pepper by Francois Champsaur Pouenat - chandelier Barovier & Toso
The kimono for men are shorter and the embellishing will be much simpler. Perfect inspiration for a more masculin and contemporary interior. The indigo color can be used in different tones. The brass will give if a distinctive look. Simple shapes and look for the refinement in the details.
sofa My Beautiful Backside Moroso - wallpaper La Pannonie Pierre Frey - birdcage Jacques Doucet at VMFA - Origami table 1stDibs - kimono Edo period via Japonia
Or give you room a very colorful modern look, decorate with a sense of humor. Combine very modern pieces of furniture with a classical wallpaper. The color scheme is bright and young. Origami can be a great inspiration too. Play here with details in a more obvious way; in contrast, as an accent.
You see, you can find inspiration everywhere, to start decorating your home.
Wish you a creative new week!
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