Welcome to Japandi...
The Japandi trend in interiors has been on the rise - a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design. Graham and Green, on their wonderful Guru blog, describes it as “influenced by the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, a way of life which values slow-living, contentment and simplicity as well as the Scandinavian practice of hygge…blends the smooth modern lines of Scandinavian design with the sleek, functional elegance of the Japanese aesthetic.”
For our part, Japandi is all about being relaxing, soothing to the eye, comfortable for the body and soul and working well with the rest of your home. Natural colours, materials, woods and textiles are all part of the Japandi look. Here are some of our favorites!
The Welland tree stump stool is something we can’t get over. Love this for it’s functionality, the ease with which we can move it around to create a new tableau and, frankly, it’s cute. Use it by the front door as a soothing place to slip on or off shoes - creating a transition point between your day outside and coming home; it can also be a good addition to the bathroom - small enough to slip into a corner or nook with a candle or towels on top. Or as an extra seat in the living room. We move it around every room.
Jute area rugs are endlessly useful and can be layered under other rugs as you want to change up the look of your space. This version at 6 x 9 runs around $148.89 (at time of this post); a smaller version in 5 x 8 will run you around $99 here.
Vases add visual interest and personality to any space - you can layer the cream and taupe colours of Japandi-inspired style with sleek lines and textures…and move them around as your mood dictates. We love these “donut vases” that run around $31.99 (at time of this post) or check out our “10 Vase Decorating Ideas” here.
A-tisket-a-tasket-we-love-a-basket - water hyacinth is a durable and sustainable material - it grows so thickly and fast in some regions that it’s considered an invasive species so using this basket is part of finding another use for this material that helps you and helps the planet. This version runs around $55 - we have it here in the living room and it has been rotated to hold everything from pillows to newspapers to our entire few months of Book Club books.
For more baskets, our “PQ Basket Edit” is here.
Easy bowls for everything - sometimes it’s nicer to just be able to use the same bowl for cereal…or pasta…or soup…whatever you please, these Mora ceramic bowls rotate between all meals. Running $32.99 (at time of this post).
We, quite literally, burn through a lot of candles here for our monthly Candle Edit. Kyoto from Brooklyn Candle Studio is one of our favorites…and it’s right in the Japandi theme. Perhaps a little too on the nose but a lovely scent and long burn - cedar, pine, cypress. It’s a refreshing scent and never cloying. Hygge at it’s finest. Running $38 (at time of this post).
A lovely piece for use just about anywhere from an "drop-off” spot next to the front door for keys, change, and more after a long day to a centerpiece bowl on your coffee table or a serving bowl with an edge for your dining table. Multi functional - a little different - useful everywhere.
A pretty little waste basket that makes it a bit more sleek and chic to toss what you’re done with. Also try it’s paler cousin…
Also lovely - easy to use and clean.
Big fan of this all-in-one design for your front entrance.
The perfect pouf - 100% jute on the outside; poly beads on the inside in a lovely wheat colour. For resting your feet or resting your drink or books…or an extra seat when that post-pandemic dinner party gets an extra guest!
The PQ Basket Edit
We love baskets! Stylish storage that add a little personality to your space. We use them for magazines, clothes, books, pillows, blankets, and we even tried putting wrapping paper in one as a more attractive way to store it all.
From seagrass to water hyacinth, so many materials are woven into baskets big and small that can help upgrade each room. These are three we recommend!
This is the XX Large version of a durable water hyacinth wicker basket. Useful for storing blankets, books, pillows, we use this one for all of the above. Measures approximately 16.1” by 14.3” and is 17.3” at its height. Wipe it clean with a towel. Keeps your space stylish…and tidy. Selling for $54.72, as of this post.
As seen in our Japandi Edit, this tall basket with handles can go in just about any space with its swooping lines, wide wicker weave and natural look. Selling for $65.59, as of this post.
This handmade seagrass basket can be used for plants (put it in a pot first!), toys, magazines, newspapers. Pretty in a corner, even nicer “centerstage.” The large size selling for $21.99, as of this post.