Although it may seem like a fashion word, the Japandi style Interior is anything but a new aesthetic. The roots of these intertwined aesthetics are deep: a mixture of Japanese interior and Scandinavian interiors, both with centuries of personal history. «Maybe some think that the Japandi has just emerged, but the relationship between Japan and Scandinavia began a long time ago,» says Laila Rietbergen, author of Japandi Living (Lannoo Publishers, 2022) and owner of the popular Instagram account @japandi.interior. Although it focuses on quiet, minimalist and functional, aesthetics often permeates more than the appearance of a house: «This design style and its principles really look for a healthy and significant lifestyle,» says Shanty Wijaya (interior designer and owner of Allprace) to AD. «It teaches us to find beauty in imperfection, to form deep connections with earth and nature, and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.»
What is the Japandi style?
In the most basic sense, the Japandi style It is a mixture of Scandinavian design and Japanese design: «It is the design movement East-Meets-West. Combines Japanese artistic elements and philosophy Wabi-Sabi With the comfort and scandinava warmth or Hygge«, explains Wijaya.» The aesthetics of both Japanese and Scandinavian design focuses on simplicity, natural elements, comfort and sustainability. «
Rietbergen, who is from the Netherlands, fell in love with Japandi decoration and interiors after a trip to Japan in 2018. «One of the reasons why I love the Japandi style It is because it is a mixture and more than an interior style, «he says. In general, Japandi interior design makes use of neutral colors, high quality and natural materials, and an emphasis on greenery and nature.» Both in Japan and in Scandinavia, people love to spend time in nature and bring nature to their home, «says Rietbergen.» This resonates not only through the use of natural materials such as but also in the use of organic forms and the combination of different ways. «
Is Japandi the same and Wabi-Sabi?
As Wijaya points out, although Japandi includes many elements of philosophy Wabi-Sabiit covers more than this: «Wabi-Sabi It is based on traditional Japanese aesthetics and the philosophy of world vision, while Japandi is the design movement that consists so much in the Wabi-Sabi Japanese as in philosophy Hygge Scandinava, «he explains. El Wabi-Sabi It can be understood as a part of the Japandi interiors, but also as its own doctrine.
Rietbergen explains it in his book: «The Wabi-Sabi It originated in China, but evolved 700 years ago until it became a Japanese ideal that embraces the beauty of imperfection and peace with the imperfections of the world. «According to Rietbergen, Wabi It translates as «rustic simplicity» or «discreet elegance», while Sabi It means finding beauty in imperfection, especially in objects that have aged over time. «For me, Wabi-Sabi It is part of the Japandi, «adds Rietbergen.
Japandi style history
Japanese houses, although now they are a more entrenched style, date back hundreds of years. «After the closed border policy of Japan, which lasted about 200 years, they opened their borders in the mid -1850s,» Rietbergen explains. Scandinavian designers and artists began visiting Japan and quickly were captivated by the Japanese style. «They were very excited about the country, culture and all the incredible articles in stores. These articles became a source of inspiration for many Scandinavian artists and designers,» Rietbergen continues.