I’VE WRITTEN A BOOK!!! Aaaaah!! I’m so excited to introduce you to The Japandi Home: Nordic Minimalism Meets Japanese Zen, published by Union Square this May in the UK and US.
It’s been a labour of love since first being approached by the publisher at the beginning of 2023; from creating a proposal and a spread of example chapters, through a two week research trip in Japan then six months with my head down writing, to months and months of editing, primping and pruning – it’s such a joy to see the physical manifestation of all that hard work in one beautiful book. I have always wanted to write a book, and while this isn’t actually my first, this is the one I put my heart and soul into. I wanted to show that the concept of Japandi extends far beyond the design trend as we might know it – I also see Japandi as a way of life; a more mindful way of living that embraces simplicity, harmony and balance; one where you celebrate stillness, reconnect with nature and find calm in the little things in life.
To celebrate the launch of The Japandi Home, I invited a small group of my closest friends and creators to toast the book in the intimate setting of my own home. Because where better to celebrate an interiors book than at home!
All images: Issey Rider
On a warm May evening we gathered in my light-filled home (the perfect space for entertaining!) and mingled in the garden as the golden light set in the sky. I joked that I was one of those people who say ‘pop by, don’t worry it will be really casual,’ then proceed to flap around like a headless chicken, getting everything styled and ready so it might look like a Pinterest wet dream. I’m not one to do things by halves and I relished the opportunity to dress the space, arrange some flowers and ikebana arrangements, and make everything look pretty – because it’s all about setting the scene!
The room was scented by Earl of East’s Shinrin-Yoku, which filled the space with an earthy scent of cedarwood and black pepper. I treated guests to Crémant and a floral-infused white Vermentino from female founded Emile Wines, alongside craft Sake from South London-based brewery KANPAI. When I was in Japan my favourite thing to snack on was onigiri – triangular shaped Japanese rice balls, made of steamed rice with a deliciously umami filling. I found the lovely Masami of Sosaku Onigiri, who normally has a stall at Shepherd’s Bush Market. She made three types of vegetarian onigiri for us: Takana (spicy pickled mustard leaves, smoked garlic miso, Japanese pepper, mayo and sesame), Ume (Japanese salty plum, shiso leaves, pickled mooli, yuzu miso and roasted sesame), and Kombu (kelp seaweed, truffle mayo, cabbage and sesame). They were utterly delicious and everyone said how unusual and flavourful they were. To finish with a sweet note, we had some beautiful matcha madeleines from London-based Dee’s Basement, who’s the one to go to for sweet treats that look as good as they taste (she has a cookbook coming out, so keep an eye out for that!).
I made a speech, created some little cards with conversation prompts to get people mixing, and watched with joy as the room filled with laughter, warmth and the glow of their support and love.
But more about the book, which is all about transforming your home into a soothing sanctuary.
As you might know, Japandi is a design concept that fuses Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. From wabi sabi and ikigai to hygge and lagom, I’ve taken inspiration from the principles and cultural philosophies of these two enduring aesthetics to encourage a more conscious way of living that embraces simplicity, harmony and balance. Thoroughly researched and grounded in historic context, this book puts forward the idea that the concept of Japandi is in fact nothing new – but built on centuries of mutual collaboration and respect, far preceding any current trends.
The Japandi Home will help you shape the look of your home with thoughtfulness and care through its beautiful imagery and clever styling tips – practices you can also easily apply to your everyday lifestyle. Learn how to declutter and live with less, how to choose the perfect neutral paint colour, how to make the most of a small space and how to design for the senses. There’s also insightful interviews with Japanese and Scandinavian architects and designers, including Norm Architects, Space Copenhagen, Keiji Ashizawa, Artek, Koyori, and more.
Throughout the book there’s a particular focus on wellbeing, with ideas to curate sustainable and meaningful spaces that create a sense of calm. I think the apparent serenity of Japanese and Scandinavian design really appeals at this point in time, when the world can seem particularly chaotic and confusing for so many. I really believe our homes are our sanctuaries. In times of discord we tend to seek refuge, and nowhere is that more appealing, for me, than in interiors that are harmonious in their quiet simplicity and neutrality.
Researching this book has taught me so many little nuggets of wisdom that I’ve infused into my own life, from celebrating stillness and practising mindfulness to seeking out beauty in imperfection and bringing nature into the home. There’s a reason why the Nordic countries consistently rank as some of the happiest nations, or why Japan has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. It’s not just their calm interiors, but, I believe, down to the pursuit of a life lived with more purpose, presence and intention. I like to think of Japandi as self care for the home and the mind. And I hope you find a little moment for yourself with this book.
The book is available to buy now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstone’s, Hive and all good bookshops.
