So… what to do you think of this Tokyo apartment renovation by Naruse Inokuma? Personally, I am struggling to find the words to express how much I love it. It is a difficult one, as this apartment is quite unconventional. Yes, well… let’s face it – the place looks almost unfinished. In fact, it still looks like a building site, right? But therein lies its beauty.

I absolutely love the way this interior delicately balances the old and the new. Panels of plywood define the transition between each space, creating a beautiful overlap of planes, textures, surfaces and materials. Existing walls were stripped back to expose previously hidden textures of rough and imperfect concrete shell, also revealing layers of old plaster and wallpaper.

As far as I am concerned, this is one fine example of raw elegance at its best – robust and delicate all at once. Perfect.

[Photography is by Masao Nishikawa. Images via designboom.]

4 Responses

  1. Oliver @ Sabi Style

    Wow! I am with you – this is a brilliant example of allowing a space to just be. Those unfinished walls with a scattering of plants and the beautiful timber floor create such an amazing raw finish that is such a delicate balance and so clever.

    It would be so easy to get this wrong.

    I am smitten with the concept of Wabi Sabi – part of it is about not hiding the process but rather allowing it to remain visible – as with those beautiful walls.

    It also embraces the notion of pairing back and with that modesty the true essence is allowed to shine through. Without all the bells and whistles a space must really stand on its own merit – and for me this does with leaps and bounds.

    Reply
  2. Ezabelle

    From a mums point of view, ultra practical.

    No worries about banging pristine white plasterboard walls and doors, or damaging stained floorboards… I would think too, it would age gracefully…

    A dream to live in.

    Great post.

    Reply

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