Embarking on the design journey of Wabi Sabi Refuge, I immersed myself in the profound quest for tranquility and harmony. This project became a testament to the pursuit of a tranquil haven that stirs a deep sense of calm within. Guided by the essence of wabi-sabi, my intention was to curate Wabi Sabi Refuge as a sacred space that nurtures an ethereal atmosphere, summoning a sincere connection with the surrounding world. Deliberate choices of muted hues and minimalist elements foster an environment of uncluttered serenity, encouraging introspection and contemplation. Embracing the innate imperfections and distinctive qualities of the carefully selected materials and objects added an exquisite touch of organic allure, instilling an authentic reverence for the beauty inherent in nature's creations. Wabi Sabi Refuge serves as a sanctuary, an evocative invitation for visitors to embrace the sublime simplicity, find solace in the imperfect, and uncover the profound and tranquil beauty that wabi-sabi unveils.

This typical tract home bathroom was converted into a soothing home spa, inspired by the beauty of the outdoors. The metaphor of Nature (waterfall, pebbles, natural wood tone) was employed throughout to create the feel of being outside. The undermount lighting in the shower and beneath the vanity cabinet further enhance the spa-like ambience at night. Designer: Fumiko Faiman, Photographer: Jeri Koegel

This lovely Regency building is in a magnificent setting with fabulous sea views. The Regents were influenced by Classical Greece as well as cultures from further afield including China, India and Egypt. Our brief was to preserve and cherish the original elements of the building, while making a feature of our client’s impressive art collection. Where items are fixed (such as the kitchen and bathrooms) we used traditional styles that are sympathetic to the Regency era. Where items are freestanding or easy to move, then we used contemporary furniture & fittings that complemented the artwork. The colours from the artwork inspired us to create a flow from one room to the next and each room was carefully considered for its’ use and it’s aspect. We commissioned some incredibly talented artisans to create bespoke mosaics, furniture and ceramic features which all made an amazing contribution to the building’s narrative. Brett Charles Photography

LEICHT Küchen: http://www.leicht.com/en/references/abroad/project-kaohsiung-city-taiwan/ Keng-Fu Lo: Architect

Jim Brady

Photos by Davide Lovatti Styling by Emilio Pimentel-Reid

This young couple spends part of the year in Japan and part of the year in the US. Their request was to fit a traditional Japanese bathroom into their tight space on a budget and create additional storage. The footprint remained the same on the vanity/toilet side of the room. In the place of the existing shower, we created a linen closet and in the place of the original built in tub we created a wet room with a shower area and a deep soaking tub.

Open plan wetroom with open shower, terrazzo stone bathtub, carved teak vanity, terrazzo stone basin, and timber framed mirror complete with a green sage subway tile feature wall.

Luxurious bathroom with beautiful view.