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Showing posts with label Japanese Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japanese Design. Show all posts

12 Days of Christmas | Tuturu Home Giveaway!

I recently discovered a lovely little online store based in Auckland called Tuturu Home. Its product range which includes simple, quality homewares from Japan and New Zealand immediately resonated with me. I've mentioned before how much I love Japanese design, and the strong similarities I see between the traditional Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. As well as having clean lines and simplicity of form, they both favour the use natural materials and show beautiful craftsmanship.



The owner of Tuturu Home, Yukiko Kyogoku, is Japanese and has been living in New Zealand for almost 15 years. Based in the Auckland suburb of Titirangi, she loves natural, organic products, arts and crafts, and collecting the iconic New Zealand Crown Lynn range of ceramics! She also loves Scandinavian design. She has run a website selling NZ products to Japan for over 10 years, and earlier this year Yukiko decided to start doing it the other way around! She loves both countries, and enjoys introducing products from one to the other.

Prior to September Yukiko had a temporary retail store, and is now on the lookout for a new space. Until then she's happy to continue selling her gorgeous products online, including two of her favourite brands Fog Linen and Noda Horo. She loves that Fog Linen has a Japanese style, but is also suited to the natural New Zealand lifestyle. Noda Horo have been manufacturing quality enamelware in Japan for over 70 years. "They make really cool retro style enamelware and are very popular among stylish people in Japan. Because they only make limited numbers and are not that keen on exporting (they are a very old fashioned company), they are not very well known overseas. The good thing is there are not many available in New Zealand!" 



Yukiko says she will be introducing new products regularly, particularly those that have not made it to our shores yet. Keep an eye out by following the Tuturu Home Facebook page, and shop the current collection here. 

For the 12 Days of Christmas series, you'll be pleased to know that Tuturu Home are giving away three prizes! 


The first winner drawn will win a Petite Kitchen 2014 Recipe Calendar, a beautiful collection of seasonal recipes, written and photographed by Eleanor Ozich of Petite Kitchen. 

The second two will each win a gorgeous Fog Linen 2014 Calendar Tea Towel. The first of these names drawn, will receive the black on natural, and the second will receive the blue on white.  

I'm sure you know the drill by now...  to enter, email me at steve3star@gmail.com with TUTURU HOME in the subject line, and include your full name in the email. Entries close on Monday, 16th of December and the three winners will be selected via random.org, and contacted via email, to arrange shipping. All winners will be announced on the blog at the end of the series. 

Please note that this competition is open to NZ residents only, and that we will do our best to ensure the prizes arrive prior to Christmas.

Update: This competition has now closed, and the winners have been notified. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Tuturu Home for their lovely prizes!
Posted by Admin at 1:48 PM, Add Comment
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OYOY | Spring - Summer 2013


Ever since Danish interior design company OYOY launched last year with their Autumn/Winter range, I've been smitten. (You may remember the post I wrote introducing them). They've now released their New Collection for Spring/Summer 2013 and once again I'm hooked. Inspired by both Scandinavian and Japanese design (such a divine combo) the products mix simple graphics with natural materials and colour. Designer Lotte Fynboe's motto is "less is more" and this is reflected in the high-quality homewares that combine both form and function. 

OYOY's signature geometric patterns are seen throughout the new collection, categorised room by room, which includes cushions, throws, kitchenware, accessories and a Nordic range by designer Kristina Dam. I'm loving the fun new designs like the hanging storage and wooden rabbits.   



So much eye-candy, and isn't the styling to die for? All images via the latest OYOY Catalogue which you can read here.  
Posted by Admin at 1:56 PM, Add Comment
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Homes to Inspire | Cottage in Canada

Part Two - The Main Cottage


Last week I introduced you to the first of two cottages owned by John and Juli Baker of Mjölk store in Toronto, Canada. If you missed the guest cottage, take a look here. Today's post features the main cottage. Located near the beach on Georgian Bay, both belonged to Juli's parents who purchased them in the 70's. They carried out some initial improvements such as building a deck and installing California style windows and a new kitchen. When Juli inherited the cottages several years ago, she and John set to work on completing the renovation. Sharing the same taste when it comes to design, the couple have successfully created the summer escape that they'd always dreamt about. 


John and Juli stripped the cottage back to its original state, painting the walls and floor white. They are still undecided on whether to paint the old stone fireplace white as well. Happy to leave it for now, they like that it retains some history. The sofa, by Børge Mogensen, is available through Mjölk. 


A close up one of the original sconces which they found in the boat house and painted black. The candle holders are by Finnish glass designer Timo Sarpaneva. 


Like the guest cottage, the main one is furnished with some amazing bargain finds. The Moooi Two Tops Table, designed by Marcel Wanders, was found at a consignment shop. Damaged in a movie shoot, they picked it up for a steal. The vintage dining chairs are by Folke Palsson and the PH 5 pendant lights are by Louis Poulsen. 


The kitsch shell framed painting was a vintage find by Juli's father. My favourite piece of furniture in the house would have to be the 901 Tea Trolley by Alvar Aalto which is available from Mjölk.  


Due to lack of storage space in the kitchen the couple wanted appliances worthy of display. Thanks to budget friendly choices like Ikea cabinets which they assembled themselves, fir ply boards for the wall and ceiling and birch plywood for the benchtop, they could afford to splurge on the Rowenta coffee maker and toaster designed by Jasper Morrison.


I love the master bedroom's minimalist style and vintage touches. The motor yacht photo was picked up at a vintage shop in Toronto, while the blanket is a vintage emergency one from Ontario Hydro, which they found in the cottage's loft. 


The framed Dala horse watercolour by Melinda Josie is so cute! 


Juli's old bedroom has been revamped with a Cowboys and Indians theme. The task lights from Luxo are both practical and stylish and the vintage Hudson's Bay blankets add colour. The guitar is used for impromptu singalongs around the campfire! 

Another great example of John and Juli working their magic, I can't get enough of the Japanese-Scandi style, vintage touches and homely, fun vibe of their cottages. An ideal weekend retreat, I feel very inspired. How about you?

To see more pictures, both before and after the renovation, take a look at The BIG Reveal! post on the Mjölk blog.

All images via kitkadesigntoronto.com
Posted by Admin at 2:36 PM, Add Comment
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Homes to Inspire | Cottage in Canada

Part One - The Guest Cottage



This home provides a weekend escape during the summer months for John and Juli Baker, owners of Mjölk, a Scandinavian and Japanese design store in Toronto. Situated on the shores of Lake Huron, on Georgian Bay, both the guest cottage which I'm sharing with you today, and the main cottage, have undergone a full renovation.

In John's words, the cottage was "musty, mouldy and stuck in the seventies". By bringing it back to its original state, with natural pine floors and simple, practical furniture, it now has a fresh, modern feel. I absolutely love the combination of Scandinavian and Japanese style seen throughout the home. When it comes to design, both cultures share strong similarities such as simple forms, clean lines, an emphasis on functionality, and the use of natural materials. 


The original brick fireplace has been plastered and painted white. Details like the iron hook and Japanese palm broom and dustpan break up the white and add interest. 



Bringing nature indoors, I love how the vintage Swedish sconces by Knut Hallgren look like little tree branches.  


Lovely Scandinavian and Japanese design pieces are displayed on a pair of Aalto shelves. 


The stunning dining set, designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek is available at Mjölk. The trio of framed Swedish lithographs were a great find at at Toronto's Junction Flea, while the 1940's cocktail cabinet by Alvar Aalto was an online find.



John opened up the space by removing a drop ceiling. The blue and white dhurrie rug is by Eero Koivisto for Asplund, available at Mjölk.




I love the striped bedlinen from Marimekko. An Alvar Aalto stool makes a great little side table. 


The guest bedroom is furnished with two beautiful Alvar Aalto daybeds, to accommodate extra visitors during the holiday weekends. 

All details of the renovation, including a series of before and after pics can be seen on the Mjölk blog. 

If you were inspired by this delightful little cabin, keep an eye out for Part Two, where I'll show you the main cottage. 

All images via kitkadesigntoronto.com
Posted by Admin at 5:11 PM, Add Comment
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