Japandi: All There is to Know
If you haven’t been keeping up with my Instagram stories, here’s the deal: we recently moved to a bigger space, and have been slowly but surely decorating it to fit a brand new aesthetic. Never before had I heard of “Japandi” until this move, but the interior design trend has grown on me and is honestly the perfect combination of Japanese minimalist and Scandinavian chic. We felt it was important to combine our tastes in a way that felt mature and intentional, and this was the best style to match that. In order to properly understand and apply the trendy decor to our new space, I touched base with Benjamin Moore Colour and Design Expert, Sharon Grech to provide us with some fantastic tips. Here’s what I learned:
SERENITY THROUGH COLOUR
The Japandi style is all about creating a calming oasis at home and doing so through the use of soothing earth tones and natural materials. Sharon suggests focusing on items made of wood, rattan, sea grass, stone, and glass in lighter colours such as blonde wood, as opposed to darker espresso wood tones, to evoke harmony and balance. This will bring a natural warmth and airiness to the space.
“Avoid cool tones and bright shades of white. Instead, opt for colours like Muslin OC-12 or Jute AF-80 that will transform your space into a comfortable oasis.”
Our space:
LONG-LASTING AND INTENTIONAL
The basis for the Japandi style is sustainability and intention, aiming to create a space full of responsibly sourced furniture and items that are intended to last you a long time. It combines the editing down and decluttering of the Japanese style with the multipurpose items of the Scandinavian style. Be thoughtful about what you choose to display and where, and highlight pieces that you treasure to give them room to stand out. Do some good and donate anything that no longer works, says Sharon.
“Include pieces and accessories that are designed for longevity and well-crafted while minimizing “disposable” items.”
Our space:
SIMPLE AND COMPLEMENTARY
The reason these two styles mesh and flow so well is because they both place emphasis on simplicity and comfort. I love creating at-home oases, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and I think that is why we were drawn to Japandi in the first place. It is relaxed and serene, while still maintaining a level of modernism and sophistication. Sharon suggests using a paint like Regal Select in a matte finish to give your space an effortless appeal and achieve a stylish balance of elegance and tranquility. Matte finishes create a sense of ease.
“Painting walls in a neutral tone is ideal for this serene look, however the Japandi style can embrace pale, warm hues of green or clay such as Guilford Green HC-116 or Dusty Trail 1157.”
Our space:
We’re really happy with how the new space has come together so far, but want to keep adding treasured pieces like the growing art wall in our bedroom to make it feel well-rounded. Have you got any recommendations for us? What style is your space decorated in (if any!)? And what are some of your treasured pieces? Big shout-out to Sharon Grech and Benjamin Moore for the amazing tips and suggestions, and to the team at Strategic Objectives for facilitating. Benjamin Moore has also recently launched its first-ever online paint store at https://store.benjaminmoore.com/ where you can order your favourite Benjamin Moore interior or exterior paint, or colour samples and swatches from your couch at home. Have fun and get creative, friends!
