- 3 Aug 2007
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I just read an interesting article comparing Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism in design and decorating. Most of us are familiar with Scandinavian minimalism thanks to the spread of Ikea. Japanese minimalism, for me anyway, seems most present in historic Japanese building interiors but less so for modern interiors. The ideas of the difference of styling that is mentioned in the article is also interesting as it is not what I would say based on being in a range of Japanese homes and apartments that varied in how modern they were. I can't speak to actual Scandinavian homes as I have never been in one. The Japanese homes seem to have gone through a similar migration over the recent decades as we have seen in the US. Houses from the 70's tend to have darker interiors with either dark wood paneling or dark-ish wallpaper and, to some extent, less natural light, and bulkier furniture (less so in Japan). More recent houses from the 90's and 2000's tend to go brighter and have more natural light, and lighter/smaller furniture. To me the Ikea brand of minimalism and the Japaneses brand seem very similar. There are Ikea stores in Japan and I know, at least at one point, they were very popular.
Maybe this is just what I have been exposed to. What are your thoughts?
Here is the article: Has Japanese Minimalism Replaced Its Scandinavian Counterpart?
Maybe this is just what I have been exposed to. What are your thoughts?
Here is the article: Has Japanese Minimalism Replaced Its Scandinavian Counterpart?