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Design Trend Forecast: Japan
Trends from Japan's largest home furnishings fair and the products brilliant enough to fuel the future of western style
Written by Melissa Feldman
Tokyo's Interior Lifestyle Fair is the ultimate design destination for home furnishings and accessories in the Japanese and Asian markets and is fast becoming a hot source for the West. Presented by Messe Frankfurt and in its 11th year, this summer's show attracted over 26,000 visitors. Exhibitors included 630 manufacturers with 438 from Japan and an additional 84 from other Asian countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Japanese design has slowly worked its way west -- showing up at European fairs like Maison & Objet and most recently New York's ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), where a whole wing of the show was dedicated to the country's products. Current interest in the eastern lifestyle is in part underlined by the simplicity and function that is inherent in Asian design and an undying thirst for the exotic.
The Lifestyle Fair showcased various European color trends like yellows and purples. It also focused primarily on the calm hues of blue and green as well as the earthy tones of materials like paper and wood. The international trend towards recycled materials was also a strong theme in Tokyo, where storage and space is at a premium. Poppy three-dimensional florals, craft and organic shapes were also seen throughout the halls. But to get to the heart of this buzzing Japanese design scene, we've mapped out the trends unique to this show and the products brilliant enough to fuel western trends to come.
Japan Design Trends
Trend: Power of Paper
The Japanese distributor Yo-no-bi (known for bringing Japan's traditional crafts to the global marketplace) fabricated their booth out of hundreds of thousands of paper squares--once again symbolizing the importance of pulp in this country. The decorative lace pattern also helped to define their exhibition space.
Trend: Power of Paper
Yoshii is a home textile and towel company with a strong green component. Using a combination of recycled paper and cotton, they have introduced the solid color Shibafu towels (66% paper and 34% cotton). The durable textiles can be used and washed like a regular towel. On the left, their line of 100% cotton mats have rock and bamboo patterns--and the texture couldn't be richer!
Trend: Power of Paper
Craft Mill, a 22-year-old Filipino company makes home accessories woven from a variety of man-made and natural materials including fabrics, rope, abaca, banana, coco bark, twigs, raffia, and sea grass to name a few. Accessories shown are made from tiny threads twisted from recycled newsprint and woven into boxes, containers, frames, and letter trays.
Trend: Power of Paper
Designed by Takumi Shimamura of Qurz Inc. for Cuiora, the Shelf Maru is assembled from stacked cardboard tubes in the spirit of one of Japan's greatest living architects, Shigeru Ban. Cuiora is embracing the medium and is working on an entire collection of furniture and accessories based on paper.
Trend: Tradition with a Twist
Iron teapots have been around for almost 400 years and Iwachu, a hardware manufacturer based in southern Japan, continues that tradition. Their offerings for a traditional tea ceremony include pots in neon colors like hot pinks and purples.
Trend: Tradition with a Twist
The Japanese distributor Yonobi is known for bringing Japan's traditional crafts to the global marketplace. They work closely with contemporary Japanese designers to develop new interpretations of traditional products from lacquer, ceramics, metals, and textiles. The metallic pouches and vases are manufactured by Hashimoto Textile Art Inc, which is known for products that are woven from metallic threads.
Trend: Tradition with a Twist
Nussha Japanware is made in the tradition of 16th century Yamanaka lacquerware with contemporary pop florals that echo lively patterns found on kimonos. The Venie moon trays, cups, saucers, bowls, and plates would be a welcome addition to summer entertaining most anywhere in the world.
Trend: Tradition with a Twist
Traditional sofas and loveseats are not part of the typical Asian home but stools, mats, and cushions are. Kyoto-based Takaokaya presented the Ojami, a four-legged wood stool low enough to perch on, with a large selection of silk brocade cushions.
Trend: Folding Forms
Bangkok-based Good Job has taken the origami principle to new proportions. The company, founded by architect Sujin Osatarayakul, originally supplied tools to architects and designers and then began creating their own products--including this molecular-folded wine tote made from polyurethane and cotton polyester.
Trend: Folding Forms
Mino, a sleeping bag/chaise by Sawaru Style is a combination of mixed metaphors. Named after the Japanese word minomushi, which means basket worm, the chaise envelopes the user like a cocoon whether lying down or seated in its upright mode.
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