At Greenwich Daikanyama, we will be offering styling services by stylist Iwasa Tomoo from February 3rd (Fri) to February 19th (Sun).
The theme is "Small Gathering."
The word means "a gathering with family or close friends," and represents the everyday life that is cherished by the people of Denmark, the country of happiness.
We asked Iwasa about the styling for this look, as well as some tips for styling at home.
About the theme "Small Gathering"
This time, we asked for styling in two scenes, the dining room and the living room, that would allow the viewer to experience "Small Gathering." What kind of image did you have in mind for each scene?
(Iwasa) "When I thought carefully about the term 'Small Gathering,' two images came to mind.
The first is a fun and bright image. We recreated the image of a dining room scene where the whole family gathers together, shares a meal and spends time together in good spirits.
And the other is the image of "shadow" in a positive sense. I thought that "Small Gathering" was perfect not only for fun or happy times, but also when you're feeling down. Sometimes just getting together in a "small" place with two or three people, friends, parents, or people you can talk to about anything can heal your heart and calm you down. I tried to recreate that positive image of "shadow" in the living room scene.
When you enter the store, you first see the dining area, and as you go further in, you'll see the living room. After experiencing the bright image, I hope you'll also experience a sense of calm and seclusion, and experience the two faces of "Small Gathering" that I envision.
Styling points for dining scenes
The dining room scene features a round Svendborg table and six chairs, with a cupboard made from String placed nearby.
It is a relaxing dining space where three generations of parents and children - father, mother, older sister, younger brother, and grandparents - can gather.
(Iwasa) "It's still cold, so I styled it with the image of everyone sharing hot soup and having a fun meal around the table. I often choose tableware to match the season and the type of meal we'll be having. In the cold winter, I use ceramics and choose tableware that will be suitable for holding hot foods. On the other hand, in the hot summer, I choose glass and other items that have a cool impression and go well with cold foods. You can also create a sense of the season by using different materials and colors."
Since they are all people who are comfortable around each other, the scenes where they get together were directed to have a relaxed, unpretentious feel to them.
(Iwasa) "I didn't want a big home party, but rather something a little more special than usual. So instead of a luxurious set of beautiful formal cutlery, I tried to create a slightly special feeling with small touches like putting small napkins and dried flowers on the plates we use every day. I laid a cloth in the middle and decorated it with mimosa flowers to express my longing for spring. I recommend flowers like mimosa, which can be dried directly from fresh flowers and don't fade easily, so you can enjoy them for a long time."
Not only the furniture but also the accessories are dotted with touches that give off a "Scandinavian" feel.
(Iwasa) "The cross in the middle is blue, a smoky blue that evokes the Scandinavian sky. We also decorated it with candles as a small item representing Scandinavian customs. Just having candles lit during meals really improves the mood. I recommend them as they are a great way to easily create a special atmosphere for birthday parties or any other occasion where you want to celebrate something special, such as when something happy happens. Also, for those who are sensitive to fire, LED candles can also add warmth to the space. The flame flickers in the same way as a real candle, and they have a soothing effect."
For the dining scene, we arranged a cupboard made from wall-mounted storage String near the table. What are some styling tips for "visible storage" like String?
(Iwasa) "For the String shelves, I selected items that I thought would be useful to have in the dining room. After meals, I like to relax with a cup of tea. That's why I brought in tea and coffee sets, glasses, and mugs. When arranging things on the shelves, I try to be conscious of matching materials. If you group things by material, like a 'glass team' or a 'ceramic team', you can create a sense of unity even if you have a variety of materials. It's easier to balance the pieces if you arrange them at different heights within each group."
In addition to tableware, String also displays books. The scene prepared for this event is a scene from a meal that Iwasa felt was "reminiscent of a Small Gathering."
(Iwasa) "Even if pictures are too difficult for some people, most homes have books. Just spreading out one page you like, or one that matches a scene, and displaying it will create a beautiful picture. Wall shelves are also an easy way to create spots that reflect the seasons. Flowers, branches, nuts and pine cones found in the park are all great accessories to create a seasonal feel.
Tips for styling accessories include the basics of creating triangles, creating height differences, and grouping, but the most important thing is to have fun. I don't think you can create a truly comfortable space if you're only concerned with "showing off." Imagine the scene in which you'll use the item and let your imagination run wild, thinking, "I wonder if I can make it easy to use if I do it like this," and you'll create a relaxing space that suits you in terms of both appearance and ease of use."
Styling points for the living room scene
The living room scene is a relaxing space centered around Greenwich's original Luu Sofa , complemented by a rocking chair and decorative shelf.
The styling expressed an image of three generations of parents and children gathered together, with young siblings playing in the living room and grandmother watching over them.
(Iwasa) "For the living room scene, we scattered various 'devices' that will help customers imagine the image of 'Small Gathering'. For example, the picture book on the table is open to a page where friends are talking to each other. We hope that by reading this passage, customers will be able to imagine or recall time spent with their own friends. The rocking chair gives the impression of a grandmother relaxing while watching over her grandchildren. We took into consideration the space when sitting in the chair to ensure that you can actually relax, so please do sit down and take a look.
The living room scene has a good image of "shadow," so we also prepared a scent device that will soothe your soul. By spraying the scented spray on the stone above the TV stand, you can experience a relaxing space that is not just visual.
In the living room, we also had a wall-mounted storage unit installed, and we had various accessories used to create the space. What are some tips for combining different colors and shapes?
(Iwasa) "This time I focused on a large poster, and chose the colors of the flower vase and ornaments from the colors in it. When combining various colors, it's good to be conscious of the tone. It's easier to balance if you match the saturation as much as possible, such as grayish colors and bright, vivid colors. As for the shape, I think it's more enjoyable to look at if the eye moves in a zigzag direction, so I added and subtracted from a triangle as the base."
In the living room, the styling of dried flowers and plants is also impressive.
(Iwasa) "Dried flowers can be enjoyed for a long time if you display ones that retain their color, such as eucalyptus. Although it is not well known, olives also retain their color beautifully when dried, which is highly recommended. It is also fun to choose a flower vase to match the color of the dried flowers. Branches tighten up the space, so they are also recommended when you want to create a cool impression. When displaying them, it is a good idea to bring them close to a light and place them while being conscious of the shadows that will be cast when the light hits them. The atmosphere will change depending on whether there is light during the day or at night, or whether there is light or not."
The bookshelves on the wall are lined with books prepared by Iwasa. Not only are the books beautifully bound, but the contents are also ones that Iwasa found interesting and purchased. Please feel free to pick one up and read it.
Finally, we asked her for some advice on styling the look.
(Iwasa) "I think it's important not to overlook that feeling that 'something just isn't right,' or that small sense of discomfort. Don't turn a blind eye to that feeling that 'something's not quite right,' but try facing it head-on. Try adding or subtracting, taking a step back to look at it from a bird's-eye view, then bringing it back up, and other things. As you do this, I'm sure you'll come to a point where you think, 'Ah, this feels calm!' Keep facing the space until you feel truly calm, until the sense of discomfort disappears. By doing this, I think you'll be able to create a space that is both visually and sensorily comfortable."
(Text: Tomori Okada)
