We visited Katsuya Kubokawa's Life Place

In Greenwich, we call a place that satisfies your soul a "Life Place."

The place that fills your heart is different for each person. So how does that wonderful person create a place where they belong?

This project was born from that idea.
We will visit the "Life Place" of some interesting people with ties to Greenwich, and get lots of tips on creating a comfortable, fulfilling space.

This time, we have interior stylist Katsuya Kubokawa.

Kubokawa is active in a wide range of fields including magazines, advertisements and television. He works on styling for media, window displays, model apartment rooms and event decorations.

Kubokawa has a deep knowledge of not only interior design but also products in general, including cars, home appliances, and stationery.
A few years ago, it was purchased as a terraced house by none other than Kunio Maekawa, a master of Japanese modernist architecture.

Built in 1957. A terraced house in Saginomiya known as the "White Heron House."
This is one of a series of terraced houses characterized by their triangular roofs, designed by Kunio Maekawa in the 1950s.

This series was built in Asagaya, Karasuyama, and Saginomiya in western Tokyo, which were known as the "suburbs" at the time.
Of these, the Asagaya and Karasuyama properties were sadly demolished, and the only one remaining is the Saginomiya property, which was the first to be built.

Mr. Kubokawa purchased this property that also has historical value.
The home has been renovated while retaining its retro charm from that time.

Now, Greenwich's Luu sofa will be installed in the terrace house! So, Greenwich's CEO Imada and staff went to visit the newly renovated home.

We will bring you plenty of information about Kubokawa's creation of a "Life Place."

Abundant nature is also a feature of terraced houses.
A Luu sofa was placed in a special seat where we could fully enjoy it!
The large windows on two sides have been renovated to allow plenty of greenery to be enjoyed.
This is a very luxurious living room where you can feel the changing of the seasons without leaving your home.

When you see green, you feel a sense of calm and relaxation.
Furthermore, if you open the window and put up the screen, the breeze will come through and it will feel really nice.
It's so comfortable, you'll almost forget you're in the city.

The theme is "an atelier for adults," and the place is filled with ideas that allow you to work in a stylish and fun way.
A vintage desk, chair, and carefully selected accessories with a calm atmosphere.
I think I'll be able to enjoy my work even more by getting inspiration from the things I love.

The floor of what was originally the second floor was removed to create a large open space.
An impressive object serves as an accent on the large wall that stretches all the way to the top.

George Nelson pendant lights in the large atrium.
The ability to arrange items at different heights is unique to an open-air space.
It adds movement to the space and is visually pleasing.

You can also sit with your legs stretched out facing the open atrium from the second floor.
Sitting here and talking like this makes me feel like a child again.
A sense of playfulness is woven into the adult space.
The relaxed atmosphere is truly that of an "atelier for adults."

Carefully selected easy chairs, including vintage knee chairs, are placed throughout the room.
Take a break and relax. You can enjoy these healing spots in different locations depending on your mood that day.
Take a good rest. This is the perfect space for a "grown-up" way of working.

The pillars and beams in the living room have been left as they were at the time.
When I see parts that give off that "good old" vibe, it makes me feel nostalgic.
I feel relieved and at peace.

The living room also has been designed to blend in the home appliances with the interior.
They don't have a television, but instead use an Amazon Echo and a projector to enjoy the news and movies.
The placement and use of home appliances is also a very important point when considering a comfortable space.

In stark contrast to the bright colors of the living room, the dining room has a calm, adult feel.
The furniture, floors, and even the appliances are all in dark colors.
Even in a continuous space without doors, you can clearly divide the space just by changing the use of colors.

Even the small space under the stairs is decorated with exquisite detail.
Even practical items like slippers and dusters can look beautiful when left out if you choose design-oriented items.
"Looking stylish when out and about" may be one of the criteria you use when choosing things.

The vintage shelves are filled with items that Kubokawa has carefully selected.
The colors and materials are consistent, making it stylish, neat and tidy.
I learned a lot about the correct answer to "visible storage"!

The Eames table, also known as the "Surfboard," features a wooden chessboard on top.
Have fun in style. This exquisite sense of freedom also gives the impression of an "atelier for adults."

Kubokawa's Life Place is a place where you can work, play, and relax all in one space.
In particular, the carefully crafted interior was arranged very effectively to further enhance the atmosphere of the "adult atelier."

Imagine specifically what you want to do in that place, and then decide on a theme.
If you start thinking about the interior from there, even the process of creating a living place seems like it would be fun.

Mr. Kubokawa gave me a lot of tips on creating a life place.