Rescued Relic: A Romantic Atelier in Japan - Remodelista
Two far-flung sisters–one based in LA, the other in Hong Kong–set their sights on the relic next to their childhood home in Kanagawa, Japan, as their own bohemian work quarters when they’re in town. 555 artfully shored up the annex by celebrating the simple beauty of the original design. Photography by Koichi Torimura. “In Japan, it’s rare to find an old Western-style building that’s still privately owned,” says Tsuchida. Tsuchida set out to preserve the existing state of the building as much as possible. The original masonry and woodwork were updated with white paint. See photos of the work in progress here. Plumen lights hang over the dining table. The sisters furnished their quarters sparsely with a few antiques and potted plants. Tsuchida installed a new readymade pine floor and lightly whitewashed it so that the wood grain shows through. An under-the-stairs sink–because the annex is used as a workspace, there’s no kitchen or shower. The windows (as well as doors, peaked roof, and some of the baseboards) are outlined in black. New plasterwork and an elegant light switch. 555 to see more of the firm’s work.