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When designer Shanty Wijaya, of Allprace Properties, got to work on the midcentury home she was renovating in Los Angeles, she knew that she wanted to incorporate a mix of two of her favorite styles: Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics.
Using that exact combination, dubbed Japandi, she artfully worked the look into the entire space to completely transform the three-bedroom hillside home. “To me, each of these design influences support a healthy, meaningful lifestyle and reinforce a connectedness to nature,” she says. “From the zenlike tranquility of Japanese wabi-sabi to the minimalist, warm, and neutral elements of Scandinavian hygge, I wanted to create a fusion of cultures that was intentional, artful, and sustainable.”
Upon entering the home, you’re greeted with a natural, muted, and earthy color palette and a minimalistic, light-filled space. “Even though the color choices were mainly natural and muted, we mixed and used lots of different textures and materials to add the interest and complexity to the look,” says Shanty. In the kitchen, for example, there’s lots of plaster used, and throughout the space, you’ll see concrete, limestone, and ample amounts of reclaimed wood. For the designer, incorporating big windows and sliding doors to make the views and landscaping a major focal point in the house was also essential.
“We brought the outdoors inside by using potted hanging plants and greenery throughout the home’s interior,” says Shanty. Japanese garden plants and rocks as well as different types of bamboo, Japanese maples, bonsai, and pine trees are all present along with specially sourced rocks that mimic the look of a mountain.
Despite the fact that the home centers around a scaled-back sense of design, there are unique and one-of-a-kind details that make it feel fresh. For example, vintage, reclaimed, and handmade pieces rather than mass-produced furnishings are scattered throughout the home—such as the wooden chair in the living room and the raw wooden table in the dining area. A rough-hewn reclaimed French oak was refinished with a dark stain and used for the kitchen countertop. “Throughout the home, we utilized materials that can naturally patina over time,” says Shanty.
Taking inspiration from the Scandinavian side of things, Shanty wanted to make sure the home incorporated a sustainable sensibility. “We used high-performing, sustainably sourced Accoya wood on the exterior of the house. We also have a custom-built bioethanol concrete fireplace that is smokeless, ventless, and eco-friendly.”
The Japandi design doesn’t end with the interiors, either. As Shanty explains, one of the most challenging processes of the renovation was executing the particular style outside of the home (custom millwork on the façade) and planning and implementing the landscape design (lush zen gardens and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions). “My goal was to create a home that embodied the Japandi design movement, and I wanted the exterior appearance to make a dramatic statement,” she says, of the hand-cut design. “I was most excited to change the home’s façade and landscaping.”
Another one of the designer’s favorite parts of this project? The she-shed, which can be used as an office, a yoga studio, or just a place to zen out. “I also love that by adding this structure, we created extra privacy to the home,” she says. “We kept the architectural elements of the she-shed cohesive with the rest of the home with its unique design and Accoya wood millwork.”
