#007 Single x Renovation to spend the weekend as desired

1.     The trigger: The desired time and space

Ms. A who was working in the city center of Tokyo approached us with the desire to renovate an apartment in Gotemba that she inherited from her parents. While there is a possibility that she may consider moving there permanently after her retirement, the immediate intention was to create a hotel-like space where she can spend her time during weekends.
 
2.     Living plan: Inheritance

Apart from the property itself, Ms. A also inherited a collection of traditional Japanese furnitures. This includes pieces that were used in the reception room of her parent’s home, originally purchased around the 1980s, a 100% cotton fabric dyed in a beautiful indigo color, which had been carefully stored in a paulownia chest at her parent’s home. With a deep appreciation for these items, she took the time to carefully decipher their essence and consider how they could be harmoniously integrated into the desired time and space she wished to create.
 
3.     Renovation: To achieve the ideals

Mrs. A's vision for her weekend home revolved around activities like taking leisurely baths, reading books, and watching movies. Initially, she had imagined a modern space with white walls and glass elements. However, as our discussions progressed, she found herself gravitating towards a cozy ambiance that combines the charm of both Japanese and Western styles, reminiscent of the romantic atmosphere of the Taisho era. In the end, we decided to encapsulate her preferences using the keyword of "Japanese Ryokan," as a guiding theme for the renovation.

 4.     Completion: Ryokan in the apartment

The completion of the apartment was a miniature ryokan encapsulated within it. The color scheme revolved around her favorite deep blue, creating a beautifully balanced ambiance, and the walls were painted in a refreshing shade of fresh green.
Upon the entrance, a corridor unfolds, leading you into the living area that serves as the delightful "lounge" of the Ryokan. The raised platform beside the window became the "room", while a separated area houses the bathroom, giving it a detached, serene feel.

5.     New life: A striking Goemon-buro with a beautiful shade of blue

When it comes to Goemon-buro, the options are diverse, ranging from timber, cast iron, hagama, to porcelain and pottery. Prices can also vary greatly, from affordable options under hundred thousand yen to luxurious ones exceeding one million yen. For this particular renovation, a Goemon-buro made of Shigaraki-yaki pottery was chosen. Given that the key color of the room was blue, a Goemon-buro with a beautiful blue glaze was the perfect fit.
Creating a weekend getaway requires a comfortable bedroom and bathroom. By incorporating a cozy bed reminiscent of Ryokan-style comfort and a relaxing bathroom, a high-quality environment for rest and rejuvenation was created. Nowadays, with the evolving work styles, having such a residence in the outskirts offers an enticing choice to embrace a lifestyle filled with playful elements.