January 26, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
ESSENCE of JAPAN
words YUZU Editorial
photos Anna Stathaki
A quiet London home shaped by Japanese design.
Located on a residential street in Ealing, West London, Essence of Japan is a two-storey 1960s terraced house transformed into a calm and inward-looking family home by Yoko Kloeden Design. The project translates Japanese spatial principles into a contemporary London context—measured, restrained, and free of nostalgia.
Designed for a professional couple relocating from Hong Kong, the brief centred on simplicity, natural materials, and a strong sense of place. Having stood empty for years, the house required a complete refurbishment. Rather than imposing a new identity, the design approach focused on creating a pared-back envelope defined by wood, tactility, and carefully considered detail.
A DESIGN LANGUAGE ROOTED IN RESTRAINT
Founded in 2016, Yoko Kloeden Design is known for creating homes shaped by material honesty and a close relationship with nature. For Essence of Japan, Yoko Kloeden worked with craftspeople trained in Japan and sourced authentic materials directly from the country. Sustainability and ethical sourcing informed both construction choices and finishes throughout the project.
The result is not a literal interpretation of Japanese interiors, but a lived-in expression of their underlying principles—clarity, flexibility, and calm.
THRESHOLDS, TRANSITIONS, AND FLOW
The entrance plays a defining role in the home. The hallway was extended to create a clear separation between interior and exterior, accommodating generous shoe storage, concealed cabinetry, and a full-height mirror. Oak and concrete establish a restrained material palette that continues throughout the house, lending cohesion and continuity.
Clean lines and natural surfaces shape the circulation spaces, allowing rooms to unfold gradually rather than abruptly.
LIVING WITH INTENTION
In the living and dining area, wellbeing informed many design decisions. Due to the client’s dust allergy, soft furnishings were kept to a minimum. Wooden slatted acoustic panels improve sound quality while adding warmth and rhythm, complemented by a bespoke grass rug sourced from Japan.
The kitchen follows the same logic: compact, efficient, and deliberately understated, with grey marble countertops adding a quiet sense of depth and durability.
FLEXIBLE SPACES AND QUIET DETAILS
Adaptability was central to the layout. A multi-purpose room functions as both home office and guest bedroom, divided by traditional Shoji paper sliding screens designed with Wabi Sabi Design. A custom-built wooden platform serves as a yoga space, seating, or a base for a futon, with integrated storage when not in use.
In the guest WC, porcelain tiles by Japanese manufacturer INAX and split bamboo detailing introduce gentle curves and softness to an otherwise minimal palette.
RESTING CLOSE TO THE GROUND
The main bedroom reflects the clients’ preference for sleeping on a futon. Bespoke tatami mattresses were made in Tokyo, while a wall-to-wall oak headboard—referencing a boutique hotel in Nara—adds warmth and structure. Bathrooms continue the same restrained language, with marble acting as both visual anchor and tactile surface.
Rather than importing a style, Essence of Japan embraces a way of living—one grounded in calm, intention, and material clarity. A quietly crafted retreat, designed for everyday life in the city.
