"I always have an image of the kind of interior I like," says Mizuno with sparkling eyes.
It was a surprising interview, with people who embody a stylish lifestyle even thinking about such things on a daily basis!
When you finish reading this article, instead of feeling like it's "a stylish person's home" and something that doesn't concern you, you'll feel like you want to pursue what you love and live a life where you can enjoy your favorite space.
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Kazuka Mizuno:
Born in Osaka in 1976, she spent her time in Illinois, USA from age 10 to 16. After graduating from a university in Kyoto, she joined a major advertising agency in 1999. She has been in charge of account management for corporate communications and mass advertising production for a wide variety of companies for about 20 years. After going independent in 2021, she is currently involved in the management of models, talents, and athletes, music and music video production, gift wrapping business, chocolate development, and dog and cat rescue activities. She lives in a home in Tokyo that she renovated to her liking.
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Home interior and cute cat
- How did you find out about TOKYO APARTMENT STORE (hereinafter referred to as TAS)?
I actually found out about TAS before it opened. I had known the president of TAS for some time, so I had heard about the store's concept and even accompanied him on a purchasing trip to France.
I remember being impressed when I saw the things the president had talked about at the TAS opening event come to life as a store.
The way the items were displayed, such as the cushions lined up on the bed, the jewelry displayed on the dresser, and the table coordination on the dining table, was different from that of a typical interior shop, and the space was created to resemble a woman's room.
While there are some unique items that you won't find in other stores, there are also some items that are easy for many people to pick up. It's like a treasure hunt, and I felt like I was enjoying shopping with excitement.
New items are regularly stocked and the joy of discovering brands and products that aren't available in other shops is a charm that has remained the same since the store first opened.
- Since the opening of TAS, you have been coming to the store regularly to purchase cushions, chairs, etc., which makes us very happy.
I also think of TAS when I'm looking for gifts for friends and colleagues.
A while ago, a friend asked me, "Do you know any shops that sell unusual items to buy as a gift?" I recommended TAS, and he contacted me to say he had found the vase that was "just it!" haha.
The variety of items, in terms of price and taste, is a good mix, which is why I want to visit the store regularly to discover new things and look for gifts. At TAS, I often find new products that interest me while I'm waiting to pay at the register.
I think this is a shop where you can enjoy new encounters that you can only experience at that moment, making you feel like you're at a flea market overseas.
Cushions purchased from our shop
-What kind of interior style do you like?
I've always loved antiques and vintage items.
However, even when it comes to antiques and vintage items, I don't think I like designs with a lot of openwork and decorations like those in the UK. Also, I like the natural atmosphere of Scandinavia, but I don't like the simplicity of the unified look. Most of all, I love the shabby chic atmosphere of France.
I think that you are the type of person who has "unwavering particulars" and has a clear idea of the taste and style of interior design that you like.
- The home you currently live in has a wonderful space that makes you feel like you're in a shop in France; all the staff were impressed!
Indeed, a friend who came to visit me in the past said that it felt like "I was in a cafe." In fact, I think the reason for the shop-like atmosphere is that I deliberately arranged items in similar colors on the shelves like objects, creating a unified look in the room.
In addition, I try to store things in a way that is attractive (visible), so I make sure not to put condiments with Japanese writing on them in a place where they can be seen. That alone makes the space look less lived-in.
Also, when you have a space you like, you naturally start to put things away as soon as you're done using them in order to keep it clean. I realized that being particular about interior design naturally changes your attitude.
A stylish, custom-made spiral staircase-style cat tower
- There are many things we can do even now, such as unifying the colors of the space and being particular about hiding storage in order to make it more attractive, and it's a learning experience! Is there anything else you are particular about?
For example, when renovating the living room, I wanted to put in dark brown furniture, so I made the walls look like plaster to create a calm atmosphere. This color combination is in the warm color category, so it goes well with red, which is also a warm color. For that reason, I chose cushions and rugs with red accents.
When I think about my favorite colors, I actually like navy and blue colors. However, I also like to choose red colors to create a sense of unity in my room, which I think is one of my preferences when it comes to interior design.
A cafe-like dining room with a unified feel
- It's true that the impression of a room can change drastically depending on the material, color, and size. So, is there anything you pay attention to when choosing furniture and accessories?
When I buy furniture, especially vintage furniture, I always pay particular attention to size.
To achieve this, I usually check social media and magazines to imagine "I wish I had such an item." Also, instead of just imagining it, I take photos of the layout I want to have in the future and save them on my smartphone. At the same time, I measure the size of the furniture I want to put in it in advance and make a note of it.
By doing this, not only will it be easier to visualize the furniture you want in your home, but you won't have to worry about getting the wrong size. At one point, I even carried a tape measure with me.
Thanks to that, I found a chest of drawers at a flea market, and when I bought it, it fit perfectly in the space I wanted to put it in! I still remember the joy I felt when my advance preparations helped it fit perfectly in the ideal place.
If you buy clothes and think, "This isn't quite right," you can just put them away in your closet. But furniture and miscellaneous goods are things you see every day, so you want them to fit in with your home in terms of appearance and size. Also, since vintage furniture is often one-of-a-kind, you never know when or where you'll find the perfect vintage furniture, so it's important to prepare in advance.
At the same time, in the end, your own instincts about what you want are also important. I think it's because you're making preparations and looking for something while respecting how you feel at the time that you can truly find something that you really love.
I came across this miraculous vintage chest of drawers while searching for something, and it was a perfect fit.
- I imagine it would take a lot of time to gather vintage furniture with that level of attention to detail, so do you try to gather all the furniture at once?
I'll wait patiently until I find furniture and miscellaneous goods that I think I like.
It's not that I don't want to get everything together quickly. But as I gain more experience, my tastes change. That's why I don't feel happy about finishing it and saying "this is it!", but rather I feel happy about the fun that will continue in the future.
I feel like every day I spend in our current home, which we have designed with the utmost care, is a very special time.
A sofa purchased from our shop and a rescue cat that we are temporarily taking care of
- Your home is truly wonderful and it gives you the opportunity to experience happiness every day! Lastly, where should you start if you want to create a stylish room like yours?
I recommend collecting interior items you like.
I think that when you spend time with things and objects that you like, you naturally absorb something. I think that there is a reason why you feel that you like something or that something is nice. So, if you make a note of the things you like and want and collect them, you will not only understand your taste and style, but also see the reason why you like them.
Coordinating interior design is about creating a space. This requires you to output the image you have in your head. I think it's important to input something on a daily basis in order to output something.
When you come across furniture or a room that you like on social media or in magazines that you regularly see, make a note of it, and occasionally look back on it to imagine what items you would like to have in your own room.
In my case, it was something I did naturally because I love interior design, but as a result, I think it has led to me finding my favorite vintage furniture and spending time in my current home surrounded by things I love.
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My thoughts after finishing the interview with Mizuno-san.
"A happy space for me creates happy times for me," and Mizuno-san is the person who has made this a reality.
Everyone has their own taste in interior design and what makes them happy. But everyone can experience the happiness of being in a space they love.
While continuing to pursue what she loves, she spoke about interior design with a bright smile on her face, and taught us how to "create happiness in your everyday life" that goes beyond the scope of interior design.
That's how I felt about the interview. Thank you for your valuable time!
Mizuno's Instagram can be found here
Items purchased by Mizuno-san
MIHO MURAKAMI - Cushion - Peacock Beige ¥15,300
