Japanese aesthetics + Chewing gum wrappers + Coming soon
The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 3 of 13, SS25 *
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I couldn't settle on one topic this week, so let's consider three things in a row. I'll leave it to you to figure out if there's a hidden connection between them all.
On Japanese aesthetics
Articles in praise of ordinary things are a regular in this newsletter – so you'd think I would have read a design classic called "In Praise of Shadows." Believe it or not, I only got to it this past weekend. I'm glad I finally did, as it's now a fresh source of inspiration I'll be turning to often.
Penned by the Japanese novelist Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, it was published in 1933, and first appeared in English in 1977. It's a quirky sixteen-part essay that contrasts the Western ideal of brightly lit environments with the author's love of shadowy spaces, savoured in the traditional interiors of his country.
What I found surprising – and refreshing – is that it's a purely text-driven exploration. There isn't a single photo or illustration in the book. Like all design-lovers, I encounter a deluge of imagery in a single day, mostly on screens, so immersing myself in this written experience was a delicious break.
Here's Tanizaki on the qualities of gold leaf:
- translated by Thomas J. Harper and Edward G. Seidensticker
Sunset might be the best time to read this essay, with just enough lamp light to absorb its pages. While brief, the essay includes some unusual moments, like a celebration of Japanese toilets and a recipe for persimmon-leaf sushi. It has the meandering quality of an erudite mind at play, and it's a pleasure to come along for the ride.
Tip: You can get your own copy of "In Praise of Shadows" at Indigo.
On chewing gum wrappers
Last week we looked at overloading, the art of adding more to an arrangement than you think possible. The Guardian recently featured a first-person account of someone who's been living this principle for sixty years:
Gary Duschl
It's fun to read the comments attached to the article, because you can feel knee-jerk cynicism melting away into respect. It's hard not to be won over by Gary Duschl's drive and sense of joy:
It's also a potential wake-up call. Are you being half-hearted about something that would change your life if you made a commitment?
Coming soon
Get ready for a change of scene this summer. This newsletter will be coming to you from Montreal in July and August, direct from a neighbourhood with apartments like this:
I'll share my visual discoveries with you, focusing on design insights to revitalize your home. To get into the spirit, here's a look back at one of my bulletins from last year:
Guy Koolhof
Got any tips for things to see and do in Montreal? Drop a note in the Comments below. Your recommendation could be the spark for an upcoming issue!
Thank you for reading.
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