After the second fallout of the Delta Variant amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in mid 2021, our team working from home, and our client in quarantine, SDA Architects conceived Japandi Home. The initial brief for the renovation of this pool house was for its interior to have an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful. Influenced by loneliness and angst during quarantine, SDA Architects explored themes of escapism and empathy which led to a “Japandi” style concept design – the nexus between “Scandinavian functionality” and “Japanese rustic minimalism” to invoke feelings of “art, nature and simplicity.” This merging of styles forms the perfect amalgamation of both function and form, centred on clean lines, bright spaces and light colours. Grounded by its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed atmosphere; Japandi Home aesthetics focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort; minimalism that is both aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Japandi Home places special emphasis on sustainability through use of raw furnishings and a rejection of the one-time-use culture we have embraced for numerous decades. A plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines and minimal, yet-well-curated furnishings have been employed to showcase beautiful craftsmanship – quality handmade pieces over quantitative throwaway items. A neutral colour palette compliments the soft and hard furnishings within, allowing the timeless pieces to breath and speak for themselves. These calming, tranquil and peaceful colours have been chosen so when accent colours are incorporated, they are done so in a meaningful yet subtle way. Japandi home isn’t sparse – it’s intentional. The integrated storage throughout – from the kitchen, to dining buffet, linen cupboard, window seat, entertainment unit, bed ensemble and walk-in wardrobe are key to reducing clutter and maintaining the zen-like sense of calm created by these clean lines and open spaces. The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” refers to the idea that ones home is your cosy sanctuary. Similarly, this ideology has been fused with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi”; the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. Hence, the marriage of these design styles is both founded on minimalism and comfort; easy-going yet sophisticated. Conversely, whilst Japanese styles can be considered “sleek” and Scandinavian, “rustic”, the richness of the Japanese neutral colour palette aids in preventing the stark, crisp palette of Scandinavian styles from feeling cold and clinical. Japandi Home’s introspective essence can ultimately be considered quite timely for the pandemic and was the quintessential lockdown project our team needed.

Transitional powder room in Seattle with light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, wood benchtops, brown floor, white tile, ceramic tile and open cabinets.

Proyecto de decoración de reforma integral de vivienda: Sube Interiorismo, Bilbao. Fotografía Erlantz Biderbost
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian powder room in Bilbao with open cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, gray tile, porcelain tile, beige walls, porcelain floors, a vessel sink, wood benchtops, grey floor and brown benchtops.

This is an example of a small transitional powder room in Other with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, a two-piece toilet, brown tile, beige tile, beige walls, porcelain floors and grey floor.

Inspiration for a small contemporary powder room in Richmond with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, black tile, ceramic tile, white walls, light hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, white benchtops and a floating vanity.

A contemporary west coast home inspired by its surrounding coastlines & greenbelt. With this busy family of all different professions, it was important to create optimal storage throughout the home to hide away odds & ends. A love of entertain made for a large kitchen, sophisticated wine storage & a pool table room for a hide away for the young adults. This space was curated for all ages of the home.

This conetmporary powder room has a ton of character. The wood vanity has a beautiful grain in it that makes it pop against the white counter and the white wave wall tile.

A unique powder room. Sink by Glass river Design, this is called the Copper River Vessel Sink. http://glassriverdesign.com/

Matching powder room to the kitchen's minimalist style!
Photo of a small scandinavian powder room in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, porcelain floors, a vessel sink, quartzite benchtops, grey floor, grey benchtops and a floating vanity.

The compact powder room shines with natural marble tile and floating vanity. Underlighting on the vanity and hanging pendants keep the space bright while ensuring a smooth, warm atmosphere.

This is an example of a small modern powder room in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray tile, porcelain tile, black walls, porcelain floors, a vessel sink, laminate benchtops, grey floor and black benchtops.

Sink and cabinet- no mirror yet. Photos by Sundeep Grewal
This is an example of a small contemporary powder room in San Francisco with light wood cabinets, green tile, ceramic tile, light hardwood floors, white walls, flat-panel cabinets, a vessel sink and brown floor.

This powder room feature floor to ceiling pencil tiles in this gorgeous Jade Green colour. We used a Concrete Nation vessel from Plumbline and Gunmetal tapware from ABI Interiors. The vanities are solid oak and are a gorgeous unique design.

Contemporary powder room in New Orleans with light wood cabinets, grey walls, beige floor and a vessel sink.

Glass subway tiles create a decorative border for the vanity mirror and emphasize the high ceilings. Trever Glenn Photography
Mid-sized contemporary powder room in Sacramento with open cabinets, light wood cabinets, brown tile, glass tile, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a vessel sink, quartzite benchtops, brown floor and white benchtops.

Our clients hired us to completely renovate and furnish their PEI home — and the results were transformative. Inspired by their natural views and love of entertaining, each space in this PEI home is distinctly original yet part of the collective whole. We used color, patterns, and texture to invite personality into every room: the fish scale tile backsplash mosaic in the kitchen, the custom lighting installation in the dining room, the unique wallpapers in the pantry, powder room and mudroom, and the gorgeous natural stone surfaces in the primary bathroom and family room. We also hand-designed several features in every room, from custom furnishings to storage benches and shelving to unique honeycomb-shaped bar shelves in the basement lounge. The result is a home designed for relaxing, gathering, and enjoying the simple life as a couple.

Inspiration for a contemporary powder room in Canberra - Queanbeyan with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black walls, a vessel sink, wood benchtops and a floating vanity.

Design ideas for a contemporary powder room in Sunshine Coast with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray tile, white walls, a vessel sink, grey floor and white benchtops.

Martin Knowles, Arden Interiors
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary powder room in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a vessel sink, black floor, black benchtops, black walls, porcelain floors, solid surface benchtops, a floating vanity and wallpaper.