Design Needs Playfulness? -Muuto-

It is interesting that our apartment has a sign outside saying"mind-blowing interior." When we first moved into this place, there were two blue lamps hanging above the kitchen counter. Yes, that was mind-blowing but not in a good way. The lamps were literally emitting blue lights, the most annoying lamps I have ever seen in my life. What I liked about the apartment was that it was simple and honest. There was no fake crown molding or any quirky arched door, or decorative kitchen cabinets, which we are not a big fan of. I immediately felt there was a room for turning into a nice modern space. But we gotta have to do something about the blue lamps. It wasn't something we could tolerate. So, I had an idea to replace them with industrial looking pendant bulbs.

Muuto is the Danish brand I will go to when I want to have something well designed but not too expensive. Scandinavian furniture can cost a fortune. Muuto brand is reasonably priced and has a collection of cute and playful design. E27 Pendant Lamp was our pick.

We were initially afraid that the pendant lamps would be too bright without the lamp shades. It turns out they are good fit for the apartment unit that's not facing the south. Wiring was a bit challenging but somehow Nicolai always manages to make things work. We were happy the day the bright warm light illuminated our living room and kitchen.

Another Muuto design I would like to introduce is The Dots. They were given by our good friends on our wedding and that was how we were introduced to this brand. We didn't quite know how to decorate them so we didn't use them in our previous apartment. When we saw a white blank wall next to the door, we knew this was the spot for these little guys.

It turns out that they were more useful than how they appear. Initially, I thought they would just be our artsy decorations for the wall but they work quite well as coat hooks. Our wall looks great with and without coats and hats on.

When I walk Uni at night, I see that rest of the apartment is still using the default blue lamps, gloriously emitting the blue light. When I come home and see our nice modern pendant lights (also the hooks), I'm content and feel myself at home.

Greetings in Japanese

今回は我々夫婦が愛用してるデーニッシュブランドをご紹介したいと思います。引越した当時に一緒に付いてきたブルーのランプ（ちなみにステンドグラスのようなマテリアルでできていました。）がどうしても嫌で取り替えたのがこの、MuutoからのE27 Pendnat Lamp。インダストリアルでモダンなデザインがインテリアの様子をガラッと変えてくれます。それまでモダンにしたいのかアンティークにしたいのかインテリアデザイナーの意図が見えずというところから、私たち好みのシンプルモダンに近寄せてくれました。

ちなみにコートフック, The Dotsは、結婚式のお祝いに友達からもらったものですが、今までどこにどうつけていいか分からず何年か過ぎ、新居に移ったときに思い切ってドアの隣の白い壁に付けてみました。そしたらお洒落でしかも実用的！私たちはかなりのファンクショナリストで可愛いもをはなるべく避けているので、コールドなモダンテイストになりがちなのですが、こういった遊び心のあるアイテムが一点でもあると温かみもプラスされ、バランスの良いインテリアにしてくれます。

日本は今猛暑で大変らしいですね。ベイエリアはカラッとしていて毎日３０度以下。ないものねだりというか、日本のあの汗が吹き出る湿気と暑さ、夏のお祭り、セミの鳴き声など恋しいばかりです。どうかみなさん熱中症には気をつけてお過ごしください。