Japanese interiors focus primarily on one simple philosophy: Zen. All the rooms in a traditionally furnished Japanese home strive to achieve a balance of peace and simplicity, and a pervasive sense of calm is key to the whole aesthetic.

This handbook will show you how to create a tailor-made Japanese home. Working through the house one room at a time, it highlights classic items of furniture and signature accessories, from tatami mats and paper lanterns to shoji (dividing screens). In-depth case studies demonstrate the essential elements and provide inspiration, while colour combinations are explored to help personalize this iconic style for the home. Anyone who hankers after the Japanese look will find this book a valuable resource.

Olivia Bays is an editor, writer and lover of all things Japanese.

Cathelijne Nuijsink is an architecture graduate. She curated ‘Rethinking Domesticity’ at Shibaura House, Japan, in 2013.

Tony Seddon is a freelance designer, project manager and writer. He has written or co-written nearly ten books, among them Type Team, Greetings from Retro Design and The Evolution of Type.