Perspective is a project that aims to give a multifaceted, bird's-eye view of things through communication via products.
For our second interview, we spoke to interior stylist Kimura Ayami. What does Leather Wrapped Stone mean to her? We visited her home.
Buying things is welcoming them into our home
When you shop for yourself, how do you often feel about making purchases?
For some stylists, private shopping has a strong nuance of stocking up and gathering materials for work, but I might shop as if I were welcoming them into my home. Of course, the line between work and private life is blurred, so there is a sense that shopping equals work.
Do you have any criteria for choosing things?
I don't have a clear standard, but I have the feeling that I am trying to squeeze in not to have too much stuff. I was once told by someone who came to my home for an interview that I didn't have a lot of stuff for a stylist. Things I used for work, things I could use in the future and things I bought for my hobbies. I think stylists naturally have more stuff because of their job, but I seem to have relatively little.
However, there is also a longing for having a lot of stuff. A style of interior design that balances things out. For example, a collection of records and books, and other things, souvenirs from somewhere else. But I can't really do that. I get a sense of information overload, so I limit the amount of things.
Maybe that's why I always unconsciously simulate the material texture and shape of things in order to find a balance in a small number of things. I think, for example, if I combine this material with that material, they will complement each other, or if I combine them in this way, only one of the materials will stand out. I feel like I am thinking about the combination of materials and shapes of things I already have and new things I am bringing in.
Did you also simulate the case of Leather Wrapped Stones?
When I first saw the Leather Wrapped Stone, I didn't know whether it was an object or a paperweight, but I was interested in the discomfort or strength of the leather being pulled into the curves of the stone. I don't know what it was, but intuitively, I thought, Ah! I have to welcome this! I thought. Looking back, I don't think I was simulating the Leather Wrapped Stone when I brought it in.
Blends in with surroundings and creates balance
How are leather stones used?
Yes, for example, you could put it on top of a book as a decoration. Or you could put it somewhere on a shelf or on a windowsill. Maybe it doesn't have to be in the living room. I enjoy putting it in different places in my home because it blends well with other things.
Stones are often used in styling. For example, when decorating shelves, there are often square objects such as books and boxes, but if you combine them with round objects, the impression becomes tighter and more balanced. Stones are a particularly good choice among round objects, as they blend in with their surroundings without any sense of discomfort and are easy to balance.
Do you have any styling tips?
You can try rolling or placing them randomly. I call placing them randomly like that 'poron', and poron gives a natural atmosphere.
Sense of Fluctuation
What is the attraction of Leather Wrapped Stone?
Leather Wrapped Stone don't have a function. Perhaps that is its goodness. Vases have a hole for inserting flowers, don't they? The hole is necessary for the function, and the vase is completed when the flower is inserted. Of course, there are many vases that are beautiful on their own, but the hole is a necessary function. A watch is not something that can be placed anywhere, and a tray also has a function to hold something. But this Leather Wrapped Stone has no function, so it can be placed anywhere. It is an existence that is not fixed and gives a fluctuation to the space.
One of the themes of Leather Wrapped Stone also includes fluctuation.
I see! Actually, my own recent theme is 'fluctuation'. I used to think that it was important to have something solid or to have a straight line, but I think that my true self has a more fluctuating sense of self. My feelings are always fluctuating. What is important is not that they don't change, but that I look at the changes and accept them.
The Leather Wrapped Stone seem to symbolise your sense of 'fluctuation'.
Maybe that's true. If an object has a strong personality, you have to think about the layout, but lLeather Wrapped Stone have a softness that makes them comfortable wherever they are placed.
Kimura Ayami
Interior stylist. Belongs to MaG, a team of prop stylist, food stylist and interior stylist. She has been involved in many projects, including styling and co-ordination in advertising.
Perspective is a project that aims to give a multifaceted and bird's-eye view of things through communication via products. For our first interview, we spoke to interior designer Kanda Keita.
Perspective: Vol.2 Kimura Ayami, Interior Stylist
Perspective is a project that aims to give a multifaceted, bird's-eye view of things through communication via products.
For our second interview, we spoke to interior stylist Kimura Ayami. What does Leather Wrapped Stone mean to her? We visited her home.
Buying things is welcoming them into our home
When you shop for yourself, how do you often feel about making purchases?
For some stylists, private shopping has a strong nuance of stocking up and gathering materials for work, but I might shop as if I were welcoming them into my home. Of course, the line between work and private life is blurred, so there is a sense that shopping equals work.
Do you have any criteria for choosing things?
I don't have a clear standard, but I have the feeling that I am trying to squeeze in not to have too much stuff. I was once told by someone who came to my home for an interview that I didn't have a lot of stuff for a stylist. Things I used for work, things I could use in the future and things I bought for my hobbies. I think stylists naturally have more stuff because of their job, but I seem to have relatively little.
However, there is also a longing for having a lot of stuff. A style of interior design that balances things out. For example, a collection of records and books, and other things, souvenirs from somewhere else. But I can't really do that. I get a sense of information overload, so I limit the amount of things.
Maybe that's why I always unconsciously simulate the material texture and shape of things in order to find a balance in a small number of things. I think, for example, if I combine this material with that material, they will complement each other, or if I combine them in this way, only one of the materials will stand out. I feel like I am thinking about the combination of materials and shapes of things I already have and new things I am bringing in.
Did you also simulate the case of Leather Wrapped Stones?
When I first saw the Leather Wrapped Stone, I didn't know whether it was an object or a paperweight, but I was interested in the discomfort or strength of the leather being pulled into the curves of the stone. I don't know what it was, but intuitively, I thought, Ah! I have to welcome this! I thought. Looking back, I don't think I was simulating the Leather Wrapped Stone when I brought it in.
Blends in with surroundings and creates balance
How are leather stones used?
Yes, for example, you could put it on top of a book as a decoration. Or you could put it somewhere on a shelf or on a windowsill. Maybe it doesn't have to be in the living room. I enjoy putting it in different places in my home because it blends well with other things.
Stones are often used in styling. For example, when decorating shelves, there are often square objects such as books and boxes, but if you combine them with round objects, the impression becomes tighter and more balanced. Stones are a particularly good choice among round objects, as they blend in with their surroundings without any sense of discomfort and are easy to balance.
Do you have any styling tips?
You can try rolling or placing them randomly. I call placing them randomly like that 'poron', and poron gives a natural atmosphere.
Sense of Fluctuation
What is the attraction of Leather Wrapped Stone?
Leather Wrapped Stone don't have a function. Perhaps that is its goodness. Vases have a hole for inserting flowers, don't they? The hole is necessary for the function, and the vase is completed when the flower is inserted. Of course, there are many vases that are beautiful on their own, but the hole is a necessary function. A watch is not something that can be placed anywhere, and a tray also has a function to hold something. But this Leather Wrapped Stone has no function, so it can be placed anywhere. It is an existence that is not fixed and gives a fluctuation to the space.
One of the themes of Leather Wrapped Stone also includes fluctuation.
I see! Actually, my own recent theme is 'fluctuation'. I used to think that it was important to have something solid or to have a straight line, but I think that my true self has a more fluctuating sense of self. My feelings are always fluctuating. What is important is not that they don't change, but that I look at the changes and accept them.
The Leather Wrapped Stone seem to symbolise your sense of 'fluctuation'.
Maybe that's true. If an object has a strong personality, you have to think about the layout, but lLeather Wrapped Stone have a softness that makes them comfortable wherever they are placed.
Kimura Ayami
Interior stylist. Belongs to MaG, a team of prop stylist, food stylist and interior stylist. She has been involved in many projects, including styling and co-ordination in advertising.
Instagram: @ayami.kimura
https://mag-soa.com/
Edit and Photograph: Shioda Yuya
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Perspective: Vol.1 Kanda Keita, Interior Designer
Perspective is a project that aims to give a multifaceted and bird's-eye view of things through communication via products. For our first interview, we spoke to interior designer Kanda Keita.