Thanks to photographers Molly Des Jardin (cat slide), Ethan and Kohmura Masao (Fomal Haut) for these photos of rural Japanese houses. So few materials, so harmoniously put together. Many of the photos are from an open air museum in Japan, where traditional houses from different regions have been transported and reconstructed.

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The post Traditional Japanese farmhouses: wood and straw appeared first on Ouno Design.

When this old Italian farmhouse was renovated, boards salvaged from outbuildings were brought in to make doors, beams and furniture. I’ve had this magazine clipping on my bulletin board for five years and have never grown tired of it.

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The post Bed in Italy appeared first on Ouno Design.

In the western world, 750 sq ft apartments can seem really small, even for just two people. The excerpt below is from an interesting article by Nold Egenter, a Swiss architectural anthropologist, on the cultural influences that allow the Japanese to live comfortably in what North Americans would consider small spaces.

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The post The Japanese live comfortably in tiny spaces. Could we? appeared first on Ouno Design.