For most people, building one’s dream house means saving up enough money to invest in property and make design ideas come to life.
Whether it’s a cabin in the mountains, a homey farmhouse, or a tiny, cozy nook in the city, having a place you can truly call your own is twice as rewarding when it is completely the fruit of your own labor.
However, not everyone goes about building their dream home the same way. There are people who don’t simply invest in property then hire experts to construct the foundation and help them tick off items on a well-curated Pinterest board.
Some prefer doing most of the work themselves.
Yoshiko Jinzenji is a Japanese textile artist who took the same first step: she bought a 400-square-meter land up Mount Hiei in Kyoto.
She collected all the materials for her small home herself.
Apart from wood, iron, and stones, she also sourced simple yet beautiful pieces like thin, attractive windows that give her home a light, airy feel.
“I went to France and investigated Le Corbusier Chapel in Ronchamp.”
Before she was able to put up her dream house, she shares that she was always busy her whole life.
The textile artist started doing natural dyeing in Indonesia in 1983.
“And I invented bamboo dyeing! Unlike common natural dyes, bamboo dyes the fabric glistening.”
Bamboo dyeing is the process of dyeing fabric white using bamboo.
Junichi Arai, a pioneer Japanese fashion designer, was one of her best customers.
“Designer Issey Miyaki and Yohji Yamamoto both work with him and use his cloth.”
Now that she has her own quiet space, she proudly shares how she designed the custom-built home herself.
“The whole house is an integrated kitchen. I designed it and it took one year and a half to build the house.”
Part of the tour includes interesting tidbits from the artist’s life, such as how her interest in cooking came about.
Yoshiko describes how unhealthy her eating habits used to be. But now that she’s completely focused on herself, she can devote more time to experimenting in the kitchen.
“I should live healthier and put more thoughts into what I eat.”
She talks proudly about the food she prepares but you won’t be able to help but notice how charming everything in her home is – from the small kitchen to a sunny dining area overlooking a garden.
Curiously, Yoshiko’s space manages to look cozy and organized despite quaint details such as a plethora of plates stacked on wooden shelves and countless utensils.
The soothing and neutral color palette of the interiors also perfectly reflect Yoshiko’s calm outlook and gentle personality.
Solitude is truly a beautiful thing when you realize just how much a peaceful life has to offer.
Yoshiko’s contentment at having lived quite a fruitful life spent working and traveling has paved the way towards a more serene path.
While she enjoys keeping to herself and cooking, she occasionally invites her friends over to partake in her latest culinary creations. She also says she still wants to explore more despite living at a much slower pace.
What an ideal life Yoshiko has!
The custom home is Yoshiko’s last gift to herself.
“I’m a creator myself, why not design my own house?”
Learn more about the textile artist and take a tour of her custom-built home by watching the video below.
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