Mio Yamada

Discover the luxurious and sensorial world of I IN, the celebrated Tokyo-based interior design studio stirring up the world of interiors with its vibrant and distinct use of colour, shapes and materials. Not one to be restricted by pre-existing paradigms, I IN uses familiar tools to achieve innovative and out-of-the-box designs. The two founders Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, hailing from Tokyo, share their methodologies and values in this their first dedicated publication. Characterising the work of I IN is much like peeling the layers of an onion. The eye is immediately drawn to spaces that impress with their simplicity – there is no excess of materials, no unnecessary details and no gimmicky objects present. However, these spaces are far from cold or impersonal. Rounded structures and curved corners instantly make visitors feel at ease. Fluid lines are soothing to the eye. Warm colours, often derived from natural materials, welcome people and invite them to linger. The colour gradient in I IN’s oeuvre deserves special mention. By enriching surfaces, gradients suggest the radiant presence of concealed light sources, adding depth to the space. Peeling back another layer reveals what could be termed I IN’s secret ingredient: The studio’s use of light. Soft, often natural, lighting shapes space and enhances the spatial experience. In the hands of I IN’s founders, Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, light becomes a tool to add drama and depth to rooms. The designers also use light to highlight merchandise. But above all, lighting imparts a sense of calm and sensuality to many of I IN’s projects. In this book one can expect to learn about Japanese design conventions and the way the duo is maintaining the delicate balance between honouring their heritage and pushing it into new directions, both in terms of the final product and the process by which they get there. Luxury, a keystone concept for I IN, has an evolved and new holistic meaning for the future. Featuring 13 of the studio’s most recognisable projects, the pages have been carefully curated and designed to inspire and evoke feelings of calm and luxury.

Its beckoning paw has a cult fanbase, but the lucky cat is more than just a cute ornament. The iconic creature is a symbol of good fortune and used as a powerful lucky charm in shops and homes across Japan, China and beyond. The lucky cat (or maneki neko in Japanese) has a long history dating back to the 17th century that’s packed with fascinating folklore, serious symbolism and countless contemporary cat spin-offs. Its paw, bib, coin, collar and colours all have meaning. Did you know a pink cat will bring you luck in love, while a gold cat is all about wealth? Or that a left-pawed cat is used by businesses to attract customers, while a cat with a beckoning right paw is found in homes as talisman? Dive into this adorable book to find out all you need to know about the beautiful lucky cat.