My home at Lake Sanaru is open to the public as a salon, displaying antique Scandinavian furniture and works by ceramic artists, providing a place where you can see, touch, and learn directly. This time, I'm introducing a two-Michelin-starred French restaurant in Nagoya...ReminiscenceHe has been active as one of the second-in-commands of "[ ]Yuta EtoOne of the reasons the chef mentioned for coming to Yokohama was that he wanted to see Scandinavian furniture. So, we invited him to admire the beautiful designs and craftsmanship of Scandinavian furniture up close, and to learn about its history and background.
"Hans J. Wegner / CH24 Y Chair"
Designed in 1949 by Hans Wegner, a leading figure in Danish furniture design, the "Y Chair (CH24)" is an iconic piece of Scandinavian modern design. Its name comes from its unique shape, with the backrest crossing in a Y-shape. The frame is made of high-quality wood such as oak and walnut, and the seat is hand-woven with paper cord. This light and elegant design harmonizes with any interior and is perfect as a dining chair or as an accent piece in the living room. The Y Chair, embodying Wegner's design philosophy of combining functionality and beauty, is one of those masterpieces that continues to be loved across generations.
"Hans Jørgensen Wegner / The Chair"
We also had the opportunity to sit in "The Chair." This masterpiece, which made Wegner's name famous, is the chair that President John F. Kennedy sat in during a televised debate. He was impressed by how comfortably his back was supported and how he looked at his most beautiful, and famously called it "The Chair!" meaning "the chair of all chairs, a special chair."
Gallery
The gallery features the works of a leading Danish furniture designer,Finn JuhlThe chairs, among others, are by Toyama ceramic artist "Gaku Shakunaga" and the woodworking unit "Shimoo DesignThe exhibition features works by [artist name], which guests are free to view.
"Finn Juhl / One Collection No. 45"
Finn Juhl was a master of Danish furniture design, creating innovative works that blended sculptural beauty with functionality. His masterpiece, "No. 45," unveiled in 1945, is known as the chair with "the most beautiful arms in the world." Characterized by its light design created by the independent seat, backrest, and arms, and its beautiful proportions from every angle, it is considered an art piece that transcends functionality. This "No. 45" is currently being reproduced by "House of Finn Juhl" (formerly One Collection) based on the original drawings. Using high-quality leather and fabric, the chair, faithfully reproduced down to the smallest detail, harmonizes with modern living spaces. The wooden frame is manufactured by Asahi Sofu Seisakusho in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Utilizing traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, they have beautifully reproduced Finn Juhl's flowing curves. "No. 45," a fusion of Danish design philosophy and Japanese craftsmanship, is an exceptional piece that combines beauty and comfort.
"Finn Juhl / Nils Vodder No. 53"
Hida Takayama's Scandinavian furniture manufacturerKitani）We welcomed No. 53 from "[Title of the chair]". A masterpiece alongside Finn Juhl's NV-No. 45, the NV-No. 53 features a rounded seat with decorative grooves carved into the arms, which curve slightly upward towards the ends, creating a sculptural work. The combination of warm brick-colored leather and fabric seating creates a beautiful color scheme. Sitting on the seat, which retains the original horsehair construction, you can experience the gentle lines that completely envelop your body. And the exquisite beauty of the armrests' ends is a design that truly captivates, almost as if it were a living thing.
Finn Juhl / One Collection
Chieftain Chair
This chair, unveiled in 1949, is a lounge chair designed by Finn Juhl for relaxing in front of the fireplace in his own home. Its large, elegant, and imposing form is befitting of the name "Chieftain" (chief of an uncivilized tribe), and it was the chair that King Frederik of Denmark sat in at an exhibition. There are photographs of Finn Juhl himself sitting in the Chieftain Chair with his legs stretched out on the armrests, and it is a highly functional and stable design that allows you to sit as if you are completely enveloped in it.
In fact, we had him sit with his legs stretched out on the armrests, just as Finn Juhl had done back then.
The Chieftain Chair's comfort is something that only those who sit in it can truly appreciate, and everyone is captivated by its exceptional sense of comfort and support.
Eto-kun, who is fascinated by Scandinavian furniture, also shared his dream of one day owning either Finn Juhl's Bwana Chair France & Son or Hans J. Wegner's PP19/Papa Bear Chair (PP Mobler).
In the foreground: "Toshiyuki Tani / Pendant Light RON"
The "Ron" pendant light, designed by Toshiyuki Tani, is a lighting fixture that fuses traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern design. This piece expresses a delicate and beautiful Japanese aesthetic by combining the techniques of Mito lantern makers and Suruga bamboo craftsmen. The shade is made of washi paper and bamboo, which allows soft light to pass through, bringing warmth and tranquility to the space. The surface of the washi paper is treated to prevent water and stains, and the bamboo strips are made of environmentally friendly PET resin and starch glue. This ensures both durability and environmental consideration. "Ron" is suitable not only for Japanese-style rooms but also for Western-style rooms with a natural feel, and harmonizes with various interior styles. Its simple and sophisticated design blends seamlessly into modern living spaces. In addition, the delicate contrast of light and shadow projected onto the ceiling creates a unique atmosphere in the space.
Back: "FLOS / Fantasma Piccolo Stand Lamp"
FLOS, founded in 1962 by the Castiglioni brothers, leading Italian architects and designers, presents the "Fantasma Piccolo" floor lamp. Designed by the Scarpa brothers, this lamp possesses a sculptural presence. The lamp's internal structure is constructed from a resin frame, over which a cocoon resin is sprayed to create a unique translucent texture. When lit, the light spreads softly throughout, creating a warm atmosphere that envelops the space. Its sculptural form and the effect of the light have earned it high praise as a masterpiece that fuses art and practicality.
Eto-kun was captivated by the gentle atmosphere and delicate design of "Lun." It seems he immediately added it to his shopping list!
"JL Møller / Model.78"
The JL Møller "Model.78" is a dining chair designed in 1962 by the company's founder, Nils Ot Møller (NO Møller). This model is highly regarded as an iconic piece of traditional Danish furniture design, and JL Møller remains a renowned brand of dining chairs today. The most distinctive feature of the "Model.78" is its smooth, delicate, and artistic form. The design, which makes extensive use of curves, pursues not only visual beauty but also comfortable seating, achieving a perfect balance of functionality and comfort. This elegant design is a testament to Nils Møller's originality and the company's accumulated high level of technical expertise. Furthermore, the wood used in the "Model.78" is carefully selected, high-quality natural materials such as oak and walnut. The meticulously finished frame not only enhances the beauty of the wood grain but also boasts durability. Each chair is handcrafted, possessing a timeless appeal that ensures it can be enjoyed for many years to come.
At the gallery, you can directly touch and experience Scandinavian furniture, sitting on it and appreciating the texture of the materials and the details of its construction. Afterwards, you can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee in the dining room surrounded by antique furniture.
The Scandinavian dining table is an oval-shaped extension table that extends to three different widths, and the six dining chairs are "JL Møller / Model.79 and Model.83". Our house has high ceilings and many open spaces, so we cannot stay warm without our Daruma stove. The house uses a lot of natural wood, so once it gets warm, it has excellent heat retention properties.
From February, Tokyo's three-Michelin-starred French restaurant "QuintessenceEto-kun is starting a new chapter in his career. His job doesn't usually allow for long vacations, but he loves solo travel and was planning a trip to Egypt to take advantage of this break. He will surely use the experience he gains from his travels to aim for his next goal. Last year, he also obtained his sommelier certification, and Eto-kun has grown significantly since we first met. Although he is still young at 27, he is not only improving his skills, but also taking care of his health, influenced by his parents who are marathon enthusiasts and have completed races such as the Honolulu Marathon. He keeps himself in shape both physically and mentally by jogging every day, and is preparing to perform at his best in his new environment.
Since we had just eaten eel, I prepared some light baked goods. I'm a little embarrassed to offer them to a head pastry chef, but I made homemade lemon cake and shortbread cookies from "Sekisou/Geishun Okashi Iyasaka".
The coffee is from a local coffee bean roastery in Fukuroi.Mameya Cafe"Golden Mandheling" from "[brand name]".
Baked goods from "GLACIER X"
Yoshinori Matsushima He is a renowned pastry chef who, after becoming the head pastry chef at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel in 1999, won first place in the individual category of the Coupe du Monde, the world's most prestigious international pastry competition, in 2003. He has dedicated himself to training young pastry chefs in various locations, and in December 2018, he opened his own pastry shop, Hisaya-odori.Glacier X" is now open.
<Madeleine>
A classic baked good with a rich taste from fermented butter, a subtle orange aroma, and a fluffy texture.
<Financier>
This baked good is made with browned fermented butter and features the aroma of almonds and a moist texture.
<Cake Marron>
The gentle flavor of chestnuts, walnuts, and brown sugar kneaded into the dough is enhanced by a hint of rum, giving it a sophisticated touch, while the fragrant walnuts provide a delightful accent.
<Pistachio Cake>
An elegant pistachio cake made with Italian pistachio paste and diced pistachios kneaded into the batter and flavored with kirsch.
The lovely souvenir from Eto-kun is from the chef pâtissier currently working at Reminiscence.Yosuke MoritaThese are baked goods made by Mr. Matsushima, who is Kun's mentor. The high quality of the baked goods made for a blissful coffee time.
"The quality of the space you spend your days in determines the quality of your life."
That's why I believe that carefully considering the space you surround yourself with is the same as taking care of yourself. We believe that a beautiful and comfortable space nurtures a rich life and fulfilling days. You are always welcome in our home, so please come visit again♪
