Being particular about interior design may seem like a bit of a challenge, but if you think of it as creating a space that is comfortable for you, it's much easier to enjoy. In "Everyone's Interior Stories," we asked our colleagues at Layout to share their room-making stories with us, and share some tips for creating such a room, based on the stories of people who enjoy interior design.
Right now, I want to pour my love only into the things I truly love.
——412 by FOURANTS The first episode by Hiroki Sueyoshi
What was it that first awakened interior design enthusiasts to the world of interior design? When they came across something they had always wanted to own? Or when they bought their first large piece of furniture?
Our guest on this episode of "Everyone's Interior Story" is Hiroki Sueyoshi from 412 by FOURANTS, a lifestyle shop in Hiroshima. Sueyoshi's passion for interior design began when he was 20 years old and was invited by his mother to step into an interior design shop. In this first episode, we will be sharing the story of interior design and Sueyoshi that began from there.
The shock of discovering the charm of interior design at age 20
On the day of her 20th birthday, her mother invited her to the interior design shop ACTUS in Kyoto, where she had an encounter that would determine her future.
"I knew my mother was particular about furniture, but I wasn't particularly interested. But the moment I saw ACTUS, I thought, 'Wow, this is so stylish!' I immediately decided that I wanted to work in an interior design shop in the future."
When asked why he decided to work there, Sueyoshi answered without question, "There's no reason to fall in love with something." He said that everything about the space, from the people who work there to the things that are there, seemed to shine.
After that, my student days were a time of preparation for working in an interior design shop. I did an internship at a furniture manufacturer and thoroughly pursued what I could see and what I could learn about furniture. At the same time, I also focused on the interior design of my own room.
Your real life and lifestyle will also change.
"The first thing I bought was a vintage Eames chair. It was in pretty bad shape, but just bringing it home made the room seem to sparkle."
Every day, when I woke up in the morning, the first thing I would do was look at the Eames chair and think how cute it was. I gradually added pieces of furniture that made me feel that way. My current room is the result of those days and that furniture.
"I think interior design is a person's history. The ideal space is one that is created by bringing together things that you like. Even if you don't consider compatibility or combinations when you put together things, I think that a collection of such things will ultimately result in a good interior."
Interior design isn't just about getting everything in order at once. Now that he's been working in the interior design industry for 10 years, Sueyoshi says this belief is even more firmly rooted in his heart.
In search of furniture that you want to talk about
Sueyoshi has decided without any hesitation on his future path when choosing furniture. His criteria are quite simple: "Does it look good?" Whether it's no-brand, new, or second-hand, "good is good." But what is his criteria for "good"?
"There are many things that I intuitively feel are good, but when I think about it, the conditions are that it has a story behind it and that it's something that no one else has. And the other thing is whether it's something I want to brag about."
The thing they're most proud of isn't the brand or the price. In short, it's whether or not it changed the world. Take the Eames shell chair, mentioned earlier.
"It was the first chair in the world to offer design to ordinary people. It was a time when class differences were more severe than they are today. When you think of it as a chair that captured the hearts of the masses and changed the world, it's really cool. I can't help but want to tell people about it. And yet, if there is a piece of furniture that no one knows about, then there's no end to it!"
If one day he comes across such furniture and tells someone about it, I'm sure Sueyoshi will look as radiant and bright as the piece I saw in the interior design shop when he was 20 years old.
>Next time, we will hear from Sueyoshi about his passion for creating rooms.
Hiroki Sueyoshi
Director of Four Ants Co., Ltd. After serving as manager of the ACTUS Hiroshima store, he was involved in the launch of the lifestyle shop 412 by FOURANTS in Midorii, Hiroshima City, where he currently serves as manager.