Hello
My name is Shimazaki and I am the manager of Style, an interior design shop in Gunma Prefecture.
I turned 33 this year, and 12 years have flown by, as I continue to work at the interior design shop "Style" without getting bored.
The beginning of interior design
When I think about when I first became interested in interior design, I realize that I've loved it for a really long time.Looking back, I've enjoyed redecorating my room ever since I was in the second grade of elementary school and was given my own room (we moved around this time).
I'd say that I fell in love with "enjoying interior design" without even realizing it, and it's something that has become so close to me that it's inseparable from me, and this is largely due to the influence of my mother.
My mother had a particular eye for interior design, and she carefully designed the displays in the sideboard and on the walls.
Under my mother's guidance, I naturally learned to carefully examine each piece of furniture, such as a table or sofa, before purchasing it and treating it with care.
I grew up in an environment where my mother loved interior design, so going to interior design shops was a normal part of my life from a young age. Looking back, I think that was the beginning of my love for interior design.
However, even though we say that we like interior design, there are many different types of interior design lovers.
Sharpen your sense
There are many different types of "interior lovers" out there, including those who like modern hotel-style interiors, those who like the warmth of Scandinavian interiors, those who like cool American vintage interiors, and those who like simple, clean interiors in black and white.
In fact, I myself have come into contact with many different types of interior design before arriving at the interior of my current room.
I think the fun of interior design is being exposed to many different interior styles and even mixing them together, as the possibilities are endless.
Being exposed to a wide variety of interiors is also essential to becoming an appreciator of good interior design.
I think it's the same in any industry - you need to be exposed to a lot of things to hone your senses.
Interior shop
At Interior Shop Style, where I work, there are many staff members who, precisely because they work in an interior shop, want people to feel, learn about, and spread the word about the possibilities of interior design.
How can we actually spread the joy of interior design to many people? Can we get people to like interior design? What can we do to create opportunities to introduce various interior designs?
What we thought about and started doing was to decide on a theme for each month, coordinate the interior to fit that theme, write letters expressing our thoughts and distribute them to customers, and create a space that they could enjoy every month.
After six months, more and more customers were coming to the store each month looking forward to the project, and we were excited to see their reactions (or rather, I think we were more excited about having fun ourselves!), so all the staff worked together to think about and create the projects every month.
This special exhibition was canceled when the store moved, but it is one that we would like to revive.
My encounter with Layout
In addition to the special exhibitions, the store also holds various events almost every month.
It was during this time that I came across Layout.
For us staff working at an interior design shop, we have the opportunity and privilege to come into contact with a wide variety of interiors, and there is nothing more rewarding than meeting wonderful interiors and the people involved in them.
I knew absolutely nothing about Gabbeh until I met Layout.
Although now terms like "tribal rugs" and "Persian carpets" come up in conversation as a matter of course, I had no idea what they were at the time.
They spoke to us carefully and passionately about each item, conveying to us the good points and charm of Gabbeh, and we ate and shared a meal together, having fun. I remember feeling very happy at the time, as a really good cycle had been created, and I was glad to have met these people, and at the same time, I had come to love Gabbeh.
By liking and taking an interest in interior design, your daily life will become richer and more enjoyable.
By incorporating Gabbeh into your life, which you may not have had before, you will find one more little joy in your daily life.
By the way, the first Gabbeh I bought was surprisingly? (Or maybe I just think it's surprising...) a kitchen mat.
A Gabbeh mat is an essential part of life, as it feels wonderful to step on with bare feet in the kitchen, where you stand every day.
It may not bring you great happiness, but it's just the little things you have in your daily life that can lift your spirits a little, and I think that's what enjoying interior design is all about.
I am still grateful to have come across the Gabbeh kitchen mat, which added another element of this essence to my home.
(text: Shimazaki)
SHIMAZAKI AYAKO
I loved redecorating and constantly rearranging my room as a child, and before I knew it, 12 years have passed since I started working in interior design. I am the manager of two different interior design shops, and I've recently started working in the e-commerce business. I'm a bundle of curiosity, and although I have a high level of concentration, my persistence is quite low, so I'm secretly worried about writing a blog.