02. Maruro Yamashita
PROFILE
He is a freelance editor and writer, as well as content director for fashion brands, etc. In the summer of 2021, he will open a bookstore "stacks bookstore" in Oku-Shibuya. 2024, he will start a new serial on Huinamu with that person And so on.
Instagram @maruroyamashita
'Make the interior a place to enjoy the messiness.'
Maruro Yamashita lives in an old apartment in Shibuya Ward. Each room was filled with works and books by artists he has collaborated with, creating a space that was a mix between a library and an art gallery in town. The living room, with its large windows letting in plenty of sunlight to brighten the mood, is the center of the room, and the floor is carpeted all over according to the original specifications. The interior design also projects Yamashita's unique sense of mixing and matching.
The bookshelves are filled with magazines, books, and art books. This is a scene unique to Mr. Yamashita.
Yamashita:I try not to have too many books, though (smiles). I use "USM Haller" for the larger shelves, but many art books are heavy, so if the shelves are not sturdy, they will soon be ruined. I use them for that practical reason as well. I also like the different colors of the panels on the back of this rack, but you can't see them when the books are so packed in there (laughs). (laughs) Incidentally, the TV stand is also from "USM Haller. It's a standard item, but it's still very convenient. But if we used "USM Haller" for everything, it would be a little heavy for the size of the room, so we use a mixture of different shelves.
Do you have a regular arrangement of books?
Yamashita:Not particularly. If it is something I want and can get, I buy it. I can't get rid of much of it, so I tend to own it as it is.
Are you the type of person who prefers to own books in paper form?
Yamashita:Yes, I do. I like to have as many of my books as possible in paper form. After all, the texture of paper is good, and I feel like I am reading a book! I feel like I'm reading a book. But for manga and magazines, I have been reluctant to switch to e-books. I would like to have magazines on paper if possible, but the number of magazines and manga is increasing endlessly...and I'm afraid they will no longer fit in my room.
The hallway is filled with countless works of art and the famous "Hang It All" by . Hats, tote bags, coats, and other items can be hung in the rough, combining both looks and functionality.
Yamashita:This sofa is from a Danish brand called "Eilersen. I have been using it for more than eight years now, and I really like it because it is comfortable to sit and sleep on. I often fall asleep on it when I'm drinking. It is also very comfortable (laughs).
Is this for movies?
Yamashita:I watch NBA games as well as movies. I prefer to watch movies in theaters as much as possible, but I also like to watch movies that are only available for download in a good environment. I use a home projector branded "XGIMI," which is integrated with Harman Kardon speakers, and it works very well.
I've always dreamed of a home projector! Can you tell us about the vintage-looking table in Living?
Yamashita:I'm not sure of the details of this dining table, but it was given to me and used in my own paternal grandparents' home. It has been used for at least 50 years. It is made to extend from the center.
Since they can be used for such a long time, they must be very sturdy, right?
Yamashita:I think so. I was once told by someone who works in the furniture and construction industry that the wood used is completely different, and it is heavier than it looks. I don't know if good wood is heavy or not, but I am sure it is sturdy and well-made. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman that I use in my office originally came from my parents' house, and I think I may have inherited a lot of furniture from my parents and grandparents. Perhaps my taste in furniture hasn't changed that much since I was a child.
The door on the left is the living room, the bedroom on the right and the workroom in the back. As you can see, a large number of artworks are displayed in the hallway. They are basically all by artists who are friends of Mr. Yamashita, and it is unique to him to have art works in his daily life.
The workroom is also filled with artwork. The amount of books in the workroom is quite large! She mainly uses bookshelves from IKEA to store her novels and other books, but even so, some of them are piled up on the floor. Incidentally, she also has a large number of books in her office.
The hallway is filled with artwork. I know that you are often involved with artists as "Stacks Bookstore," but what kind of artwork do you have in your house?
Yamashita:Most of them may be works by artists with whom I have worked with at Stacks (bookstore) or with whom I have worked in some other capacity. There are works of various genres, so I always change the layout to mix the tastes somehow.
What do you emphasize again in arranging the interior design of your home?
Yamashita:To be honest, I don't have anything in particular, but I have a lot of things, so I try to enjoy the chaos. Also, as is the case with clothes, a solid piece of furniture will last for many years, so I think it's important to stretch yourself a bit and buy good furniture. I think it is important to stretch yourself a little and buy good furniture.
1_PIET HEIN EEK's scrap piling table
¥2,310,000 (Chevronet)
Table made of scrap wood by Dutch furniture designer Pete Heyne Inc. I use a stool by Pete Heyne Inc. in my living room, but this table also has a great presence, so I would like to use it someday.
2_Knoll's East Side sofa
¥ASK (Tokyo Recycle Imption)
The East Side Sofa, a masterpiece of mid-century furniture by Nord, a leading mid-century brand, is also outstanding in design. This is another piece of furniture I would like to own someday. The design is beautiful.
3_vitra's compass direction
¥356,400- (Vitra)
The Compass Direction table by Vitra, designed by French designer Jean Prouvé. I use a Vitra chair, also designed by Jean Prouvé, in my office, and the more I use it, the more I think it is a masterpiece, so I would like to use this desk in my new work space.
