42 DIGS.NET
| 10.16.2020
P R O F I L E | K I N T O
LOCATED IN ROW DTLA, KINTO'S OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACE
COMBINES JAPANESE SENSIBILITY WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SPIRIT IN A RELAXED YET REFINED ATMOSPHERE.
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"Instead of just selling products, the idea is to
share the story and values that we cherish as a
brand and have people resonate with them."
lifestyles, including the casual culture of Southern California that
pervades the 1,507-square-foot L.A. boutique. Japanese interior
designer Hiroshi Aihara worked within the existing industrial
structure to create a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere.
"I wanted to reflect the spirit of KINTO products through the
materials and subtle details in a comforting and relaxing space,"
Aihara says. In the store, which is also a showroom and office,
natural light pours in through the large windows and the high
ceiling fosters a feeling of airiness. The rough surface of the wall
and floor combines with the rich solid wood of the furniture with
different heights for a sense of rhythm. Aihara and L.A.-based
botanical design studio kkot incorporated flora throughout the
space, which bathes in the Southern California sun, adding a
lively and fresh feel and blurring the lines between inside and out.
"In the development of each one of our products, we value
tatazumai, which is a Japanese word that means the look and
manner of an object in relation to its surroundings," explains
Takemoto. "It captures an element of Japanese culture, where
we often think about objects as being part of a larger scene and
atmosphere. We also celebrate subtly varying expressions among
different pieces as their charm and beauty. 'Yohen' is a Japanese
term, which literally translates to 'kiln transformation.' Depending
on the chemical composition of glaze, [colors] may transform and
products may take on variegated texture by firing in the kiln."
Made of glass, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, KINTO's
creations all combine beauty and function in the simplest yet
most elegant way. "We seek to continue developing products
that bring comfort and add richness to people's daily lives
and evolving needs," Takemoto says. "For example, in recent
years, our product range has expanded to items such as vases
that help to green urban environment and vacuum insulated
tumblers. While staying true to our core values, we are always
looking for ways to translate new inspirations into products and
share that with the world." kinto.co.jp
-Laura Takemoto
