I would want taller ceilings, bigger rooms (bigger closets, bathrooms, bedrooms, and a garage), good use of space for storage, open floor plans, included built in ac/heat(not ac/heat by each room with separate ac units, but actual vent systems powered by a singular ac/heat unit), in house appliances washer/dryer, fridge, stove, dish washer, water filtration unit that works from water source to send water to the house (new plumbing to support this system), electric car plug, solar panels with home backup battery, smart house connected to solar panels (selling back extra energy to power plant if possible), heated & cooled floors, stone floors, wood used where possible, steel reinforcement, & top grade earthquake proofing materials used with top grade tsunami proofing. I will stop there , I could think of more.
I saw a Japanese video report on a Japanese woman who was obsessed with the 1920s who bought a 1920s house and created a beautiful 20s style interior. Not the ultra sleek art deco style but something a lot more warm and organic looking. She had lots of beautiful dark warm brown wooden furniture. Lots of edwardian and victorian items as well, which makes sense to me because unless you had loads of money and wanted your entire interior to be fully modern you likely would have had items from earlier decades.
I've always thought this would be an interesting exercise, trying to make a place seem completely foreign. Like you picked it up from somewhere else and dropped it somewhere on the other side of the world.
The video Chris did on the whole British village in Japan is wild to see, reminds me the exhibits at museums I USA and UK where they have whole houses from other countries
It's weird to me, as someone from LA who has seen that mid-century style all my life, that someone would want to actually recreate it and *live* in it. It couldn't have been cheap to import all of that and make it work, so hats off to Ken I guess?
I grew up in California in the 60's and still live here, and I share Ken's love of mid-century modern design! It's funny, because in the 60's I didn't like it, but now I love it. Unfortunately, most true mid-century modern houses were renovated since then and lost their charm. And it's very expensive to recreate it! Well done to Ken, I love his space.
My dad has this massive dining table that was made by a carpenter in Colorado. My dad actually went out and picked the wood that was used in the piece and drove it all the way to California. When people come over, he loves to show them the table and tell its story. We all roll our eyes, but still smile because he's so proud of it. This guy took that dad energy and cranked it up by 10,000. I can just imagine him proudly guiding guests on tours of the house. Love it!
I think my two favorite things about this uniquely renovated abode are the large (by Japanese standards) kitchen and that red Frank Lloyd Wright chair, which I'd totally buy one of those and use it because it's so cool.
I don't think you mentioned it, but something that screams American, at least to me, is the siding on the exterior. I only went to Japan once but I looked up some photos of houses and I don't seem to see any with siding at all.
Interesting makeover. You did point out the missing "american" medicine cabinet in the bathroom. The only other "american" piece missing is a coffee table in front of that couch. The use of the little loft in daughters' bedroom reminds me of how Sharla used the space in her renovation for her rental property.
This is the coolest home in the world, and I'm not even a fan of the midcentury american aesthetic, I just love how much personality there is in this place
That house is actually pretty interesting. I don't live in the US but have seen many shows/videos that feature one and that house does look american. I guess going inside would feel like you stepped somewhere else if you're used to seeing other Japanese houses. It's amazing how much effort was put when it came to the details.
I like the idea of having the sink on the outside of the guest toilet, if you hear the door closing but no sink running you can gently but firmly inform the guest where the sink is located and how to use it
Oh what? Apologies, my research was wrong! edit: I didn't find any on GE's website, that's why I said that: www.geappliances.com/ge-appliances/air-water/home-air-products/room-air-conditioners/
Oven.exe, LMFAO! While the house isn't something I would ever want to do for myself, it is truly outstanding, but that wall sculpture in the living room, GODS! I love that! It's a nice touch putting velvet behind it, like it's precious jewelry in a velvet presentation box. Sometimes it's nice just sharing a cool house. Thanks to you and your friend for this one.
Minus the washing machine in the kitchen, the tiny air conditioner, and the separate space for the toilet, this place does have some American vibes. But after living in America for most of my life, it still feels Japanese/European with some hints of American-style furnishings and artwork. Don't get me wrong, the dedication to the style is amazing!
This is so wild because over the past few years I bought some Muji furniture/accessories, a Balmuda toaster, 2 Noguchi lights and a Karimoku coffee table but I live in California. I just like the naturalness and simplicity of Japanese design. So looking at this guy's house is like looking at someone who's my polar opposite who probably finds everything I just mentioned very boring. He did a good job of making a playful American home though, the kitchen especially made me question what country this is in for a moment.
Agreed, I know there have been more then a few Europeans and Americans who have built oriental style houses (usually Japanese style), but most of those have been in the outsides and the look of the house only, Ken however went all out on his America in Japan house.
Your content is not for me but I saw you on Noriyaro's channel and you seemed like a nice guy and I loved the piece you did, so I am just leaving a comment for the algorithm.
I was afraid this would be gaudy, but it's actually just so cool! I don't think I'd want to make do with American toilets and an American bath tub though, if I could have proper Japanese equivalents 😅
Its like uncanny valley of an American home. It's VERY close but just slightly off in subtle ways. Stuff like the washing machine in the kitchen, the burners on the stove, no central air, the water heater wall thing. You would never find any of that in a real American home. Very cool though. Especially when you consider he put in American light switches and wall outlets.
Since Sears has gone the way of the dodo to online only, Kenmore is relatively hard to find now. As to that combo Maytag washer/dryer, you will also not find that in America at all. There are American brands of Mini-split, but none that are from the era he's going for, as mini splits weren't a thing back then. I'm rather partial to Fujitsu mini splits, but I used to work for Fujitsu America, so I'm rather biased.
Hey Alex, can I make a request? Is it possible to show us, if it exists, a traditional Japanese house with modern touches? I am aware that traditional houses are being reduced each year that is why I was wondering if there is any left in Tokyo or close to Tokyo
How far can you go with reinforcements, like the one shown at 11:07 ? Depending on the limitations, could you reinforce the structure to the point that it would almost circumvent the no-rebuilding rule? Barring the house being destroyed by a fire or earthquake.
This place is super cool. And the master almost has a kind of nautical vibe to it! I do wonder, though - why is there a washing machine in the kitchen? Is that common in Japan?
It's probably a dimple in the tile. It's how the light is reflecting that's giving the illusion of it being something else, the camera person will have a light as well which would amplify the illusion. Also, looking at the mortar, it's not been disturbed since the tile sheets were put in place, and that does not look like a home DIY job to me. Plus, a lens would be more noticeable in person than on screen..... there is no way to disguise a micro camera to look like that type of satin matt glaze, especially when every single tile is isolated like that. Anomalies will stand out like a sore thumb.