We moved in almost a month ago and finally it is starting to feel like “home”. I have unpacked almost everything {just my books to go- but need a bookshelf first! Haven`t replaced the one that collapsed during the earthquake in March last year}
So I am finally able to upload photos- we haven`t decorated yet but will over time- we have plenty of it! The garden will be done in June sometime. I am a crappy photographer but here are some pictures I took over the weekend!
From the outside
The gate into the backyard/bike port
Front door and genkan
Kitchen, pantry & oven – Kitchen is possibly my favourite room of the whole house!!!!
Living/dining
Downstairs sink/toilet
Deck to outside
Heading upstairs
Upstairs bathroom
Main bedroom and walk in closet {yes we have way too many clothes and it is still a mess!}
Linen cupboard
Hall
This is Noah`s room currently- beds are on order and then the boys will share a room for now. There will be a bit of a nautical theme- when I get around to it! Bought some nice duvet covers in Australia though and look forward to when they can use them.
This is the upstairs playroom- also where Shion is sleeping now in a portacot.
Guest room {nothing in it yet!} Probably keep it this way though so that there is room for futons when we have guests. There is a futon closet in this room as well and it leads out onto the veranda.
Shun`s messy man cave
Stairs up to the loft: The room upstairs is about 6 jyo {6 tatami sizes} and great for storage. So glad we have stairs to go up there though instead of a ladder. The window at the top looks out onto the second floor and it has them on both sides.
So, anyone have any decorating tips? I hope to get the same material that is in our curtains in the main bedroom to make some cushion covers or a throw for the end of our bed. We want to get rid of the rocking chair probably as well or we might put it in the spare room for now. I used it when I was breastfeeding the boys and it was always in the babies room or our bedroom but now we don`t really need it. The coat rack also has to go- maybe into the boys room- their closet is quite large so their drawers fit into there and our drawers fit into our closet as well so we are lucky that we have so much storage space! Just have to find a place for the coats, scarfts, hats etc- maybe I can find room in the closet if I clean out some clothes. LOL!
I want to put some artwork or something downstairs and we have to finish putting the TV unit together as well. Still a few things to replace when we have the time/money like the dining table and also we desparately need a new fridge. We have space to put the old one outside {undercover around the back, with a powerpoint} so that will be nice for extra storage space for food etc.
It is nice to finally be in our own home!
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I am just a twenty something Aussie girl living in Chiba, Japan with my Japanese husband trying to find my way in a country that is not my own! We welcomed our first son in December 2009 (Noah) and a second son {Shion} in January 2011- yes they are just over 12 months apart so life is a little insane with two toddlers underfoot. I am working hard at raising them to be curious, confident, bilingual and happy kids.
Yay for pics! I especially love that pop of colour in the boys’ room.
I am so jealous of the giant pantry too!
The pantry is definitely one of my fav parts as well!!!
Love the house! It will be a great place for your boys to grow up in.
A couple of decorating idea to consider – wall stickers. We have used a few and they can really add an extra touch yet are easy to replace when you feel like redecorating.
On our blank wall (there is just on in our house) I’m hoping to put up a magnetic strip which can then be used for displaying the kid’s art, pictures, posters, etc. without making holes int he wall. Perhaps something like that would work for you too?
If you have a place that can be paited with chalk board paint (hallway wall, cupboard door etc.) there can also be a great way to create another learning inspiration space.
As you said, you have plenty of time to design so I hope you find the perfect ideas for your family!
Some great ideas- thank you!
I love the magnetic strip idea- will have to look into that. In our last apartment I had some string and some pegs!
I definintely plan to get wall stickers for the boys room- we have some elephant wall stickers in the playroom that were originally in Noah`s nursery. I will go for some anchors or whales or something else “fishy/nautical” to tie in with their bed covers. Hopefully they like it! When they are a bit older and probably sleep in different rooms I will let them choose what they want if they want to change it.
I have seen some amazing examples of chalkboard paint in homes- I however hate chalk. I let Noah use it outside on the concrete but I hate touching it myself. Is this weird? I will continue to let him go wild with it outside though!
I’m hopeless when it comes to decorating, but still wanted to say congratulations on the new space. It’s gorgeous!
Thanks Melissa! Any hints on making it more montessori? I am working on making it more child friendly except I have blocked off the kitchen as it was just too dangerous for my younger child.
Lots of stools in the bathrooms etc though so they can wash their hands themselves and their shoes etc are where they can find them.
Hoping with time I will make it work even better for them.
I ADORE your house.
Is it weird that I am particularly in love with the sinks and the baths?
Not at all weird!!!
Japanese bathrooms are definitely something different from Australia!
Thanks Kelley!
congratulations on your new house! mmm, i bet it smells like potential, lol. i’m always a sucker for interior design books and magazines, you ought to buy a couple or borrow some from the library so you can get a feel for your own tastes and see how to decorate in a Japanese space. if all else fails, go hogwild in francfranc (when you have money, obvs) and i’m sure whatever you come out with will make the house look good
Hogwild! Lol
Not sure where there is a franc franc near here although I should check one out! I am sure I would find stuff I want to buy. No doubt!
It looks so beautiful! And it must be great to have been able to plan the kitchen etc. to be the way you want it.
For decorating, I reckon it takes time to put together things you like, and the things that make you smile the most will always be things you found on holidays or with a nice memory attached. Having said that, they do great frames and display shelves at Ikea that make it easy to have rotating photos and little objects. And Etsy is great for quirky screen prints and letterpress prints and posters.
Thanks Suzy! I love looking at prints etc on Etsy too! Just can never make up my mind.
I do want to put some more photos up though so will look at some frames at Ikea next time I am there. Maybe something in the staircase or our bedroom! Noah loves to point at pictures and tell me who everyone is and he loved seeing pictures of himself at mum`s place so I am sure he would get a kick out of it.
Love it! Favourite parts are the yard and the pantry.
Thanks for the pics- lovely house! I’m definitely very jealous of your oven.
I love your house~~~~~~as I told you before, I am totally filled with jealousy (but happiness too) for you! That place is fab!!!!
Oh yay, it has all come together perfectly! I love it all, especially the boys playroom
It is awesome! I love it Lulu, so jealous, what a nice big house. I love the oven, there are no houses with ovens here. Have fun decorating!
Absolutely love your house!! I bet once you start decorating it is going to look even more awesome!
Wow, so beautiful!! I so envy you!