My Houzz: A Modern Farmhouse Built from Scratch
Detail is everything in this stunning, contemporary home on a hill
Yu Ebihara
9 June 2017
Located in Hokkaido – one of Japan’s four main islands – atop a little hill overlooking the sea, is the farmhouse owned by actress Chieko Higuchi. It’s a delightful retreat where Higuchi and her family and friends spend time relaxing and, yes, farming.
“My father, who bought this farmland, told me to build whatever I wanted, and I was so excited to try my hand at it,” Higuchi says. Working with Hokkaido-based architects Atelier O2, Higuchi handpicked every detail of her home – from door hinges to light switches. Drawing on inspiration from around the world, she has created a home that reflects her love of international design.
“My father, who bought this farmland, told me to build whatever I wanted, and I was so excited to try my hand at it,” Higuchi says. Working with Hokkaido-based architects Atelier O2, Higuchi handpicked every detail of her home – from door hinges to light switches. Drawing on inspiration from around the world, she has created a home that reflects her love of international design.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Actress and voice talent Chieko Higuchi
Location Hokkaido, Japan
Property A new-build farmhouse
Year built 2012
Size 4 bedrooms with a kitchen and one big living/dining room, all occupying about 175 sq m
Architect Takashi Osugi from Atelier O2
Photos by Koji Sakai unless otherwise indicated
Higuchi sought to build the embodiment of a farmhouse, but the house’s eye-catching pentagonal-like shape was actually inspired by the type of barn houses you find in Belgium. Higuchi also wanted to invoke Swedish and Danish design styles, too.
Seen from afar, the exterior walls appear to be covered in bricks or tiles, but they are actually clad in red cedar shingles, which are weather-resistant.
Higuchi says a trip to ABC Carpet & Home in Manhattan was the impetus for her love of interiors, but all of her travels have influenced her design style.
“Even when I visit an art museum in France, the architecture catches my attention more than the drawings do,” says Higuchi. “I’ll spend half the day admiring the worn floors and handrails, or watching the workers as they preserve or repair the interiors. I used to wonder ‘What grabs my heart so much?’ Eventually, I realised that I loved how things age, how their colours change and deepen. So, when I decided to build my own house I wanted one that could grow and age together with me.” Higuchi therefore sought to use materials that would age gracefully over time.
Who lives here Actress and voice talent Chieko Higuchi
Location Hokkaido, Japan
Property A new-build farmhouse
Year built 2012
Size 4 bedrooms with a kitchen and one big living/dining room, all occupying about 175 sq m
Architect Takashi Osugi from Atelier O2
Photos by Koji Sakai unless otherwise indicated
Higuchi sought to build the embodiment of a farmhouse, but the house’s eye-catching pentagonal-like shape was actually inspired by the type of barn houses you find in Belgium. Higuchi also wanted to invoke Swedish and Danish design styles, too.
Seen from afar, the exterior walls appear to be covered in bricks or tiles, but they are actually clad in red cedar shingles, which are weather-resistant.
Higuchi says a trip to ABC Carpet & Home in Manhattan was the impetus for her love of interiors, but all of her travels have influenced her design style.
“Even when I visit an art museum in France, the architecture catches my attention more than the drawings do,” says Higuchi. “I’ll spend half the day admiring the worn floors and handrails, or watching the workers as they preserve or repair the interiors. I used to wonder ‘What grabs my heart so much?’ Eventually, I realised that I loved how things age, how their colours change and deepen. So, when I decided to build my own house I wanted one that could grow and age together with me.” Higuchi therefore sought to use materials that would age gracefully over time.
To accomplish this and other design goals, Higuchi chose to work with architecture firm Atelier O2. “I looked at their profile and saw that they had alot of experience with insulation. Also, I had a clear vision of the house I wanted to build and I believed Mr Osugi would be able to successfully reproduce this vision.”
Higuchi lives primarily in Tokyo, but Osugi is based in Hokkaido, so they had numerous discussions over Skype. “First I sent him lots of pictures of the colours and textures I like, and also reference materials from the shops and brands I love so that he would have an idea of my tastes and preferences. This step was also necessary because we had to see whether the materials I wanted were available in Japan.”
Higuchi also maintained frequent communication with Osugi during the construction phase. “For example, for even a single light-switch cover I’d make detailed requests like which brand and design to use. Discussions would occasionally become a bit heated. I would sometimes even make sketches and place them in front of the webcam,” says Higuchi with a laugh.
Higuchi lives primarily in Tokyo, but Osugi is based in Hokkaido, so they had numerous discussions over Skype. “First I sent him lots of pictures of the colours and textures I like, and also reference materials from the shops and brands I love so that he would have an idea of my tastes and preferences. This step was also necessary because we had to see whether the materials I wanted were available in Japan.”
Higuchi also maintained frequent communication with Osugi during the construction phase. “For example, for even a single light-switch cover I’d make detailed requests like which brand and design to use. Discussions would occasionally become a bit heated. I would sometimes even make sketches and place them in front of the webcam,” says Higuchi with a laugh.
Higuchi decided on all the interior details, from the wall colours to the lighting, tables, ornaments, switches, door handles and hinges. Accordingly, she can answer, without hesitation, what was purchased, where and why – even for the tiniest interior element.
Her ideas for the interior design of this farmhouse were inspired by interiors shops and renovated hotels in Paris or small villages in the south of France, as well as by Zetas Trädgård and even the Swedish restaurant Leva Kungslador.
Her ideas for the interior design of this farmhouse were inspired by interiors shops and renovated hotels in Paris or small villages in the south of France, as well as by Zetas Trädgård and even the Swedish restaurant Leva Kungslador.
There are amazing views of the surrounding farmland from the main living area. The armchair in the foreground is by Danish designer Finn Juhl and it adds a welcome pop of colour. Higuchi loves midcentury style and bought a chair and ottoman by Ercol (not pictured) at Transista in Kichijoji. The solid cherry dining table is from Brunch in Tokyo. And Higuchi went all the way to Ashiya, which is 1,600km from Hokkaido and 522km from Tokyo, to select the lights. They are by Flame. The rest of the furniture she bought in shops such as Actus in Tokyo.
Want to introduce vintage pieces into your home? Here are 10 vintage finds to look out for at second-hand sales
Want to introduce vintage pieces into your home? Here are 10 vintage finds to look out for at second-hand sales
The ceiling beams were left exposed as they are a stunning architectural feature.
Many of the rooms have a herringbone-style oak floor. The finish is quite matte, so the natural beauty of the grain of the wood stands out. There is underfloor heating in all areas except the pantry and entrance.
Higuchi’s collections of pictures and figures of horses (not shown) are also thoughtfully displayed throughout the farmhouse. The figures of horses were inspired by her father, who owns racehorses in Japan and France.
Check out this guide on how to display your art
Check out this guide on how to display your art
The view from the living area at dusk. “I wanted the living space to be a warm, sunny room, facing the southwest, so I can see the ocean in the distance… [and] where family and friends can get together,” says Higuchi, reiterating that for her this is the very definition of a living room, and that this social aspect is what drove her design aims in this space. She particularly likes being here at sunset, as she can watch the spectacle from large windows.
Hokkaido, where the farmhouse is located, actually gets snow in winter, but underfloor heating and double-glazed windows provide excellent heat insulation and make Higuchi and her family and friends feel that “inside the house, it’s warmer than in Tokyo.”
Hokkaido, where the farmhouse is located, actually gets snow in winter, but underfloor heating and double-glazed windows provide excellent heat insulation and make Higuchi and her family and friends feel that “inside the house, it’s warmer than in Tokyo.”
The home is full of special touches. Custom-made pendants by glass artist Naho Lino brighten the foyer and welcome guests.
In the kitchen, there is a lovely retro vibe. Vintage-style dishes were bought from Astier de Villatte in France and Higuchi also has pieces from the Kyoko Hitotsuyanag collection, which she ordered specially from Outbound in Kichijoji. The Staub pot is Higuchi’s favourite.
There is a pantry behind the door at the end of the room. It is directly connected to the entrance, so it’s not necessary to carry groceries through the main living area. As Higuchi uses the house only occasionally and therefore tends to buy non-perishable items in heavy bulk packages, this is a huge advantage.
There is a pantry behind the door at the end of the room. It is directly connected to the entrance, so it’s not necessary to carry groceries through the main living area. As Higuchi uses the house only occasionally and therefore tends to buy non-perishable items in heavy bulk packages, this is a huge advantage.
Higuchi bought the pendant light that hangs over the table at Orne de Feuilles. She loves that it’s height-adjustable.
The stove in the corner not only provides warmth, but is also used for slowcooking on cold winter days.
The stove in the corner not only provides warmth, but is also used for slowcooking on cold winter days.
Higuchi has been an actress since she was little. That influence is evident in the bathroom vanity, which is reminiscent of a dressing room table. “The warm light makes me remember the backstage areas I’m so familiar with and, strangely, I feel relaxed when I put on my make-up here.”
Another stunning design feature is a beautiful window seat. “I’ve always loved small places, and I thought I needed one for working and reading. I didn’t think I could concentrate in a wide-open space,” says Higuchi. The spot serves well as a reading nook, but many of Higuchi’s friends find it so comfortable that they fall asleep there.
Plenty of storage space can be found under the seat and behind the doors.
Plenty of storage space can be found under the seat and behind the doors.
This is Higuchi’s father’s bedroom, which is a corner room with lots of light. It also serves as the guest room when Higuchi’s friends visit. The white birch tree, not far from the window, has been there since before the farmhouse was built and gives the view a decidedly ‘Hokkaido’ flavour.
The build budget was somewhat limited, so compromises had to be made here and there. One of them was the size of the bedrooms. “I told the architect that the bedrooms didn’t have to be big,” says Higuchi. What they lack in size is made up in carefully-selected, beautiful furnishings. For example, the lamps in each bedroom represent the collaborative effort of textile manufacturer Minä Perhonen and lighting design firm Flame.
Fancy a more traditional farmhouse look? Check out this barn conversion
Fancy a more traditional farmhouse look? Check out this barn conversion
Photo provided by Chieko Higuchi
This is a working farm and Higuchi grows seasonal vegetables, berries and edible flowers, among other things. Her young niece often comes to join her for the harvest.
When asked about her future plans for the farmhouse, Higuchi answers, after thinking for a moment, “I want to give it alot of care, and I hope it ages well with me.”
Photo provided by Chieko Higuchi
When asked about her future plans for the farmhouse, Higuchi answers, after thinking for a moment, “I want to give it alot of care, and I hope it ages well with me.”
Photo provided by Chieko Higuchi
What do you think of this farmhouse with a modern twist? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Love it.
NICE
I certainly love how the owner always had a hands-on approach on the materials used and how it would look as time passes by. What an awesome palace of a home!