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“Interior design is more than just creating aesthetically pleasing spaces,” says Mariko Konno, Co-Founder and Director of Nanas Design. “It’s about crafting environments that enhance people’s lives. Through our work, we hope to inspire and uplift people’s everyday experiences, making a meaningful impact on how they live, work, and interact within their spaces.”
Whether it’s a home, a workspace or a public venue, Nanas Design commits to establishing harmony between form and function, ensuring that the spaces do not only look good but also serve a purpose.
The pursuit of perfection – kodawari – informs Nanas’ process. “How you do anything is how you do everything,” Saki Funayama, the other half of the design duo, says. “We get on our knees, sweaty and dusty, until everything is done to our absolute satisfaction.” They will not let go of this laborious aspect of their work which makes their processes inimitable. Through kodawari, they seamlessly integrate design, construction and its execution, and styling to deliver a great project.
Konno and Funayama stand by Timelessness, Organisation and the use of Artisanal and Handcrafted Elements. “It’s sometimes misconstrued that practical is not beautiful,” Konno laments. “But we have never found this to be the case. We love figuring out ways to make a space look timeless and chic, all the while ensuring that the client has space for storage and more. And of course, the cherry on the icing would be the artisanal elements that just breathe character into the space,” she adds.
Funayama describes their signature style as a bit of a chameleon. “For homes, we blend iconic furniture with our custom creations to craft one-of-a-kind spaces that stay within budget.” Adds Konno: “Another key element is user-centred design. You will never see our designs on repeat. We dive deep to understand the unique needs, behaviours, and quirks of our clients through thorough research and a hefty dose of empathy. This ensures our solutions are not just intuitive and effective but also a joy to experience. After all, who says practical can’t be delightful?”
The client is always the priority for Nanas Design. “To what they give us in their brief, we apply our knowledge of design. The key point we always consider, other than the aesthetic of course, is effectiveness. For example, in Singapore’s weather, furniture materials and dust are a valid concern. We always consider the longevity and the maintenance of our design, while keeping the overall look of the space within the theme,” Konno says.
Design proposal
Konno and Funayama love adding patterns and splashes of colour into their designs through statement pieces such as sofas, tables, and lighting fixtures.
“Most of our designs include some kind of funky-shaped couch – a brightly patterned side table or a stylish lighting piece. In SPACE, the closest to our design style would definitely be B&B Italia and Poliform.”
In this design proposal for a living room, they present a modern and luxurious space that is predominantly white with strong linearity derived from the Flos Coordinates suspension lamp, the steps of the stairs, and the stripes on the B&B Italia Tobi-Ishi dining table yonder.
The sofas’ backs are at a consistent height giving the room a feel of airiness. The strong horizontal lines are tempered by rounded edges and soft forms such as those on the B&B Italia Chamaleonda couch, the paired Baxter Verre Paticuliere and Tebe coffee tables, and the graceful back of the Living Divani Era dining chairs.
For more information, visit: spacefurniture.asia
