Exclusive Access Story
Alright, I have to spill. You know those moments where you realize you’ve been on the outside looking in, like there’s a secret club and you just got the front door key? That’s how it felt when I finally got designer Emily Sato to sit down and really talk. Emily is one of those Toronto designers who originally made her name blending Scandinavian calm with Japanese wabi-sabi — you’ve probably seen her mossy green, curved sofas on Instagram (look up #JapandiVibes, trust me). Anyway, we’ve been chatting at events for years, but she’s always kept her real toolbox close to her chest. But last month, I must have caught her in the right mood at a West End wine bar, because she finally opened up about the behind-the-scenes magic. I may have lapped up every word. Sorry not sorry.
Why now? Emily said even her most traditional clients started demanding that Japandi, nature-inspired coziness — those light oak slatted walls, touches of black, a little handcrafted softness. The trend is officially everywhere (I counted, like, four 'Japandi corners' in the last three months and I'm not even trying). And suddenly, she was handing over the exact secrets she uses to make a living room feel that quietly elevated, perfectly biophilic and calm. Apparently, she’s a convert to sharing — and I am now, too.
Professional Secrets Revealed
Soft Curves (But Never Overboard)
Here’s the first bombshell. In Japandi, it’s not just the light wood and the cute ceramics — it’s the shapes. Emily leans in, like she’s telling me national secrets, and says: curved coffee tables or ottomans are her go-to shortcut. Not huge, weird blobby ones, but something like the Menu 'Androgyne' side table ($595 at Design Within Reach). It’s got this subtle, organic shape — never harsh, never 'trying too hard'. She showed me before-and-afters from a client townhouse: just swapping a sharp rectangle for a soft-edge table and... the whole room went from awkward to zen. I had to laugh — I bought a knockoff kidney-shape coffee table from Wayfair for $139 and even my grumpy husband commented that the room 'feels softer somehow'. Who knew?
The trick, says Emily, is to keep it balanced. She warns against pairing a curved table with a super-round couch and a circular rug, unless you like feeling like you live inside a bubble tea. My own fail: I once crammed in a round lamp, round table, and a giant globe pendant — it ended up looking like a bowling alley. She gently suggested: let the curves be an accent, not the whole story.
Indoor Plants (But Do It Right or Not at All)
This was the second leak — designers are obsessed with nature-inspired, biophilic home decor, but not all plant displays are created equal. Emily gets hot under the collar: 'Not another sad pothos!' She insists on showcasing one or two big, healthy statement plants (like a bird of paradise at The Sill, $148 for a good size) instead of a million tiny succulents. I tried this with a big rubber tree in a chunky stoneware planter and, I kid you not, overnight the vibe just clicked. My best friend Caitlyn noticed right away. She's very blunt: 'Wow, you finally figured out plant styling,' which... okay, rude, but also accurate.
The designer tip? Plant stands in natural oak or black iron (Target, $35!), and layer the floor and surfaces with textured ceramics or woven baskets (I tried H&M Home and Muji — affordable, looks way pricier than it is). Oh, and keep things alive. I lost a pricey fiddle leaf in a week from overwatering. Emily assured me: even pros kill plants. What matters is you learn as you go.
Texture and Wood: Japandi’s Secret Sauce
Emily grinned like she was giving away a family recipe. Wooden slat accent panels are the new white shiplap. Apparently, lighter woods (Scandi, right?) are for an airy feel, while darker stains ground a room and hide toddler fingerprints — real talk. I priced out a ready-to-install 4x8’ oak wall slab from Wood Wall Co. ($385 — not bad for major impact). A cheaper trick? She sometimes sources individual poplar strips from Home Depot ($3 each), stains them, and DIYs the pattern for under $80 if you’re patient.
I went for a simple slatted bench instead (CB2’s version, $299, if you want a dead ringer), and it instantly amped the organic, serene energy of my living room. Friends asked if I finally called a professional. Nope — just Japanese-inspired restraint, strong espresso, and a level. Lesson: texture is everything. Add linen pillows (Ikea EVALI, $18 for covers), a chunky wool throw, or nubby ceramic candleholders for that full earthy, cozy look.
Color Drenching — But Make It Cozy
You’ve seen it all over Pinterest: the moody, cocoon-y rooms painted head-to-toe. Japandi isn’t totally about white and beige anymore. Emily’s clients are now requesting darker, earth-toned paint (think Behr 'Jade Jewel' or Farrow & Ball 'Hague Blue' — both under $60 per gallon at Home Depot). She showed me a recent living room where she drenched the walls, trim, AND ceiling in Benjamin Moore 'Backwoods' (an earthy green, code 469, $69 a can), and honestly, it looked expensive and impossibly serene. I tried a wall in my reading corner — let’s say it was a process (three testers, one existential crisis, and the ceiling is still... uneven). But wow, from clinical to chill library in two hours. Don’t fear dark paint, just pair with pale furniture and lots of lamps — you really can’t mess up if you do a test patch first.
Room Applications
If you’re wondering, yes, I actually tested these swaps in my 12x18’ city living room. Trust me, my kids and my dog spare nothing. The curved-table swap was fastest, no tools, instant plush factor. The wood slat bench works as a seat, a plant stand, AND a vignette platform — so good for small spaces. But the color? Here’s the thing. I only did one wall and it was game-changing… but it begged for a few new accessories (isn’t that always the way?). Layered earthy pillows from Target ($20 for a 2-pack — hello, budget win) and a battered terracotta pot I’ve had since college. Suddenly, it felt intentional and current without needing an actual overhaul.
I did try layering in a curved cane-back chair (Rove Concepts, $315), thinking it’d complete the vibe. Honestly? Too much curve-on-curve. I sent it to the guest room. Found out that Japandi is a lot about restraint, so don’t overstuff the room. Family verdict? My tween called the new greenery and wood touches ‘grown-up cozy’ (I’ll take it). My husband is just happy I stopped moving the couch around for now.
Shopping Intelligence
If you’re on the hunt, learn from my mistakes. At first I splurged online for a custom oak table, then found one almost identical at World Market for a third the price — ugh! Lesson: always check your local stores before committing. For plants, The Sill and local nurseries are best (delivery varies; I lost a fig tree in shipping, still bitter). For rugs, vintage is cool but I’m clumsy so the RUGGABLE site (8x10’ tufted, $349 — washable, lifesaver) is my staple.
I flagged the best deals when spring sales hit (West Elm: March/April, Target and CB2: usually June for end-of-season). Pro tip: store “restocks” happen Thursday mornings — I set an alarm and scored a Muji oak tray table for $99 that usually sells out. If you’re a touch-and-feel kind of person, in-store wins. But for selection, especially for specific muted linen pillows or textured ceramics, online reigns... just bite the bullet and do the returns; it’s worth it to get the right piece. Don’t forget — shipping times got wild last year. I waited three weeks for a slatted media cabinet and nearly gave up; check in-stock first!
Styling Reality Check
Let’s get real — no one’s Instagram-perfect all the time. There was a week where my 'fresh minimal' look turned into 'sad and sparse' because I decluttered too much, thinking less was always more. Japandi is supposed to be calm, not cold. I learned (the hard way) that if you add a lot of earthy neutrals, throw in something textural and cozy, like a chunky knit or velvet cushion. And if you go bold on the color drenching, keep the accessories mellow. My first attempt mixed a blue-green wall with rainbow throw pillows and, um, it was a chaotic fail. Edit, breathe, repeat.
And, just so you know, you don’t need to spend wild amounts. My best Japandi-style accent? A $29 cream-and-tan lumbar pillow from H&M Home — it somehow ties a whole room together. Maybe that’s the real secret — nailing the feel, not the formula. Also: ignore anyone who tells you every room needs a $600 designer vase. Real life: half my vases are thrifted for $5 and my moss collection came from my local park (don’t judge).
Personally, I learned to trust my gut over the perfect Pinterest formula. Sometimes you need to live with new pieces for a week and see what works. Nothing bad happens if you try something and move it to another room. And honestly, when you get that one Japandi accent just right — whether it’s the slatted bench, a curvy table, or just gorgeous greenery — everyone notices the vibe. Including you.
Get the Look Now
- Curved Coffee Table: Menu 'Androgyne' from Design Within Reach, $595, or Amazon kidney-shape dupe, $129
- Textured Oak Bench: CB2 Seno bench, $299, or look for 'slat bench' on Wayfair for under $110
- Statement Plant: Bird of Paradise from The Sill, $148, or nab a rubber tree at your local Home Depot for $30–$60
- Earthy Paint: Farrow & Ball 'Hague Blue' or Behr 'Jade Jewel', both under $60/gallon
- Linen Pillows: Target Threshold ($20/pair) or H&M Home ($29 for lumbar)
- Artisan Ceramics: Check Etsy — I grabbed a hand-thrown vase for under $40!
- Lighting: Globe pendant at Ikea is under $70 and always sells out (I waited two months, but worth it)
Best trick for seasonal swaps? Store textiles and pillows in an under-bed bin, and rotate in wool or velvet for winter, lightweight linen and rattan for summer — keeps things fresh and budget-friendly. For DIYers, a YouTube slat wall panel tutorial will save you hundreds, and so will thrift-store ceramic finds with a quick matte spray paint refresh.
Resources & Inspiration
- Fixr.com’s trend breakdown shows the rise of biophilic design, color drenching, and those nature-inspired Japandi elements that are everywhere in designer circles.
- Artsy and 1stDibs reports highlight how rounded forms, wood accents, and organic shapes are taking over in interiors, plus lots of inspo for bold paint and plant styling that still feels cozy and not overdone.