The Home That Took Shape When We Started Thinking About “Our Family’s Future”

As children grow, the way a family lives together naturally changes little by little.

The couple originally lived in a neighborhood close to the husband’s workplace. However, as their son was about to enter elementary school, they began to think, “It’s time to settle down and have a place we can truly call our own.”

Through the years of moving from one place to another, their desire for “a home like this” gradually grew stronger. And since this would be a place where they would live for many years to come, the wish to create a home that truly reflected who they were came about naturally.

Searching for a Home “With Renovation in Mind”

When they began their search, the couple chose to buy a pre-owned condominium and create their home through renovation.

“Even if there are many separate rooms, we always end up gathering in the living room anyway.
So rather than the number of rooms, we wanted a spacious living area where the whole family could feel comfortable.”

This realization came from their own everyday experience.

To achieve a lifestyle that felt truly their own, they wanted to design everything—from the layout to the materials—from scratch. That desire naturally led them to the idea of renovation.

They also say that meeting Ichijō Jukken, the renovation company they had wanted to work with from the start, helped them take the final step forward.

“We had the chance to visit Mr. Kojima’s home, and the space we saw there was very close to the layout we had imagined for our ideal home.
It just felt natural to say, ‘We want to ask these people to help us.’”

“We Don’t Need Private Rooms” — Living Together with Our Children Now

In creating their new home, what the couple valued most was “time spent together as a family in the same space.”

They designed a spacious living area and intentionally kept private rooms to a minimum—just a bedroom and a small study for remote work.

“While the children are still young, we’ll probably spend most of our time together in the living room.
We wanted a space where they can both study and play. If private rooms become necessary in the future, we can think about adding them then.”

The living room was designed with as few partitions and doors as possible, creating an open and connected space.
Because there are no steps or raised areas, the children can run around freely and safely.

Along the hallway, the family’s favorite books are displayed, forming a pathway that lets you walk in a circle through the home—a layout that encourages both movement and togetherness.

A Tatami Space That Welcomes the Family Home

Just beyond the entrance, your eyes are drawn to a small Japanese-style area with tatami mats.
Depending on the season, a hanging scroll or seasonal flowers are displayed, creating a space where the family can sense the gentle changes of the four seasons in their daily life.

When guests visit, it serves as a casual spot to sit and relax; when the children put on their shoes, they often perch there as well. The space naturally finds its purpose in everyday moments.

This tatami space has become one of the family’s favorite places.
The soft and calming atmosphere unique to a traditional Japanese room gently embraces both the beginning and the end of each day.

The Sense of Comfort Created by Natural Materials

Throughout the home, natural materials such as wood and earthen walls bring a sense of warmth and ease no matter where you are.
It’s part of everyday life to see the children lying on the floor or the family’s pet relaxing in a sunny spot.
The gentle textures and natural scents of these materials seem to provide a deep sense of comfort and security for the family.

The tatami room, wooden floors, and earthen walls—all together create an atmosphere that, in quiet everyday moments, allows one to feel a quiet richness and peace.

Thoughtful Details That Support Everyday Living

In the living room, there’s no television on display.
Instead, a screen can be lowered only when needed for watching movies or shows.
When not in use, the screen is neatly tucked away, keeping the space clean and uncluttered.

Another major consideration was the efficiency of household chores.
By minimizing the distance between the washing machine and the closet, daily routines have become remarkably easier.

For the lighting plan, indirect lighting was installed along the beams, softly illuminating the entire space with a warm, gentle glow.

“It was very reassuring that they also helped us choose furniture, lighting, and other interior elements to suit the space.
Throughout the home-building process, we encountered many perspectives and ideas we wouldn’t have come up with ourselves — and that made the experience both enjoyable and memorable.”

The Happiness of Sleeping Together as a Family

“Rather than each of us sleeping in separate rooms, it feels more like us to all sleep together on the tatami floor.”

In the couple’s new home, you can feel the wisdom of daily living and the gentle care taken to make the family’s comfort a priority.

It’s the small, everyday moments that enrich family life — moments that quietly build happiness over time.
And this warm, connected way of living will continue to grow here, in this beloved home.