Monday 3 September 2018

Sparking Joy in Your Life – 2 Simple Steps


“Summer in the world;
    Floating on the waves
    Of the lake. "
 ~ Matsuo Bashō

Bestselling Japanese author, Marie Kondo, writer of the book, The Life-Changing Magic Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, describes the idea of creating a home and interior space that spark joy. Her bestselling guide has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and speaks about the importance of de-cluttering and paring down your belongs in a way to help you feel more comfortable in your environment.

She advocates the idea that this theme can also apply to one’s life. By using the basic idea that by creating surroundings that “Spark Joy” and by applying that to other areas of your life, such as your work, your relationships, and your social activities, one can create a life that is more rewarding and filled with happiness and joy.

The idea of “sparking joy” is a guiding light or pathway to create a more fulfilling and satisfying life. One of her primary methods of creating joy is to simplify and harmonize your living space or environment. She calls it tidying up. This means getting rid of unwanted items, de-cluttering, and simplifying and choosing furniture and items in your home that support this theme. This is just the first step.

The second step is to choose furniture and home décor that inspires happiness and an experience of joy.

Here at Haiku Designs, we specialize in home furnishings, beds, bedroom and dining room furniture that are simple in design and harmonize well. Based on several of the themes found in traditional Japanese design and updated for the modern home, our collections are the perfect way to create a sense of balance in your home or office and in essence “sparking joy.”

Consider our Arata Platform Bed, a minimalist, low to the ground bed, offering a perfect complement of elegance and beauty and an easy way to create a sense of relaxation for the bedroom. The Moduluxe bed is another example of modern design that offers a stunning sense of proportion and comfort.

The Eco-Friendly Amu Dining room set, constructed from sustainably harvested solid bamboo, is another example of a beautifully designed furniture set. It offers warm and natural wood tones combined with simple lines and a balanced proportion. The Amu creates a sense of welcome and in a manner, “sparking joy.”

Simplifying, decluttering and tidying up one’s personal living space are great steps to creating a more spacious and happy life. As Marie Kondo explains, choosing furniture and home interiors that spark relaxation, joy, and a feeling of happiness, is the second step in living a life of harmony and joyfulness.

Here at Haiku Designs, we are pleased to offer a wide range of home interior options, furniture, and organic bedding that can assist in Sparking that Inner Joy.

Tuesday 3 July 2018

The Floating Platform Bed – Great Looks, Amazing Design

“Summer in the world;
  Floating on the waves
  Of the lake. "

                           ~ Matsuo Bashō
There are a lot of advantages to the platform bed design over traditional beds. Many of our platform beds use a solid wood slat system that supports the mattress and eliminates the need for a box spring. This allows air to circulate up through the slats and sets up a circulating air exchange in the mattress. This cuts down on allergens, dust mites and mold which creates a healthier sleeping environment. Other platform beds use a flat piece of wood for the mattress support, again eliminating the foundation or box spring requirement. Another advantage is that the platform style of construction allows for a more modern, simple, and low profile look, making the furniture the center of attention instead of the mattress.

The Floating Look
Another very attractive advantage is that the simpler bed frame design allows for what we call the “Floating Bed” look. This creates the illusion that the bed appears to float off of the floor. This is not only very visually appealing but also in line with many of today’s popular modern furniture design trends.

This is done not by sleight of hand or a Las Vegas magic trick but by placing the bed frame on a recessed pedestal base or recessed leg structure. This provides plenty of stability for the bed, equal to or greater than a traditional bed frame. When combined with a contemporary design theme, and a low profile bed frame and headboard the overall look is appealing and helps create a clean uncluttered appearance.

Another style of floating platform bed uses a sturdy, clear styrene leg piece with a covered wood headboard floor based support. The Tramonto platform bed offers that amazing floating appearance and the additional benefit of a lighted headboard. This creates a look that can only be described as amazing.

Here at Haiku Designs, we offer several floating platform beds complete with matching nightstands, dressers and high chests. Our primary focus is dedicated to helping you in crafting home, bedrooms, or dining rooms that are more than just a room with a piece of furniture. We specialize in helping our customers create that special look or space that offers a sense of relaxation, repose, and balance.
Designs that Create Simplicity, Shelter that Creates Tranquility.

Source URL: https://www.haikudesigns.com/blog/floating-platform-bed-design.htm

Wednesday 6 June 2018

East Meets West — Get the Best of Both Worlds


“My arm for a pillow,
    I really like myself,
    Under the hazy moon. "

                           ~ Yosa Buson

Remember the futons you had when you were younger? For the boomer generation, it would be the futon you had in your apartment or dorm room, that you enjoyed while listening to the Allman Brother, Jethro Tull or Pink Floyd.

For Generation X it would be the Futon that you enjoyed while grooving on the Cars or Billy Idol. For younger generations, the futon would be the same and the music background would be… Well, you get the point.

These futons were great introductory sleeping mattresses and were firm, not very expensive and easy to move around from location to location. These futons similar to traditional Japanese Style Sleep Mats or Shiki Mats and were usually composed of 2-4 inches of cotton and that was all. Very, very firm!

As we grow in years, many people still like the firm sleep, and simple design of the traditional futon they had when much younger, but need a more comfortable, and supportive sleeping surface.
This is the basic idea behind the Eco-Rest Hybrid Futon from Haiku Designs. We call it a Hybrid because we have combined the best of both worlds, the firmness of the futon with the comfort and orthopedic support of a more Western-style mattress. This Hybrid effect makes all the difference and creates a sleep surface that is in short… amazingly comfortable.

We do this by starting with an Eco-Friendly core of Botanical all-natural latex. This can be from 2-6 inches depending on the size of the futon. The latex offers a wonderful slight give to the futon and also lessens the cupping or indention effect that happens with more traditional futons.

We then surround this Latex Core with Organic Cotton, All-Natural Wool, and an Organic Cotton heavy tufted cover. This all-natural product provides not only a healthy, chemical-free sleep it also provides a firm style of a futon with the luxurious comfort of latex.

The Best of Both Worlds, where East meets West.
The Eco-Rest Hybrid Futon from Haiku designs is an all-natural, Eco-friendly futon available in a number of different sizes and comfort levels.

Lay back and enjoy. You can almost hear the sounds of… (Fill in your favorite band).


Tuesday 1 May 2018

THE NIDRA ALL-NATURAL INNER COIL MATTRESS

“Taking a nap,

    Feet planted

    Against a cool wall. "

                           ~ Bashō Matsuo

One translation of the Sanskrit word Nirda is the Goddess of Sleep. Another meaning is geared more towards a meaning of Deep Sleep or meditative sleep or what has sometimes been referred to as “Yogic Sleep” or “Physic Sleep” referring to that space of deep relaxation between wakefulness and sleep. With an estimate of almost 1/3 of the American population suffering from sleep problems and sleep issues, it is clear that anything that can help give a better nights sleep is a big plus. 

At any rate, Deep sleep or Nidra sleep is something that most of us can use, and a deep and restful good nights sleep supports an ever-expanding list of health benefits ranging from a better immune response, fewer allergies, better brain health, less stress to the nervous system, and more and more.
Our Nidra All Natural Sleep mattress is a great investment and a good place to start in building and creating a better night rest for oneself.

The All-natural components mean no toxic chemical compounds, styrene, or flame retardant chemicals. This cuts down and eliminates the off-gassing of chemicals into the sleeping environment.
The use of all Natural Cotton, Stitched cover and a 100% wool liner instead further reduces exposure to chemical fibers. The Natural wool liner serves as a flame retardant as well as wicking moisture away from the body, cutting down on night sweats, cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
The nested Inner Coils, encased in a sustainably produced sugar cane based fabric, provide a firm mattress base and maximum orthopedic support. The All-Natural Latex 3” inch layer provides a comfortable and pillow top feel to the mattress and Latex is far superior foam based on the Sap of the Asian rubber tree. Latex provides a luxurious feel to the mattress and also is naturally mold, allergen, and dust mite resistant, furthering the overall effect of the mattress and providing a deep and restful good nights sleep.


Try out our Goddess of Sleep…. And get off the list of the 40 million Americans with sleep issues, and get a better night sleep naturally.

Thursday 22 March 2018

Dine like you're in nature with the Mokuzai Live Edge Dining Table

BE ONE WITH NATURE WITH OUR GEORGE NAKASHIMA INSPIRED DINING TABLE
 "The old pond
    A frog leaps in.
    Splash!   "
                           ~ Bashō Matsuo

Inspired by the creations of Japanese-American George Nakashima, the father of the American craft movement which ushered in working with traditional craft materials such as woods, glass, and or metals in the early 20th century.    In accordance with this tradition, we are proud to showcase the Nakashima-inspired Mokuzai (木材) Live Edge Dining room table.

Designed off of George's popular Live Edge or natural edge dining room tables, we utilize solid Acacia wood while maintaining the natural edge of the wood on the outer sides of the table.  While the table's live edge is sanded and smoothed over so your family won't catch any splinters, it stays true to the 'eating in nature' feel by keeping as much of the tree's texture as possible.

Now in the 21st century if you wanted to own a George Nakashima original you'd need to fork out 5+ figures, but with our affordable Mokuzai Dining Table you get this traditional (yet still modern) style in your dining room without breaking the bank! 

Available as a complete dining set with 4 different modern chair styles, you can customize your Mokuzai experience however you like.  We recommend the Long Island Metal Chairs, built from steel to complete a retro yet feel in your dining space.

Did we mention this beauty is completely Eco-Friendly?  Well, yes it's good for mother earth too!  The Mokuzai's Solid Acacia Wood is constructed from Acacia trees, a fast-growing and highly adaptable tree making it one of the most eco-friendly solid woods available.

WHY WAIT?  SHOW OFF THIS EXQUISITE NATURAL TABLE IN YOUR HOME!

Unless you're looking for something a little bit different- in which case see some more of our natural & eco-friendly dining room sets!

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Show your 💖 with these LOVE inspirited items from Haiku!

GIVE THE GIFT OF TRUE LOVE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY!

 " Dawn gifts a soft touch
    An invitation to love
    Sweetest surrender "
                           ~ Mia Rose

Here at Haiku Designs we make it our policy to celebrate one of the greatest of all experiences anyone can have- LOVE!  We love our puppies, our significant others, ourselves, each other, and most notably our beautiful planet that makes it all possible...  

In keeping to this commitment to celebrating all of the things we care so much for we'd like to show off some of our amazing LOVE themed items.  These products are carefully sourced, made with love, and represent a great fondness for mother earth that we all share! 

LOVE (THE MUSIC OF THE HEART) - CALLIGRAPHY PRINT
An open heart sings a wondrous melody, bringing great blessings to whomever may hear it.
Display your love to the world with our Seeds of Wisdom LOVE calligraphy print.  Love truly is the music of the heart.


LOVE THROW BLANKET
Perfect for a cozy cuddle in front of a fire or for warming comfort on a chilly afternoon, our soft and luxurious throw features the Chinese Kanji character representing "Love" woven into 100% natural, unbleached cotton. Cream calligraphy on black background reverses to black symbol on cream background.

Generously cut with room enough for two. Give the Gift of Love. Free UPS shipping for any love throw shipped within the continental United States.


ORGANIC COTTON, WOOL, & BOTANICAL LATEX PILLOWS
Many people sleep on pillows manufactured from petrochemical foams, synthetic fillers and poly fiber covers these days.  There have been many recent reports that these materials off-gas toxic fumes directly into the sleeping environment.  Show your LOVE by giving the gift of a safer sleeping environment!


THE LOVE REMEDY FENG SHUI CALLIGRAPHY PRINT
Improve the loving energy flow of your most treasured space with the Love Remedy print.  The love symbol is balanced by a pair of cranes representing harmony, this print makes a beautiful compliment to nearly any room.  In Feng Shui to improve the chi of your space the color red should be placed in the Love and Relationship corner and should ideally be balanced with a pair of equal objects.


Thursday 1 February 2018

Step into the Zen Modern Lifestyle

WELCOME TO THE ZEN MODERN LIFESTYLE

 "  Sleep on horseback,
    The far moon in a continuing dream,
    Steam of roasting tea.  "

                           ~ Bashō Matsuo

Haiku Designs Furniture and Mattress wants to formally welcome you to the Zen Modern movement. We are one of a growing number of purveyors of this new and exciting way of living that combines elements and themes from the ancient schools of Zen but that has been updated, and blended with values, ideas and design themes suited and matched for contemporary interests and that is and is of course…decidedly modern.

What is Zen Modern?

 Harmony with the Environment

For starters Zen Modern is based on the Zen Idea of being in harmony with the environment.   That means making choices in one’s personal lifestyle to choose more Eco-friendly products whether it is Eco-friendly Furniture including Dining and Bedroom Furniture or whether it is choices made on what ones eats and the clothing one wears.  The idea is lessen our negative impact on the planet and doing what we can do to live in more sustainable, and balanced manner.

 The Beauty of Less-

Another Aspect of the Zen Modern style is based on the theme found in Japanese furniture designs but in also the schools of Danish and Mid Century Modern interior design, of the beauty of Less.  This means simplifying and de-cluttering one’s life and also choosing furniture, art, decoration where one or two outstanding pieces set a tone for a room or an environment. 

 Simple Luxury

While acknowledging the beauty and value of many of the principals of harmony and simplicity, the Zen Modern Lifestyle is firmly rooted in the 21st century.  It is about enjoying and having it all.   This is not a monk’s style of living or chosen poverty of renunciation. It is about living a life of fullness, balance and comfortable luxury that supports one’s lifestyle while at the same time supporting the planet. Nothing wrong with 21st tech… as you sip your Organic Green Tea, or Single source coffee, on your beautiful Eco-friendly Natural latex mattress while you browse the internet or enjoy the latest Netflix series installment.


LIVING WELL IN THE 21ST CENTURY. WE CALL IT THE ZEN MODERN LIFESTYLE.

Haiku Designs offers a unique selection of modern furniture, organic bedding, and lifestyle products from designers in Italy, Asia, and the United States, based on the themes of simplicity, harmony, balance and beauty.