Code Kurkku this is love.

When a musician and record industry entrepreneur collaborates with some of the best to create an urban space, with restaurants, bars, lush landscaping and live music, the result is sublime. In Yoyogi Village, Code Kurkku is the cherry on top.

Entering the village at night is magical. The lush palms, fragrant garden, candle light and music will draw you in.

Once inside the dramatic interiors will have you looking to the roof almost immediately – to the soaring ceilings and captivating lighting detail. The architecture and interiors are sleek perfection. Marvel at the horizontal garden, then turn left for the chic music bar, right for dinner, or both in succession!

We experienced immaculate service, warm with flawless attention to detail. The meal was lovely, complemented by a satisfying fine wine selection, and the live orchestra during dinner was just breathtaking.

Thank you Takeshi Kobayashi. This is love.

JW xo

Environmentalism and the hipster set. Tokyo does it best.

The Yoyogi Village is nestled away in an indescript side street. At first it appears to be quite a random selection of artisan stores, with a bakery, a coffee shop and a bar or two.

Every detail of this eco-conscious village was overseen by Takeshi Kobayashi, collaborating with Shinichi Osawa. Far from random – everything from the architecture, the landscaping and the interiors, is curated.

The abundant and wild landscaping, the handiwork of Seijun Nishihata, counters the shipping containers, mesh wire and glass used for the structure of the village. Huge trees, cascading hydrangeas, tall grasses and palms: the space is immersed in nature.

By day it’s a relaxed ramble of flowers, trees and artists. By night it turns into a magical escape, with musical and culinary delights on offer (see JW article Code Kurkku this is love).

It’s an inspired idea, incredibly smart use of space, light and landscaping. The concept gives the eco-unfriendly alternatives a run for their money.

A whole lot of relaxation, with a splash of old world luxury on the side.

Cicada is an inviting oasis with classic interiors of stone and natural textures. A perfect spot to rest and enjoy a relaxed and lazy lunch – you will feel a million miles away from busy Tokyo.

We reccomend the courtyard, with dappled light and pool side loungers. The Mediterranean grazing menu and variety of cocktails won’t dissapoint.

Cicada is set in a perfect 1950 mansion (designed by Yoshinobu Ashihara no less), which sets the scene for relaxation and a little luxury perfectly.

Enjoy.

Danish design in full bloom.

Danish design is having a moment. A big moment, which started in the 20th Century and hasn’t really taken a breath since.

The alluring mesh of art and aesthetic is a quality that Nicolai Bergmann showcases in his floristry, and marries beautifully with his cafe and concept store nestled in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. The location is perfect. We suggest that you allow time in the morning for meandering through boutique lined side streets before settling in for a relaxed cafe experience.

We were fortunate enough to be given the prime corner seat on the oh so comfortable Arne Jacobsens, with a low coffee table for dining and a personalised flower arrangement to enjoy for the afternoon.

The floral displays are as spectacular as the juxta posed concrete, leather and glass interiors. Suspended trees from the industrial ceiling were a highlight amongst the layered and beautiful floral designs.

The cafe is, inevitably, infused with sweet floral aromas. Which of you can take home in one of Nicolai’s signature box displays, bouquet or perfume. The team of florists are constantly at work and are happy to work with you to meet your needs for corporate, event or home displays.

A quick coffee visit is likely to extend into hours of relaxing in this beautiful setting.

Utter bliss. Please take your time and enjoy.

JW xo

Architectural contrast and a delightful champagne brunch!

Melbourne is rich with architectural contrasts. The perfectly appointed Victorian terrace, home to The Kettle Black, is a lovely example of how Melbourne embraces diversity and juxtaposition of difference.

While you wait for your first (or second) espresso of the day, a champagne, or perhaps an order of the deliciously famous hot cakes – look up! The building in situ, the light, the contrast, it is all a feast for the eyes.

Your patience for a seat inside will be rewarded with perfect Scandinavia inspired interiors, palms, pastels, metallics and austere lighting.

Enjoy! We certainly did.

Autumn reading … freedom, creative expression and unjust passing.

As the air acquires the distinct autumn chill, this month’s selection will cut close to the heart. We recommend that you snuggle up under a blanket with a pot of tea …

You may cry a little or a lot, reflecting on how far we have come and how much further there is to go. You may be inspired to start painting, drawing or publishing again, to use what freedom you have to cherish creativity. Regardless of how you find the prose or the narrative of these tales – your heart will be stirred, and your mind will be challenged. It is likely that you will never take fiction, creative space and any freedoms that you have for granted again.

Hannah Kent Burial Rights

In our region there has been a lot of focus on law, mercy and the death penalty. In this context it was heart breaking to read Burial Rights: Hannah Kent’s telling of Agnes Magnusdottir’s journey to her death. Iceland’s last use of the death penalty.

The layers of this historical fiction are captivating. It’s a perfect autumn read, as heat and cold clash and storms are inevitable. Kent paints a vivid picture of Iceland’s landscape and moody weather; the challenge of poverty at the time; and the mental and emotional turmoil experienced by a woman unjustly condemned to death.

Historical fiction and crime thriller combined, it occassionaly stumbles however doesn’t fail to grab your heart. The story contemplates the fruitlessness of this age old practice of punishing crime with death.

While much of the world stands for mercy this book reiterates, in part, why we need to continue to stand for all of humanity.

Azar Nafisi The Republic of Imagination

The Republic of the Imagination is like a passionate conversation with an old friend. Momentum builds the more that you read and the urgency of Nafisi’s message rings louder and louder: Cherish creative freedom; don’t allow lethargy and complacency to dilute the power or importance of the arts; democracy relies on freedom of expression, critique and space to create, debate and challenge.

The timing of reading this book coincided with the news of the passing of Sabeen Mahmud. This was a shock to many, and entirely predicable to others. When she bravely opened The Second Floor (T2F) in 2007 her vision was a simple one and one that may have cost her her life. The vision was simply for a creative space, for Pakistani artists, creatives and entrepreneurs to meet. In her early 30s she saw the gap and responded. She believed that You can’t create – you can’t solve any problem if you’re not collaborating and working together…. Fear is just a line in your head. You can choose what side of that line you want to be on. Sabeen Mahmud exemplified the bold and fear less commitment to creativity, fiction and debate that is both celebrated and clung to by Nafisi.

For those in a position of freedom and peace, and those who are not, The Republic of the Imagination will stir you to use your voice and create.

To every continent and over the oceans…

When I started this creative collaboration I never imagined that interest would come from every continent, and places where I have only dreamt of travelling to.

In only a few short months there are over 1000 of you that now inquire, create and explore with JW.

This is quite remarkable to me.

I hope that one day I will publish in many languages. In the meantime, from the bottom of my humbled heart thank you…

… shukran, Շնորհակալություն, gràcies, M̀h’gōi, tak, dank, kiitos, merci,danke, ευχαριστώ, mahalo, .תודה, dhanyavād, grazie, arigatô, 감사합니다, choukrane, Благодарам, grazzi, Xièxiè, Баярлалаа, takk, dziękuję, mulţumesc, спасибо, xвала, Ďakujem, hvala, gracias, tack, nandri, kop khun, teşekkür ederim, Дякую, diolch, a dank & ngiyabonga.

To every continent and over the oceans … thanks for all the love x

Feeling a little cheesy.

For cheese lovers living in Melbourne the establishment of Milk the Cow is a welcome addition to the varied and inspired range of Fromageries throughout the city.

Nestled in St Kilda at the quiet end of Fitzroy street, with cheese flights, a divine and evolving menu, private functions and fun filled foodie events – this little boutique has it all.

If you can, ask for a seat along the cheese bar – the charming little stools will hands down give you the best view in the house.

As the chill sets in, we strongly recommend taking a night out to indulge. This is one of our all time Melbourne winter favourites. Here are a few JW photographs to give you a little taste…

Enjoy! We do (quite frequently in fact)!

Geometric precision, contrast, texture and light.

March brings the domino of fashion week around the globe and a dedicated celebration of design, new and old. The fundaments of fashion, style and grace may evolve ever so slightly with time… however they do not shift.

Fashion can be so much fun, so liberating and such a varied mode of expression and delight: for all ages and all cultures.

The perfect silhouette combines geometric precision, contrast, texture and light. These details are some of our favourite snippets from some of the classics, history that has been made.

Enjoy.

Oh the charm of the local book store.

There are some towns where a visit to the local book store is almost mandatory. Among the holiday towns of Victoria, the local bookshop draws you in for a post swim meander. There are particular little stores, in Lorne, Melbourne and Daylseford, that ooze charm and often offer an individualised recommendation.

While it may be tempting to grab a bargain in an online shopping frenzie, when it comes to bookshops, please resist.

Over past years in Australia a number of major book retailers have been forced to close their doors; insolvent, no longer viable… broke. The headlines highlighted the vulnerable nature of our retail industry, in particular the small local stores.

The possibility of losing our independent local book stores is a sad thought. There is something deeply relaxing and enjoyable about wandering through the ricketty shelves, flicking through pages and stumbling across intellectual escape or inquiry; finding an author writing on a topic you had not heard about before.

The small stores are absolutely charming. They have staff and management often passionate about the books they stock, who are most likely to be interested in meandering chats to find out precisely what you are after.

These JW pictures are taken in a couple of our favourite stores … Yes, we couldn’t resist picking up a paper bag full of new books while we were there!