- Christophe Spurling
He runs a small design company based in Central London UK with a workshop / studio in North London. We specialise in: Interior Design, Furniture Design, Carpentry and Woodworking - solid wood floor installation.We also offer, A bespoke Tatami room design and installation service. As well as painting, decorating, paint effects, wall papering (We have a large collection of vintage papers.) Our design influences range from Georgian opulence to Japanese minimalism. We have a lot of experience with renovations and small builds; excellent project management ensures deadlines and budgets are met. We have a passion for Japanese style and design. Tatami rooms are traditional Japanese rooms used as bedrooms or "Washitsu” Tatami are special flooring mats made from woven rice straw.
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- History
Tatami have 1,300-year history. The original idea was to keep the damp out from the stone floor. Tatami means, "folded and piled" The mats are made from woven rice straw and covered in woven rushes standard mats are 45mm thick though 55mm mats are considered a greater luxury. Traditionally they are 180cm x 90cm (though other sizes are now available) since the mats are twice as long as they are wide they are easily arranged on the floor. In homes the mats should not be arranged so as 3 or 4 corners meet. An inauspicious layout is said to bring bad fortune. A common way to house the mats is to encase them in a wooden border.
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- Custom
It is customary to remove your shoes and wear slippers when you enter a Japanese house. However Tatami are considered so sacred that you must not walk on them with shoes or slippers.
Tatami rooms are used as bedrooms and tea rooms, tea ceremony being an important part of Japanese culture.
When used as a bedroom, futon mattresses are lain directly on top of the Tatami. These are generally stored during the daytime and the room is given over to waking life. However western beds can also be incorporated into a Tatami room. When the room is used as tea room the furniture often consists of low tables with cushions or little chairs to sit on.
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- Cost
As far as price goes Tatami work out at about the same price as a good quality carpet.
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