COOL APT: TOSHI

Last night, I watched the fantastic City fireworks (not quite sure for which event) through the gigantic windows of my loft. It was splendid. Partly because I watched it from the comfort of my own bed.
It reminded me of the Sumida River festival during my Tokyo days, the most memorable fireworks-watching event of all. That was one great time: amazing, beautiful fireworks, watched together with thousands of beautiful and handsome Tokyonites in traditional yukatas (myself included) in the warmth of a long summer night.
I guess I just heart fireworks, and today I admit it for the first time.



Talking about Tokyonites or Japan-related, I am compelled to post the write-up of Toshi's apartment in the LES. This write-up was intended for the Apartment Therapy sometime ago. So, ENJOY this art/mannerism-charged establishment; an oase in the epicenter of the vivacious Manhattan tableaux.

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"Mooring": the Groundness of Staged Persona

Who: Toshi
Occupation: Art Dealer
Location: LES

Toshi's place is a bit a-typical of our average NY apartments. To the untrained eyes, the space could be seen almost as disorganized and somewhat loose. But to those with eagle eyes, this place is equal to a livable gallery where fine items, rare collections, and super-curated property installation could be found almost at every inch of the surface (and yes, that would include the picturesque cracks on the wall).
Blame it to the gene and expertise; the son of world-renown Japanese artists whom himself is very involved with the grid-and-lock of art dealership and auction world, is very much a natural when it comes to implementing artistic values into his lifestyle. Just look at the way he curates his Japanese comforter and gives it a second life as a beautiful art piece as opposed to just lay it on the bed like most of us do, or the way he stages plain fabric into motion-elegance every time the wind blows on it, or maybe the way he presents his valuable vintage eating collection in such display-window mannerism; everything flows so oddly realistic, thus the charm; This is the basis of Toshi's 'mooring' concept as the persona of this space. The collection is something special, but is integrated into his everyday use.

Besides art, Toshi loves to cook and to entertain. As often as three times per week, he would welcome guests to relax and dine-in where he would show off his latest gems, including the works of vintage miniature depression glass, Tiffany precious glass, white-and-blue oriental ceramic, antique Lucie Rie/ ORPLID ceramic buttons, and his '50s utensils. "I love to welcome my guests. This space is started out as a blank, nameless canvas, and now a finished painting because of what my guests splash in with their colorful presence. Spatially, I think of this space as a Japanese teahouse where the warmth of the tea is served in a cool and relaxing space. And again, there must be a balance in every detail and element: western ceramic and eastern pottery, Donald Judd and traditional ryookan aesthetic, wine and sake, perfection and off-ness. Life(style) is definitely dead without balance and contra-balance."

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Random questions:
* Where to shop?
"Flea Market at 39th (b/w 9th and 10th) or the 25th garage. I'd go there at 9 or 10 in the morning for a fresh start and look at the collections. And why vintage over new? I am just crazy about the history of an item. History and background are very important to me. Again: the 'mooring', that is."
* Everything vintage?
Not really. I just made this center table myself without using any metal fasteners and only wooden pegs as fasteners. I also have new appliances, fresh cigarettes, and a new collection of vintage glass...