Contents Preface 7 About the author 9 About this book 11 CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
13
Core principles of Japandi 14 The philosophies of the Japandi garden
28
Japanese gardens 60 Scandinavian gardens 80 In conversation with Annika Zetterman 107 Checklist: Embracing influence from Japan and Scandinavia
108
CHAPTER TWO – The building blocks of outdoor harmony
113
Designing with purpose and peace 114 In conversation with Noël van Mierlo 124 Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures
136
In conversation with Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen 208 CHAPTER THREE – The living layer 213 Soil – the engine of your outdoor space
214
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history
220
Choosing plants – seasonality and biodiversity
228
Arranging your plants – height, layers and grouping
232
Checklist: Seasonal care 248 Thank you 253 Credits 254
Contents Preface 7 About the author 9 About this book 11 CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
13
Core principles of Japandi 14 The philosophies of the Japandi garden
28
Japanese gardens 60 Scandinavian gardens 80 In conversation with Annika Zetterman 107 Checklist: Embracing influence from Japan and Scandinavia
108
CHAPTER TWO – The building blocks of outdoor harmony
113
Designing with purpose and peace 114 In conversation with Noël van Mierlo 124 Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures
136
In conversation with Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen 208 CHAPTER THREE – The living layer 213 Soil – the engine of your outdoor space
214
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history
220
Choosing plants – seasonality and biodiversity
228
Arranging your plants – height, layers and grouping
232
Checklist: Seasonal care 248 Thank you 253 Credits 254
16
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Core principles of Japandi
17
16
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Core principles of Japandi
17
The philosophies of the Japandi garden Before a single stone is placed or a path is drawn, a Japandi garden begins with a thought – a philosophy. They are the quiet roots beneath every Japandi garden. These outdoor spaces are not just designed for beauty or function; they are grounded in deeper ideas about how we live, what we value and how we relate to the natural world.
From the Zen-inspired calm of Japanese traditions to the soulful simplicity of Nordic living,
Japandi gardens are born from a blend of cultural wisdoms that share one powerful belief: that nature is not separate from us, but a part of us.
In this section, we explore the philosophies that breathe life into Japandi design.
Principles that go beyond trends or aesthetics. These ideas shape everything: the
placement of a single rock, the texture of a bench, the choice to leave a space empty.
They invite us to design not just with the eye, but also with the heart. As you read, let these timeless concepts guide your creative process. They are the invisible threads that turn a garden into a sanctuary.
28
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
The philosophies of the Japandi garden
29
The philosophies of the Japandi garden Before a single stone is placed or a path is drawn, a Japandi garden begins with a thought – a philosophy. They are the quiet roots beneath every Japandi garden. These outdoor spaces are not just designed for beauty or function; they are grounded in deeper ideas about how we live, what we value and how we relate to the natural world.
From the Zen-inspired calm of Japanese traditions to the soulful simplicity of Nordic living,
Japandi gardens are born from a blend of cultural wisdoms that share one powerful belief: that nature is not separate from us, but a part of us.
In this section, we explore the philosophies that breathe life into Japandi design.
Principles that go beyond trends or aesthetics. These ideas shape everything: the
placement of a single rock, the texture of a bench, the choice to leave a space empty.
They invite us to design not just with the eye, but also with the heart. As you read, let these timeless concepts guide your creative process. They are the invisible threads that turn a garden into a sanctuary.
28
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
The philosophies of the Japandi garden
29
42
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
The philosophies of the Japandi garden
43
42
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
The philosophies of the Japandi garden
43
Scandinavian gardens Scandinavian garden design is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and environmental context. The harsh climates, with long winters and brief summers, have shaped a
gardening tradition that emphasises resilience, functionality and a profound connection to nature.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, formal gardens influenced by French and Italian styles emerged, particularly among the nobility. Notable examples include Frederiksberg
Gardens in Denmark, established by King Frederick IV in the late 1690s. These gardens featured symmetrical layouts, terraces and water features, reflecting the grandeur of European aristocratic landscapes.
However, as Romanticism took hold in the 19th century, there was a shift towards more
natural designs. Gardens began to embrace the native landscape, incorporating local
flora and creating spaces that felt organic and unmanicured. This movement aligned with the Scandinavian ethos of living in harmony with nature.
The 20th century saw further evolution, with a focus on sustainability and minimalism. Influential figures like Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who formalized the modern system of naming organisms, also contributed to garden design.
80
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Scandinavian gardens
81
Scandinavian gardens Scandinavian garden design is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and environmental context. The harsh climates, with long winters and brief summers, have shaped a
gardening tradition that emphasises resilience, functionality and a profound connection to nature.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, formal gardens influenced by French and Italian styles emerged, particularly among the nobility. Notable examples include Frederiksberg
Gardens in Denmark, established by King Frederick IV in the late 1690s. These gardens featured symmetrical layouts, terraces and water features, reflecting the grandeur of European aristocratic landscapes.
However, as Romanticism took hold in the 19th century, there was a shift towards more
natural designs. Gardens began to embrace the native landscape, incorporating local
flora and creating spaces that felt organic and unmanicured. This movement aligned with the Scandinavian ethos of living in harmony with nature.
The 20th century saw further evolution, with a focus on sustainability and minimalism. Influential figures like Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who formalized the modern system of naming organisms, also contributed to garden design.
80
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Scandinavian gardens
81
94
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Scandinavian gardens
95
94
CHAPTER ONE - In harmony with nature
Scandinavian gardens
95
Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures In the Japandi style, shapes, materials and textures are not just aesthetic choices, but also
sensory experiences. True to both Japanese and Scandinavian values, forms are clean but not sterile, organic yet deliberate. Materials are celebrated for their natural origin, ageing process and tactile quality, creating outdoor spaces that feel both rooted and refined.
A Scandinavian word that beautifully captures this ethos and section is ärlig, meaning
‘honest’. In Nordic culture, honesty isn’t just about truthfulness in speech; it’s also about
authenticity in the things we surround ourselves with. An ärlig home, or garden, is built with materials that are true to their nature and designs that serve both function and feeling.
In this section, we explore how to apply this honesty – this ärlig sensibility – to your outdoor space. From organic forms that echo the natural landscape to untreated wood that
weathers with grace, every element should feel grounded, tactile and real. Whether you’re shaping a winding path, choosing stone for a wall or layering textures, the Japandi way
reminds us: form follows feeling, and materials carry memory. Here, we let shapes speak
softly and materials age gracefully – always in harmony with the rhythm of the outdoors.
136
CHAPTER TWO - The building blocks of outdoor harmony
Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures In the Japandi style, shapes, materials and textures are not just aesthetic choices, but also
sensory experiences. True to both Japanese and Scandinavian values, forms are clean but not sterile, organic yet deliberate. Materials are celebrated for their natural origin, ageing process and tactile quality, creating outdoor spaces that feel both rooted and refined.
A Scandinavian word that beautifully captures this ethos and section is ärlig, meaning
‘honest’. In Nordic culture, honesty isn’t just about truthfulness in speech; it’s also about
authenticity in the things we surround ourselves with. An ärlig home, or garden, is built with materials that are true to their nature and designs that serve both function and feeling.
In this section, we explore how to apply this honesty – this ärlig sensibility – to your outdoor space. From organic forms that echo the natural landscape to untreated wood that
weathers with grace, every element should feel grounded, tactile and real. Whether you’re shaping a winding path, choosing stone for a wall or layering textures, the Japandi way
reminds us: form follows feeling, and materials carry memory. Here, we let shapes speak
softly and materials age gracefully – always in harmony with the rhythm of the outdoors.
136
CHAPTER TWO - The building blocks of outdoor harmony
146
CHAPTER TWO - The building blocks of outdoor harmony
Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures
147
146
CHAPTER TWO - The building blocks of outdoor harmony
Aesthetic and sensory – forms, shapes, materials, colours and textures
147
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history Learning about planting traditions of Japan and Scandinavia can bring deeper intention
to your garden. It connects you to centuries of cultural practice, natural rhythm and quiet
design wisdom. While one tradition grew in lush mountain forests and the other in windswept
meadows and coastal pine groves, both hold a deep respect for nature’s presence, resilience and impermanence.
In Japan, planting has long been an art form intertwined with philosophy and spirituality. Gardens are designed to reflect the changing seasons, with plants like cherry blossoms (sakura) celebrating the fleeting beauty of spring and pines symbolising longevity and
endurance. Moss is cherished for its softness and association with age and tranquillity, while maples bring dramatic autumn colour that invites you to reflect on impermanence. Each
plant is chosen with meaning, creating landscapes that are as much about feeling as they are about form.
In Scandinavia, planting traditions have been shaped by survival and a strong connection to the natural landscape. The short, intense summers gave rise to a culture of celebrating
seasonal abundance – apple trees, berry bushes, lilacs, and midsummer flowers like daisies
and buttercups are all deeply symbolic. They evoke memories of harvests, festivals and family
gatherings. Many of these plants, such as old apple varieties and hardy perennials, have been passed down for generations, linking gardens to heritage and resilience.
220
CHAPTER THREE - The living layer
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history
221
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history Learning about planting traditions of Japan and Scandinavia can bring deeper intention
to your garden. It connects you to centuries of cultural practice, natural rhythm and quiet
design wisdom. While one tradition grew in lush mountain forests and the other in windswept
meadows and coastal pine groves, both hold a deep respect for nature’s presence, resilience and impermanence.
In Japan, planting has long been an art form intertwined with philosophy and spirituality. Gardens are designed to reflect the changing seasons, with plants like cherry blossoms (sakura) celebrating the fleeting beauty of spring and pines symbolising longevity and
endurance. Moss is cherished for its softness and association with age and tranquillity, while maples bring dramatic autumn colour that invites you to reflect on impermanence. Each
plant is chosen with meaning, creating landscapes that are as much about feeling as they are about form.
In Scandinavia, planting traditions have been shaped by survival and a strong connection to the natural landscape. The short, intense summers gave rise to a culture of celebrating
seasonal abundance – apple trees, berry bushes, lilacs, and midsummer flowers like daisies
and buttercups are all deeply symbolic. They evoke memories of harvests, festivals and family
gatherings. Many of these plants, such as old apple varieties and hardy perennials, have been passed down for generations, linking gardens to heritage and resilience.
220
CHAPTER THREE - The living layer
Plant traditions – roots in Japanese and Nordic history
221
250
CHAPTER THREE - The living layer
Checklist: Seasonal care
251
250
CHAPTER THREE - The living layer
Checklist: Seasonal care
251
Colophon Concept and text: Laila Rietbergen, @japandi.interior Text: Marlous Snijder Editing: Heather Sills Book design: Tina De Souter Bookdesign © Lannoo Publishers, Belgium, 2025 THEMA: AMV, WJK, AMCR D/2025/45/555 ISBN: 978-90-209-7328-0 www.lannoo.com Sign up for our newsletter with news about new and forthcoming publications on art, interior design, food and travel, photography and fashion as well as exclusive offers and events. If you have any questions or comments about the material in this book, please do not hesitate to contact our editorial team: art@lannoo.com All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training and similar technologies. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders. If, however, you feel that you have inadvertently been overlooked, please contact the publishers.