The Heartbeat of Everyday Life Walking into a kitchen for me is like stepping into the pulse of a home. It’s where mornings begin with the ritual of coffee, where sunlight hits the counter just right as someone chops vegetables, and where the air carries
Living With Heat, Paying the Price If you’ve spent a summer in Japan, you already know: it gets hot. But it’s not just the kind of dry, baking heat you find in deserts—it’s humid, sticky, and persistent. In the countryside, I’ve often wrapped a wet
The switch that talks back Walk into a Japanese home on a rainy evening, and you might spot a dim orange glow by the door. That’s no decoration. It’s a pilot switch, quietly letting you know that something’s on—usually a light outside or in a
What It Means to Build for Yourself Building something with your hands changes how you see it. It’s not just a table. It’s a reminder of the tree it came from, the work it took to carry it home, the cold mornings shaping it outside
Why I Still Love Drywall There’s something humble about drywall. It’s not glamorous. It doesn’t sparkle. It’s not even all that interesting to look at when it’s done — just a flat wall, ready for someone else’s paint. But that’s the point. Drywall is the
Sketches on Shelter and Sense For most of us, a home is more than a structure — it’s a long-term companion. It holds our work, sleep, silence, and noise. And when you’re building it yourself or choosing one to buy, every detail becomes personal. I’ve
Creating Kitchens That Work and Feel Alive 
Designing Light yet Strong: Stressed Skin Explained 
The Simple Physics Behind Holding Loads 
Transforming a Room with Wood Veneer Ceilings 
Solar Power in Japan: The Tax Reality 
Flooring Installation: How to Perfect Layout and Joints 
What Pilot Switches in Japan Can Teach