The Ideal Home
A Naturepanel Case Study
The best renovations don't just look impressive; they change how a home is lived in. For this project, Kuche and Bagno renovated a home with principles that closely resemble ikigai, the Japanese idea of a 'reason for being'.
What is ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning, loosely, your 'reason for being'. It is about recognising the things that bring purpose, pleasure and meaning to everyday life, often the simple things we make time and space for.
The design approach
Our homes should reflect not just how we want them to look, but how we actually want to live. Applying ikigai to interiors means making room for the people, activities and rituals that bring us joy, whether that is cooking, reading, music, gardening or simply having somewhere peaceful to unwind.
The music area
One example from this renovation is the music area. The instruments get a space of their own instead of being stored away. They're displayed beautifully as part of the interior, and the piano is always ready to be played.
The backdrop is an illuminated wall of Naturepanel's Bleached Cuneo Oak Wood Slat panels. The warm wood-effect slats and built-in lighting create a natural focal point and frame the instruments almost like a gallery display. What could have been an overlooked corner is now somewhere with real purpose.
Key features
- A space designed around the instruments, not one they were squeezed into
- Instruments on display as part of the décor, so they get played every day
- An illuminated Naturepanel feature wall that adds warmth and a focal point
- A once-underused area that now has a clear role in daily life
In conversation: living with ikigai
What features would you introduce to give a space a 'reason for being'?
"I love the idea of creating dedicated spaces around the things you enjoy. This music area is a perfect example. Rather than hiding the instruments away, they are displayed beautifully and become part of the interior, with the piano ready to be played."
What do you personally do to achieve ikigai?
"For me, it is about making time for the things and people that bring enjoyment and balance to everyday life. Our surroundings can really support that. Having spaces where you can switch off, spend time with others or immerse yourself in something you enjoy makes those moments much easier to prioritise."
Why is this a good philosophy to live by?
"It reminds us that a fulfilling life is often built around small, meaningful moments. That translates naturally into interiors. Instead of creating a home purely to look impressive, you create one that reflects who you are and enables you to do more of what you love. Ultimately, that is what makes a home feel personal."
— Elliott Fairlie, Product and Marketing Director, Grant Westfield
The result
The finished space is both a showpiece and a working part of the home. Kuche and Bagno designed it to be stylish and practical while emphasising spaces to display what's important to us. Naturepanel has been used throughout the some as feature walls in living areas and for texture in bathrooms where it's 100% waterproof characteristic made it the obvious choice.
Choose Naturepanel for your home today. Whatever, wherever, Naturepanel is the right product for you.
