Owner's Voice Vol.30 - Mr. Nakahara's Residence in Karuizawa

The Nakahara family moved from the city to Karuizawa to raise their four children in a rich natural environment.
At the center of the family of six is a Toyo Kitchen Style Zero flow kitchen.
The kitchen, with its open view and functional beauty, breathes new life into their daily activities.

The impact of "Zero flow" I encountered in the showroom

When building their new home, the couple placed particular emphasis on the "flow line.
While touring showrooms in search of a kitchen that would fulfill that ideal, they came across Toyo Kitchen Style.
When I heard the term "Zero flow" in the showroom, I thought, "Oh, this is it.
The flow line is important to eliminate unnecessary movement in the kitchen," says the wife.
The deciding factors were finding an idea that fit perfectly with their ideal kitchen, and the combination of functional design and beautiful design.

The design that captured the couple's hearts was the Toyo Kitchen Style's original "PARALLELO Sink.
The maximum size of 91 cm (width) and 91 cm (depth) was chosen, and the couple feels that the flow of cooking has become much smoother.
He says, "I put the special multi-plate and cutting board on top of the sink and slide them freely to cut vegetables and serve them.
The large sink becomes a cooking space as it is, so it is really convenient to cut up multiple ingredients and place them on the sink," says the wife.
The husband adds, "This sink is fun for me to stand in, too. I really like the way every inch of the sink has been thought out.

The surface material chosen was iNO Blue Mist, a new color for 2024.
I thought it was a calm color that would go well with the blue sofa from our old house," says the husband.
The kitchen, which he chose based on his intuition, has a presence that is appropriate for the center of his life.

My own space" gives me peace of mind

When the couple visited the Toyo Kitchen Style showroom, they were as fascinated by Dress Core as they were by the kitchen.
The dresser is a new concept that combines the functions of a bedroom, bathroom, and closet into one beautiful space where they can spend time grooming themselves.
When we first saw it in the showroom, we both thought, "This is so cute! When we saw it for the first time in the showroom, we were both so excited.
After that, I didn't want to look at anything else," she recalls with a smile.
I was a little worried that it might be a little too bold," she recalls with a smile. But when she actually tried it, she found that it had a magical power to lift her spirits.
Even on days when I tend to feel a little down," she says, "after dropping the kids off, I sit down in front of the mirror in the room with Dress Core and naturally feel more positive.
It's like being in the presence of art.

The family washroom is separate, and the room with Dress Core is a "special place" used mainly by the wife when she puts on her makeup or dresses up.
Her favorite clothes and accessories are also displayed there, which helps to refresh her mind.
The two daughters occasionally come to visit, and they enjoy envisioning the day when they will share this space in the future.

In fact, this "place for the wife" was born from a gentle suggestion from the husband.
I wanted my wife, who spends most of her time with our children, to have a space where she can relax on her own.
The wife smiles as she accepts her husband's words, "It made me happy when he said that.

The kitchen is the center of a changing landscape of life.

The days in the completed kitchen are only about two months old.
But the kitchen is already firmly rooted in the heart of the family.
Compared to our old house, we move much less distance while cooking.
I can fill a large pot with water on the spot, and plates are right next to me," she says.
The PARALLELO 910 we adopted exceeded our expectations in terms of usability.
It is easy to cook simultaneously, which comes in handy on days when the children and adults are preparing different menus.
The husband also says, "I can make ramen noodles or cocktails for lunch. This kitchen naturally makes me want to move my hands around," he laughs.

What this couple is fostering in Karuizawa is a new way of living.
The husband is a member of the local fire brigade, and the wife is a certified Pilates instructor. They also took up horseback riding with their children.
Karuizawa is different from the city in that the flow of time is different.
I feel like time flows differently in Karuizawa than in the city, and I have more time on my mind than before, so I naturally have a desire to learn," she says.

The kitchen, where the family spends their days together, supports this "spirit of learning" and supports the family's daily activities.

The Nakahara family's day begins here.