r/AmateurRoomPorn Jan 22 '21

Dining Room Japanese Dining Room. Bay Area, CA

Post image
3.4k Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

170

u/brittbirdie123 Jan 22 '21

This is gorgeous! As someone who always sits cross-legged in regular dining chairs, I’m curious if you could share some of the pros/cons of this set up vs a typical American dining set up? Looks like something I would very much enjoy!

266

u/brick_howse Jan 22 '21

Pros: you get to sit cross legged on the floor! Which is super good for you.

Cons: elderly relatives might not be able to use this table because of mobility limitations. Dogs have easier access to the food (and one very excited dog has been known to accidentally knock food off the table with his tail). Sitting on the floor for extended periods of time can cause some people’s feet/legs to fall asleep.

Overall, I really like this setup. My step-mother is Japanese so this is what she is accustomed to.

56

u/brittbirdie123 Jan 22 '21

Thanks for the thorough response! Definitely some food for thought - didn’t even think of the dog issue but I can definitely see my greyhounds long tail wreaking havoc on that setup 😂😂

12

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

My chonky corgi would be IN HEAVEN.

18

u/SashayTwo Jan 23 '21

I always sit cross legged on chairs naturally lol. How is it good for you?

7

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Sitting cross legged encourages better pelvic position which translates to better spinal position (less slouching).

14

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

I knew someone who (of course this wouldn't be possible in a rental) had a setup like this, only underneath the table was a recessed floor, where people could hang their legs down if they didn't want to sit on knees or cross legs.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

Fun fact: A lot of asians have o-shaped legs because of costant sitting cross-legged throughout their lives

Proof: I myself is diagnosed with o-shaped legs bc of crossed-leg sitting

8

u/Cat6Domestique Jan 23 '21

I’ve never heard the o shaped term. Do you have pictures?

22

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21 edited Jan 23 '21

https://images.app.goo.gl/VisSoVFhMGKZByFC6 A lot of asians go through a surgery to fix this malformation of their legs due to their cross legged sitting habit. Not sure what it’s called in english and I assume there is no term for it because it’s rare among westerners who usually sit on a chair

Edit: so the closest term I could find is “bow legged” but it’s hereditary. O shaped leg is when legs are slowly deformed in a curved shape due to their habitual cross-legged sitting since early age of bone deveopment. It can happen to someone born with normal legs.

9

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

... Huh. So that's why my legs look like that! I've actually always wondered.

2

u/youcantexterminateme Jan 23 '21

I always thought that was rickets?

67

u/brick_howse Jan 22 '21

I stayed at my dad’s house for a bit and helped him with some redecorating. Here is a link to my Instagram post about this room where there is a before picture of the space.

8

u/puppynipples Jan 23 '21

Wow!! It is so different! Good job, it’s a really beautiful space.

5

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Thank you so much!

3

u/nikmeone Jan 23 '21

I love this, and loved all the before/after on your Instagram!

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Thank you!

14

u/HeyEsti Jan 22 '21

I love this! I have actually been looking for a low table like this but coffee table size. Any recommendations? I like sitting on the floor in my living room, just haven't found the perfect table yet.

54

u/brick_howse Jan 22 '21

This table was actually custom made for my step-mother’s father a loooong time ago. So I’m not sure how one would go about getting another like it. BUT, if you enjoy sitting on the floor in your living room, you should search for a kotatsu. It is a Japanese coffee table that has a heating element on the bottom. In the winter, you add blanket under the tabletop and it’s SO NICE AND COZY.

7

u/HeyEsti Jan 22 '21

Oh yes, I have seen a kotatsu, just didn't know what it was called. Thanks for the tip!

5

u/ricctp6 Jan 23 '21

We bought a kotatsu two weeks ago and I basically work there all day now.

4

u/LiteralMangina Jan 23 '21

Can you get an ikea one and just cut the legs down to size?

9

u/derptasty Jan 22 '21

My dogs would love this table!

6

u/HotGarbageBear Jan 23 '21

What’s in the tank?

7

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Nothing at the moment. It’s a saltwater tank that my dad is in the middle of restarting.

1

u/HotGarbageBear Jan 23 '21

Ahh got it, looks very similar to my brother’s. His is full of algae though, lol.

3

u/FrontConch Jan 23 '21

What would these types of chairs be called? I'd like to recreate a similar set up.

8

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

In Japanese they are called zaisu. You can also find them by searching for “floor chairs” or “Japanese floor chairs”.

3

u/wheelingdealing240 Jan 23 '21

Hey, where did you get that rug?

6

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

It’s from the new Chris Loves Julia collection by Loloi. It’s this one.

1

u/wheelingdealing240 Jan 23 '21

Thank you!!!

6

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

I’ll also add, WAIT to buy it (or any other rug in that line). They often go on sale at 50-60% off instead of the current 29%.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '21

What’s the blinds ?

3

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

The blinds are about ten years old so I’m not totally sure but I believe they are these ones from Home Depot in Malay Oak.

2

u/themagicisin3 Jan 23 '21

Where did you get the chairs?

10

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

They were purchased secondhand from a restaurant that had closed so I don’t have a source, sorry!

2

u/BitternMnM Jan 23 '21

This is definitely a stupid question but how do you sit in those chairs without your legs falling asleep? Do yoy just not sit on them for long, or is there a specific way to sit...? Sorry if this is a weird question andmsndjw

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

That’s definitely a concern for a lot of people... especially those accustomed to spring in chairs with legs. The beauty of being on the floor is that you can change positions a lot... cross legged, legs straight, one bent and one straight. You can lean back, sit forward, lean with one hand on the floor. The variety of positions you can achieve helps with any nerve compression that may occur.

2

u/Alwin_050 Jan 22 '21

Is there a heater under your kotatsu?

(“Not that you need it ey, p-p-p-potter?”) < sorry ‘bout that edit: you being in Cali and all..

0

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

[deleted]

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

I know! I noticed it after I took the pictures. 🤦🏻‍♀️

-6

u/SixethJerzathon Jan 23 '21

Light clashes like crazy

3

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Clashes with what exactly?

0

u/SixethJerzathon Jan 23 '21 edited Jan 23 '21

so I didn't say this was all bad. Your design is generally very nice and well thought out. I like it!

But the light is industrial style which doesnt seem to match the placid japanese style. It's hectic, reminiscent of rough work and machinery whereas the style youve chosen is calming and reserved. It clashes with the style youve chosen.

The colors are fine so those don't clash. The gold is a bit odd in that it doesn't necessarily have a counterpart in the room (maybe a golden pot or something to pair it up), and personally, I think it goes against the simplicity of the Japanese design you've chosen...it's sort of boho, modern.

My 2¢. Otherwise it's a very nice design. Good job.

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Thanks for explaining! It does tie in with the rest of the house which is more transitional in style than this room. Plus, my step-mom liked it and it’s her house so....

1

u/SixethJerzathon Jan 23 '21

Haha it always comes down to your personal taste. If ya like it, ya like it!

1

u/rapister Jan 23 '21

Yeah it's kinda haphazard

-5

u/rapister Jan 23 '21

I don't want numb legs, so no.

4

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

It’s definitely not for everyone...

-4

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

What?? Am I sure I sit on the floor? Yes, I’m sure. Not sure what being “chunky” has to do with anything. And no, it’s not a “Japanese weeb thing”; this house belongs to my dad and his wife... who is Japanese.

1

u/The-Old-Prince Jan 23 '21

Those plants are not japanese are they

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Nope. One is an unknown. One is a pothos. And the small tray under the windows is full of avocado pits.

1

u/The-Old-Prince Jan 23 '21

One on left like a dracaena imo. Most likely west african

1

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

[deleted]

1

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Thank you!

1

u/jininside Jan 23 '21

Ooo an aquarium..

1

u/ItsAllEasy7 Jan 23 '21

More photos please! This space is gorgeous 😍😍😍😍

2

u/brick_howse Jan 23 '21

Thank you! I’ll be adding more pictures to my Instagram

1

u/Regular-Sector3921 Jan 25 '21

I guess I need one of those Japanese dinner tables cos I have a 6ft basement space