Light Up Your Life!
Published: December 11, 2017
There’s no place like home.
And if you, like me, suddenly found furniture shopping fascinating after entering adulthood, you’ll likely find Lighting House TOKYO absolutely enchanting.
Located close to Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Lighting House Tokyo’s cheery yellow walls stand out boldly, a little out of place among the regular residential buildings.
Given its Western design and an atmosphere of a certain je ne sais quoi, it’s no surprise passers-by are often confused as to what exactly the establishment is. “People often mistake us for something else,” laughs Ms. Miho Sugita, an interior designer and consultant at Lighting House TOKYO. “I even had someone try to make a reservation for dinner once! But it’s actually a showroom for interior decor, not a restaurant.”
The building has an interesting history. Its framework belonged to a private home over 100 years old, originally located in Niigata prefecture. The building was relocated by parts to Kameido, Koto City and renovated under the direction of German architect Karl Bengs. His artistic touch can be found in the impressive use of original dark wood beams which support the house, and in the intricate iron railings on the staircases; it really makes you feel as if a fancy tearoom might be hiding just around the corner.
Although Lighting House TOKYO is a showroom/store for various household fancies, their main focus is lights. You’ll find a variety of lampshades, chandeliers and table lamps to give your house or workplace that special glow.
I was quite charmed by this floral set with an Art Nouveau touch. Ms. Sugita jokingly said that young people nowadays might find it tacky since they seem to prioritize simplicity and minimalism, but confided that she too, prefers things with a retro taste.
There were also some beautiful (and surprisingly affordable) chandeliers from England, and a slightly less affordable one made of Venetian glass from Italy that I’ve added to my wish list (wishing is, after all, free).
The lamps have arrived from the world over, but there are also plenty of domestic creations, like the ones pictured above. These gorgeous hand-painted pieces would lend a gentle, nostalgic touch to any room.
And this one, with the cerulean glass beads embedded into it, felt to me like a perfect lamp to have hanging over the front porch to welcome you home.
There were also many items by individual crafters from around Japan for sale, like these adorable ceramic houses. Some were mugs with lids, others were small containers, and some were aromatherapy pots (you light a candle inside the house with a little bit of water and essential oil, and the aroma will slowly diffuse out through the chimney—what a wonderful idea)!
You can even shop for accessories, such as these glass pendants. The turtle one is particularly recommended—you are in Kameido, after all! (Kame means turtle in Japanese.)
And for every item, Ms. Sugita can tell you its origin and what makes it special. Walking around the showroom with her, I learned quite a bit about the pieces and how they reflect the era and location of their creation, as well as the crafters who shaped them.
“People come here for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they just want to look around and enjoy gazing at the beautiful wares. Other times they want us to help them find something in particular—more than once I’ve had to go on a real hunt for lights that fit a certain style. I also advise customers on selecting pieces that match their homes, consulting on everything from size to installation.”
Spacious and full of delights, Lighting House TOKYO is a wonderful store to explore if you enjoy interior design. The next time you think about sprucing up your home, I suggest coming by to get some real bright ideas.
Story by Xianru Shen（Koto City Office Coordinator for International Relations）
