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Charrisse Johnston

@charrissejohnston

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Awhile back, I received an intriguing email from @edengallery, asking if I would write a piece about the emotional impact of art in interior spaces for their newsletter and magazine. How incredibly flattering and terrifying alike, because I'm a complete noob when it comes to understanding art, AND because Eden is a powerhouse in the art world, with galleries from Dubai to Manhattan to Monaco.

But they insisted that their clients would be interested in my perspective. They also asked that I select two pieces from their collection that appealed to me. So that’s what I did! If you’re curious about my choices, take a look at the article which is linked in my bio. And many thanks to Eden for inviting me to kick off your Expert Series! by @charrissejohnston

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a month ago

Two weeks ago I was in Norway, where @cooper_johnston_ received his Master’s in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the University of Tromsø, a.k.a. The Arctic University of Norway. I don’t know what was more enthralling: attending the graduation, hearing him speaking fluent Norwegian, seeing a reindeer on the side of the road, or experiencing the Midnight Sun (the photo from my hotel window was taken at about 3am). I was so, so happy to spend time with Cooper and Jakub, and Cooper’s dad Lochlon too. Now I need to read his thesis and pretend I have the vaguest notion of what it means. 😂 by @charrissejohnston

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a month ago

Japan trip, Post #5 - last one!

Too many random, beautiful things that delighted me:

1. Sanraku Hotel entrance on a rainy day, Kanazawa
2. Roof tiles, Naoshima
3. Kanazawa Castle stone walls
4. Organic “So” paving, corresponding to the loose, cursive style of Japanese calligraphy, Katsura Imperial Garden, Kyoto
5. Geometric “Shin” paving, corresponding to the most formal style of Japanese calligraphy, Katsura Imperial Garden, Kyoto
6. Onrindo pavilion door, Katsura Imperial Garden, Kyoto
7. Shoji door framework made of 10 different types of wood without the use of nails or glue, Takanaka Carpentry Tools Museum, Kobe
8. Closeup of shoji door framework
9. Notebook of Tsunekazu Nishioka, temple and shrine master craftsman, Takenaka Carpentry Museum, Kobe
10. “Remnants Of”, Hidenori Tsumori, cast glass mixed with clay, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
11. “Untitled 1996”, Jannis Kounnelis, items from the sea wrapped in sheets of lead, Benesse House Museum, Naoshima
12. Train station public bathroom near the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - note the etched mirror bamboo etchings on the mirror and the vessel sinks
13. Washi paper screen, Cyashitsu Ryokan, Asakusa, Tokyo
14. Detail of millwork in guest room, Cyashitsu Ryokan, Asakusa, Tokyo
15. Flower arrangement in restroom, SunnyHills at Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo
16. Roof tiles, Tokyo
17. House, Kanazawa
18. House, Naoshima
19. Seto Island Sea as seen from Naoshima by @charrissejohnston

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8 months ago

Japan trip, Post #4: PATTERNS

The care and attention that was evident in paving, tiling and fencing was astounding. Some of these were in fancy places but most were not - just regular everyday areas.

Last post coming tomorrow! by @charrissejohnston

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8 months ago

Japan trip, Post #3: FOOD

Man oh man, the food was glorious … and shockingly inexpensive too, compared with LA prices!! Despite walking 20K+ steps/day, I came back heavier than I arrived, to my chagrin. But between all the treats at the famous 7-Elevens, street vendors, the Shibuya food tour, the many patisseries and tea shops, and the few restaurants we had reservations in advance, my daily calorie allotment was probably busted mid-morning.

And I can’t talk about the food without the presentation - the graphics, packaging and store designs were akin to those of fine jewelry shops or museums, even for modestly priced items. The care that went into every little detail was incredible! Here’s a sampling (the last one is such a delight!)

1. Incredible sushi and sashimi, Kourin Sushi, Kanazawa
2. Creamy matcha shaved ice with condensed milk topping, Toraya Karyo, Kyoto Ichijo
3. Insanely marbled Kobe beef, Kobe Tanryu Sannomiya, Kobe
4. Raw wasabi rhizome, Omicho Market, Kanazawa
5. Luxury Fukushima peaches, about $9 apiece, Tokyu Foodshow, Shibuya, Tokyo
6. Soy sauce, miso paste & other condiments, Fukuro Project, Kanazawa Hakomachi
7. Red bean sweets display, Azukikichi, Kanazawa Hakomachi
8. Close-up of red bean sweets packaging, Azukikichi, Kanazawa Hakomachi
9. Bento box lunch from Waterpearl
10. Bluefin tuna “roll”, Oh! Toro Kitchen, Shibuya, Tokyo
11. Japanese Kitkats in amazing flavors, 7-Eleven Tokyo
12. NOT real steak, tempura shrimp and paella but top-of-the-line “replica” food, for displaying in front of restaurants!! Ganso Shokuhin, Taito City, Tokyo by @charrissejohnston

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8 months ago

Japan trip, Post #2: MAGIC

Two months ago, I saw something that my brain could not comprehend: individual spheres of of water, suspended in the air as if strung on invisible strands. They quivered in place, then started moving slowly up in perfect sequence, then back down. It absolutely blew my mind! You MUST check out @waterpearljapan’s website. Domo arigato gozaimashita to Water Pearl CEO Ms. Fujie Fukano, technical genius Mr. Taro Tojiima and consultant Ms. Kako Kurasawa for their wonderful hospitality!

The other enchanting magic I witnessed was at the @teamlab_borderless immersive digital art museum. Through projection, mirrors, lighting effects, music, and spaces of different topographies and volumes, I really felt transported into different universes! I just wish I could have experienced it by myself instead of surrounded by other visitors. Between standing their astonished by all the surreal sensory input, and people everywhere, I only have a few images to share, so be sure to Google the videos online. The Bubble Universe, Microcosmoses, Universe of Water Particles and Crystal World were particularly transcendental! by @charrissejohnston

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8 months ago

Back in September, @macduffian73 and I took a trip I’ve wanted to make my entire life … Japan!! The design and food were indeed beyond spectacular, but what I didn’t anticipate was how incredibly peaceful and happy I felt in a culture that prioritizes concern and care for others so much. Every tiny detail and every single job is respected and appreciated. People follow the rules to benefit the greater good - they’re quiet in public spaces, they wait for their turn, they bow and say thank you. Subway operators and taxi drivers wear gloves. Everything is spotless. It gave me hope to see that human beings are capable of this level of thoughtfulness, rather than the self-centeredness and clueless oafishness that seems to be rampant everywhere else.

It’s taken me over 2 months to organize my photos, so this is the first of 4 posts of things that astonished and delighted me.

1. Optical glass steps installed by Hiroshi Sugimoto at the site of the 700-year-old Go’o shrine, Naoshima
2. The famous Senbon torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine, Kyoto
3. Chichu Art Museum by Tadao Ando, Naoshima
4. Real crane in Chisen Water Garden, Gion Kagai Art Museum, Kyoto
5. Spotless velvet-upholstered subway car, Kyoto
6. Sensō-ji temple, Asakusa, Tokyo
7. Gauze-thin piece of wood shaved by an antique plane, Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, Kobe
8. Katsura Imperial Gardens, Kyoto
9. Tokyo Skytree
10. Sake barrels, Meiji Jingu shrine, Tokyo #japanart #japanculture #japantravel by @charrissejohnston

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8 months ago

En route to Lagos, still working on my first presentation scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9am! 😱 And that’s only the first of 4 talks I’ll be giving these next 4 days. 😱😱😱

At the same time, I’m incredibly excited to be joining this momentous event, representing South Africa and joining interior designers, architects, developers and government dignitaries from 26 other African nations.

The thread running through all my talks is that interior design is not a frivolous luxury but instead, a basic human right. Well-designed interior spaces improve our lives, enhancing our physical and mental health, and inspire us to live to the fullest, whether we are office workers, travelers, shoppers, laboratory technicians, etc. Professional interior designers are so much more than throw pillows and trendy colors, and we should be at the table alongside urban planners, architects and engineers to solve housing issues and design all public spaces.

Thank you, @iid_professions, @idan.ng, and @designweeklagosofficial and I’m looking forward to a wonderful weekend! by @charrissejohnston

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9 months ago

I’m truly delighted to share these videos of one of our projects under construction!! Thank you so much to Zane Wright of Wright Way Plumbing for shooting these videos (and of course for all the great work you’re doing on the project) and Ecolive Builders for being such wonderful partners in bringing our design to life. 😍🙏 #pringlebay #beachhouserenovation by @charrissejohnston

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9 months ago

FINALLY! It's been a long time coming, but our new website studioSALT.co.za is ready to be unveiled.

@macduffian73 and I wanted it to be more than a bunch of photos, and actually explain how we approach our work. We create spaces that support and enhance how our clients live, not arbitrary stylistic pastiches. And unlike our corporate days, we now only take on projects that look fun and clients we'd enjoy spending time with! 😆 Hopefully the new website reflects these values.😄 by @charrissejohnston

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a year ago

Recently I flew went from the southern tip of Africa to the Arctic Circle. Trips to the US take much longer, but this one felt like entering a different (and more civilized) world entirely. Norwegians of all colors, cultures and ages seem to coexist without rancor; public transport is easy, safe and on time; immigration officers smile and make foreign visitors feel welcome; everyone speaks multiple languages; and cars always stop for pedestrians, even when there isn’t a crosswalk.

I was in Oslo representing @ncidqexam at @ecia_european_interior conference on Interior architecture/design research, where professors learned from each other’s work. The spirit was mutual encouragement and delight. We toured some gorgeous adaptive reuse projects that used an astonishing amount of salvaged materials and furniture. There were wood floors everywhere, from the airport to offices to random hair salons. Norwegian heritage and new technology were both celebrated and showcased - change was not feared.

Then it was off to Tromsø to visit Cooper! It snowed like crazy and the sky never got completely dark, just glowed a beautiful dark blue (which also means there were no Northern Lights to be seen). We walked for hours, making sure not to disturb the cross country ski tracks or get in the way of people jogging and pushing baby carriages in the snow. Tromsø is a small city on a remote island but there were plenty of remarkable sights. Cooper and Jakub took me out for some of the best pizza of my life, cooked a wonderful lunch with my favorite Chinese meal, and tried unsuccessfully to explain to me their respective thesis topics.

Amidst the corrosive nationalism, paranoia and downright meanness that I’ve witnessed in both the US and South Africa, this trip restored some of my faith in people. Norway showed me what’s possible if we stopped shouting about individual rights and the loss of the “good old days” and started looking out for each other instead. by @charrissejohnston

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a year ago

This is Leo, the adorable 8-month-old son of a good friend. Leo has an extremely rare form of bone marrow cancer that’s never before been diagnosed in a child so young, and he has to have regular blood transfusions to stay alive. He desperately needs a stem cell donation, and not a single person listed in the global network of bone marrow and stem cell registries is a match thus far.

Won’t you please, please consider getting a cheek swab to see if you might be the magical person who saves his life? In the US, go to www.nmdp.org; in SA, it's www.dkms-Africa.org.

FYI the stem cell donation process is as painless and simple as blood donation. It doesn’t require a surgical procedure, so don’t let that deter you from registering.

Please share with everyone you know. And even if you’re not the right person for Leo, you might be for someone else. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️ ❤️❤️ by @charrissejohnston

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a year ago