At-Ease Living In New Mexico
I think that when it comes to home design, the term “simplicity” can have multiple—and occasionally disparate—connotations. Oftentimes, the word summons images of austere settings; linear concrete bunkers with nary a speck of dust or hair out of place. While spaces like this are beautiful in their own right, they can often belie strenuous and meticulous practice on the part of the homeowner, things that don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with simple living. In the case of yoga teacher and artist Ja Soon Kim‘s New Mexico home, simplicity finds a different meaning. Not quite minimalist or maximalist, this quiet space has an at-ease, laissez-faire quality about it; the rules and rigidity of left-brain thinking are exchanged for a more fluid approach. Plants are placed in unceremonious clusters in corners, magazines are stacked in piles, and pieces of art are hung in accordance with their surroundings, rather than on a pre-conceived grid. Kim’s artwork, stunning photographs that depict collections of foraged leaves, plants and flowers, are beautiful meditations on the ephemeral quality of nature. Her home is in many ways the same—the space is one that seems able to evolve and refine over time, with personal objects and collections of naturalia painting an ever-changing story about the home and its inhabitant. —Max
Image above: Ja Soon’s chihuahua, Ipo, stretches out in the living room. When Ja Soon purchased her home, the entire home was carpeted in wall-to-wall shag. Prior to moving in, she removed the carpeting and refinished the floors. The downstairs features a concrete floor, the upstairs is knotty pine. “I think the floors set the mood and look and feel of the whole house,” she says.
Image above: A collection of feathers pinned to the wall near the fireplace.
Image above: The front entryway and part of the living room. An antique Korean chest sits in the corner alongside a stump holding a Takeshi Murakami doll. An antique scroll hangs in the entryway.
Image above: The corner fireplace acts as a home for collections of rocks, shells, and birds’ nests.
Image above: A collection of ceramics made by local artists. A Noguchi lamp sits alongside the couch.
Image above: The downstairs bookcase. A Kiki Smith print hangs on the right.
Image above: A view into the main staircase. A Toshiko Takaesu bowl sits on the right.
Image above: “Didn’t Diana Vreeland say that a home should have something red?” Ja Soon ponders. “I took that literally and painted the guest bathroom red. It cheers me up so.”
Image above: The kitchen.
Image above: The main staircase features a railing made from a foraged piece of aspen. “It’s the touch of nature that makes my home cozy,” Ja Soon says.
Image above: Looking into the bedroom from the upstairs landing. A Korean scroll commemorating Ja Soon’s father’s 60th birthday, written by a well-known Korean calligrapher, hangs in the hallway. An embroidered Mexican dress hangs on the interior bedroom door.
Image above: A traditional Korean linen top, originally worn by Ja Soon’s grandmother, hangs above her bed. “I have an old photo of her wearing this very top with long, white linen skirt,” she says.
Image above: A collection of blankets and textiles in the bedroom.
Image above: Ja Soon’s yoga room where she practices and teaches yoga. “This is my santuary where I sit in meditation,” she says.
The feather decor idea is awesome!
my house has so many feathers … i love this idea, so simple yet striking. i love love love the fireplace too! Wish i could travel and shoot spaces and homes outside my city!
Really love the feathers!! Great job, from a fellow Santa Fean!
Love the collections of hats and feathers on the walls.
Usually I love home tours with lots of colour, are busy and bright. But this is the most peaceful and beautiful home I’ve seen :)
How did you get the branch banister mounted? I would love to do that on my staircase.
Beautiful house. My sister would very much appreciate the history and the culture preserved in this household, can’t wait to share this with her.
Thanks for featuring a home in New Mexico! So much of the architecture here is focused around kivas and adobe and rustic pine, so it was nice to see some design around those interior features.
I absolutely love the eclectic nature of the decor that still has a subtle nod to southwest style. The artwork and rugs are my chief favorites.
Your string-of-pearl plant is incredible!
Wow, such a beautiful home. I especially love the plants. I also love Max’s thoughtful introduction…I love reading everything he writes!
This house is so beautifully decorated, it brings tears to my eyes!
Truly a beautiful and inspirational home. Many thanks for showing it.
This is a very simple place. Great job!
Goodness! This home is an altar to art and nature. It’s stunning and inspirational. And that pile of plants in the corner…and the feathers? Wow. Thank you! Each of these home tours is a gift.
The feather display is unique and beautiful. How are they attached?
Ah! Reminds me of our log house back in Ottawa. So lovely and relaxed! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful light, space, energy and treasures of family and nature -home.
I would love to hear more details about the textiles on the basket and chair in the bedroom.
The floor looked amazing too, any info would be appreciated
LOVE your space, the fabulous light, (a jealous Santa Fean), and all of that beautiful color you’ve added. Great feature !
This home is so beautiful. I would love to know what color of paint the owner has used on the walls of the living room. It is gorgeous.
I’m very interested in knowing what color blue the walls are upstairs. It’s the color of the sky. Let me know!