on tatami

Not so long ago, I'm ashamed to admit, I hadn't heard of the word tatami.
But after a night sleeping on tatami mats in Japan, I was completely sold on the concept. In fact i really, really like the whole concept of tatami mats. I like the fact that each region in Japan has particluar sized tatami and the way traditionally a room was built according to a specific number of tatami mats.
I especailly like how each morning you neatly fold up your bedding and store it in a cupboard, to be brought out again in the evening. Voila, you have an instant living room; a rearranged space, tidy and serene.

I've always liked the idea of using the same space in different ways and also changing room layouts. As a child I used to be constantly rearranging my bedroom furniture. In fact I also really quite like the feeling of being in a new apartment before all the boxes have been unpacked and all the living spaces have been defined. I'm not so keen on change in general but I do quite like room changes.