Living in two places, one in Tokyo and the other in the home, has changed my lifestyle and sleeping environment
For example, try changing where you sleep. Trying a completely different environment might be one idea that will lead to a good night's sleep. Philippe Therrien and his partner Gisele Goh live in a place with a great view at the tip of the Miura Peninsula, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Mount Fuji. They live in a second home, a wooden house originally designed by Horace Bristol, an American photographer who came to Japan after the war.
The guest rooms are located in a separate building across the courtyard from the main house. One of the two rooms is designed like a living room, but the sofa can be turned into a bed. Indian Kantha fabric is used as the bedspread. 
The mansion stands on a cliff by the sea, and the entrance is reached through a courtyard, with the Pacific Ocean beyond. The transom above the nageshi (railings) was removed and replaced with glass, allowing light to enter the house, creating a sense of openness.
Being in a natural environment improves the quality of your sleep
When he first arrived three years ago, the surrounding area was covered in vegetation, resembling a jungle. The building, which was about 75 years old, was on the verge of being abandoned. However, the beautiful interior remained intact, and the aim was to renovate it while preserving as much of the existing structure and design as possible. The architect commissioned the project was Mandai Motosuke. The bedroom was located at the farthest point from the sea in the L-shaped wooden one-story house, which was partially extended.
"I'm a light sleeper and wake up easily, so I asked that the sounds of the waves and wind be minimized. The rooms are double-glazed, so even when a strong wind blows, it's quiet in the bedroom."
Currently, my lifestyle involves spending the first half of the week in Tokyo, coming to Miura on Thursday nights, working remotely on Fridays, and relaxing on the weekends.
"Looking at this view makes me feel energized and gives me time to think things through. As soon as I get off the highway, I start yawning (laughs), so I guess that must be relaxing. I can sleep really soundly."
The sunroom seamlessly connects to a wooden deck facing the sea, with a view of Mount Fuji in the distance. You can even take a nap here, feeling the scent of the sea and the sound of the wind on your skin. 
She also collects and dries herbs such as peppermint and weeds such as dandelions and flea vein that she grows in her garden, and uses them in her cooking. She has also made it a habit to drink herbal tea before going to bed at night.
It's pitch black around here by 6pm. Time seems to pass slowly, and even after drinking wine and eating, it's still only 8pm. I go to bed early, watch a movie on the projector in my bedroom, and then go to sleep. My daily rhythm has also changed, with me waking up at 6am.
"I sleep there about half the week, and it's made me healthier. I've realized how much the quality of my sleep can change just by changing my sleeping environment."
She decorates a corner of her bedroom with objets d'art and art pieces she has purchased both in Japan and abroad. Before going to bed, she burns aromatherapy and incense, and does yoga to relax and ensure a good night's sleep. 
In the bedroom, there is a collaborative stool from DAMDAM and TIMBER CREW.
