Arty delights in familiar comfort: 【niko house Futako】

Create your own story living in this retro house.

Lolly shops, antiques, coffee lounges, soda pop… What comes to mind when we think of the world ‘retro’? Perhaps something that is old-school and chic. Something tasteful.

Such ‘tasteful retro’ can be found at ‘niko house Futako’, the sharehouse we’ll be showcasing in this article.

It’s no newly constructed designer house, but is alive with the stories and legacies of the many housemates who have lived here and since moved on.

The house stands quietly in a serene residential area a 5-minute walk from Futako-Shinchi station, in a convenient location close to a popular bakery, supermarket and convenience store.

Let’s have a look inside!

The bathroom is a beautiful space with a spacious tub. There as a free-to-use washing machine outside the bathroom. A small piece of artwork can be found in the least likely of places. I’m told that many of the housemates love making things.

Take a breather up on the roof with this. great view on a sunny day. One of the main features of this house is being able to exit out onto the roof from the 2F. You can see the Futako-Tamagawa fireworks display perfectly from up here. It’s the perfect picture of youth.

Upstairs there is another staircase coming down from the ceiling, evoking the kind of excitement felt during elementary school building a secret hideout. This is the roof. There was not a cloud in the sky when we took this picture, and I remember feeling so good being up here.

The view from the roof down the staircase. You need to take it slow and steady on the way down because it’ very steep. You can also look out at the view from the 2F balcony. Time goes by peacefully in this quiet residential area.

Niko House Futako is run by Niko House. The company also looks after another house in Setagaya, and holds many joint events amongst the two. Privately owned, there is a strong connection between management and residents.

The housemates have great relationships between themselves as well, with past housemates turning up to house parties every now and again. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves here, with housemates’ original artwork found all around the house and even the manager hanging out with the residents.

Even though you’re slugging it out every day slave-driven by work, you can relax comfortably when you come home to this house. You might even amuse yourself by enjoying favorite pastimes with housemates on your days off.

Paintings and parts of the interior are a marvellous record of housemates past. Why don’t you, too, not only follow in their footsteps but create your own footprint in the house also?

/Author:Emoto