Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Product Design » Reviews » Muji » User review

Muji

Japanese Retail Company Focused on Understated Design for the Office and Home

Edit Topic

< read all 1 reviews

I can spend hours in this store for no good reason, but I actually buy stuff.

Mar 14, 2009

by kristina

Rating:

I first encountered MUJI years ago during a stint living in NYC and I last encountered one in Paris, France. I love stores that sell home goods (like Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn) and can spend hours in them, roaming the aisles looking, oogling, and wanting to buy stuff that I know I don't need (how many white serving bowls should one lady have?). In this regard, MUJI is no different.

But what is different about MUJI is that I actually buy stuff there. MUJI not only sells dishes and furniture, they also sell clothing, bath accessories, office supplies, and interestingly designed decorations. I bought my first pair of toe socks (not the rainbow toe socks everyone has, but heather-grey toe socks that somehow seem more sophisticated), an eco-friendly bookshelf, coloring pencils, and a hair clip--all under one roof. Still, there are things they sell in MUJI that I just don't understand (like the cardboard owl-making kit), but I suppose I can see why people would want to buy them (you wouldn't see it anywhere else).

MUJI would be a great place to buy gifts for people who you never know what to get--it's too bad they're not everywhere like C&B or Pottery Barn. Check out their Web site: http://www.muji.net/eng/

What did you think of this review?

Helpful

Thought-Provoking

Fun to Read

Well-Organized

Post a Comment

DesignDude March 18, 2009

Nice review. I really admire MUJI for its restraint. This company really epitomizes the beauty in understated contemporary design. I spent much of last year hunting around online for the New York City in a Bag set, which I think really speaks to your point about the diversity of this brand's products.

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

LingEatsCake March 15, 2009

I first found this store back in 2006, I was in Hong Kong, where they have this two-story MUJI megastore! I bought socks, a pepper grinder, a salad dressing beaker, and ties for my boyfriend. All of these things still hold up to this day!

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

EcoMama March 15, 2009

I have never heard of this company, I looked at the website, their designs are so simple and innovative, I really like that. No frills. Too bad there isn't one in Boston, I would definitely stop by!

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review