Luxury of freedom

Korean floor culture

The first association on seeing people sitting on the floor is connected with the Eastern cultures. Although for occidentals might seem like it is a part of the ancient history, when visiting some Eastern country, it can be seen that the “floor culture” is still very alive.

39595868694 cbc1c2202c k                         Floor culture is daily practiced in South Korea 

Next to China, Japan and India, South Korea is also a country where everything is centred around the floor. In Korea, floor is used for sitting, eating, hanging out, watching TV, playing and even sleeping. In fact, instead of air heaters Koreans have adopted heated floors, traditionally called "ondol" which means "warm stone".

40299551111 95857d3405 k             Sitting on the floor is common in the restaurants and bars

26427243378 da974e3f67 k          In restaurants, the tables are short and very close to the floor  

39410285025 78d61be5c1 kMost of the activities in Korea are happening while sitting on a warm floor with comfortable cushions

38499295460 35b31fab86 k                               We are starting to like this floor rituals

40299461331 81fa80112e k              Even while working, it is common to sit down on the floor

Due to majority of daily activities happening on the floor, their hygiene is on a very high level. Since keeping the floor clean is number one priority, it is a kind and mandatory gesture to take off shoes while getting into someone's home. In Korean houses the entrance, that is usually lower than the rest of the home, is used for leaving the shoes before entering the rest of the living area.

39534585204 dff4c9c731 k                   Taking your shoes off is a sign of good manners

40254583972 67d1b37cfe k                  Heated floors make being barefoot very enjoyable  

Since BIG BERRY is adapting to different locations and conditions, and recently has announced houses for the winter, heated floors is just another idea to be considered as the next feature of BB houses.

39599715034 464dec7992 kCould you imagine enjoying the coziness of BB house in cold, winter days, sitting on a warm floor? 

BB architects and designers will always study to adapt to local costumes and get the inspiration from different lifestyles. Since always in a search for new ideas regarding the design, we can’t wait for the new designer project this year, to get inspired with new, creative ideas.

Originated and created in Slovenia where chairs are a big part of the culture, in BIG BERRY we have uniquely designed brand products and elements, including comfortable butterfly chairs and lovely knitted puffs.

39599719104 7d0b4dc842 kCarefully designed chairs are a part of every BB house, even the small replica we brought to South Korea 

Since the Western countries have adopted a “chair culture”, the most usual reaction when someone notices a person sitting on the floor is "Get up, you will catch a cold". So, if you were ever a person who loved sitting on the floor, but were always admonished not to, you will be able to experience a true freedom in here in South Korea, without any fear of doing something wrong. On the contrary, sometimes this gesture will even be expected, so don't hesitate to experience it.

Luckily, our BB team was doing some yoga classes this summer, so hopefully we got flexible enough to sit on the warm floor with our legs crossed, while enjoying delicious Korean food specialties.

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