The old house on the church square has stood for centuries. Its oldest parts date back to 1661—a date engraved into the intricately carved beams of the parlour. Today, this historic building is home to Refugium Lunz, a guesthouse revived by the creative minds behind FORMDEPOT—partners known for breathing new life into old architecture. The house looks back with respect and forward with care.

Some places have a memory. The 1477 Reichhalter in Lana is one of them. First mentioned over 500 years ago, it has lived many lives: as an inn, a sawmill, a mill, and a butcher’s shop. Then, for a decade, silence. Its doors remained closed while life passed by until someone took a closer look, and brought it back to life.

Mezza—Maiso excels at building bridges between disciplines. This is demonstrated by the team led by Verena Wohlkönig and Jürgen Hamberger in their interior design projects as well as in the curation of their collectibles. Their approach goes far beyond mere design—they create connections between design, art, architecture, and curatorial concepts. A prime example is their staging of the limited edition Gropius Lounge Chair: a photo series that blurs the line between art and design.

The cherry blossoms, or Sakura, symbolize the transience and beauty of life in Japan. In 2025, the blooming season in Kyoto has begun earlier than usual, offering travelers a unique opportunity to experience this natural spectacle in a special atmosphere. An ideal sanctuary during this time is Genji Kyoto, a boutique hotel that harmoniously blends tradition and modern comfort.

In a world full of contrasts, rapid change, and constant movement, we seek something that remains—a connection that ties everything together. THE Stylemate Issue No. 01 | 2025 is titled “The Invisible Thread” and explores these unseen links between people, cultures, and ideas. How are we all interwoven? Which places and experiences reveal deeper connections?

Located in a tranquil riverside neighborhood at the heart of Kyoto, GENJI Kyoto is a contemporary interpretation of Machiya townhouses, marrying traditional concepts with modern amenities. Inspired by the Japanese masterpiece Tale of Genji, the story of which took place in the vicinity, the hotel’s designers took motifs from the novel to create a wabi sabi world of beauty and harmony.