Autumn maples sway in a gentle breeze, and at their roots a pure white kitten is utterly absorbed in a single fallen leaf. The innocent gesture of a tiny paw reaching out to touch it transforms an unhurried moment on an autumn afternoon into a small, heartwarming story. Soft vermilion and amber leaves set against a warm ivory background. The delicate gradations of colour and the generous ma (negative space — a cornerstone of Japanese aesthetics) evoke the quietude and understated beauty unique to Kyoto in autumn. A five-storied pagoda fading softly into the distance lends depth and an air of timeless elegance to the scene. This fine-art work pairs Japan's traditional sense of beauty with the warmth of Japandi (the Scandinavian-Japanese design philosophy that celebrates natural materials and pared-back simplicity). A restrained watercolour hand and an unhurried use of open space bring a calm expansiveness and refined atmosphere to any room.