Luxury Interior Architecture & Renovation Studio Kyoto・Osaka・Tokyo・Shiga
We know that navigating a renovation in Japan can feel complex, particularly for foreigners. That’s why Chalk Lane offers a complete design-to-delivery service, including interior architecture, design documentation, contractor coordination, and on-site project management. We manage every detail - from permits and schedules to material sourcing and furniture installation - with clarity and care, allowing our clients to enjoy a seamless, inspiring process.
At the heart of Chalk Lane is Sophie Lucas, our Principal Interior Architect, whose 20-year career in luxury residential design bridges Australia and Japan. Her refined design sensibility is complemented by Dr Benjy Trenkner, who oversees operations and client experience, ensuring each project flows smoothly from concept to completion. Together with a trusted network of craftspeople, builders, and artisans, our team brings design integrity, calm efficiency, and genuine warmth to every project.
We design with intention - creating homes that are calm, functional, and deeply personal. Each space reflects a quiet balance of texture, light, and proportion, resulting in interiors that feel both timeless and unique. Whether restoring a heritage home in Kyoto or curating a contemporary retreat by Lake Biwa, Chalk Lane is known for its ability to blend artistry, practicality, and emotional connection.
If you’re planning a renovation in Japan and want to work with an international design team that understands both your language and your lifestyle, Chalk Lane would love to hear from you. Let’s create something exceptional - a home that truly feels like your own.
At Chalk Lane, we design homes with heart, depth, and soul. Our work is guided by the belief that a stunning space feels alive - grounded in authenticity, refined in detail, and shaped by the people who live within it.
Founded in Australia and now proudly based in Japan, Chalk Lane is an interior architecture and renovation studio dedicated to creating high-end residential homes for individuals, couples, and families who own or aspire to own property in Japan. We specialise in helping foreign homeowners and investors transform properties into distinctive, enduring spaces that blend Western comfort with Japanese craftsmanship.
Our expertise spans from the restoration of traditional Kyoto machiya and rural kominka to the modernisation of luxury apartments and townhouses in Tokyo and Osaka. Every project begins with a deep understanding of the client’s lifestyle, aspirations, and design vision - and evolves through collaboration, precision, and creativity.