01 of 10Kitchen: Sunlight floods into the kitchen-dining room from the south-facing terrace
02 of 10Helpful pets: Ito keeps a breed of chicken called nagoya, which lay eggs every day
03 of 10Stairway: The stairs to the third floor are covered in tatami. Folding "NY Chair" by Takeshi Nii, designed in 1958. "For some reason, I'm not a big fan of new things," Ito says.
04 of 10Exterior: "I like that the skeleton is very solid and the design is simple," says Ito.
05 of 10Studio: The third floor has Ito's workspace, where he edits and retouches photographs, and a tatami room for visitors.
06 of 10Kitchen dining room: Ito got the second-hand restaurant sink from a friend.
07 of 10Bedroom: Ito renovated the walls if the bedroom himself. The bed is also handmade.
08 of 10Second floor: Second floor, at the top of the stairs is a 1950s rug and rattan school. A bookshelf doubles as a partition.
09 of 10Third-sloor workspace: The workspace has stunning views to the sea. Folding chaise by Takeshi Nii. Ito specialises in design and architecture photography and co-authored *Mod East*, a record of Japanese architecture of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
10 of 10DIY DJ: The living room has vintage furniture throughout, including a day bed by Hans Wegner. An occasional DJ, Ito has a vast record collection. He made the audio rack and the long table himself.
In Chiba, photographer Shinichi Ito found the perfect canvas for his laid-back style. A short stroll from the sea, he has crafted a cosy refuge within the wood and concrete shell of a most unusual property.