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First came the ‘hygge’ style, the charming and dreamy Danish design trend that encompassed cozy spaces covered with thick blankets, candles, hot chocolates; then came ‘lagom’, the Scandinavian trend that deals with minimalist, small and practical spaces. However, there is a new design aesthetic that is slowly shaping up to be the home décor trend of the moment in 2018: the wabi sabi style. Not to be confused with the Japanese hot sauce we know and love, wabi-sabi is at its core a Japanese philosophy that celebrates imperfection. In the world of design, it’s about that effortless and vivid look; we must think of natural textures such as linen, muted colors, organic designs and shapes.
Wabi Sabi: home decor trend
Wabi-sabi is an approach to life based on accepting the transience and imperfection of the world. As a Japanese aesthetic derived from Buddhism, wabi-sabi encompasses the wisdom that comes from perceiving beauty in impermanence and incompleteness. The very ideal of perfection, as the antithesis of wabi sabi, is embedded in managerial endeavors as diverse as striving for continuous improvement, setting “stretched” goals, managing ideal employee performance, promoting organizational cultures of excellence, and even romanticizing bodies. perfect employees. Is it then the case that the managerial aesthetic of organizations is the antinomy of wabi-sabi?
Those who practice Wabi Sabi in an aesthetic sense see beauty in time-worn treasures and imperfect craft objects – the kind of pieces that only get better with age, like a wooden dining table passed down through the generations. Above all, Wabi Sabi interiors focus on authenticity and simplicity, favoring a minimal approach to decor and living where, in this case, less is definitely more.
You won’t find any of the cured comfy touches characteristic of the ‘hygge’ trend, nor the deliberate and thoughtful minimalist aesthetic here. Instead, it’s about weathered wood, worn furniture, wrinkled bedding, handmade materials, and more.
Perhaps the growing trend for wabi sabi among homeowners and interior design enthusiasts is a response to the rigidity and excesses of modern life. And it’s a welcome change too.
After all, as much as the sleek, minimalist interiors make the Pinterest-perfect Instagram-worthy home, it’s not the most practical when it comes to maintenance. If you are someone who loves a living space that won’t make you stress over wrinkled sheets or a misaligned shelf, wabi sabi is the one.
Simply put, embracing a wabi sabi mindset means seeking and finding beauty in the natural cycles of growth, decline, and death, and celebrating all that is impermanent and incomplete. Wabi sabi emerged in the mid-15th century, when Zen monk Murata Shuko and tea master Sen no Rikyu introduced the aesthetics of simplicity into the previously opulent tea ceremony. “It was an attempt to escape the influence of mainland (Chinese) culture and bring to light unique Japanese values within wabi (austere beauty or elegant rusticity) and simplicity,” explains designer Kenya Hara, art director and member of the executive board of Japanese design.
The tearoom became the epitome of wabi-sabi. Instead of the red walls, gold decorations, and ornamental ivory spoons prized in China, the Japanese equivalent emerged as a simple, small, empty space outfitted with natural elements such as tatami mats, carved bamboo spoons, and made raku bowls. by local artisans.
If crockery and utensils were to break, they would be lovingly put back together in a way that emphasized the beauty of the repair. According to Hara, the extreme simplicity of the aesthetic was intended to evoke contemplation and attention to detail.
Once you understand the philosophy and history behind wabi-sabi, it is interesting to learn how few contemporary designers who embrace aesthetics identify their work as such.
This might be the most difficult aspect of wabi sabi: it is not something inherent in objects, but a dynamic process of attention and appreciation through use. In other words, instead of investing in crumpled sheets to add a little wabi-sabi to your home, think about how to keep what you already own.
When you have fewer possessions, “the relationship between you and things is redefined: there is more equality. Thoughts “I have to take good care of him, pay attention to him and respect him.” That’s really the wabi-sabi substrate. “
If you’re interested in making a wabi-sabiesque purchase, Ikea’s new Industriell collection in collaboration with Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek embodies the idea of ”intentional mistakes.” The roughly textured wooden furniture, shaped unstable ceramics and patterned linen fabrics are, the company says, meant to celebrate uniqueness and imperfection.
A wabi-sabi interior inspires minimalism that focuses more on the people living in the space than anything else. Possessions and other items are reduced to essentials based on usefulness, beauty, or nostalgia (or all three). You won’t find items intentionally distressed to look old. Instead, beauty appears when time is allowed to take its intended course. Things are believed to be beautiful just the way they are. With wabi-sabi, it’s about perfect blemish.
Since wabi-sabi is not exactly a decorating style, it is quite difficult to say what you should do to practice it. You are free to experiment and find what works for you. Just keep everything natural and effortless. We would like to give you a couple of tips to find the beauty in the not so perfect. There is no “wrong” way to do it; you simply need to change your perspective from one of refinement to one of appreciation.
Appreciation for the old
Instead of feeling embarrassed by old furniture that has been well used and shows various marks and scratches, they value it for its imperfect nature. These signs tell a story and mark the passage of time; such a meaning would not be found in a new table. Stroke cracks and blemishes to symbolize the passage of time and loving use.
Appreciation for nature
Pay attention to the materials you bring into your home and look for natural options like wood and stone where possible. When choosing colors, look to nature for inspiration. Feel free to decorate with handmade items that will give a special charm to the space.
Clean and simple spaces
It can be tempting to constantly add new things to your interior, but wabi-sabi is all about getting rid of the unnecessary. By doing this, you allow the things that really matter to stand out. Don’t put too much effort into adding a finishing touch, that’s the point of wabi-sabi.
It’s all about the light
Wabi-sabi’s interiors are dimly lit. Turn off strong lights and seek dull lighting by using table lamps and candles.
Think about the environment
Embracing wabi-sabi will do more than create a pleasant atmosphere at home. By falling in love with imperfect things, we reduce the need to buy new things. This will reduce consumption, which will save money and is better for our planet.
Change your mindset
Wabi-sabi focuses on gratitude for what we already have rather than always yearning for something new. This change in perspective will help us feel more peaceful and content in the present moment. Become aware of the natural cycle of growth and decay and by doing so, you will become more aware of nature and life.
When it comes to the house, wabi-sabi cannot be bought on material possessions. Wabi-sabi can be found in the extravagant details of antique dinnerware, handmade furniture that is unique to your home, and natural materials like wood and stone. With so much emphasis placed on updating our homes with new possessions, new trends, and styles, we can often feel pressured to keep our homes in tip-top condition.
However, by channeling wabi-sabi and embracing imperfection in all of our interiors, we can create harmonious and vivid environments that are both welcoming and inviting. We can’t get around the fact that from time to time we just need to buy new things, however if you buy these new items with wabi-sabi in mind, you will find yourself investing in sustainable materials and unique pieces that will stand the test of time.
Living in a simpler way is also reflected in our decoration and choice of art. A combination of photographs and texts of Japanese philosophy occupies more space on our walls, with designs inspired by nature.
The Asian concept is leaving its mark on the decoration through its rustic style, in which accessories that highlight natural elements are given value. Authentic is one of the keywords within this organic trend; accessories are often bought at flea markets, and flaws such as scratches and aging are respected and appreciated.
The wall art focuses on designs that offer everyday miracles – beautiful views, flowers, and branches. Bring a piece of nature and the simple lifestyle inside with the wabi sabi trend in the form of posters with simple and organic motifs.
Create an authentic and personal home by decorating with your most treasured possessions, regardless of whether they are in perfect condition or not, and create a harmonious home that facilitates relaxation.
Resist the urge to buy shiny new things and embrace the flaws in your old items (red wine rings on the dining room table get bonus points).
Favor custom-crafted pieces over mass-made home decor. Think of artisan ceramics, textiles, and furniture, things that tell a story.
Steal your color palette from nature and decorate with neutral earthy tones.
Respect for the natural world is essential to the Wabi-Sabi lifestyle. Practice a sustainable approach to life by minimizing waste, recycling, and reuse.
Making use of the principles of wabi-sabi in interior decoration allows us to be more present in the process, allowing our tools and materials to be a part of where art goes. It is about seeing the process as more important than the finished decoration. It’s about not trying to force a particular result.
Wabi-sabi does not tell us what our artistic style is or where we are going. It tells us to appreciate and see the beauty of where we are now. It tells us not to obsess over the future when our art is “better” or to focus on the day when we finally “succeed.” Instead, we must appreciate where we are on today’s journey, and appreciate the art that we are making today.
This state of mind is not about lack of ambition, laziness, or giving up on learning. It is an acceptance and comfort with the journey, a patience with the process and an appreciation of the present moment.
