Wabi Sabi Style
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy conceived in the 15th century as a response to the dominant trends of that time, which relied on excessive decoration, wealth, and expensive materials. In the literal sense, wabi-sabi is a search for beauty in imperfection, enjoying the simple joys of life. First, the principles of wabi-sabi focus on recognizing the importance of authenticity and the desire to remain authentic in all aspects of one’s life. Wabi-sabi aesthetics implies asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, rigor, modesty, intimacy, and naturalness of objects and processes. Therefore, some people see cognate traits of wabi-sabi in Zen philosophy. For some people, wabi-sabi is more of a guiding principle than a design style. It is about accepting things instead of wasting time looking for something better to see positive features in imperfect situations. However, even if you are still ready to fully accept the philosophical postulates, some of these principles may be an excellent starting point for incorporating wabi-sabi elements into your interior.
Seven aesthetic principles of the zen philosophy are amply integral for a wabi-sabi manner.
- Kanso – Simplicity form,
- Fukinsei – Asymmetry method,
- Shibumi – Beauty in the Understated idea,
- Shizen – Natural without pretense notion,
- Yugen – Subtle grace value,
- Datsuzoku -Freeness feeling,
- Seijaku -Tranquility sense,
- More than anything, Wabi-Sabi is a perspective.
It is simplistic, desirable minimalism, not meticulous, perfect minimalism. It does not justify shoddy, poor craftsmanship but highlights the long-lasting and well-made. It appreciates all things’ age and organic nature and is the feeling of Zen of interior styling. When assembling a wabi-sabi style, what you vacate from the design counts more than what you combine.
Critical Components of Wabi-Sabi Interior Design:
Pursue a balance between ‘warm and cool’ elements to create harmony and simplicity. Warm materials are:
- wood,
- paper,
- textiles,
- clay.
Fantastic features include:
- stone,
- metal,
- live plants.
Here is a short list of criteria you can incorporate into your residence:
Wood – warm feeling:
- Furniture- tables, benches, shelving
- floors- reclaimed and bamboo.
- exposed beams
- rustic bowls
- all types of bamboo.
Metal – cool feeling:
- furniture, wrought iron, or recycled metal,
- zinc countertops, wall art, frames,
- hand-beat sheet metal chemically altered to appear aged.
Paper – warm feeling:
- screens- room dividers, doors,
- wallpaper,
- table mats,
- handmade paper- wall hangings.
Textiles – warm feeling:
- upholstery furniture- nubby with natural dyes,
- table runners,
- drapery,
- wall hangings- room dividers
Stone – cool feeling:
- slate- countertops and flooring
- limestone- countertops, flooring, fireplace, garden
- sandstone- flooring, fireplace, garden
- concrete- countertops, flooring, bathrooms, garden, fireplace
- igneous rock- accessories, garden features
Clay – warm feeling:
- Pottery is an antique art form in Japan and is profoundly rooted in the wabi-sabi practice. Typically rough and organic with the idea of ‘function over form,’ stunning muted complex color and peaceful texture with naturalness and practical ease of use. This pottery technique is the best-known illustration of Wabi-Sabi styling in the whole Western world.
- Plates, drinking cups, vases, unique wall art, and a tabletop when they are within a garden area.
Plants-cool feeling:
- Obtaining the outside through live gardens and plants is a beautiful natural addition to the wabi-sabi idea of beauty. Maintaining plants is essential to keeping live plants indoors.
To purchase the book:
Go to Amazon.com…..Search for ‘66 Styles for Interior Design’….Volume 4 O-W