The wabi-sabi esthetic, which comes from Japan, is tailor-made to win the hearts of Quebecers who wish to update their interiors, but its function is not exclusively decorative. Wabi-sabi is also a philosophy which holds much wisdom and that deserves to be more widely known.
Its Origin
The concept was born millennia ago. The word “wabi” originally meant sadness and solitude. Over the years, its meaning shifted and now denotes harmony with nature as well as living simply. This word also evokes calm and repose. For its part, “sabi” is a term that celebrates the passing of time. This philosophy is a way of life that seeks beauty in imperfection and irregularity.
Embracing Wear and Age
Wabi-sabi is a philosophy that runs counter to modernity, but also to a culturally defined and imposed form of beauty. For example, it values signs of aging such as facial wrinkles or greying hair. It glorifies our elders and the life experience they have gained. How does the wabi-sabi spirit manifest itself in decor? Through the use of worn objects, such as scratched wooden furniture, a lamp with chipping paint, a bedside table that has lost its lustre, a worn couch. Every old item deserves a second chance. But be careful, do not to revamp it!
Accepting Instead of Restoring
These days, it is not uncommon to take old objects and fix them up to make them current. We take out the toolbox and the brushes and restore them to their former glory, which is good for the environment. For its part, wabi-sabi suggests that they be left as they are. We have to accept the wear and tear and display it proudly in our homes. This concept also applies to people; instead of seeing their aesthetician or surgeon, practitioners try to accept each other as they are.
Indomitable Nature
Nature is always trendy in design. In addition to oxygenating the air and reducing stress (according to some studies!), plants and flowers enliven our homes. Wabi-sabi is in line with this, but with a slightly rebellious bend; it proposes that plants be free to grow as they see fit and not be pruned. The effect is wild and a bit chaotic, but this laissez faire attitude really hits the spot!
Create the Perfect Chaos
As discussed above, this Japanese trend focuses on imperfection. Whether this is in the eclectic use of furniture and accessories or of disparate colours. You must dare to mix textures, shapes, shades, styles and periods, but that doesn’t mean creating a mess. The end result must provide some balance despite the large visual load. Combined, the miscellaneous elements must create an inviting and refined setting.
Selecting Art
To create a wabi-sabi space, there is nothing better than incorporating art. Photography is perfect. Again, you should highlight contrasts. You can choose images that show an elegant landscape, but that has been wrecked by the elements. There is also a preference for pictures featuring subjects that have become worn down like a photo of old abandoned buildings, for example. The idea is for nature and the ravages of time to generate emotion. Several paintings can be used to illustrate this concept. Go antique hunting!
Celebrate Stone
Rough textures such as stone and concrete are preferred. It can be a concrete floor or worktable, a cement kitchen countertop, a decorative stone ball, a stony frame, etc. Shiny surfaces have no place in a wabi-sabi decor! Focus on matte finishes and wooden textures that evoke nature.
This type of decor has not yet become very widespread in Quebec, but it is popular in a number of countries around the world. It must be said that it presents a beautiful philosophy that deserves further consideration. And you, are you ready to fall in love with wabi-sabi?