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    WABI-SABI, PERFECTION IN IMPERFECTION

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    In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of appreciating beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete” in nature. It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence, specifically impermanence, suffering and emptiness or absence of self-nature. For Richard Powell, “Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.”

    Although Wabi-sabi can be hard to define, it can be translated in its simplified meaning “rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” with a focus on a less-is-more mentality, while “taking pleasure in the imperfect”. Wabi-sabi offers an escape from the modern world’s obsession with perfection and accepts imperfections in their own way, beautiful.

    Characteristics of wabi-sabi aesthetics and principles include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of both natural objects and the forces of nature. The Wabi Sabi aesthetic is more intuitive than intellectual, traced by natural cycles and processes, as well as by an intimate, modest, asymmetrical and imperfect environment.

    Wabi-sabi can change our perception of the world to the extent that a chip or crack in a vase makes it more interesting and gives the object greater meditative value. Similarly materials that age, such as bare wood, paper and fabric, become more interesting as they exhibit changes that can be observed over time.. As Andrew Juniper notes, “If an object or expression can bring about, within us, a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing, then that object could be said to be wabi-sabi.”

    wabi-sabi

    Incorporating Wabi-sabi style

    • Celebrate imperfections – This style is inspired by nature, and finds perfection even in its imperfections. So all objects that show their history through cracks, oxidation, marks of the weather and the passage of time are accepted and revered in decoration. Imperfections are not from sloppiness but the nature of the materials and process, or the use of the object itself. Objects will be personal, humble, and functional.
    • Natural materials – The materials you use must be one hundred percent natural. Furniture in natural wood, textiles such as linen, jute or cotton, and decorative objects in stone, marble, ceramic or clay. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they age well too.
    • Minimalist aesthetic – Like all Japanese decoration, the philosophy where less is more is appreciated. This type of decoration focuses on details and finds value in handmade.
    • Colors of nature – When choosing colours, you can look to nature for inspiration. Blushing cherry blossom pink is just as natural as cool and calming sea foam. Likewise stormy grey is as natural as pine forest green. So, colors with neutral tints: earthy, beige and gray are the main tones. Use them on entire walls with rough textures and stay away from vibrant colors that completely break up the decorative line.

    How to embrace Wabi-sabi in your home?

    Embracing Wabi-sabi will do more than create a pleasant environment at home. It focuses on gratitude for what we already have, rather than always yearning for something new. Rather than always adding the latest shiny new thing or obsessing over making every detail perfect, adopters of wabi-sabi interiors find harmony in authenticity and imperfection.

    • Incorporate the artisanal and homemade – Wabi-sabi is all about authenticity wherever it can be found, and there’s nothing more authentic than homemade decor and artisanal accents.
    • Clear your clutter – Wabi-sabi values imperfection, but a wabi-sabi home should be clutter-free and organized in order to inspire feelings of peace and tranquility. It is not only about simplicity and a minimal aesthetic; it’s more about having a sense of order to invite a sense of calm into your home.
    • Bring the outdoors inside – Organic materials and elements from nature are major components of a wabi-sabi home. The natural impurities found in plants, wood, and stone are reminders of the beauty that can be found in imperfection. To maximize these good vibes, integrate wooden furniture, fresh flowers and as many plants as you want.
    • Celebrate mismatched décor – Not everything needs to be matching and ultra-cohesive all the time. Be okay with adding something you love to your home, even if it is not a perfect fit aesthetically. When it comes to wabi-sabi, imperfection is perfect.
    • Get back to the basics – A wabi-sabi sensibility is one that keeps possessions to a minimum by inviting only those things that bring nostalgia, beauty, utility, or a combination of all there into the home. It aims to keep things that are essential to a calm and happy spirit, an approach that maximizes the joy of everyday living.
    wabi-sabi

    Source: admagazine.com;  thespruce.com; japanahome.com; wikipedia.org