What is Wabi Sabi Design? - Its Philosophy and Use in Interior Design — Biofilico Wellness Interiors

7 Nov

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TThe meaning of wabi-sabi can be broken down into “Wabi” which stands for “rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” in Japanese, while “sabi” interprets as “enjoying the imperfect”.

This is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that has been around since the 15th century, depicting something more than a design trend that comes and goes every so often, it is baked into Japanese culture.

Wabi sabi philosophy actually came to be as a reaction to various trends that relied on lavish depiction of interior design - trends that focused on heavy ornamentation and detailing, and the usage of rare, and often non-environmental friendly materials.

Wabi sabi principles and wabi sabi aesthetics are a unique guidance to introducing these principles in your life, and sometimes the best way to start is to bring first into your home, and then try to alter and adapt your habits and life perspective after that.

So, how do we create wabi sabi interiors in tune with this Japanese sensibility?

Wabi sabi philosophy principles and application

The principles of wabi sabi are not purely aesthetic. We could interpret wabi philosophy as a way of life, but this too would be an understatement, being that wabi sabi relies on three simple realities that recognize and accept complexity in all life’s aspects, but also value and appreciate simplicity, and above all - authenticity.

These realities tell us the ultimate truth - nothing lasts forever, nothing is fully complete and nothing is perfect.

You see, wabi sabi is not about the relentless pursuit of perfection, which modern age has bestowed on us, but more about taking pause and accepting that nothing is and never will be perfect, so we might as well enjoy life the way it is, rather than what we think it should be.

Wabi sabi philosophy and its principles represent a search beyond materialism, and opt for minimalism as a conscious choice.

Origins and roots in Japanese tea ceremony

When you have something very old and very used, such as a teacup that is chipped from all the use over the years, the principles of wabi sabi concepts don’t promote altering it or throwing it away, but rather highlighting its flaws. In recent years, wabi sabi has become increasingly popular on social media, verging on becoming a victim of its own success!

Why?

Well, tiny or more visible cracks remind us that nothing is permanent and perfect, and this is when we reach for wabi sabi and apply it in creativity. A great example of such an application is the art of kintsugi - where cracks on pottery (or your chipped tea cup) are filled with gold lacquer that emphasizes its faults and damage.

Now, this doesn’t mean that wabi sabi is against change and introducing something new into your life, but rather that it appreciates the beauty of age and wants to draw attention to it as a part of something beautiful - a process that none of us are immune to.

Wabi sabi interior design brings us back to nature

The fundamental principle of wabi sabi interior design is connection to earth and natural materials, but with an accent to authenticity. Incorporating wabi sabi into your home décor means opting for something original, rather than something mass produced.

If you think that wabi sabi interior might be something you’d be interested in, try shopping in flea markets, craft shows and independent furniture shops that can be great alternatives in your search for authentic pieces.

Apart from seeking authenticity, wabi sabi interior praises nature as the most imperfect phenomena of the physical world. Nature is an ultimate reminder of passing age and change that comes with it, and a witness that beauty morphs with it, but never fades.

In order to introduce more natural elements, wabi sabi focuses on raw textures, earthy hues and organic, natural materials.

Colour-wise, wabi sabi interior design centers on soft blues, greens, and shades of taupe and grey in order to create an atmosphere of serenity, while plants such as bamboo and rattan are helping to align other wood textures and colours with authentic natural elements.

Mixed interior made to de-stress us and reconnect with nature

Wabi sabi home is always comprised of the things you love, and everything you bring to your home should be a reflection of that feeling.

This concept doesn’t attend to your style, trends you follow or think you should, or anything that might belong to some kind of fashion - this concept settles around the choices that come from the heart, with the sole purpose of bringing you joy.

In that sense, you have all the freedom when it comes to wabi sabi interior design - you can choose a decor that you’re personally drawn to, whatever style it belongs to, you can be quirky as much as you want and you can mix and match as much as you want.

Don't be afraid to repurpose

As we already mentioned to, wabi sabi concept is all about the sustainable approach to home decor, and embracing imperfection through it.

When buying items, always consider buying the ones that will last, even of that means you'll spend a little more than intended, but when that piece comes out of date, invest all your creativity in an effort to ensure they remain useful and loved.

Wabi sabi design is not about replacing items that have naturally grown out of their purpose, but rather giving them a new one relying on your creativity and imagination.

Wabi sabi interior and its' biophilic installment

When it comes to application or mixed approach of wabi sabi interior design together with biophilic design, we believe it is a match made in heaven.

Thanks to having natural elements and proneness to nature in general, wabi sabi is an ideal suplement to biophilic interior. While biophilic design focuses on introducing natural elements to home decor, elements such as natural lighting, forest aromatherapy, abundant plants, purified indoor air while respecting all the biophilic core principles, the wabi sabi interior design can complement a decor partially or fully, depending on which part of the concept you want to rely on.

Biofilco particularly enjoys creating wabi sabi kitchens for healthy and green homes, so you can always introduce wabi sabi style and furnishings into your kitchen and here is how you can do that.

Wabi sabi kitchens in a biophilic green home

Wabi sabi interior might be the most popular when it comes to kitchens, mainly because it is the center of disarray in our homes - there is always something going on, always something to cook, something to clean or break.

This is why we believe wabi sabi design is perfect for kitchens - by selecting materials and finishes that capture all of the imperfections, we celebrate and embrace everyday chaos and the unpredictable life as it should be, and this is how you can revive in your home.

Introduce metal finishes and copper surfaces

Metal finishes such as brass, copper and bronze with an uneven patina have always been pleasing, but in a way that cannot be exactly articulated. If you want to achieve that “warn out over time look”, you can also purchase special kits that can give your metal hardware that exact look.

Opt for rustic textures with a satin finish

We said in the beginning that “wabi” translates as “rustic simplicity”, so it is no wonder that rustic textures are a decor element you should start looking for if you want a wabi sabi interior looking kitchen.

Mostly this refers to natural stone and pine wood with all its' faults in locked texture, timber with all the knots and burls, wooden flooring or furniture with all the imperfection frozen in texture.

And why satin finish?

Mainly because these natural textures of wood look the best when the light hits them just right, with a satin finish that looks like it's lit from within.

Charming worn out paint

Distressed glaze of an uneven paint finish is something that industrial interior design is famous for, but it has found its' place in traditional home or, in this case, kitchen decor.

Kitchen cabinets or table with paint work that has faded along the edges is something that adds additional charm to a wabi sabi kitchen, reviving it and invoking movement.

Open shelving and relaxed kitchen accessories

Open storage and shelving are a perfect fit with wabi sabi interior concept, with a devotion to realness and imperfection one's kitchen should be.

With open shelving solution, come rumpled accessories such as natural linens, tableware, unevenly glazed pottery with slightly imperfect shape, such as already mentioned Japanese handmade kintsugi pottery, topped with wildflower bouquets - give a wabi sabi kitchen a unique, relaxed experience - a feeling that is so much more endearing and warm than a sterile white kitchen.

Wabi sabi interior - rough and assymethric, ergo - imprerfect

The wabi sabi imperfect concept is celebrating flawed, incomplete beauty, so much opposite of our constant need for achieving perfection. Wabi sabi reminds us to slow down, appreciate natural beauty, and find joy in simplicity and the simple things in life.

Wabi sabi represents an escape from potentially stressful situations or surroundings where we strive to achieve the unachievable, to find perfection where there is none, to follow the impossible timelines at a frantic pace - wabi sabi interior design might be just what we need in order to destress and find balance again.

This calm and minimal environment it creates with decor that forgives slight imperfections and embraces naturalistic style, an atmosphere that is warm and inviting, but never tiring or strenuous, is something you can also find within our services of home interior decor, along with other core elements of biophilic design.

Further Reading

biophilic design

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