PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
Eight finds to help capture the essence of wabi-sabi, the art of finding beauty in imperfection, in your home,
If you were unable to embrace the sleek, sparse look of minimalism that has been dominating the decorating landscape, then wabi-sabi might be for you.
It’s not a decorating style, per se, but more a mindset. Simply put, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection.
“We live in the age of pervasive Instagram perfection, one in which staged photos, strong filters and universally flattering lighting reign supreme,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert. “As a real human, with a real life and, occasionally, a really messy apartment, I’m ready for a change — and I don’t think I’m alone.”
The wabi-sabi esthetic principle is not unique to Japan, says Yusuke Akai of Akai Ceramics, a Japanese ceramicist based in Toronto who makes pottery. “Anyone in any country could have an innate ability to sense it. Once you start appreciating wabi-sabi, you will begin to notice it everywhere around you: undisturbed white snow, rays of sun or moon from the window, withering roses by the window, the landscape of a small town, the patina of objects in the garden. Discovery of all of these will increase your enjoyment of daily life and lead to feeling more whole and complete.”
There are many ways to introduce wabisabi elements into contemporary living spaces, Isom Johnson says. “When applied to home decor, we’re talking handbuilt ceramics, wrinkled linen sheets and gently gnarled wood. Perfect for minimalists and maximalists alike, a wabi-sabi approach to home decor honours the beauty of embracing your truest self — and the reality of the space you live in.”
We’ve pulled together eight finds to help you capture the essence of wabi-sabi in your own home.
Embrace handmade
Halifax-based artist Jenn Atkinson says the soft peacefulness of nature and life is what gives her a reason to paint. Mountain, original acrylic painting, $110, etsy.com.
Yusuke Akai is a Japanese artist who makes ceramic products such as mugs, plates and bowls. He says he has been making dishware for Toronto restaurant Grey Gardens, and repairs their damaged plates with a technique known as “Kintsugi” — a traditional Japanese technique that “literally glues the broken pieces together with gold, and allows you to cherish your favourite, but damaged, dishware by continuing to use it.” His products are available as custom orders and at his Etsy shop and select Toronto retailers, $10 to $100 depending on size and complexity, akaiceramicstudio.blogspot.ca.
Furniture designer Mitz Takahashi grew up in Osaka, Japan, and says her minimal furniture is not meant to overwhelm other pieces in a room. The Rachel Chair, constructed using reclaimed wood, made a debut in January in the Prototype section at the Interior Design Show in Toronto. It’s available by custom order, in white oak, walnut, maple and cherry, starting at $890, mitztakahashi.com.
Raina McDonald, an artist, and partner Ruben Irons, a blacksmith, of R and R Handmade, create unique hand-forged iron decorative pieces from their studio Scottsburn, N.S. “The wabi-sabi esthetic resonates deeply for us. We are drawn to create pieces that celebrate perfect imperfections, revealing our process and our human touch,” says McDonald. Iron candlestick holders, $150, etsy.com.
Incorporate natural elements
Gina Lam and Sonia Kang are the selfdescribed “crazy plant ladies” behind Morihana, a Toronto purveyor of Kokedama, an ancient Japanese planting method. “We mimic their natural environments by mounting them and placing their roots in a Kokedama-inspired burlap ball,” say the designers, who recently exhibited in January at the Interior Design Show in Toronto. Kokedama bonsai tree hanging moss ball, $83, etsy.com.
The simplicity of Scandinavian and Japanese design pair beautifully, so it’s no surprise that Ikea offers up a multitude of products to help you achieve wabi-sabi in your home. A simple seagrass basket corrals everyday objects. FLÅDIS seagrass basket, $12.99, Ikea.ca.
Clear the clutter
A classic shaker-style peg rail is functional and beautiful, allowing you to store and display everyday objects. Created by Manitoba-based maker Lois Janz from her prairie homestead. Objects Peg rail “We Are Caribou,” $35, etsy.com.
A relaxed esthetic
Ditch the iron and embrace the relaxed esthetic of natural linens when you set the table. These stonewashed linen dinner napkins complete with fringed edges add the perfect worn look to your home. Bilbao fringe linen napkins, set of 4, $80, lipservicenapkins.com.