Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese term for appreciating life cycles or, simply put; nothing lasts, nothing is finished, nothing is perfect.
Japanese design and decorating is very different from other styles and one of the greatest differences is the Japanese tradition of wabi-sabi. This is basically the ability to see beauty in objects (generally nature) as they age and at every stage in their life cycle.
The best way for Westerners to understand wabi-sabi is to watch an episode of Antiques Roadshow on PBS. The antique experts repeatedly tell viewers and antique owners not to refinish their pieces. They explain in great detail how the patina (or how the surface of the item ages) makes the piece more valuable. If the item shows great wear and use throughout the years it is generally considered a better piece than something which has been refurbished. In essence, a well-loved piece will continue to be loved.
Wabi-sabi is gaining popularity as green living is growing. The concepts work very well together and many people have embraced the ideals they represent.
A great example of wabi-sabi in interior decorating is using old barn boards as paneling or flooring. But it can go much further and deeper; it’s truly the art of salvaging pieces and preventing landfill growth while also finding new uses for these pieces. Consider the iron garden gate used as a piece of wall art, the bowling alley floor turned into a countertop, or gym lockers used as storage in a playroom. There is really no limit to the new interior decorating twist on wabi-sabi.
To start your own wabi-sabi home you need to find some calm and quiet. Avoid clutter and knickknacks and instead look for large sweeping surfaces that are accented by years of use rather than collections of trinkets. Focus on the “worn” items that have served you well. An antique rocking chair should have a place of honor, but a ratty La-Z-Boy should go. This means you need to find true, lasting quality. Scour antique stores or flea markets for that imperfect, yet artistic, piece.
And most importantly, if you’re trying to have a wabi-sabi feel in your home, embrace nature. The basic tenet of Japanese art and thought here is that it’s the life cycle that matters, from growth, to decay, to death itself. Follow this cycle in your own home with a living plant or tree and a beautiful wooden piece of furniture.
The main thing to keep in mind when adopting wabi-sabi principals in your home decorating scheme is that perfection is not possible, instead you should focus on the beauty of life as it is, no matter what stage of that process you are in.
