Wabi-Sabi - The beauty of imperfection

What is the Japanese philosophy Wabi-Sabi that's on everyone’s lips and why has it become such a huge trend in the western world over the past years?

Apart from a beautiful aesthetic, Wabi-Sabi brings a breath of fresh air and a gentle, humble touch to consumerism. We are moving away from materials which are difficult to recycle and more and more are embracing this philosophy that's about finding beauty in the imperfect.

It represents the liberation from a material world, moving towards a simpler life.

Wabi-Sabi (侘寂), as it's known today, originated in the 1400s in Japan and teaches us that everything can be repaired and appreciated. It's a celebration of the mishaps that appear in life, connecting us to nature. It is about mindfulness, simplicity and beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

Wabi-Sabi design is cracked or broken materials that have been purposely put together in interesting ways or materials like a beautiful piece of driftwood that makes for a beautiful coffee table or ceramic with pure, essential shapes. It's about natural colors and organic designs and shapes.

Its interiors are a reflection of us human beings: natural, imperfect, complex and evolving over time.

Wabi-Sabi products that are created to be cherished forever, passed on from generation to generation.

Here are a few examples of Wabi-Sabi design:

THE GREENWICH HOTEL,

The TriBeCa Penthouse was created by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt and Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, in close collaboration with the hotel’s partners Ira Drukier and Robert De Niro. The 6,800 sq ft suite was inspired by the TriBeCa neighborhood’s industrial past fused with the ancient Japanese aesthetic of Wabi.

KINTSUGI,

the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with laquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold. This vase comes from lakesidepottery.com

PETRIFIED WOOD,

A unique wood that completely transformed into stone through millions of years. This tray is available at kirschon.com

SHOU SUGI BAN,

An antique, Japanese burning technique to preserve and protect wood. This beautiful Lychee wood coffee table is available at kirschon.com

Read more about this intriguing method in our blog 10 intriguing facts about Shou Sugi Ban

For any requests or inquiries please don't hesitate to contact us at:

info@kirschon.com or by phone at: tel +39 331 9632422 or +39 031 4491459

You can find our collection at kirschon.com and in our Showroom in Como, Italy in Via Borgo Vico 54.