Wabi-sabi book written by Leonard Koren, who is an American architect, is the most conspicuous and characteristic feature book that I have ever read of what we think of as traditional Japanese beauty. It was published for the first time in 1994 and republished in 2008.
A book that defines beauty can be as old as time to the concept of beauty itself. But at the same time, it carries something aesthetically indescribable. This quality does not appeal to our reason but comes from our intuition. For this reason, among many others, Leonard Koren’s book Wabi-sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets, and Philosophers has a special value and it was my big inspiration for my projects. This book is defining Japanese terminology-a term that was once unknown in the West but is now widely used, especially in works of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy.
Wabi-Sabi, the art of simplicity, organic, and beauty in imperfections, is an aesthetic concept that was invented in Japan. A language that appreciates nature and earth materials. A concept builds from the Buddhist teaching of the three principles of existence which are: impermanence, suffering, and emptiness of the natural self.
According to Leonard Koren, Wabi-Sabi is what we think is the most striking and distinctive feature of Japanese traditional beauty. A beauty that can be applied to both organic nature and human beings, manufactured in an elegant and delicate way. Shortly, Wabi means bringing quietness and freshness to the place, where Sabi means peace, serenity, and beauty that comes with the life of a natural object, and that’s the beauty of adding organic elements in designing any spatial.
In Japan, these principles touch on aesthetics, spirituality, and philosophy, as well as everyday pragmatism, and are similar to the precepts of beauty that still apply in the West and that we inherited from the Greeks, powerful as they were in their influence.
Koren begins by providing a provisional definition for the term, but not before emphasizing that, while wabi-sabi is an intrinsic part of any Japanese person’s life when asked for a definition, one is frequently left speechless: this fact reinforces the difficulty of defining the concept, at least through spoken language. Wabi-sabi has been dubbed “the Zen of things” because it embodies many of Zen’s spiritual and philosophical principles.
Minimalistic interior design for living room with Wabi- Sabi elements by Alena Valyavko
Wabi-Sabi interior design frequently incorporates wood, stone, and as much natural light as possible. As previously stated, simplicity reigns supreme in the overall design, with clean lines. The eye-catchers in the room are the decorations.
The Wabi-Sabi style includes a lot of greys and browns into the furniture. Natural color palettes and weathered textures create an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. As shown in the image above.
Minimalistic interior design for bedroom with Wabi- Sabi elements by Alena Valyavko
Bright colors and modern furniture can also be used to create Wabi-Sabi interiors, as shown in the bedroom design above. Antique objects, furniture, and decorations can be combined to make a modern and minimalistic interior more visually appealing. To complete the look, use natural elements such as plants and branches.
I have built an interest in that concept, because to me simplicity, organic, serenity, elegance, and delicate in any interior design of any kind of residential or commercial project, brings ultimate comfortable, relief, and prettiness to the user, and I believe being an interior designer is bringing that to the user while maintaining the creativity and innovation of the place, and I’m looking forward to applying his concept in project 5.