Today, sustainability, a buzzword for most industries, has become vital in design, and something designers continuously consider. This has produced emerging trends that branch off eco-conscious principles, where the aims of using less and reusing more have become mainstream. Wabi-sabi, a philosophy established in Japanese Zen, is an example of this, where the ancient concept has changed shape to become a sustainability movement in Western parts of the world.
What is Wabi-sabi?
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy from the 16th century with a definition many cannot articulate. Historically, the term Wabi-sabi, was two differing concepts, Wabi meaning 'living in tune with nature' and Sabi meaning 'deterioration found over time'. Progressively, the line separating Wabi and Sabi blurred and as the philosophy travelled to the West during the last century, it integrated mainly into the art and design industries. Today, the definition is often described as: 'an encouragement to embrace the impermanent and imperfect natural world'.
Within the home, Wabi-sabi is closely associated with sustainability, as it encourages us to avoid materialism, minimise consumption and appreciate what we have, rather than what we want. It enforces a preference for repurposing or upcycling, in comparison to replacing a once-loved, damaged item by treasuring the appearance of any impairment, viewing it as ‘loving use’. Within our world at home, Wabi-sabi encourages imperfection through worn decor and furnishings, adding a new dimension to a home’s soul. The philosophy motivates us to avoid the influence of interior trends and to re-examine what ‘essential’ really means, moving away from perfect toward perfectly imperfect.
Can I Buy Wab-sabi?
Despite genuine Wabi-sabi having a positive influence on a home’s sustainability, I have found there to be a noteworthy fine line between authentic and inauthentic Wabi-sabi. Interior furnishings and decor advertised as Wabi-sabi are commonly on the market today. An example of this is pottery reta
iling as Kintsugi art, allowing people to purchase a knock-off of the ancient art form, thinking it’s Wabi-sabi, whilst unaware of the true concept of fixing a once-loved, damaged item.
I believe that those who are naïve to the philosophy may attempt to seek Wabi-sabi by purchasing it, but authentic Wabi-sabi is something that can only be acquired over time. This displays that with a lack of knowledge, Wabi-sabi can effortlessly drift so far enough away from its true definition, that it becomes the complete contrast of it, tilting a sustainable philosophy to an unsustainable one. Nevertheless, true Wabi-sabi avoids fleeting trends and material wants, therefore, if properly studied, faux-Wabi-sabi is unrelated to the true, sustainable teachings of the philosophy.
Who Benefits by Wabi-Sabi?
Not only does Wabi-sabi in the interior design industry benefit the users, but it also provides positive effects on the environment. This is mainly surrounding the element of the philosophy which encourages the avoidance of materialism in the home. In accordance with this, more conscious decisions and less temporary, short-term materials and finishes will be used when designing, creating less waste and ultimately, less impact on the environment. The current environmental impact within the interior design industry needs vitally improving and following philosophies such as Wabi-sabi, can assist with this.
How to Implement Wabi-sabi in the home?
As touched upon previously, purchasing Wabi-sabi is not an authentic way of following the philosophy, however when designing an interior, it is often unachievable without adding purchased elements. As Wabi-sabi often stems from a feeling, de-cluttering what is not required and keeping only what is only cherished can be an element of Wabi-sabi. Where possible, upcycling and recycling what is currently owned, rather than purchasing new and looking for materials with durability to allow for longevity and resilience to wear over time. Elements which can withstand natural damage and still look aesthetically pleasing with a flawed appearance will be ideal to ensure that the design will follow Wabi-sabi long-term.