Author: Interior Design Durham
Going against the mainstream idea that having more things is equal to living better, a new idea of living with the minimal appeared inspired by the minimalist movement. According to this idea people should live only with the things that has a deep meaning to them. There isn’t a maximum number of things that someone should have to be considered a minimalist, but the main idea is that “less is more” and a fulfilling life is a life where you a surrounded by things and people that has meaning to you
One way of thinking about the minimalist in interior design is going to Japanese design and understanding the aesthetics of WabiSabi. WabiSabi is an aesthetic movement develop under the idea of the beauty of the impermanent and imperfect. This movement were expressed in a lot of different arts, like paint, calligraphy and ceramics, but to our ideas of minimalist interior design, the most important expressions were the works of Sen no Rikyu (1522 – 1591) in the Japanese Tea Ceremony or Chanoyu.
We usually think about the Japanese tea room as something that always were simple and full of deep meaning. However, it wasn’t always like this. The Japanese Tea Ceremony was a luxurious practice that was performed to show how someone has expensive possessions and a great culture of the nearby world.
Sen no Rikyu, with his aesthetic balance and preference towards the simple, changed the focus of the tea ceremony to communion between peoples in a place that is beautiful because of its simplicity and imperfection. He focused on imperfect and asymmetrical utensils that would be considered defective by others. For him, these things made in modest materials for the time (bamboo, clay and wood) could receive the marks of time and usage, making them bear more meaning than just their form and material alone. According to Sen no Rikyu, these utensils can make us perceive the imperfect nature of our life and the beauty of a world that is always in motion.
To help us think about how we can transport the ideas of Sen no Rikyu to our modern home, Andrew Juniper, in his book “WabiSabi: The Japanese Art of Imperfection”[1], tell us about some of the design principles of a minimalist WabiSabi approach.
According to his ideas, a WabiSabi interior design should start focusing on simplicity, no embellishment or ostentation, and on free space, were nothing should surplus the required for a single room. Because “it is often necessary to get rid of all excess in order to give sufficient space to just one expression”[2]. Having simple and spacious rooms, one should work in keep these rooms sober and concentrate in fill part of the free space with objects and furniture that are made of organic materials, that can show the passage of time and get more meaning according to its age, has some irregularities and has a natural uneven texture.
Using these design principles, you should be able to design an interior that is minimal in quantity of things but has a deeper meaning for the ones that live in these spaces. The Japanese WabiSabi aesthetics toward the natural and imperfect may not resonate with you. However, their simplicity and sobriety can help anyone how wish to live a simpler life to design places that focus on what is important for them.
[1] JUNIPER, Andrew. 2003.WabiSabi: The Japanese Art of Imperfection. USA; Japan: Tuttle Publishing.
[2]Ibid, p. 116.
Investing in new kitchen cabinets is one of the most important and necessary decisions in remodeling any kitchen. While high-end cabinetry can quickly drive up costs, wholesale cabinets provide a way to achieve premium quality at a fraction of the price. Whether you’re flipping homes, managing multiple projects, or simply upgrading your kitchen, they offer […]
Got a small space and big dreams for your living room? You’re not alone. Many face the challenge of finding living room furniture that fits tight spots but still oozes style. It’s like trying to squeeze into jeans from high school—tough, but not impossible. Here’s a cool fact: you can have chic and functional spaces […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]
A thoughtful U shaped modular kitchen design can enhance functionality, and aesthetics in your kitchen, as well as in the dining and breakfast areas. With the various modular kitchen options available in India, the following ideas can help you envision your customized U shaped modular kitchen design. 1) Explore Neutral Color Palette The kitchen’s neutral […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]
The integration of screening evergreen trees serves as an artful blend of practicality and natural beauty. These screening evergreen trees, with their lush foliage and diverse benefits, play a crucial role in enhancing privacy. It also blocks unwanted views, and contributes to the overall well-being of homeowners. From the majestic Jamun trees to the versatile […]
Gate Design is an important feature of any home. Numerous scopes for experimentation open up when delving into the design possibilities. Materials like wood and black steel are popular options in Indian homes. At the same time, designers also experiment with a combination of materials that suits their aesthetic. Buying mass-produced Sydney automated gates has […]
Hyderabad is a city that boasts a rich and diverse architectural heritage that has been shaped by its history and cultural influences. The city has been ruled by various dynasties, including the Qutb Shahis, the Mughals, and the Nizams, who have all left their mark on its architecture and influenced young architects in Hyderabad. The […]
Brutalism is an architectural style from the 50s and 60s that began in the United Kingdom. Brutalist Architecture can be elaborated as raw with no ornamentation and exposed building materials used in a monolithic way. Majorly showcasing the concrete in its raw beauty employed in various geometric shapes. Since the beginning of the revolutionary composite […]
The word “Vastu” refers to the dwelling place of humans and gods, while “shastra” means science or knowledge, hence Vastu Shastra for house is the science of architecture. Vastu Shastra for house is an ongoing practice in India since one can remember. Almost every architect and designer wields it in conceptualizing their projects. Vastu Shastra provides […]