It’s all about the Wabi-Sabi

This past Wednesday, I attended a fantastic information session presented by Pittsburgh Paints. The topic was PPG 2010/2011 Colour Trends. Being the total colour fanatic that I am, I was excited to see the beautiful palettes that designer and colour expert Janice Lindsay shared with us. But I was even more enthralled when she talked about Wabi-Sabi.

What’s Wabi-Sabi?? It’s not that insanely hot green sushi topping that could clear an elephant’s sinuses. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese concept from the 14^th century. It’s a belief in the beauty of humble or handmade things. Beauty is in the flawed and imperfect, not the perfect.

Value is in the creativity, not the cost.

Age adds Wabi-Sabi (good news for those of us who aren’t 20 anymore!!). Antiques hold Wabi-Sabi.

The concept of Wabi-Sabi is what today’s biggest trend is all about — going back to basics. More and more, we’re looking for goods that are manufactured locally, are simple, and require less processing.

We’re embracing a new type of luxury that focuses on the experience and the internal.

We feel a need for play and to be creative and productive (hmmmm, looks destructive to me!!)

Many of us upcycle, turning the disposable into the desirable. The flaws in an upcycled piece tell a story and add value.

If you love well-worn furniture, making old things new again, bringing nature into your home, and using creativity to decorate your home, you may have been following the Wasi-Sabi trend without even knowing it :-)

 

My friend Lisa wrote a great post about Wabi-Sabi on her blog, Lisa Goulet Design. Be sure to check it out for more info and pics :-)

But before you go, make sure you enter our Empowering Giveaway to win an original abstract painting by Matt LeBlanc and help the fight against cancer.

I’ll tell you all about the PPG 2010/2011 Colour Trends next week.

Have a great weekend!!