Celebrating the passing of time, being closer to nature, favoring raw materials, this is the very essence of the Wabi-Sabi spirit when it comes to decoration. Humble, authentic, minimalist, this philosophy, straight from Japan, invites us to greater contemplation. Renouncing the superfluous and denying the uniformity of production to initiate a return to the essential, it is an art of living that resonates 100% with the Nunamae spirit.
It is 10,000km from France, in the land of the Rising Sun, that Wabi-Sabi was born. Used to evoke an aesthetic movement, this formula implies the need for simplicity, nature, silence (Wabi) and the affection for objects patinated and worn by time (Sabi). If craftsmanship is at the heart of this “slow” expression of decoration, decoration brands have also heard a message: produce better in order to satisfy the responsible desires of their customers. There is no question of throwing away this raw wooden stool because of its imperfections because it is precisely for its small defects that it is valued.
Stripped luxury
Far from being a mix of unwelcoming bric-a-brac, Wabi-Sabi is all the rage in new hotel concepts which swear by the idea of offering a reconnection to simple things. The very fashionable San Georgio Mykonos, Coqui Coqui Coba in Tulum and Casa Cook in Kos are examples of this, as they have mastered this subtle art of simplicity. A refined decor, certainly, but which does not deprive itself of a touch of discreet luxury through beautiful antique pottery, linen and hemp bed linen or even carefully carved wooden pieces.
Witnesses of the past
Admire time spent and cherish the traces of wear... Cracked, weathered, cracked, repaired or left in their own juice, the imperfect furniture and objects symbols of wabi-sabi are above all bearers of a message: sustainability is at the heart of this art of living. Carrying stories, farm tables and woven straw chairs cross the generations to take pride of place alongside new but nevertheless artisanal pieces. Combine work well done to endure over time, and thus create the next witnesses of tomorrow.
Wood, a common thread
Master of all Wabi-Sabi decors, wood, preferably raw, is omnipresent. An obvious connection with nature, it reveals its imperfections in the four corners of our interiors through pieces chosen for their patina and their primitive appearance: a large dinner table around which we gather to share meals, stools used for seating but also as extra furniture or even cabinets that are a bit rustic, but never old-fashioned.
Raw materials
Sensitive to the material, the Japanese movement honors roughness and marked textures. Damaged walls, imperfect dishes, hand-woven plants, it is important to let yourself be carried away by the evidence of wear and irregularity of the pieces that you bring into your home. Ceramics, and handmade creations in general, hold a primordial place in this aesthetic which denies the uniformity of mass production.
Starting point for this atmosphere which renounces the superfluous: minimalist lines, a palette of natural tones and raw materials. It is a true ode to craftsmanship, where the practical, useful, beautiful object made with passion and know-how reassures. At Nunamae, we imagine our pieces with these codes of simplicity and durability. Our rugs, like our poufs, fit perfectly into a world with Wabi-Sabi influences thanks to their soft colors, their sober design and their timeless appearance.
Photos in order of appearance: Scorpios Mykonos - Casa Cook Kos - Coqui Coqui Coba - Scorpios Mykonos - Nunamae
