Capturing the spirit of Wabi-Sabi in the home, with all of its sweet imperfections, leads to a sense of peace and a balanced sense of self. These four Japanese influenced interiors range from an ultra rustic aesthetic that toys with transience through aged wood, right through to a clean modern places with softer wabi-sabi moments. Raw timber, rustic stone, discoloured concrete, woven rugs, and hand-made rattan pieces thread through all the spaces in between, generating the reassuring lived-in look that defines the aesthetic.
Rugged wooden pillars and beams dominate the first of our four home tours, alive with beautiful imperfections around their bark. The tree trunk structures build a sense of walking through the forest itself. A monochrome rug plants a freshness in the room that offsets the natural composition. The modernity is carried through in tidy contemporary seating and stylish throw cushions.
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Double doors open the rustic living room out onto a terrace with a Japanese tea table.
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The tree trunk support columns are like a living piece of the house, growing around the open plan.
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A modern bench seat divides the lounge area from the kitchen diner. The cushions are a tonal addition that link the piece with the darker natural wood components.
A natural rug encircles the bed area, and the circle theme is continued into the rustic ensuite bathroom by an illuminated vanity mirror. The glow from around its edge highlights the imperfection in the concrete wall, building texture and depth.
Cactuses give height to living room layout number two. Neutral couches rest easy amidst stony walls. Heat builds in an orange woven rug and matching accent cushions. A round coffee table set brings in black pit stops to balance out the black bulk of a wall mounted TV.
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Oversize wicker bell pendants hang low in the vertical plane. Wooden sections carve out great sections of the ceiling.
Plant stands line up in varying heights along the concrete window wall, bringing cactuses close to the sunshine. The modern fireplace has a 360º design, allowing it to blaze in two neighbouring living spaces. See ideas for modern fireplace screens here.
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The opposite side of the fireplace wall is home to a kitchen diner. A terrazzokitchen backsplash pulls together tones from the wooden cabinets and concrete floor. Dining chairs are teamed with a chunky wooden dining bench and a live-edge table to build a relaxed lived-in look.
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A vase of twigs and some wooden chopping boards accessorise the room with natural charm.
Our third home is an intimate yet utilitarian apartment, inspired by Brutalism and the local warehouse vernacular. A curved sofa sweeps in with a soft blue hue, which completely changes the dynamic of the square living room.
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A square coffee table counteracts the sofas curve, bringing the layout back in line with a custom concrete topped console unit.
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A tan accent chair floats between the lounge and the kitchen diner. A high-polish concrete floor exaggerates the textured effect of a ribbed kitchen island feature.
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The concrete mezzanine balustrade provides a mount for a wall light, which descends elegantly over the circular island feature.
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Ribbed wall units ripple across the back wall of the kitchen.
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Matching panel work textures the side of the modern staircase.
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A console table carries curves to complement the crescent sofa.
Our last tour is a back to roots interior filled with natural texture and soft earth tones. A mix of new and traditional elements mingle minimalism, wabi-sabi and ethnic styles in peaceful harmony. A modern sofa and round coffee table settle on a tribal print rug. A vase of Pampas grass adds height and a gentle tactile element.
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The room has a simple geometry. A low bench trims the base of a projection wall, a stack of display shelves cut into the corner, and roller blinds complete the wraparound linearity.
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Walls, ceiling, doors, floor, and furniture all pull from the same colour palette, giving the eyes rest.
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Raw timber builds the shelves, which give home to rustic bowls and pots.
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The wooden floor of the lounge ends at concrete kitchen tile.
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A white washed wood dining bench, table and chairs make a cool combination with the pale kitchen.
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The L-shaped kitchen seems to extrude directly from colour matched walls.
