Natural purism & wabi-sabi – beauty through imperfection in interior design

In our modern lives, daily pressures, an often chaotic lifestyle, and an overstimulation of our attention and senses are omnipresent. Therefore, it is a relief to have a home that simply yet authentically designed.

A place where both the overall design and the smaller details have a clear intention. Everything has a purpose and remains true to its essence. It is possible to create a home that stands out but is understated in its furnishings by focusing on a few key features and a simple concept.

There are more than just practical tips available to combat daily chaos and constant overstimulation. Entire interior design styles are dedicated to reduction and simplicity. Besides minimalism , natural purism —or wabi-sabi , as this style is also known— is at the forefront

Purist design was significantly influenced by Eastern European designers. It can also be thought of as Bauhaus modernism. It exudes a sense of serene melancholy. Purist design is gaining popularity both in North America and on this side of the Atlantic. It is easily recognizable by its combination of natural forms, clean lines, muted colors, wood, and raw organic elements. Hence the name – purist.

It's one of those design concepts that you recognize when you see it. And there are numerous ways to implement this interior design style.

Purism – Origins and Core Elements

In short, Purism was a movement that emerged around 1918, proposing a style of painting in which objects were depicted as powerful, basic forms without details. This art movement lasted until about 1925.

The movement was founded by Édouard Jeanneret (better known as the modern architect Le Corbusier) and Amédée Ozenfant . In their 1918 book * Après le Cubisme (After Cubism), they presented the theory of Purism. They criticized the fragmentation of the object in Cubism and the way in which, in their view, Cubism had become decorative by that time.

Instead, they proposed a style of painting in which objects are depicted as powerful, basic forms devoid of detail. Fernand Léger was another key artist associated with Purism.

Especially after the end of the First World War, it was observed that Purism represented order, wholeness, balance, and clarity in works, much like the classical periods of art. References to ancient Greek architecture can be found in the fluting (similar to a Greek column) on the bottles in Ozenfant's still-life compositions.

A crucial element of Purism was the embrace of technology and machinery, aiming to imbue mechanical and industrial objects with a timeless, classical quality. The metallic surfaces of machines and the columns of architecture were depicted in simple geometric forms. This is seen as a rejection of the ornamentation found in many works and of the inherent notion of beauty prevalent in the early 20th century.

Purism reached its zenith in Le Corbusier's Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau (Pavilion of the New Spirit), built in 1925 for the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. It was furnished with works by the three patrons, including those of the Cubists Juan Gris and Jacques Lipchitz .

From 1920 to 1925, the artists produced a magazine called L'Esprit Nouveau, which served as a propaganda machine for the movement they had created.

Unfortunately, purism was not very profitable for Le Corbusier and did not bring him much money. At the same time, his work as an architect collapsed, and he eventually went bankrupt. However considerable these losses may have been, they were less severe due to his growing reputation in the art world.

Despite Le Corbusier's financial problems and debts, he became one of the most prominent artists, designers, and architects of the 20th century, due to his artistic movement and its resonance with architectural design.

Le Corbusier's Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau, reconstruction in Bologna, 1977

Afterwards, the key relationship between Ozenfant and Le Corbusier broke down, which heralded the end of this still young art movement.

Guiding principles and central elements of original purism

• Purism reduced the subject matter to the relationships of its geometric angles and forms, further emphasized by color to achieve a unified effect. These “pure” forms were composed of their intrinsic qualities and lacked any representational meaning. This permeated all aspects of the arts, including painting, design, and architecture.
• Along with the advent of technology and the machine age, purist artists strove mechanical and industrial objects with a timeless quality . This influenced their work, which featured references to old, classical forms without decoration or additional embellishment.
• Still life painting became a popular form of articulating purist philosophies. In this genre, artists took object types or reproducible everyday objects from their own surroundings and reduced them to aesthetically pleasing forms that emphasized the simple beauty of the modern world .
• At the height of the movement, the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, serving as a perfect time capsule, presented Le Corbusier, Ozenfant, and Fernand Léger alongside the Cubists Juan Gris and Jacques Lipchitz, after which Ozenfant and Le Corbusier ended their partnership. Ironically, this marked the birth of the Art Deco movement.
• Purism rejected the excessive ornamentation and decorationthat characterized the bourgeois concept of beauty at the time. The movement, and especially Le Corbusier's advocacy for the simplification and modulation of forms, influenced generations of artists and architects. These artists and architects were interested in mass production and classical order in art, architecture, design, and even the construction of city plans.

Purism in modern interior design – the magic of omission

A purist is someone who lives with few possessions and creates more space for others. Their furnishings are minimalist and understated. However, this doesn't mean they have to feel cold and empty. The motto is: not too much, but also not too little. Natural materials, especially untreated wood and natural textiles like wool and linen, create a sense of comfort, coziness, and warmth.

Clear parallels can be drawn here to the Hygge lifestyle and Scandi-Chic interior design style .

The special charm of a minimalist interior lies in its quieter atmosphere, allowing the eye, mind, and soul to find peace. A minimalist room whispers gently to its inhabitants.

This conscious reduction refers to the number of possessions and, in a way, also to the manufacturing process of household items, furniture, and accessories. Their functionality is maintained. High-gloss surfaces, plastics, and similar materials are omitted wherever possible or cleverly concealed.

The special charm of high-quality and durable natural materials lies in the fact that they age gracefully. Over time, many develop a characteristic patina that adds to their charm.

For perfectionists and lovers of clean lines, the natural purism of Wabi-Sabi probably not the best choice. Despite the reductionist approach and mindful design philosophy, no meticulous, ruler-straightened lines are used here. The organic forms in the space and in the objects themselves break with straight lines and a love of geometric order.

Round baskets and boxes with rounded corners also ensure quick and practical organization. These can be placed freely around the room, creating a natural connection between them. Sideboards and shelves in minimalist designs provide ample storage space.

Wabi-Sabi – beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature

Speaking of which: Wabi-sabi, which is closely linked to purism in modern interior design and decoration, is a Japanese aesthetic concept (a way of perceiving beauty). Rooted in Zen Buddhism , it corresponds to the first of the Four Noble Truths, Dukkha.

Wabi-sabi , when applied to numerous areas of life, is the view or idea of ​​finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature. It is about the aesthetics of things that are known as “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”.

It is a gentle way to appreciate the natural and pure, and to recognize the beauty of every substance or being in its most natural and raw form. It eliminates the rather Westernized concept of artificial beauty.

Interior Design | Modern Wabi-Sabi Home Tour

For a more in-depth exploration of this term and the Far Eastern philosophy behind it, see the article: “What does Wabi Sabi mean? | Philosophy, Art and Everyday Life” in SAKURA News.

How to achieve the minimalist interior design style à la Wabi-Sabi in your own home

It is possible to create a serene home that impresses with the special charm of purism, and is always gentle and understated in its overall effect. Focus on a few key features and follow the tips below to achieve a wonderful interior design style in your home.

01 High-quality materials

The selection of high-quality materials is an essential detail in purist and minimalist design. The motto is "less is more" and "quality over quantity".

High-quality materials such as a marble backdrop in your kitchen will stand the test of time and are therefore a wise investment as well as a significant design element that subtly exudes confidence and elegance.

Rough materials and soft surfaces can expressly be combined. It is the interplay of different texturesthat softens the starkness of a minimalist home and makes it more inviting. A mix of different natural materials (untreated wood, stone, clay, raffia, etc.) works best.

They are the centerpiece of any room, and if you give them room to grow, you can fully experience the art of minimal living.

Considerable attention is also paid to the bathroom . Round, freestanding bathtubs made of marble or natural stone are a popular choice in Wabi-Sabi

You can find inspiration for minimalist bathrooms in our Pinterest collection.

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Stylish combinations of metal and oak wood also beautifully complement the furnishings of a modern bathroom in the Wabi-Sabi style. The combination of black metal and naturally grained wood, in particular, creates a captivating character.

As an alternative to metal, polyresin . This is a liquid synthetic resin, also commonly known as alabstrite, cast marble, marmorit, poly-nature, or polystone.

02 Architectural Details

Clean, open spaces create clarity and order in the home, and with disciplined furnishings you can effortlessly and easily showcase the form and function of your home.

Architectural details such as high ceilings, varied windows, and open floor plans create space, light, and air, promoting a clean and uncluttered lifestyle. Smaller details, like flat panels in your closets instead of door handles, which can distract the eye and create clutter, present a clean and neutral, minimalist yet practical style.

03 A touch of luxury

Incorporating luxurious details into your interior design is a powerful element in a purist and minimalist home.

Symbolized by high-quality materials such as marble, copper, brass, wood and concrete, luxurious surfaces add character and context to your home, combining a modern feel with a natural style.

04 Subdued Colors

Scandinavian-inspired interiors are known for their minimalism, with white being a defining characteristic. Recently, however, this approach to interior design has embraced color, albeit mostly muted shades such as creams, cool grays , and pastels.

Adding one or two vibrant accent colors to your room can influence its tone and feel. It can also contribute to the light and airy quality of a minimalist home, but with a touch of personality.

05 Contrasts in textures and shapes

Texture and form are crucial in purist and minimalist designs, as they add visual relevance to a space and elevate interiors to the next level.

If your room has a rather homogeneous color palette, introducing different textures and shapes will provide visual interest while maintaining balance in your design.

A white kitchen with clean lines and an unobtrusive design can be enhanced by a single brick wall, creating a warm atmosphere that is both calm and inviting.

06 Lighting design

Lighting design also plays an essential role in the minimalist interior design. Natural light should be used as much as possible. Subtle light sources then create an atmospheric ambiance as dusk falls.

The most important rule here is to incorporate organically shaped light sources into the room. Lamps made of wood are also a good choice, as they emit a warm light. Light sources with porcelain or glass shades also work well.

The natural coziness of Wabi-Sabi should be emphasized with appropriate lighting design.

Wabi-Sabi interior design – inspirations and suggestions

01 Video Tour

02 Pinterest Collection

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03 Furniture, design objects and home accessories in Wabi-Sabi style in our decor shop.

Discover unique furniture, design objects and home accessories in the charming Wabi-Sabi style in our decor shop – perfect for those who love the beauty in imperfection