Purism aka wabi-sabi-the new objectivity in the interior

In our modern life, in which daily pressure, an often chaotic lifestyle and overexcitation of our attention and senses are omnipresent, it is a relief to have a home that simple and 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 his essence. It is possible to create a home that stands out but is reserved in its facility by focusing on a few main features and a simple concept.

The fight against daily chaos and the permanent overexcitement are not only available. There are complete furnishing styles that are devoted to reduction and simplicity. In addition to minimalism , natural purism is at the forefront-or Wabi-Sabi , as the living style is also called.

Last but not least, puristic design was shaped by Eastern European designers. Puristic design can also be imagined as a farmhouse modern. It radiates a feeling of cheerful melancholy. Puristic design is gained in importance in both North America and on this side of the large pond. It is easy to see from its combination of natural forms, clear structures, reserved colors, as well as wood and raw organic elements. Hence the name - puristic .

It is one of those design concepts that you recognize when you see it. Regardless of whether you buy puristic bathroom accessories from Kela or some design pieces for the living area yourself design and manufacture yourself, there are numerous ways to implement this furnishing style.

Purismus - origins and core elements

In a nutshell, purism was a movement created around 1918, which suggested a kind of painting, in which objects are presented as powerful basic forms without details. This art movement lasted around 1925.

The movement was founded by Edouard Jeanneret (better known as the modern architect Le Corbusier ) and Amédée Ozenfant . In their 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 cubism had become decorative at that time.

Instead, they proposed a kind of painting in which objects are presented as powerful basic forms without details. Fernand Léger was another key artist who was associated with purism.

Especially after the end of the First World War it was found that purism represents order, wholeness, balance and clarity in works, very similar to the classic art periods. Allusions to the ancient Greek architecture can be found in the cannulas (similar to a Greek column) on the bottles in octopuses.

A crucial element of purism was the hug of technology and machine and aimed to give mechanical and industrial objects a timeless, classic quality. The metallic surfaces of machines and the pillars of architecture were presented in simple geometric forms and are considered a cancellation of the ornament, which can be seen in many works, and as a cancellation of the inherent idea of ​​beauty of the early 20th century.

Purism culminated in Le Corbusiers Pavillon de L'Esprit Nouveau (Pavilion of the New Spirit), which was built in 1925 for the international exhibition for decorative and industrial art in Paris. This was hung up by the three clients with work, including 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 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 finally went bankrupt. As big as these losses may have been, they were less serious due to its increasing reputation in the art world.

Despite the financial problems and debts of Le Corbusier, he became one of the most prominent artists, designers and architects of the 20th century, all because of his artistic movement and its response with architectural design.

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

Then the key relationship between Ozenfant and Le Corbusier broke up, which heralded the end of this young art movement.

Guide and central elements of original purismus

• Purism reduced the topic to the relationships of its geometric angles and shapes that were further emphasized by color in order to achieve a uniform effect. These "pure" forms were composed of their intrinsic qualities and lacked any representative importance. This infiltrated all aspects of the arts, including painting, design and architecture.
• Together with the advent of technology and the machine age, puristic artists strived to give mechanical and industrial objects a timeless quality This influenced the work in which forms were given references to old, classic shapes without decoration or additional decoration.
• Still life painting became a popular form of articulation of puristic philosophies. In this genre, artists took object types or reproducible everyday objects from their own environment and reduced them to aesthetically appealing forms and forms that emphasized the simple beauty of the modern world .
• As a perfect time capsule of the movement, the international exhibition for decorative and industrial art in Paris Le Corbusier, Ozenfant, Fernand Léger presented their partnership next to the Cubists Juan Gris and Jacques Lipchitz, whereupon Ozenfant and Le Corbusier ended their partnership. Ironically, this was the birth of the Art Deco movement .
• Purism rejected the exaggerated jewelry and decorations , which at that time shaped the bourgeois concept of beauty of society. The movement and in particular Le Corbusiers occur for the simplification and modulation of forms influenced generations of artists and architects who are interested in mass production and classical order in art, construction, design and even the construction of city maps.

Purism in the modern interior - the magic of omission

The purist is a person who lives with a few things and creates more space for people. The equipment is minimalistic and reduced. Therefore, however, it does not necessarily have to look cool and empty. The motto is: no piece too much, but none too little. Natural materials, in particular untreated wood and natural textiles such as wool and linen, ensure charity, homeliness and warmth.

Clear parallels can be drawn to the hygge lifestyle and scandi chic furnishing style.

The special charm of a puristic interior is also to be less "loud" so that the eye, mind and soul can come to rest. A puristic space gently whispers to the residents.

The conscious waiver refers to the number of things and, in a way, to the manufacturing process of residential objects, furniture and accessories. Their functionality is held. High -gloss surfaces, plastic and the like are omitted or cleverly hidden if possible.

We find the special charm of high -quality and durable natural materials in the fact that it age with dignity. Over time, many start a characteristic patina that gives additional charm.

However, natural purism à la Wabi-Sabi is rather not suitable for perfectionists and lovers of straightness. Because despite reduction and mindful furnishing philosophy, the ruler for edge is not meticulously pulled here. organic forms alone break with straightforwardness and geometric love of order.

Round baskets and boxes with rounded corners also ensure quick, lived order. They can find a place freely in the room and enter into a natural connection. Sideboards and shelves in reduced designs are provided for storage space .

Wabi-Sabi-Beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature

Speaking of: Wabi-Sabi, is closely linked to purism in modern interior design in Zen Buddhism , it is a correspondence to the first of the Buddhist four noble truths, Dukkha.

Wabi-Sabi is, transferred to numerous areas of life, the view or the thought of finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature. It is about the aesthetics of things that are known as “imperfect, inconsistent and incomplete”.

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

Interior design | Modern Wabi-Sabi Home Tour

A deeper examination of this term and the Far Eastern philosophy behind it can be found in the article: "What does Wabi Sabi? | Philosophy, Art and everyday life" of Sakura News.

This is how the puristic furnishing style à la Wabi-Sabi succeeds in your own four walls

It is possible to create a dating home that impresses with the special charm of purism, and is always gentle and reserved in its entirety. Place your focus on a few main features and follow the following tips so that the furnishing style in your home succeeds wonderfully.

01 high -quality materials

The selection of high -quality materials is an important detail in puristic and minimalist design. "Less is more" and "Quality instead of quantity" applies .

High -quality materials such as a marble backdrop in your kitchen will survive the time and are therefore a clever investment and a significant design element that exudes self -confidence and elegance in a reserved way.

Gross materials and soft surfaces may be expressly combined. It is the interplay of different textures that take a puristic home the soberness and lets the homeliness pull in. A mix of different natural materials (natural wood, stone, sound, bast, ...) works best.

They are the focus of every room, and if they give them space, they can fully live out the art of minimal life.

bathroom also attractive. Round, free-standing bathtubs made of marble or natural stone are a popular choice in the Wabi-Sabi.

You can find inspiration for puristic bathrooms in our Pinterest collection

(To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)

Chic combinations of metal and oak wood complement the equipment of a modern bathroom in the Wabi-Sabi Style. In particular, the connection of black metal and naturally grasped wood ensure an exciting character.

polyresin material is often used. It is a liquid synthetic resin that is also generally referred to as an alabrite, cast marble, marble, poly-nature, or polystone.

02 architectural details

Clean open spaces create clarity and order in the apartment and with a disciplined furnishings, they bring the form and function of their home effortlessly and easily.

Architectural details such as high ceilings, various windows and open floor plans ensure space, light and air that promote a clear and clean lifestyle. Smaller details, such as B. flat panels in their cupboards instead of door handles that can distract the eye and create disorder, present a clean and neutral, puristic yet practical style.

03 a touch of luxury

The inclusion of luxurious details in their furnishing is an effective element in a puristic and minimalist home.

Symbolized by high -quality materials such as marble, copper, brass, wood and concrete, luxurious surfaces in your home give character and context and combine a modern feeling with a natural style.

04 reserved colors

Scandinavian -inspired interiors are known for their minimalism, in which white is an important trademark. Lately, however, this approach has welcomed color to the interior design, although mostly covered colors such as creams , cool shades of gray and pastel tones .

Adding one or two lively accent colors to your room can influence the sound and the feeling and contribute to the light and air quality of a puristic home, but with a touch of personality.

05 contrasts in textures and shapes

Texture and shape are of crucial importance in puristic and minimalist designs, since they give visual meaning to a room and raise the interior to the next level.

If your space has a rather homogeneous color palette, the introduction of different textures and forms will ensure visual interest and at the same time maintain the balance in your design.

A white kitchen with clear lines and unobtrusive design can be increased by a single brick wall and create a warm atmosphere that is as calm as it is engaging.

06 light design

The lighting design also plays an important role as part of the puristic interior. Natural light should be exploited as well as possible. Subtle light sources then create an atmospheric mood with the dawn.

The top rule here is to insert organically shaped light sources into the room. Luminaires made of wood are also available because they give a warm light. Light sources with a porcelain or glass screen also fit well.

The naturally cosiness of the Wabi-Sabi is to be underlined with a suitable lighting design.

Wabi-Sabi furnishing design-inspiration and suggestions

01 video tour

02 Pinterest collection

(To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www. kunstplaza .de/