The making of an interior decorator

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><b>  What's your interior design aesthetic?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText">             "</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText">"What's that you ask?  Design aesthetic? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText">Should I have one ?  Perhaps I do! " </span></div><br /><span class="ArticleText">This is not a question I could have answered in my teenage years, but it was those early years that laid the foundation for what I would come to understand and appreciate about design in my adult life. </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText"> I believe our  interior design aesthetic (aspects of interior environments we are attracted to) is developed from what we've been exposed to  through our life experiences:  the house we grew up in,  homes of friends, your home town, reading, travel, and various forms of  media, etc. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtXORXGEq77rUOBVf2UuunIG-5E1LX4nNyc2VJ5zi3uB-VugSDgIK21UPxkYn_FU27BozeVpCXbHKu6xIVmofEb_P8TaqroLdUI1U7WyG_ixrqslPhO6eJN11FYvA3UjBzCQJXQCuZjih/s1600/JERSEYSIDE-499X283+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtXORXGEq77rUOBVf2UuunIG-5E1LX4nNyc2VJ5zi3uB-VugSDgIK21UPxkYn_FU27BozeVpCXbHKu6xIVmofEb_P8TaqroLdUI1U7WyG_ixrqslPhO6eJN11FYvA3UjBzCQJXQCuZjih/s400/JERSEYSIDE-499X283+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The road to my house just before my birth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1ewQWboXbTuUnlk5xSrXDl5sQmvLXZqyn1Ly-xG8bb-ezVHMlWV_rabJv26LdozWr1PTV_ZfkKdrEYcBu2yGou0ePYbsUFO_pfkqJszIvjbYKRKoCdZz7Re6W3c3hTuIpV7yWhKhz53d/s1600/house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1ewQWboXbTuUnlk5xSrXDl5sQmvLXZqyn1Ly-xG8bb-ezVHMlWV_rabJv26LdozWr1PTV_ZfkKdrEYcBu2yGou0ePYbsUFO_pfkqJszIvjbYKRKoCdZz7Re6W3c3hTuIpV7yWhKhz53d/s320/house.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My house age 8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TirMCBvPkQUK0Lr-VqYPEZpj3ZyHVeEJ0mLm4TRn8rvEKRSGUd26di4i0F4hAJtPdLqZ-NuPX-UTwgjNZR6K8mzmDWg0sLmuk_H7PZsMEsSWAicXBMyiYjsNN5-lYPGuM7eIscRwqKuZ/s1600/JERSEYSIDE02-503X318+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TirMCBvPkQUK0Lr-VqYPEZpj3ZyHVeEJ0mLm4TRn8rvEKRSGUd26di4i0F4hAJtPdLqZ-NuPX-UTwgjNZR6K8mzmDWg0sLmuk_H7PZsMEsSWAicXBMyiYjsNN5-lYPGuM7eIscRwqKuZ/s400/JERSEYSIDE02-503X318+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"> Is this a town that raises a design conscious gal? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText">"Yep!"  </span></div><span class="ArticleText"> How did that happen? </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText">I was exposed to very functional decor growing up in a small town in Newfoundland in the the  50's and 60's, but there were always  handcrafted  items in our home and I was encouraged to participate in their creation. There always seemed to be lots of scraps of wool, fabric and thread around.  I  appreciated what an individual could create with very modest materials, and I  believed at an early age that I could create anything I wanted.  That's a pretty powerful beginning. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixovauQ78qPEsaDvjGkK8pC2pXmBbgvQbPb04riUtfwhKn4u-aAFToKBGSGwDLAsvh6MyYeDA0uzw4RpLVktzIp4Lw2qwNn3KEXNM9WPIwH6YwYGkcArIbTtaBCtmf0QO6cD8ZD5bdmUli/s1600/singer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixovauQ78qPEsaDvjGkK8pC2pXmBbgvQbPb04riUtfwhKn4u-aAFToKBGSGwDLAsvh6MyYeDA0uzw4RpLVktzIp4Lw2qwNn3KEXNM9WPIwH6YwYGkcArIbTtaBCtmf0QO6cD8ZD5bdmUli/s400/singer.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="ArticleText">The Singer sewing machine got lots of use in our home. It was a sound I did homework to, read to and even made it hum myself. </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText">What came off it was varied: curtains, quilts, bedspreads, and even mini skirts and tent dresses. Fabric remnants came from family members in New York.  That link assured I was current in textile designs! When not sewing I was busy with  crocheting , knitting , and hooking  rugs. All added warmth to our home. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText">At 13 I discovered the library in the next community and my design world expanded.  </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoBIsbKvHqbg2lAkIYy4C599kxh8FLPTzHHtX52dipN3oQ1xhyPf3dsDUYd3q4R_1unw-rwteFDp8FWLphBlzVdWfUVFLTFWtdQ_aXFqK3XkQMSgH_c6ywdaHywYufVNMktWr0InPMorO/s1600/1964_OLD_SCHOOL_INTERIOR_DESIGN_MID_CENTURY__MODERN24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoBIsbKvHqbg2lAkIYy4C599kxh8FLPTzHHtX52dipN3oQ1xhyPf3dsDUYd3q4R_1unw-rwteFDp8FWLphBlzVdWfUVFLTFWtdQ_aXFqK3XkQMSgH_c6ywdaHywYufVNMktWr0InPMorO/s400/1964_OLD_SCHOOL_INTERIOR_DESIGN_MID_CENTURY__MODERN24.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGpGCLKaABKiuJxqFsc2-RIEper_rO-UyjfNalUFPKg-9QTmTZmiTEaRFsToWKy8nYoCABulDYyLSASGvlwMkP0A4ubBGCfUoxU1WuIY3m2GJ3fPPPr09EeI6HrIFWBg7KDMojM-gkieJ/s1600/may64-goodhousekeepingi23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGpGCLKaABKiuJxqFsc2-RIEper_rO-UyjfNalUFPKg-9QTmTZmiTEaRFsToWKy8nYoCABulDYyLSASGvlwMkP0A4ubBGCfUoxU1WuIY3m2GJ3fPPPr09EeI6HrIFWBg7KDMojM-gkieJ/s400/may64-goodhousekeepingi23.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Good Housekeeping</span></div><br /><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"> </span></span><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText">There were books and magazines  that took me well beyond the small town I grew up in.  I devoured them, imagined, sketched, and rearranged our bedroom (with my sister's help) numerous times.  Mom took it all in stride. </span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lXh7nNDpuAy41PJKpVGf6eMGlEa0rvPNEgRU-w3mpDQGCZcUELBwYSZ2Clsgo-9zTp__fFdWnG2zydU5F0NzOxjsN7-WFwAY6XgAT2bPMbhWi1clmObAXrVUxN4WD8z5JrGtJllbZyCB/s1600/me+sofa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"></span></span></a><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lXh7nNDpuAy41PJKpVGf6eMGlEa0rvPNEgRU-w3mpDQGCZcUELBwYSZ2Clsgo-9zTp__fFdWnG2zydU5F0NzOxjsN7-WFwAY6XgAT2bPMbhWi1clmObAXrVUxN4WD8z5JrGtJllbZyCB/s1600/me+sofa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lXh7nNDpuAy41PJKpVGf6eMGlEa0rvPNEgRU-w3mpDQGCZcUELBwYSZ2Clsgo-9zTp__fFdWnG2zydU5F0NzOxjsN7-WFwAY6XgAT2bPMbhWi1clmObAXrVUxN4WD8z5JrGtJllbZyCB/s320/me+sofa.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"> Quite the design statement!  I had nothing to do with this decor, but I did make the dress! Not bad for a 15 year old.  At the time, I thought I would be a fashion designer, but good old Newfoundland practicality took over.  </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4jqiepP6fiJmqvks7XTTPsh_5dGosTBfV_E4XTyJ1-hErrCV1zZtmr_ANXWaiHc3KA1ZfNagReM4cvCN1ZDZ9NDvNMieQIrYQ6FL-xfe3Ot_0LBGqaFt9QPtXMqL5-9vCdG709HPBgjI/s1600/UNCLE_cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4jqiepP6fiJmqvks7XTTPsh_5dGosTBfV_E4XTyJ1-hErrCV1zZtmr_ANXWaiHc3KA1ZfNagReM4cvCN1ZDZ9NDvNMieQIrYQ6FL-xfe3Ot_0LBGqaFt9QPtXMqL5-9vCdG709HPBgjI/s400/UNCLE_cast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText">TV programming added to my understanding of what was in style. I jet setted around the world with The Man (Men) from Uncle without ever leaving my living room. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlOUTW-lqyGUKR-Jiowwx3QoQVADLUhguXVfyutjU4G4qqXJmWXrKntMOyTi-dldSYqMODRunen9jtd09YntpqIRKlV_x97KEtTMhzk0UffCXaVouyEvDF5ahwb7-BGdc9MZqSEuujWAi/s1600/avengers_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlOUTW-lqyGUKR-Jiowwx3QoQVADLUhguXVfyutjU4G4qqXJmWXrKntMOyTi-dldSYqMODRunen9jtd09YntpqIRKlV_x97KEtTMhzk0UffCXaVouyEvDF5ahwb7-BGdc9MZqSEuujWAi/s320/avengers_header.jpg" width="301" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"> And got my first taste of that famous British style on the Avengers. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText"><br /></span></span></div><span class="ArticleText"><span class="ArticleText">What we now refer to as Mid Century Modern design was in its prime in my formative years.  For the youngun' reading this think  Mad Men. </span> </span><br /><span class="ArticleText"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqDQzJ5SmDl8DfmSBM41_-a2IjcBdh_ktJNMql_qSySqmUPRZLx56vSvEZFT-VfTFnk1_KMN6lnmuvSSO8zCe_1Ox6BCQHpJE0x0XoBQK6tjmxM4xkrTzkHyrobwOmkPcFz2GfOToVAlj/s1600/Ackerman_Good_Decor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqDQzJ5SmDl8DfmSBM41_-a2IjcBdh_ktJNMql_qSySqmUPRZLx56vSvEZFT-VfTFnk1_KMN6lnmuvSSO8zCe_1Ox6BCQHpJE0x0XoBQK6tjmxM4xkrTzkHyrobwOmkPcFz2GfOToVAlj/s400/Ackerman_Good_Decor2.jpg" width="355" /></a><span class="ArticleText"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="http://www.midcenturia.com/2011_01_01_archive.html">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiv999/sets/72157621975018997/with/3843435099/"></a><span class="ArticleText"> When I was 19 I spent the summer in New York. It was a trip of firsts.  First time I went to large department stores,  first time to see art galleries,  first play.....   And what about what I saw on the streets and in store windows?  It all went in and somehow came together into a feeling, a sense of what I liked and wanted in future interiors.While this type of decorating was happening in New York.... </span></div><br /><span class="ArticleText"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEr1h0_D0zc23NFjgBn3FGwskPgi87ajBj5XoTSfZmxxbZn8ocZ-SpAfkt8qdMQWCHrJg2odAWiHd2ai5ALGtxvYk2SNLt0bfLAMukHLJ1NxufM0PTT243BJ_8fSnHh7OoxE96FOri7CH/s1600/Screen-Shot-2012-04-11-at-5.14.58-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEr1h0_D0zc23NFjgBn3FGwskPgi87ajBj5XoTSfZmxxbZn8ocZ-SpAfkt8qdMQWCHrJg2odAWiHd2ai5ALGtxvYk2SNLt0bfLAMukHLJ1NxufM0PTT243BJ_8fSnHh7OoxE96FOri7CH/s400/Screen-Shot-2012-04-11-at-5.14.58-PM.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText" style="font-size: x-small;">Albert Hadley, New York, 1971</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ArticleText" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="ArticleText"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hBy5YC3Lvhwfcda9bRxVAoq88eYp6ZB-fj4WPsE2AFDZpSCH6dXOQ8q9ZgUED7yMGywzrqWR4cZuo1_ByLF_FV_oDhQcH-evVJpMeqW6vFgupEmd5R9f3c9lZmoxDeaaLtmEOmssbWOQ/s1600/70slivingroom-300x215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hBy5YC3Lvhwfcda9bRxVAoq88eYp6ZB-fj4WPsE2AFDZpSCH6dXOQ8q9ZgUED7yMGywzrqWR4cZuo1_ByLF_FV_oDhQcH-evVJpMeqW6vFgupEmd5R9f3c9lZmoxDeaaLtmEOmssbWOQ/s320/70slivingroom-300x215.jpg" width="320" /></a></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The average homeowner was living in this. </div><br /></div><span class="ArticleText">That was a pivotal time in my understanding of the broader world and the vast discrepancies among the homes I was used to and the homes of the "out of reach". I began to read more and think about what elements and principles interested me  in the designed interiors I was viewing on TV and reading about. My design aesthetic was forming.  </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText">In 1973 I got my first apartment and  it had a lively colour scheme of white with red and navy accents.  All very fresh and simple.   All second hand and dressed up with lots of covers and paint.   I moved from being a university student to a teacher - a different kind of designing! I continued to read about design and do lots of DIY projects.  </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText">It wasn't until the mid 80's that I decided to study interior decorating and it would be another twenty years before I officially advertized as a decorator.  I would contend I was always one. During that time I also began to paint.  It was this activity that honed my colour sense and gave me a firm understanding of the elements and principles of design.  </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText"> My design interests today can be traced back  to my roots as a mid century modern girl.  I still love clean design without too much "fussy".  I like  furniture with straight lines,  geometric motifs especially circles, lots of texture, light colours, hand made items and abstract art.  I describe my look  as casual contemporary with a quiet edge. </span><br /><br /><span class="ArticleText"><b>What's your design aesthetic? </b></span><br /><span class="ArticleText"><b><br /></b></span>

The making of an interior decorator

  What's your interior design aesthetic?              " "What's that you ask?  Design aesthetic? Should I have one ?  Perh...

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Is there beauty in imperfection?

<div style="text-align: center;">I find beauty in imperfection and impermanence.  It's all over my art.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5DP37yRBn1t8tlADNq41adMwpmxLHWlgRULRxwoYMtrk2vAa-WS4LuVaBaG6Kj2eXwsMXivpJ_b3U0XVYJMnrHltzEQsMUVdc9YO8b8M8TJsibujPQrb_0-OcMz4hdKOvfnscdL398-Y/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5DP37yRBn1t8tlADNq41adMwpmxLHWlgRULRxwoYMtrk2vAa-WS4LuVaBaG6Kj2eXwsMXivpJ_b3U0XVYJMnrHltzEQsMUVdc9YO8b8M8TJsibujPQrb_0-OcMz4hdKOvfnscdL398-Y/s640/gate.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The petal that is captured as it starts to decay,  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33n2S22f3U8uMEW0h2wwc_-bGWbB84uFjePo5Upxoui3YOdkCli87f9IBnNLGxc4XjigkT3lN38bxnDazLlij7lnNh_vi-EfeSkLRAraGKqQIO2fcnYfhzcFqJUNpoO6Xo7uBtyFERuim/s1600/IMG_3036_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33n2S22f3U8uMEW0h2wwc_-bGWbB84uFjePo5Upxoui3YOdkCli87f9IBnNLGxc4XjigkT3lN38bxnDazLlij7lnNh_vi-EfeSkLRAraGKqQIO2fcnYfhzcFqJUNpoO6Xo7uBtyFERuim/s400/IMG_3036_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the rusted objects found in debris, the peeling layers of wallpaper in old homes, </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvzxmimNcZj_aM8j09CYi33HtB-1Cdjz9-xr7qojiNzIaqVEmnMut1KCe3dtjb9321Pn4WSVfPGKHEWVQXnKbzUSFqIK6B9ky6SqoWcoE5vSVoo-nGcCz9rTQSB2FPRqaG4N5tDsfHR_i/s1600/DSCN8671_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvzxmimNcZj_aM8j09CYi33HtB-1Cdjz9-xr7qojiNzIaqVEmnMut1KCe3dtjb9321Pn4WSVfPGKHEWVQXnKbzUSFqIK6B9ky6SqoWcoE5vSVoo-nGcCz9rTQSB2FPRqaG4N5tDsfHR_i/s400/DSCN8671_01.JPG" width="395" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  and objects no longer needed for their original function, the list is endless.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWSze4pqjY0Q9qANzoN4izwwQ5lJc2cLdO4e6tuJE0sm0N2Tf_yDDXCycbCX6Z3lmnwawN5ttOOrVc86E-00ixusTU4aKZTQAT_rEEA4pasZtkOagRpTOYtTSJSu5V4SDUdSv7-STe8_G/s1600/47f811e852c7e17075282e0d7922fa24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Accepting  transience and  imperfection (flawed beauty) can also  relate directly to your living space.  The Japanese world view/aesthetic of wabi sabi   acknowledges three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wabi Sabi  reveres authenticity. When you look for authentic furniture and objects for your home you will rarely find them  in big box stores.  Natural materials predominate in wabi sabi homes: paper, aged wood, linens, cottons, etc. Look for anything that celebrates the  marks of time , weather, and  the effects of loving use.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This graphic is a good summary of the characteristics of wabi sabi. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccvEXDFopxWXeM8F3UQn4P2iEw4ou0Xt9VdGwwQKtOVTHA_nY0ngoInbSOuuD9BIAoi-2Hmxt6-NZGOZ2jpgBwd7MkBtuO-_Xy3rAgxjwo43y8pa4W4gHZVCwJ60khZCJUzA1bbUtFaap/s1600/a249a805c8504a3acc2a6bc3d98ef113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccvEXDFopxWXeM8F3UQn4P2iEw4ou0Xt9VdGwwQKtOVTHA_nY0ngoInbSOuuD9BIAoi-2Hmxt6-NZGOZ2jpgBwd7MkBtuO-_Xy3rAgxjwo43y8pa4W4gHZVCwJ60khZCJUzA1bbUtFaap/s320/a249a805c8504a3acc2a6bc3d98ef113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Characteristics of wabi-sabi include: asymmetry, asperity (roughness, irregularity), simplicity, economy, austerity,  and appreciation of the integrity of natural objects and processes.  Look for: natural flawed beauty, patina, handmade, irregularity, bareness. How refreshing!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLyylDSEoo4kQRyxWLVxl8sz1OnZqMEvU3N4XkWQs_XHJI8jKK3_8572RecGcLC2FE7XRUq2511rV_XLeALUCuBynAXvtZhlQmOfkDer2uOug9aGzFUYm-98Rx4RqE4BshxvRw7psEkhO/s1600/06745de6704c0ba9370b8c48d16f460a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLyylDSEoo4kQRyxWLVxl8sz1OnZqMEvU3N4XkWQs_XHJI8jKK3_8572RecGcLC2FE7XRUq2511rV_XLeALUCuBynAXvtZhlQmOfkDer2uOug9aGzFUYm-98Rx4RqE4BshxvRw7psEkhO/s400/06745de6704c0ba9370b8c48d16f460a.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> This aged cabinet maintains the marks of its history.  No effort could make it perfect.  The vignette on top is simple, asymmetrical  and references the beauty and temporality found in nature. While there is austerity in the products, there is also tranquility. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWSze4pqjY0Q9qANzoN4izwwQ5lJc2cLdO4e6tuJE0sm0N2Tf_yDDXCycbCX6Z3lmnwawN5ttOOrVc86E-00ixusTU4aKZTQAT_rEEA4pasZtkOagRpTOYtTSJSu5V4SDUdSv7-STe8_G/s1600/47f811e852c7e17075282e0d7922fa24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWSze4pqjY0Q9qANzoN4izwwQ5lJc2cLdO4e6tuJE0sm0N2Tf_yDDXCycbCX6Z3lmnwawN5ttOOrVc86E-00ixusTU4aKZTQAT_rEEA4pasZtkOagRpTOYtTSJSu5V4SDUdSv7-STe8_G/s400/47f811e852c7e17075282e0d7922fa24.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many  examples of wabi sabi contain little or no colour, but I feel  colour is not exclusive of this aesthetic.  Here's a good example that has all the characteristics noted above. The marks of time are evident, even more so on colour. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpkhVHQ9h7ZkVRdrh9n4_tFVPWqknlAjTIMOialnd2YqaR48rb1kDxCLPR79ARK6jro6gAhnzyvDjzSUYMMOhqY_gYMXVcuIHs33WOTYLkWg8ZjuoJYrA26786fAmFoLU1uWv1SA9pycD/s1600/fb99b7442d2f4560d7178beb56f08612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpkhVHQ9h7ZkVRdrh9n4_tFVPWqknlAjTIMOialnd2YqaR48rb1kDxCLPR79ARK6jro6gAhnzyvDjzSUYMMOhqY_gYMXVcuIHs33WOTYLkWg8ZjuoJYrA26786fAmFoLU1uWv1SA9pycD/s400/fb99b7442d2f4560d7178beb56f08612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The delicacy of pink blossoms against all the weathered wood pits naturalness against roughness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not every space that has  wabi sabi characteristics looks exactly the same.  All of these spaces have some wabi sabi elements.   </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxsGtb9ar9sTgl5IvVVR-M_HkIYfqDUlnh3kBXvyRjXUDmbjsE2VWJC2TBkzRs3_KIw8vd5UFUpy1hUtFad4TTs8w3oX89UVpmN2SPusK9P6wkbn5BuL0gNVr6vRBDnLUVeUVee8f5l3L/s1600/d944d1ff894c0e52c01b358fe0d48d79.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxsGtb9ar9sTgl5IvVVR-M_HkIYfqDUlnh3kBXvyRjXUDmbjsE2VWJC2TBkzRs3_KIw8vd5UFUpy1hUtFad4TTs8w3oX89UVpmN2SPusK9P6wkbn5BuL0gNVr6vRBDnLUVeUVee8f5l3L/s640/d944d1ff894c0e52c01b358fe0d48d79.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8ZgbZiHjaSfCKNeVGmEgq29hAcsnBfX00fpet_TkDeOIddVCYaNwMxpgec-RlDSyO_91tvqH8ObMZF0PHoN3IwiHmquKoO-voCYfjtPakT8t4IZa7e5yAs9cYCj3ZiwKpMoy3Dd77OKO/s1600/0ab06d8805dc241275032d722deb6392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8ZgbZiHjaSfCKNeVGmEgq29hAcsnBfX00fpet_TkDeOIddVCYaNwMxpgec-RlDSyO_91tvqH8ObMZF0PHoN3IwiHmquKoO-voCYfjtPakT8t4IZa7e5yAs9cYCj3ZiwKpMoy3Dd77OKO/s640/0ab06d8805dc241275032d722deb6392.jpg" width="356" /></a></div> The wood console table is a hint of wabi sabi against the glass.  The space is simple and tranquil. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcisxN5T7f8dRo1_WLDJpkfHb2bnX_1OpVg7OKwaT6857KJsy0bw6AiDO2hx1tcs3PRDkSYMAu4R_zEFA6AhiY6q9gK32K0Y1ysAXqlGnzh3Co4gXKiZ44Cc_DG_51V-v8M3ZOK2fMINe0/s1600/19af2bc72cbb169e79f50b57b3926304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxe9fMMQ2KuT6zai1z3CZAbtIAV3qhB6dwRFUM-oDPqj6S-t54o-v8Db81qdrJjjpT_bJlUbnZalY7SBFeiq1fwgfocHrYNSvwHYLzyJyfqIxMEHs9mEQdkgcoqMBOfAtBVrjtKikXtj/s1600/2104ef96a50354c6764d5cf5b45ed7f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxe9fMMQ2KuT6zai1z3CZAbtIAV3qhB6dwRFUM-oDPqj6S-t54o-v8Db81qdrJjjpT_bJlUbnZalY7SBFeiq1fwgfocHrYNSvwHYLzyJyfqIxMEHs9mEQdkgcoqMBOfAtBVrjtKikXtj/s640/2104ef96a50354c6764d5cf5b45ed7f9.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">  I love the imprefection of this countertop against the modern, pristine cabinets.  Am I the only person who craves warmth in countertops?  Imagine the difference if this island were finished in granite. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TnB1uLG0hcZur4bUvb9vP-8PT92nONVdmmW9geDMV63bUulLq2zso3YgytDcArQhQng9C6mvM2_OjU8-WA2wHQ7m3wzfkTwezvYFryz-TGGSbMzL_ykz_aANcUBNgv_mSZ_kOqaoblC0/s1600/28945cb411a1d406c8cd6dbe89324048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TnB1uLG0hcZur4bUvb9vP-8PT92nONVdmmW9geDMV63bUulLq2zso3YgytDcArQhQng9C6mvM2_OjU8-WA2wHQ7m3wzfkTwezvYFryz-TGGSbMzL_ykz_aANcUBNgv_mSZ_kOqaoblC0/s640/28945cb411a1d406c8cd6dbe89324048.jpg" width="440" /></a></div> Lots of natural materials, simplicity and economy is line and adornment, and a focus on the handmade.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpxBrQlMrmnL70ckEBFUh_pZhP_elYryV3u8bgyyEzJLc7Pls6K8w6Ilff_hm7liZh5TVV74BmM_a-laAKTP7OY5DucYt0FAcox5BpQIAB_dRr_1YqYdcuWnjZI1n1u97kZe8dDpSKK4P/s1600/41263ff7a5747b07ad36200f8cf5a3c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZft7aMsmw9QP1Op1ME6b2hjipa6fC0eBOg0bHsG3Sz24-pxVdynko-v_DPWnxoNHRqsY-KfPkn9j4gsnRosm3hvNvQSuvksXy-DXks3xB_eBxMLMkWuiif_in94cVAueIwX1eGfSlLnZg/s1600/e7496650ae386a0168f927a4af89d688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> If you want a little wabi sabi in your home here are suggestions for a start:  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpxBrQlMrmnL70ckEBFUh_pZhP_elYryV3u8bgyyEzJLc7Pls6K8w6Ilff_hm7liZh5TVV74BmM_a-laAKTP7OY5DucYt0FAcox5BpQIAB_dRr_1YqYdcuWnjZI1n1u97kZe8dDpSKK4P/s1600/41263ff7a5747b07ad36200f8cf5a3c9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpxBrQlMrmnL70ckEBFUh_pZhP_elYryV3u8bgyyEzJLc7Pls6K8w6Ilff_hm7liZh5TVV74BmM_a-laAKTP7OY5DucYt0FAcox5BpQIAB_dRr_1YqYdcuWnjZI1n1u97kZe8dDpSKK4P/s400/41263ff7a5747b07ad36200f8cf5a3c9.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxsGtb9ar9sTgl5IvVVR-M_HkIYfqDUlnh3kBXvyRjXUDmbjsE2VWJC2TBkzRs3_KIw8vd5UFUpy1hUtFad4TTs8w3oX89UVpmN2SPusK9P6wkbn5BuL0gNVr6vRBDnLUVeUVee8f5l3L/s1600/d944d1ff894c0e52c01b358fe0d48d79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to find out more about this aesthetic .... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcisxN5T7f8dRo1_WLDJpkfHb2bnX_1OpVg7OKwaT6857KJsy0bw6AiDO2hx1tcs3PRDkSYMAu4R_zEFA6AhiY6q9gK32K0Y1ysAXqlGnzh3Co4gXKiZ44Cc_DG_51V-v8M3ZOK2fMINe0/s1600/19af2bc72cbb169e79f50b57b3926304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcisxN5T7f8dRo1_WLDJpkfHb2bnX_1OpVg7OKwaT6857KJsy0bw6AiDO2hx1tcs3PRDkSYMAu4R_zEFA6AhiY6q9gK32K0Y1ysAXqlGnzh3Co4gXKiZ44Cc_DG_51V-v8M3ZOK2fMINe0/s400/19af2bc72cbb169e79f50b57b3926304.jpg" width="315" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And remember ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4AtOdsyZ0oD7qgxYQfktuMF4xvg8oIzd2GQEofFbdVYUOVfhwgEIyTs1x_8wfDVBjeAl7F1ZQEXSnqbu_g2C7SzqD3IEGmiYC6EzR1KKRfQlmStdhekeW2h6N7qinZu89BaaI_fY7MVO/s1600/760701307df96b582278339817d73fb6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4AtOdsyZ0oD7qgxYQfktuMF4xvg8oIzd2GQEofFbdVYUOVfhwgEIyTs1x_8wfDVBjeAl7F1ZQEXSnqbu_g2C7SzqD3IEGmiYC6EzR1KKRfQlmStdhekeW2h6N7qinZu89BaaI_fY7MVO/s320/760701307df96b582278339817d73fb6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />And a lesson we can all learn from Wabi Sabi....you can also interpret it in a much looser fashion to accept what you have as beautiful and to live with only what you need.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>All links to images and many more examples  on my Pinterest board <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mryall/wabi-sabi/">Wabi Sabi  </a></b></div>

Is there beauty in imperfection?

I find beauty in imperfection and impermanence.  It's all over my art.   The petal that is captured as it starts to decay,  the rusted ...

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