Wabi sabi is the ‘Japandi’ trend that celebrates the beauty of imperfection;think irregular shapes, worn out timbers and paints, decorative accents, and handcrafted furnishings. If this is your vibe, here’s where to find design and styling inspiration on Instagram.
This beautiful Australian nursery and gardening account collates the best in design inspiration from around the world. Their styling tips and boutique products show how you can easily recreate the wabi sabi trend in your own home.
Boutique antiques, furniture, and homewares store Carmague is based in Mosman, Sydney. This breathtaking account highlights uneven, worn timbers and textured natural fabrics, perfectly capturing the beautiful mantra of imperfection at the heart of wabi sabi.
This interior design studio serves up daily inspiration of world class Japandi, minimalist and wabi sabi interiors. Each day, this perfectly curated account spotlights a new space from around the world, celebrating the beauty of worn out furnishings and diverse textures in the home.
Sleek lines, irregular shapes and stunning textures define this sophisticated architectural account by Melbourne designer Travis Walton. Proving that minimalism has caught a second wind through the Japandi trend, this breathtaking account will offer you endless inspiration on how to bring the wabi sabi trend into your home with a local, elegant touch.
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Inspired by craftsmanship, raw materials, timeless interiors and rewarding partnerships with local designers and artisans, Atley.co was born from a desire to handcraft modern heirlooms, similar to those held dear by previous generations. Partners in life and business, Lisa and Terry Whittle create a range of beautiful items including homewares, art, baby goods and ceramics.
Their business came about after a trip to Europe in 2017 sparked a fire within the couple. “While travelling, we had the privilege of meeting passionate artisans in different towns who were using centuries-old techniques to create unique handmade pieces. We were immediately taken back to stories of our grandfathers and their fathers.”
The idea of harnessing this beautiful concept at home in Australia inspired the pair to take a leap of faith and create something special with local artisans. Their products are many and varied from magazine racks to art prints, decor objects to plant hangers, leather tissue box covers and personalised ceramic egg cups!
The Atley.co team believe there is magic in everyday objects and their functionality. Each of their pieces holds a unique history, soul and heart, and the duo love being a part of the entire process, from designing to creating to manufacturing.
Lisa says: “We have been fortunate enough in our first 12 months, to develop incredible relationships in the industry and gain experience working with insanely talented interior designers, photographers, leading Australian stylists and editors. As well as the opportunity to work with incredible brands and, more importantly, the creatives behind them.”
The desire to create products that add heart, character and happiness to everyday life, is reflected in every piece. “Today more than ever, it’s important to stick to why we are here in the first place; to consciously create beautiful, functional, locally made artisan pieces that can be enjoyed not only now, in a world of ever-changing trends, but pieces that will be treasured beyond a season, enhancing and adding joy to our lives now and in many years to come.”
Styling: Villa Styling | Image: Louise Roche
Their favourite piece is their magazine rack side table. Made from a combination of leather and oak, it is truly a functional and timeless piece. Lisa also recommends the popular ceramic connection rings that were designed and made in collaboration with local ceramicist Kaz Morton. “They’re so simple and beautiful, a celebration of the true value of human connection.”
Image: Zoe Conroy | Zoe Interiors
Atley.co continue to design and further develop their collection, establishing new connections within the local creative community. They believe supporting local businesses and Australian made products plays an essential role in the growth of Australian manufacturing and the design industry. “We have so much incredible talent right at our doorstep that the dream is to continue collaborating and creating economic opportunities for our local designers and makers,” Lisa adds.
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The 2015 Trends Forecast from Laminex Australia embraces global design trends and adds a hint of local flavour to inspire Australian homeowners and renovators. Three key themes – Essence, Impulse and Real – will influence interiors in 2015 and beyond. The three themes strip back to the bare essentials, encourage mixing colours, patterns and forms and embrace imperfections in natural materials.
Trend 1: Essence
Benchtop in Laminex Fresh Snow Spark finish and base cupboard doors in Laminex Impressions textured surfaces Bleached Wenge Riven finish
Essence is about reduction and simplicity, stripping back to the bare essentials. With Essence, we look to the past for inspiration, but view retro colours and styling in a fresh, new way. After seasons of red and yellow-based greys, Essence introduces a movement towards neutral and cooler greys. To generate a natural palette of neutrals and grey, materials are pure with colours derived from the materials themselves. Deepest black and linen whites become the base for natural tones of wheat, stone and elemental greys. These tones become important alongside white.
Soft, feminine and poetic forms are key in this trend. In the absence of colour, texture and geometric forms are used as focal points in interiors.
Essence palette
Trend 2: Impulse
Benchtop Laminex Fusion Design Source Cantata
The opposite of Essence, Impulse is eclectic and maximal. Impulse celebrates the importance of spontaneity, encouraging us to be adventurous and creative. More is more when it comes to Impulse. Impulse evokes a sense of happiness. It’s a provocative mix, embracing items that don’t match. A wild fusion of styles, colour and patterns, geometric shapes and tantalising, energetic colours are central to the trend. There is a strong tendency for bold colour against a backdrop of white, light woodgrains, cool neutrals or fine greys. Also implied is the bleaching effect of strong sunlight that gives rise to faded colour, bringing a new take on nostalgia.
Impulse allows for the unexpected and unconventional and there is only one rule: there are no rules!
Impulse palette
Trend 3: Real
Splashback can be achieved using Laminex Innovations Plex Copper
Real looks to nature and the natural environment. The trend deals with authenticity and finding balance in a complex world, exploring a new mindfulness of natural elements. Natural materials like wood or stone are central to this trend. The colour palette is soft and harmonious, with vegetal colours showing an earthy and organic tendency. Greyed mid tones are important, as are copper, bronze and golds. Wood is the cherished material and wood tones turn light and natural – and less rustic. Imperfection is authentic and desirable.
Real reflects the lifestyle movement of Australians re-embracing ‘simple things’ such as farming, handmade products, home baking, gardening and craftsmanship. With the Real trend, high quality products with unsurpassed craftmanship and luxury are blended with vintage and handmade decorative items.
Real palette
– Neil Sookee is the design director of Laminex Australia Group, a leading marketer, distributor and manufacturer of decorative surfaces throughout Australia and New Zealand.
