What Does Wabi-Sabi Mean? Embracing Natural Imperfection in Interior Design
I first heard of the term 'wabi sabi' while visiting Taiwan. Wabi-sabi was explained as a deep appreciation of things that are imperfect and impermanent. In a world seemingly filled with Instagram influencers hawking 'perfection,' I embrace things that are perfect in their imperfection.
Clients have heard me say: "Mother Nature does what Mother Nature does." Things that are organic, natural and handmade will NEVER be uniform or consistent. And therein lies the beauty: perfectly imperfect. Wabi sabi.
Leather
When working with Full-Service Design & Implementation clients, I use an 'Expectations' document to explain that some things are inherently flawed, which, frankly, is the beauty. For example, we remind clients that leather may have neck wrinkles, branding marks and scars. In fact, higher quality leather requires less processing so scars and wrinkles are more pronounced. If you WANT these things, they are elusive and difficult to locate: wabi-sabi.
Stone
Recently I presented clients with this mosaic tile. It's made of small individual pieces of stone and marble, and is stunning. As I was sourcing complimentary subway tile, it became evident that the mosaic tile – with variations of color – would need to be paired with a handmade subway tile to fully appreciate it. A perfect, machine-made subway tile looked 'off' next to the mosaic.
Zellige: The Art of Beautiful Irregularity
Perhaps no material embodies wabi-sabi more perfectly than zellige tile. This ancient Moroccan ceramic art form, dating back to the 10th century, is entirely handmade by master craftsmen called maâlems. Each zellige tile is hand-cut from terracotta clay and glazed with natural minerals, creating subtle variations in color, texture, and shape that machine-made tiles simply cannot replicate.
What makes zellige extraordinary is what some might consider its "flaws." No two tiles are identical – some may have slight warping, color variations within the same batch, or delicate surface irregularities called "crazing." The glazing process creates beautiful depth and luminosity, with colors that shift depending on the light. When installed, these variations create a living, breathing surface that catches and reflects light in the most enchanting ways.
I often tell clients that zellige isn't just tile – it's poetry written in clay. The slight undulations and color variations aren't mistakes; they're the signature of human hands and centuries-old traditions. Machine-made "zellige-style" tiles exist, but they lack the soul and character that make authentic zellige so captivating.
Handmade Heritage
There is a terra-cotta tile, called Saltillo, which was common in the 1980s and continues to be popular in southern states. What makes the tile wonderful is it is dried outside (before it is fired in a kiln) – so it isn't uncommon to see tiles with the slight impression of bird's feet or even paw prints. I'm the #DogDesigner so I consider any tile with a paw print to be good luck!
Nothing is perfect; human hands make things. My job as the designer is to define industry standards and tolerance level based on experience and knowledge. Machine-made items aren't random and natural materials aren't uniform. The marble sample I show clients is guaranteed NOT to look like the actual marble slab we use. We plan accordingly because there is something timeless and beautiful about using natural and handmade materials.
When specifying zellige for a project, I prepare clients for its inherent variations. I explain that the "imperfections" they'll see – the subtle color shifts, the gentle undulations, the way each tile catches light differently – are not flaws to be corrected but features to be celebrated. These characteristics tell the story of the artisan's hands and the ancient techniques passed down through generations.
Add this word to your vocabulary: flawsome!
Want to source your own beautifully imperfect materials? My Retail Rolodex contains over 200 carefully curated links to the design resources I trust most. From handcrafted lighting to quality linens, this collection will help you create a more beautiful, functional home without the endless searching. Get access to my go-to retail sources for authentic pieces that have character and patina.
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