Taking a cue from the rugged Tasmanian landscape
This home is located on Bruny Island and belongs to architect, John Wardle. He has a passion for collecting, everything from antiques to pre-loved books, which “he describes as having nothing to do with monetary value and everything to do with authenticity,” says McCartney.
“Hence, in Bruny Island, where this house, The Shearer’s Quarters, sits on a raggedly beautiful piece of Tasmanian coastline, his preoccupation is with paraphernalia from the apple industry, much of which is housed in sheds on the property. Not only is it collected but utilised. The timber from old packing crates, redundant since the collapse of the apple industry in the 1960s, line the walls of the hall and bedrooms. Old books, sourced from antique shops in Hobart, and the stack – chosen at random, to support a slightly droopy shelf – imbue the space with warmth and colour.”
Images from ‘Perfect Imperfect’ by Karen McCartney, Sharyn Cairns and Glen Proebstel (Murdoch Books)
This home is located on Bruny Island and belongs to architect, John Wardle. He has a passion for collecting, everything from antiques to pre-loved books, which “he describes as having nothing to do with monetary value and everything to do with authenticity,” says McCartney.
“Hence, in Bruny Island, where this house, The Shearer’s Quarters, sits on a raggedly beautiful piece of Tasmanian coastline, his preoccupation is with paraphernalia from the apple industry, much of which is housed in sheds on the property. Not only is it collected but utilised. The timber from old packing crates, redundant since the collapse of the apple industry in the 1960s, line the walls of the hall and bedrooms. Old books, sourced from antique shops in Hobart, and the stack – chosen at random, to support a slightly droopy shelf – imbue the space with warmth and colour.”
Images from ‘Perfect Imperfect’ by Karen McCartney, Sharyn Cairns and Glen Proebstel (Murdoch Books)
Using objects that have tales to tell
Located in the beachside location of Montauk, which is two hours’ drive from New York, is the weekend home of the design duo behind Roman and Williams.
“Roman and Williams are among the USA’s most sought after interior designers, delivering a richly layered aesthetic that places emphasis on endurance, patina and authenticity. Their own weekender is still one of their most referenced projects, due to its complete expression of their personality,” says McCartney.
“Objects with history, with a story or a memory, are brought together in ways that surprise as texture, scale and materials play against one another. With the demands of their highly charged NYC practice this is where, according to Stephen Alesch, ‘we gather our thoughts and it helps us remember who we are and what we truly believe in’.”
Located in the beachside location of Montauk, which is two hours’ drive from New York, is the weekend home of the design duo behind Roman and Williams.
“Roman and Williams are among the USA’s most sought after interior designers, delivering a richly layered aesthetic that places emphasis on endurance, patina and authenticity. Their own weekender is still one of their most referenced projects, due to its complete expression of their personality,” says McCartney.
“Objects with history, with a story or a memory, are brought together in ways that surprise as texture, scale and materials play against one another. With the demands of their highly charged NYC practice this is where, according to Stephen Alesch, ‘we gather our thoughts and it helps us remember who we are and what we truly believe in’.”
An apartment explores the power of the random
For Nectar Efkarpidis, the owner of this apartment in Canberra’s New Acton, making a mess is an art form.
“Nectar Efkarpidis, co-owner of Hotel Hotel and director of Molonglo Group, is a self-described creative mess maker. His apartment in Canberra’s New Acton is testament to his ability to constantly challenge himself and explore the power of the random,” says McCartney. “Most notably this is through the graffiti, which covers the walls and cabinets of the living space, a process encouraged by Nectar who keeps a stash of stencils and sprays for artist friends to use.”
“An assemblage of books is stacked in the centre of the room becoming both a coffee table and library. He notes that people don’t have to seek permission to pick up and read books where the formality of a bookshelf is often forbidding.”
For Nectar Efkarpidis, the owner of this apartment in Canberra’s New Acton, making a mess is an art form.
“Nectar Efkarpidis, co-owner of Hotel Hotel and director of Molonglo Group, is a self-described creative mess maker. His apartment in Canberra’s New Acton is testament to his ability to constantly challenge himself and explore the power of the random,” says McCartney. “Most notably this is through the graffiti, which covers the walls and cabinets of the living space, a process encouraged by Nectar who keeps a stash of stencils and sprays for artist friends to use.”
“An assemblage of books is stacked in the centre of the room becoming both a coffee table and library. He notes that people don’t have to seek permission to pick up and read books where the formality of a bookshelf is often forbidding.”
Turning tradition on its head
The kitchen in Sibella Court‘s home in Paddington, Sydney, is a strong example of the idea of wabi-sabi. “For me, the story of Sibella Court and the purchasing of this magnificent sink at a sale of props from The Great Gatsby movie sums up much of her decorating personality. She sees things instantly and irrevocably in-situ, and has the devil-may-care spirit to make it happen,” McCartney says.
“The beauty of this image is that the sink is heroic and simple, while all around it dance all manner of functional objects – acting as a frame. The counter-intuitive idea of placing a huge characterful sink in a small, unfitted kitchen turns on its end traditional design thinking – so very typical of Ms Court.”
The kitchen in Sibella Court‘s home in Paddington, Sydney, is a strong example of the idea of wabi-sabi. “For me, the story of Sibella Court and the purchasing of this magnificent sink at a sale of props from The Great Gatsby movie sums up much of her decorating personality. She sees things instantly and irrevocably in-situ, and has the devil-may-care spirit to make it happen,” McCartney says.
“The beauty of this image is that the sink is heroic and simple, while all around it dance all manner of functional objects – acting as a frame. The counter-intuitive idea of placing a huge characterful sink in a small, unfitted kitchen turns on its end traditional design thinking – so very typical of Ms Court.”
Embracing the distressed
This beautifully simple and authentic home belongs to interior designer and retailer Bea Mombears. McCartney says her spaces never quite stands still.
“She enjoys the flux as pieces come and go from both her shop and B&B at Knokke in Belgium. The context of textured concrete walls play backdrop to an eclectic mix of vintage pieces from Danish designers (Hans Wegner and Poul Kjaerholm) and more contemporary works from local design legend Maarten van Severen,” McCartney explains. “She never shies away from the damaged or distressed if the provenance of the piece is good, and uses accessories cleverly for layers of comfort and intrigue.”
This beautifully simple and authentic home belongs to interior designer and retailer Bea Mombears. McCartney says her spaces never quite stands still.
“She enjoys the flux as pieces come and go from both her shop and B&B at Knokke in Belgium. The context of textured concrete walls play backdrop to an eclectic mix of vintage pieces from Danish designers (Hans Wegner and Poul Kjaerholm) and more contemporary works from local design legend Maarten van Severen,” McCartney explains. “She never shies away from the damaged or distressed if the provenance of the piece is good, and uses accessories cleverly for layers of comfort and intrigue.”
Perfect Imperfect, Murdoch Books, $59.99.
TELL US
What do you think of decorating in wabi-sabi style? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Mr Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘The Maker’ by Tamara Maynes
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Terrace Meets Its Modern Future
TELL US
What do you think of decorating in wabi-sabi style? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Mr Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘The Maker’ by Tamara Maynes
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Terrace Meets Its Modern Future
@summilux True and a really witty and hilarious analogy.
If one drew a Venn diagram of "eclectic" and "wabi-sabi" and "authentic", she would get a lot of intersection between and among the 3. All 3 of these design flavors seem to elicit a lot of rancor and comments such as messy, dusty, insect-laden, and even psychological disorder diagnoses. (Funny: the maximalists get called hoarders, but rarely call the minimalists OCD.) My only comment is why live any way that causes discomfort and stress?
I am a person with many books, and my family are great readers. I average spending more on our books than on my mortgage. I wouldn't complain about anyone buying books with which to decorate. It helps both the new and used market, which is good for readers. And it advertises and validates reading as an activity. I admit to feeling some moral superiority but am a bit ashamed of it. What I really can't understand is wrapping them all in unmarked white paper.
Layering is such an important factor when trying to create the imperfect look. Gather all of your favourite things. Are any colours, shapes or patterns similar? Mix and match your items to create an "undone" appearance, keeping your colour pallet and theme in mind. Tribal items can usually be paired together no matter what because they usually incorporate wood, or warmer shades that compliment cooler colours very well.