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Going Wabi-Sabi with Concrete: How to
Create a Space for Reflection
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Greetings!
Wabi-sabi may sound like something you'd order at a sushi bar, but it's actually a Japanese aesthetic that embraces inner serenity (wabi) and an appreciation for the beauty of natural imperfection (sabi). It's closely related to Zen Buddhism, adhering to the belief that a serene, natural environment can help us connect to the world and find inner peace. We could all use a bit more wabi-sabi in our lives, and concrete is the perfect medium for creating that Zen-like atmosphere in our home. Wabi-sabi design uses organic (not synthetic) materials that have the appearance of age and exhibit asymmetry or irregularity. The texture is usually variegated and random, and the colors are muted and derived from nature. Wabi-sabi concrete often incorporates elements from nature as well, such as this kitchen countertop enhanced by Australian jadeite gemstones that reflect the morning sun. All the projects featured here take advantage of the organic nature of concrete to create reflective spaces with that wabi-sabi vibe. Every day, we should all take a little time to embrace the imperfect beauty of concrete.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Japanese-Themed Retreat
The transformational powers of concrete bring a touch of the Orient to this outdoor deck in Boulder, Colo., giving it all the tranquility of a Japanese tea garden. The concrete elements custom crafted for the project include a curvilinear bench, a fire bowl partially inset into one end of the bench, and a green-tea stained firewall curving around the bowl.
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Custom Concrete Tub Goes Back to Nature
This concrete vessel tub is a serene soaking haven big enough for two. A curved concrete niche wall with an embossed tree design provides a sense of enclosure and a connection to nature. The tree design was created with a stencil reproduced from a photograph. See another vessel tub made for this project.
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Outdoor Sanctuary
For this backyard patio makeover, concrete and tile were combined to create a tranquil outdoor retreat. The precast fire pit and seat wall surround are made of glass-fiber-reinforced concrete, while the patio floor and wall exterior are covered with natural slate tile, with a band of mosaic glass accenting the walls. The adjoining poured-in-place concrete patio and walkway feature a light broom finish and ribbon of accent tile.
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A Never-Ending Pool
This concrete pool deck, stained aqua-blue to match the color of the pool lining, gives the illusion of a never-ending body of water. To add texture and create the appearance of rippling water, the surface was given a broom finish. Narrow channels between some of the concrete slabs are filled with blue-gray river rock, adding to the wabi-sabi effect.
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