One of the hottest design trends of 2018, wabi sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that accepts the imperfect, incomplete, and irregular — think cracks, frayed edges, worn leather, and faded fabrics. Despite its singsong name, the look is muted and rustic, grounded in neutral colors, fibers, and materials, and celebrates items made by hand or by Mother Nature herself. Here, five local ways to bring it home.
1. Pewter ceramic by Juliska, $250, Material Possessions
2. Kitchen design, Mark Hickman Homes
3. Moroccan wool throws, $550 and up, Jayson Home
4. Saddle Table, $749, Arhaus
5. Sumi Ink on Paper by Cleveland Dean, price upon request, Pavilion Antiques
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Michelle Huffman is a Chicago-area writer and editor. Over the past decades, she has written about homes, real estate and personal finance for Yahoo, CBS News and The Chicago Tribune. Michelle lives in Evanston with her husband, daughter and dog.
Is there a cause or nonprofit you’re passionate about?
“Yes, actually. Becoming a parent made my heart all soft and squishy and I want to make sure all babies and moms have their most basic needs met. So I work with Share Our Spare, an organization dedicated to getting baby and child items like diapers, bottles and clothes in the hands of parents who need them.”