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Wabi Sabi, an ancient Chinese philosophy adapted by the Japaneseand practiced by many Westerners today, presents an alternativeway of living more than a way of decorating your home. However,you can adapt your interior and landscape design using Wabi Sabiprinciples for happiness.

"Wabi Sabi" (pronounced "wah-bee sah-bee") was formalized as theZen Buddhism tea ceremony evolved. Zen Buddhism originated inIndia, traveled through China in the 6th Century, and to Japanin the 12th century. The ancient wisdom of Wabi Sabipractitioners helps today's busy home makers with interestinginterior design ideas. Wabi Sabi interior design followers learnto relax, take time appreciate the beauty and simplicity ofnatural design, and to know that their home doesn't needperfection to bring joy, which compares to our research findingsin residential Design Psychology.

Before you relate Wabi Sabi to Shabby Chic style, understandthat the Wabi Sabi way of life starts with simplicity, whereasShabby Chic interiors often fill spaces with a lot ofinteresting finds, which can end up with too much to care forand eye clutter, according to Design Psychology principles. Thislesson of too much design detail, which stops the eye and makesyou feel overwhelmed, became apparent to us when we moved fromour expansive Victorian home into a smaller house and had tochoose the more important furnishings from the treasuresdiscovered over ten years of collecting, both in antique andthrift stores.

If you want to makeover your home for joyous living, considerWabi Sabi restraints along with Design Psychology principles:

Simplify your life and home design. When you choose the bestfrom your treasures, keep those accessories that supportpositive memories, regardless of monetary value.

Take pleasure from natural beauty. Choose design details withcolors, patterns, and textures similar to those found in nature,which feel harmonious to people because they connect us to theearth.

Appreciate your home and furnishings, no matter how imperfect.When you love

your home, this love shines throughout and makesit easier for you to clean and maintain. Your positive attitudebrings you encouragement to find beauty all around, inspiringfresh ideas for home makeover projects.

Wabi Sabi beliefs include the principles of incomplete andimpermanent designs, which parallel the Design Psychologyprinciple that your home needs to grow and change, to supportyour changing lifestyle and emotional needs.

In contrast to Wabi Sabi's use of modest and humble furnishings,Design Psychology appreciates the inherent beauty in all things.Enjoy the fruits of your hard work and don't feel guilty whenmixing the humble with quality showpieces. I love my ItalianMillifiore glass lamps sitting next to my Mexican Rose rock.

Like any good design theory, Wabi Sabi finds beauty in theunconventional. Your originality in design makes your homeunique. Design Psychology practice avoids the use of furniture"groups" and prefers unique, individual pieces offering comfort.If you were tempted by a furniture set, such as matching sofa,love seat, and the three matching tables, don't worry; just knowthat additional pieces don't need to match perfectly and thatblending styles and finishes makes unconventional, unique spaces.

Design Psychology supports fearless home makeovers, bold withcolors to lend emotional support yet restrained, withoutoverly-filled rooms, to provide backgrounds for people andharmonious living.

Similar to the Wabi Sabi tea ceremony, practice daily rituals inyour home. Create a home to celebrate life, one full oftranquility and beauty. Choose your home interior design styleto best support your happiness.

Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

About the author:

Jeanette Fisher, author of interior design books, has researchedthe effects of environment on emotions for over 15 years. Sheteaches Design Psychology and real estate investing. Free DesignPsychology ebooks http://www.JoytotheHome.com/

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