Hygge and Wabi-Sabi

No, it's not a poem from Alice in Wonderland...

An article from Mother Nature Network brought the concepts of hygge and wabi-sabi to mind as useful elements for a homeowner to put together. They may help decision making during the planning stages of custom building or renovation, as well as in the finishing stages of decorating and furnishing a new space.

I was introduced to the Japanese term wabi-sabi while working with Melani on a newsletter for Harmon Builders. She sent me some content referencing the idea, which applies wonderfully to salvaged goods used in construction. If you missed that newsletter, wabi-sabi means finding beauty in imperfections. It represents an antithesis to mass produced goods. Think of the appeal of antiques, items that have worn into uniqueness or been enriched by the patina they acquire over time.

The Danish concept of hygge is something that can help make these cold, short days more tolerable. Although I didn't know the word for it before today, hygge has certainly guided a lot of my home decorating decisions, furniture layouts and lighting choices. I was lucky enough to tag along on my husband's business trip to several cities in Denmark one November a few years back. Danish people and design made a strong impression on me. The places we stayed and the locals who welcomed us had distinctly cozy spaces, and they explained that it is part of a cultural desire for togetherness and hospitality. Our hosts said, "Nobody wants to hang around outdoors for long when the weather is lousy, so it is important to make the indoors inviting."

Furniture is arranged for gathering together. Hygge is emphasized particularly as a way of avoiding social isolation as the cold and dark months wear on. Keeping warm with hot drinks, a roaring fire, and creating an ambience with soft lighting all play a part. Many homes and hotels have iconic modern Louis Poulson lamps, particularly the iconic PH 5  (so named for its designer Poul Henningsen and size 5 decimeters/50 centimeters across). The lamps are hung low over coffee tables with chairs gathered close around for conversation.

I have found it fun to play with integrating these concepts together to blend modern and antique elements and create inviting spaces. Perhaps thinking about them offers some clarity on ways to make a warm, unique and happy home.

Fun Furniture Finds at Smokestack Studios

Smokestack Studios has just come to Downtown Frederick with a new store on Market Street. Since we are finally choosing furniture for the space that Harmon Builders completed for us several years ago, even though it has been a long wait, the timing could not be more perfect.

The studio brings an original point of view to Frederick's home interior furnishings and accessories. I stopped in and spoke with Sarah from the Smokestack Studios design team today. She kindly showed me around, pointing out the hanging pulley lamps from founding designer Christopher Ritchie, along with a spectacular table lamp created from the original headlamp of a Model T. These one-of-a-kind accessory pieces are excellent for punctuating a space with a breathtaking focal point.

The details brought in through repurposed mechanical pieces are classic, yet what is old manages to strike a modern note with the early industrial hardware and metal elements. Living today's lifestyle in an older home, a blend of contemporary clean lines and vintage details aligns our needs with our taste and space. The Harmon Builders team replicated original 1920's carpentry in our home addition; maintaining the integrity of the home was a priority for us. The aesthetics on display in Smokestack Studios showroom offer a striking way to balance the same preferences and showcase the architectural details.

A peek at a piece from Smokestack Studios: clean lines, mechanical elements and warm patinas.

Designs from the "barn" line are custom created to highlight the beauty of reclaimed wood. Some of these are coming from local barns, perfecting environmentally sustainable practices by marrying them to the local heritage. It is always a pleasure to find more green resources available to our community and for our homes.

The studio is hosting a grand opening reception Friday, September 12th from 5-7pm with bluegrass music by Rattlesnake Hill. They offer complete design services in addition to the retail showroom.

Smokestack Studios
154-A North Market St.
Frederick, MD 21701
*Next door to the also fabulous Cakes to Die For!

Space Planning Tools

Harmon Builders built our fabulous addition about seven years ago, and every day we love how it has made our home more beautiful and livable. Since then we have shuffled around pieces of furniture that we already owned, and we are only now buying most of the furniture that we specifically want for the space. To my amazement, there are many free room layout programs available online that are great fun to play around with and give a high quality image of your interior floor plan.

I have spent the most time trying out one by Autodesk. The same company makes professional software for architects and interior designers, but their free web based tool is quite user friendly and enjoyable to use. You can toggle between 2D and 3D, drag and drop shapes, alter dimensions, and experiment with an actual catalog of real products.

This feature might also be useful for a homeowner during the early planning stages of a project, to get a better feel for what the end result will be as you make decisions. Freshome has a list of ten free online room layout tools to check out for these purposes. I have not experimented with any of the available tablet apps, but one that is highly rated for the iPad is Home Design 3D, which is also free.

Whether you are imagining a new project, you would like to start furnishing one years after completion, or anywhere in between, these planning programs are not only practical tools but exciting ways to get the creative juices flowing.