Scratches on the parquet, dents in the wall? The best solution isn’t always renovation—sometimes, it’s a shift in your mindset
In Japanese homes, the passage of time is allowed to show rather than constantly renovating them to perfection, writes interior architect Joanna Amemori.
My family moved into our current home about three years ago. Before the move, the old house underwent a renovation, giving it the restoration it reserved. But today, I’m already eyeing the surfaces with unease. The parquet is scratched, the terracotta tiles have stubborn stains, the bathroom paint is crawling with hairline cracks, the vacuum cleaner has nibbled on the neatly leveled corners, and the protective plate in front of the fireplace has developed a patina.
Finding time for repairs and cleaning feels nearly impossible with my jam-packed schedule. These tasks slip to the bottom of my priority list time after time.
When our family’s long-awaited vacation comes around, I once again postpone dealing with these issues and head to my husband’s home country, Japan. I’ve always admired Japanese aesthetics and how they shine through in its living spaces and architecture. I wander around an old fishing village, photographing weathered wooden beams, charred cladding, darkened metals, and slowly moss-covered outdoor structures.
In Japan, a vessel doesn’t lose its value even when it breaks. Carefully repaired cracks make it more precious than ever.
Japanese aesthetics, especially its stylistic direction wabi-sabi, leads us away from the modern world’s pursuit of perfection and flawlessness. It emphasizes gratitude and appreciation for transformation, authenticity, and uniqueness.
In Japanese homes, the passage of time is allowed to show instead of renovating everything to perfection. A home’s surfaces tell stories of its happenings and changes, linking the present moment to its history.
Ceramics also reflect wabi-sabi. Dishes aren’t expected to have perfect shapes, stack neatly, or look identical. Asymmetry, an imperfect glaze, and the marks of craftsmanship are all valued. Even if a dish breaks, it doesn’t lose its value; careful repairs make it even more precious.
Food isn't only about flavor; it’s also a visual experience. Each dish is served in its own piece, and floral patterns, natural clays, different glazes, and colors create a striking whole—even if the pieces weren’t originally intended to be used together. They often spark fascinating conversation at the table.
An accepting attitude toward surfaces and patina becomes easier by embracing dimness and shadows in the home.
Japanese philosophy encourages us to see more in materials than how they appear in the present moment. Parquet got its start in nature. It endured rain and storms while absorbing sunlight. Then, a lot of effort went into crafting wood into a floor, which, with proper care, can last for decades—even though wear is inevitable. Yugen is a concept that guides us to notice this spectrum of beauty in objects, architecture, and nature.
An accepting approach to patina becomes easier when you welcome dimness and shadows. In Western cultures, shadows often have negative connotations. Traditional Japanese construction seeks a balance of shadow and light, remembering that shadows exist because of light.
I admire shoji walls, which let light filter through rice paper and wooden grids, creating changing rhythms of light and shadow in traditional Japanese homes. Bamboo blinds and panels allow narrow beams of light through that move with the sun. This balance of shadow and light also appears in modern architecture, especially in the work of Tadao Ando. In his designs, simple materials highlight light and varying degrees of shadow.
When I return, I hope I’ll be more forgiving toward my home. Wabi-sabi doesn’t mean neglect—it’s about valuing what already exists and taking good care of it. Sometimes that means making repairs, but sometimes the only change needed is in our own perspective.
Joanna Amemori is an interior architect who strives for perfectly imperfect design.
