There is a Japanese concept, wabi-sabi, that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It is not a design style but a way of seeing — a recognition that the most compelling surfaces are those that record the passage of time.
In our work, we seek out materials that will age well. This is different from seeking materials that will not age at all. A polished porcelain tile will look the same in twenty years as it does today. A honed limestone floor will look completely different — and, we would argue, better.
A polished porcelain tile will look the same in twenty years. A honed limestone floor will look completely different — and better.
The Patina of Use
Patina is the visible record of use. The brass handle worn bright where thousands of hands have gripped it. The leather chair darkened at the armrests. The wooden threshold dipped in the center where feet have crossed for decades.
