Taking Comfort In Craftsmanship

Pandemic, now endemic? Is it truly behind us? Discussions are sensitive; reflecting in fluid interior landscapes. What’s the connection with craftsmanship?

Some of us realise that we’re actually quite happy with the segregated, but connected style of living spaces. This is the way forward with structuring homes, for the foreseeable future. 

Others amongst us may be wondering if it’s time to redo some foundational structures – even if complete separation and distance isn’t the mandatory need of the hour, it may have become an autopilot, programmed habit.

And, so it’s about coming out of seclusion, in a manner of speaking.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ‘FINDING OUR CENTRE’

With biophilia inspirations, we found our own ways of expressing newfound respect, love, and a caring way of translating Nature’s unconditional bounty into our contemporary lifestyles.

With craftsmanship in particular, we’ve come to realise how much we’re emotionally attached to this  idea that human hands can always find a mindful way to work with Nature. A beautifully designed, formed, sculptured, moulded bit of material is often evidence of this sincere effort. It simply grounds us in the moment, as we revive memories of our shared origins in our true ‘forever-home.’

Now, that’s got to be the healthiest craving.

CELEBRATING SOULFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP TRENDS

Often, it’s mistakenly assumed that the modern minimalist  aesthetic is only about stark shapes, no-nonsense mattes, and-or sleek, surgical instrument style high-gloss textures.

Almost as if choosing to steer away from modern minimalism would be unforgivable, a decision to haunt the prodigal aesthete for the rest of their days….

…. This doom-gloom couldn’t be farther from the truth!

It’s the depths of simplicity that make it so stimulating – to the heart, mind, soul, the senses. Modern minimalism channels it beautifully.

Organic shapes – not necessarily geometric. Uneven, imperfect details. Textures hinting at grittiness. Those first colours that come to mind, when we think about our happy place in one of Nature’s countless sceneries.

All of these elements speak for themselves. All of them are unassuming. All of them patiently, quietly, and without prejudice, give us the time or space we need to find what we’re looking for, inside  them.

For these reasons, craftsmanship will always be on a high pedestal within modern minimalist sensibilities.

DETAILS TO LOOK OUT FOR

One, or all of these could already be occupying a place of pride in your home.

ALL BROWN EVERYTHING

Wooden furniture pieces in deeper shades of brown – and with equally dark finishes – feel safe and sumptuous.

However, natural woods lighter in colour, or atleast given a lighter finish on the final piece, are really popular as well. They bring a free, fresh energy to our space.

The choice is completely personal. It can also be very emotional if we’re thinking about heirloom furniture-pieces that have  been passed from generation to generation and need to be preserved, or at least respectfully repurposed.

WYSIWYG SHAPES

Or, What You See Is What You Get.

Be it a straight line or a honeycomb pattern, a circle, or a swirl, we find that Nature doesn’t try too hard with it. That shape just is. It’s we humans that are in awe of Nature’s sense of strict symmetry or free play.

In furniture design, hand-formed shapes very often take their inspiration from the way building blocks of Nature come together.

Personal preferences vary, so for some, that could mean simple squares and rectangles on equally angular legs, circles on hexagons or hexagons on triangles….in craftsmanship, an imaginative leap of faith can produce something rather splendid!

SOFT SPOT IN OUR HEARTS FOR STONE SLABS

It’s one of many stonework examples. But, handcrafted marble really embodies that passionate, patient labour of love.

If we can find one in shapes that speak to our personal style, and colour-texture combinations that mirror the sentiments of special areas; a marble table, or artistic accent, such as a cube, can be a worthwhile investment.

DIVINE, DRAMATIC

Details. Nuances.

Craftsmanship expresses itself equally – if not more – through those subtle all-over patterns, carvings, and sculptural layers.

Now, the strength of visual impact from such details is, again, completely up to the person taking that craft-culture piece home.

For some of us, it’s satiating to see a 100-petal flower carved out of, and on to, the same small piece of stone or wood.

For others, the same craftsmanship reflects in an equally fulfilling manner, through a series of neatly hinged accordion folds, or concealed drawers.

With both, the intricacy is almost always a mix of intuitive decision making and a very practiced hand. Both are equally brilliant.

ELEGANT EFFORTS

Safe to say that hand-moulding mud, soil, clay, is one of the oldest, and most natural ways for human emotions to speak with the rhythms of the Earth.

Maybe that’s why our senses would probably never have their fill, where ceramic artistry is concerned. Humans being humans, are capable of crafting absolutely perfect, proportioned works, and we use these ceramic pieces for storage, aesthetic arrangements, or freestyle, just as they are.

But, then, it also comes naturally for us to find beauty in the incomplete, the almost-there, the work-in-progress; and in some cases, there’s much that greets that senses, when one encounters, say, an abandoned building, or a stained mirror, or a forgotten cabinet in the attic.

Those imperfections may well be symbols of lost moments and opportunities. But, they also tell us that there was a creative force at work, at some point in time, there was some human striving. Craftsmanship, then, is a way of being.