TIMELESS DESIGN PRINCIPLES

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Darleen Wiggins
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TIMELESS DESIGN INTRODUCTION Architect, Sarah Susanka wrote: When something has been designed really well, it has an understated, effortless beauty, and it really works. That s shibumi!

1 TIMELESS DESIGN INTRODUCTION Architect, Sarah Susanka wrote: When something has been designed really well, it has an understated, effortless beauty, and it really works. That s shibumi! What sets shibumi apart as a powerful design ideal is the unique combination of surprising impact, beauty and uncommon simplicity. It s about creating a spirit of place that reflects your unique individuality, flair and style whilst being guided by the timeless principles of design. The end result beautiful spaces that delight all who enter! Created by: Tasha Tollman DIY Garden Designer PRINCIPLES for a beautiful garden

Spirit of place Shibumi Architect, Sarah Susanka wrote: When something has been designed really well, it has an understated, effortless beauty, and it really works. That s shibumi!

2 Spirit of place Shibumi Architect, Sarah Susanka wrote: When something has been designed really well, it has an understated, effortless beauty, and it really works. That s shibumi! What sets shibumi apart as a powerful design ideal is the unique combination of surprising impact, beauty and uncommon simplicity. It s about creating a spirit of place that reflects your unique individuality, flair and style whilst being guided by the timeless principles of design. The end result beautiful spaces that delight all who enter! Create the garden of your dreams within the framework of these eight timeless Zen design principles 2

#1 Subtlety - Yugen When the entire garden can be viewed in one sweeping glance, as see in this picture, there is little left to the imagination and the garden will quickly become uninteresting and

The design principle of Yugen reminds us of the importance of not revealing everything in a single glance, leaving something to the imagination to pique our curiosity, an invitation to explore all

3 #1 Subtlety - Yugen When the entire garden can be viewed in one sweeping glance, as see in this picture, there is little left to the imagination and the garden will quickly become uninteresting and boring. The design principle of Yugen reminds us of the importance of not revealing everything in a single glance, leaving something to the imagination to pique our curiosity, an invitation to explore all the garden has to offer. Add a little mystery and intrigue into your garden by dividing garden spaces into different rooms and you will create interest, add an element of surprise and leave the viewer wondering what is around the next corner. This is part of what creates the Wow! factor, the dimension, that so many beautiful gardens have and that you want to create in your own garden. Take a look how effectively this design principle has been applied in this garden at Hollis House. 3

design with the intention of making the garden look as though it has grown that way by itself.

4 #2 Naturalness - Shizen Dutch landscape designer, Piet Oudolf s beautiful gardens demonstrate the design principle of Shizen, which urges us to imitate Mother Nature, by incorporate naturally occurring patterns and rhythms into the design with the intention of making the garden look as though it has grown that way by itself. Imitate nature and create the wow factor in your garden by planting groups of the same plants in large drifts. Go on SHIZEN a section of your garden! 4

#3 Simplicity - Kanso Clutter, intentional or otherwise, organized or chaotic, often interferes with great design and an over decorated garden can feel heavy and overbearing.

5 #3 Simplicity - Kanso Clutter, intentional or otherwise, organized or chaotic, often interferes with great design and an over decorated garden can feel heavy and overbearing. Kanso urges you to take a look at your garden with fresh eyes and eliminate what doesn t matter to make room for what does. The end result a fresh, simple design with the wow factor. Begin by cleaning up and finding a home for all those odds and ends lying around the garden hose, pool equipment and chemicals, children s toys, dog baskets, and so on. 5

Next take a look at the decorative items in one single area of your garden water features, bird baths, wind chimes, garden ornaments, pots and containers, etc. What can be removed? What has to stay?

6 Next take a look at the decorative items in one single area of your garden water features, bird baths, wind chimes, garden ornaments, pots and containers, etc. What can be removed? What has to stay? The easiest ways to add designer-worthy style to your garden is to arrange objects into vignettes, or groupings. Choose an item as the centre of interest, the hero of your grouping. Pick something that you will love to see every day and that expresses your personality and that of your home. It will be the first point on which the viewer s eye rests. Then add other pieces to your grouping. Give the members of your vignette a reason to be together. Relate them by colour, texture, theme, shape and/or pattern. By repeating one or more element, the eye travels enjoyably around the vignette. Beware, pieces spaced evenly over the whole surface lose their connection to one another and may end up looking as if they are set out for a garage sale, so arrange your pieces asymmetrically, using the sacred triangle to place your objects and leave irregular spacing between the objects. Play around until the grouping delights your eye and then remove any other decorative pieces in the area that do not enhance or add to the overall mood you have just created. 6

adorned by other embellishments is perfect in itself.

7 # 4 Austerity - Shibui/Shibumi The design principle of Shibui suggests that there is beauty in understated simplicity that a simple object that perfectly performs its function without being adorned by other embellishments is perfect in itself. Shibui teaches us to refrain from adding what is not absolutely necessary in the first place or in design terms it teaches us that less is more. 7

Seijaku urges us to take time to enjoy the stillness and solitude, to indulge in tranquillity.

8 #5 Stillness, Tranquility - Seijaku We all need a place of sanctuary, a place to evoke a calmer, more balanced mood and de-stress from the day. Seijaku urges us to take time to enjoy the stillness and solitude, to indulge in tranquillity. Create a quiet corner in your garden where you can unwind, be at peace with your thoughts, that perfect spot in which to unwind after a challenging day. 8

#6 Break from routine - Datsuzoku The principle of Datsuzoku describes the feeling of surprise and amazement when we see something different from what is expected, when we chance upon the unexpected.

9 #6 Break from routine - Datsuzoku The principle of Datsuzoku describes the feeling of surprise and amazement when we see something different from what is expected, when we chance upon the unexpected. Datsuzoku is freedom from habit or formula, an escape from the ordinary and routine. So how do we break from routine in our gardens? Our brains are wired to notice differences. We are not conscious of it, but we are constantly scanning and looking for similarities and differences. Contrast is what we notice, it s what attracts our attention and gives a design its energy. You can achieve contrast in many ways: through the manipulation of space (near and far, empty and full), through colour choices (dark and light, cool and warm), through contrasting leaf sizes (big and small) or contrasting plant textures and so on. Delight all who enter your garden with a touch of Datsuzoku in your garden! 9

#7 Borrowed Scenery Shakkei The design principle of Shakkei, borrows elements from beyond the borders of the garden, incorporating elements of the surrounding scenery into the garden to create a

10 #7 Borrowed Scenery Shakkei The design principle of Shakkei, borrows elements from beyond the borders of the garden, incorporating elements of the surrounding scenery into the garden to create a feeling of greater space or to steal a view. Borrow from nature - a view of a mountain, the ocean, a lake, a farmyard, a forest, a vineyard. Borrow the city view. Or borrow a bit of scenery from your neighbour's garden - an attractive grove of trees, a pergola dripping with wisteria blooms. To borrow scenery frame a view or repeat the use of similar colours, shapes and plants to create a wider landscape for yourself. 10

#8 Imperfection, Irregularity and Asymmetry - Fukinsei Fukinsei looks at the beauty that may be found in balanced asymmetry, in the imperfect, in the irregular and quirky.

11 #8 Imperfection, Irregularity and Asymmetry - Fukinsei Fukinsei looks at the beauty that may be found in balanced asymmetry, in the imperfect, in the irregular and quirky. So be brave, be daring and bring the smile factor into your garden. One final word The art of garden design is an ongoing process of creation, so select one timeless design principle a month, apply it to your garden and most of all enjoy the process of creating - have fun! Bye for now Tasha Tollman DIRECTOR DIY GARDEN DESIGNER 11

SMALL PEACEFUL GARDENS

SMALL PEACEFUL GARDENS Beautiful setting featuring a Koi pond, lilies, natural flagstone and various evergreens. Patio Garden Home of James & Melissa Pellerin, Asheville, NC Mother s Day Surprise! A bouquet