Part 1

Instead of aiming for perfection - perfect spaces, perfect people, and perfect things, maybe we should appreciate the wonkiness in our homes, ageing faces or a few tell-tale signs of age in items. Making them all a little more interesting and usually more beautiful.

I recently discovered Kintsugi - a Japanese art form that sees damaged items repaired with gold (or silver). Rather than throw away broken crockery or smooth over cracks in rendered walls, the imperfections are highlighted with gold leaf and sealed with lacquer, creating an interesting feature of a home or allowing a favourite plate to continue dishing out your meals - with a little bling on the side.

Kintsugi is such a sweet sentiment in this throwaway world. The technique humanises objects – by giving them attention, patching them up and letting them continue on their merry way rather than just giving up on them at the first sign of a breakdown. It gives even the most ho-hum items a history, a story and a chance to shine.

I’m now going to look around my home for some damaged items that would once have been thrown out.

Will keep you posted on what items I find throughout my home that can be given a new lease of life.