Beauty in Imperfection {Personal Reflections}

Yesterday’s tour of classic interior designs in an English townhouse included an image which tugged at my heartstrings and inspired all sorts of musing about wabi sabi and imperfect loveliness. Curious? Go see it!

Serene vignette on a dresser with urn, candles, and painting by Loretta Lux. #hellolovelystudio #serenedecor #whitedecor
Hello Lovely Studio – on a dresser, an urn which was cracked when I purchased it.

Today, the exploration of imperfection continues since it is a timely one. We are living through a season when it seems nearly impossible to not be confronted daily with: comparison obsession, pressure to be less flawed, and the nagging vague sense that unless they are peerless, our efforts are somehow failures.

This discussion seems particularly relevant for artistic, creative types since we tend to be extra sensitive and our own worst critics.

Pink pointe shoes by Hello Lovely Studio. #balletslippers #blushpink #pointeshoes #shabbychic #ballerina #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio – from my dead pointe shoe collection…used up symbols of strength.

Have you noticed how I have played around with the byline at the top of this blog’s header for several weeks? Something new is trying to be born. A number of circumstances compelled me to consider shifting the scope of the blog. Decorating ideas and interior design inspiration are engaging topics for me; yet, there are so many sources online who do a better job (see how sensitive I am to the comparison game!). So this shift of which I speak has me inching toward the idea of INSPIRATION FOR INTERIORS, inclusive of those landscapes of beauty within us and not just our homes.

Torn, distressed beachy denim jeans in a serene fashionable photo by Hello Lovely Studio. #distressed #fashion #tornjeans #serene #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio – beat up denim is hard to beat.

Timelessness, tranquility, peacefulness, and serenity in regards to interior design have counterparts in the heart, after all. I’m passionate about the flow between the two. Those who long for these qualities in their decor often desire them for their interior lives too.

Pink ballet slippers (pointe shoes) hung from an industrial garment rack by Hello Lovely Studio. #balletslippers #ballerina #pointeshoes #hellolovelystudio #romanticdecor #shabbychic
Hello Lovely Studio – slippers hanging from an industrial rack we made for a dressing room.
 
Heart language is maybe my mother tongue, and while it mostly feels dangerous to share online and as if readers will cringe, it’s too much a part of the imperfect human I am to keep it hushed. The only way I muster courage to post personal reflections is to imagine it is simply you and me here. Just two friends meeting for tea (make mine green) with open hearts ready to receive, with deep calling deep.
 
Hydrangea in a vintage bucket upon a French metal chair. Hello Lovely Studio. #shabbychic #hydrangea #frenchfarmhouse #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio – an old galvanized bucket gets better with age.

Of course, I receive reminders it isn’t just the two of us. Not everyone cares for the tea here.

Black and white edgy painting on wood by Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #painting #blackandwhite
Hello Lovely Studio – one of my imperfect works on wood on a friend’s porch.

And that’s okay too. We all have our favorites.

White cate drinking milk from a mikglass bowl. Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio – the late Mrs. Potts.

Lately I have been stirred to think more critically about identity, the state of my own interiors, what I desire, and the vast beauty in imperfection.

What comes to mind when you hear BEAUTY IN IMPERFECTION?

Dark roots and all – oy – what a blessing to have modern medicine.

Maybe certain people or objects in your home to mind. I tend to think about divine moments of thin places which I store as treasure within my inner landscape of beauty. About 15 years ago, during a tricky Crohn’s disease flare (I had contracted the flu), I found myself in a hospital bed with constant vomiting and diarrhea, too weak to walk or even lift my arms. While the I.V. fluids dripped, my husband, my beloved, voluntarily cleansed me and took care of all the hygiene to keep me comfortable since I couldn’t leave the bed. Instead of calling a nurse every 5 minutes that day, he took care of the unspeakable unpleasant duties out of love for me. I’m not sure I have ever felt as vulnerable.

Friends, it was more beautiful to me than my wedding day.

Beat up white VW Beetle with For Sale sign. Hello Lovely Studio. #imperfectbeauty #hellolovelystudio #vwbug
Hello Lovely Studio – for sale near our home…can’t imagine who bought it!

Over the years, I have asked designers, artists, and creatives the question: WHAT SPRINGS TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR BEAUTY IN IMPERFECTION?

Here are some of their responses.

Pale pink thread and twine. Hello Lovely Studio. #palepink #blushpink #vintagestyle #shabbychic
Hello Lovely Studio – vintage love goes along with celebrating imperfect beauty.

It has been my pleasure to interview designer Rachel Ashwell on several occasions. In our 2011 interview, when asked about imperfect beauty, she shared a most poignant snapshot from her childhood.

“It is no accident that I have had a career centered around embracing the ‘beauty of imperfection.’ From a very young age, I would observe my mother’s process of restoring antique dolls. While a fashionable and lucrative profession some 40 years ago, most of her peers would restore to the point of perfection. My mum had boxes and boxes of frayed ribbon, crinkled velvets, boxes of dye, all as part of  her process restoring the dolls’ clothes to enhance its character of age, rather than eradicate the evidence.

And in doing so, I learnt how to know when to stop the restoration process and to embrace the cracks, creaks and brokeness.

I often find metaphors and parallels with life and my design work. And knowing nothing is really perfect, except perfectly imperfect, is much less intimidating whether it be a person, a room or a treasure.

Perfection to me is too intimidating to get close to.”

GO HERE for more shabby chic inspiration.

French country house exterior with climbing vnes and old stone. Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #frenchfarmhouse #climbingvines #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio – an amazing 1930’s estate we toured and considered buying a few years back.

When I interviewed the amazing interior designer, Gerrie Bremermann, whose work makes me swoon – she responded ever so briefly. What comes to mind for GB?

“Nothing is perfect.”

Detail of old stone and ivy covered French country home exterior. Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

My favorite interior designer and curator of lovely in Chicago is the amazing Michael Del Piero, and when I caught up with the busy world traveler (she travels the world to collect art and objects for her clients and boutique Good Design) a few years back she revealed her avoidance of perfection.

“I seek out the imperfect! 

I have always found the irregular, bumpy, discolored, oddly shaped, worn and unusual the most beautiful. The look and feel of something created by hand, found, used and weathered is unmatched in its perfection to that which is clean, shiny and even.”

See more of her work RIGHT HERE.

Stone exterior of a French country house covered with ivy. Hello Lovely Studio. #ivy #frenchcountry #frenchfarmhouse #hellolovelystudio #climbing
Hello Lovely Studio

If you have followed Hello Lovely for some time, you may be familiar with the encaustic paintings of artist Betsy Eby, whose wholeheartedness, creativity and wisdom have inspired me for years. Betsy is an accomplished musician as well as a painter and offers illuminating reflections.

“In nature there is no straight line. As an artist, we must get out of our own way and be the continuum of nature that we are.

Don’t let the work be too tight, too precious, too thought about. Allow room for variance and a bit of chaos. Beauty, as John O’Donohue states, lives at the edge of things.

Nothing is more tedious than a piano concert where the performer is academic and perfect in their interpretation. On the other hand, a sloppy off-tempo performance is just as off putting. This is where “the edge” comes in. We must learn our skills and craft through arduous practice. But we must stay open so that we continue to tap the mystery through that practice…

The Native Americans kept several stitches open and unfinished at the edge of their prayer blankets. It is said that they do this to allow the evil spirits to get out. I see it as a metaphor for leaving aspects of a creative practice open to mystery.”

Read the complete interview with Betsy RIGHT HERE.

Old leaded glass windows in a 1930s French country cottage. Hello Lovely Studio. #oldwindows #frenchcountry #frenchcottage #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio

Artist, illustrator, and branding expert Kate Schelter (she paints commercial work for Dior, Bonpoint, Toyota, Diane von Furstenburg…) allowed us a glimpse into her creative genius. She was passionate about imperfect beauty. What does it mean to Ms. Schelter?

“Everything! 

Nature. Design. When something is too perfect it becomes static. I have a saying that I use for styling a lot:’to jooge it up’ which is my slang for: if it’s too perfect, push something askew. It will look better that way.”

Gothic arch doorway in a 1930's French country cottage. Hello Lovely Studio
Hello Lovely Studio

I admire the work of Swedish watercolor artist Stina Persson, and I checked in with her not long after the launch of her exhibit PERFECTLY FLAWED in New York (2011). Stina explored ideas of imperfection within the work and shared these sentiments with us (I can’t help but wonder what the artist thinks about our culture’s revved up preoccupation with insta-perfection 7 years later!):

“Perfectly Flawed dealt with accepting mistakes, drips, and cuts. With an ever more digitalized, botoxed, and photoshopped reality I think we yearn for the original and the handmade, even if imperfect. Or maybe just because.”

Artist's palette with colors of the rainbow. Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio – I loved watching a friend use these to create a masterpiece.

One of the most gracious and friendly blogfriends I made authors the site Decor de Provence, and Desiree shared the following reflection about beauty in imperfection:

“Finding beauty in simple things, uniqueness of the individual, the freedom to be me, art, and nature.”

See her incredible French Gustavian cottage RIGHT HERE.

Exterior of a French country cottage with ivy and overgrown brush. Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #frenchcottage #frenchfarmhouse #exterior #hellolovelystudio
Hello Lovely Studio – the cottage had been vacant for some time, the property in a natural wild state of imperfect beauty.

Character and the rusticity and elegance of antique stone came to mind for shop owner and blogger Tina of The Enchanted Home:

“Finding the redeeming qualities in something or someone, because almost everything and everyone has them.

Some of the most beautiful people I know are those who might be considered the most flawed. Some of the material things I treasure are hardly perfect; in fact they have many imperfections and yet they make my heart beat faster!

The reclaimed limestone floors in my kitchen, for example….perfect? Far from it. But beautiful? Yeah…’melts my heart every time I see them’ kind of beautiful. Flaws can and often are beautiful…it is those very things that give a person or thing character that makes them uniquely them.”

See Tina’s inspiring kitchen RIGHT HERE.

 
Ivy overgrown on a stone French country cottage. Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #frenchcottage #ivy #frenchfarmhouse #hellolovelystudio #stonecottage
Hello Lovely Studio

Impressionist painter, Holly Irwin was reminded of her faith:

“Who is perfect anyway?

It reminds me that no matter how many times we fail, God is always there to help us get back up, and He can bring good out of the worst circumstances if we put our faith in Him.”

Read a recent story about the artist here.

Psalm 94:18-19. When I said my foot si slipping, your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. Photo by Hello Lovely Studio. #scripture #psalm #encouragement
Hello Lovely Studio – one of my favorites. I snapped this of a Swedish bible gifted to me from Monika of Splendid Avenue.

Your turn.

Grey African beaded prayer necklace by Asa Daxberg for Splendid Avenue. Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

What springs to mind when you hear “Beauty in Imperfection?”

William James quote and photo by Hello Lovely Studio. The Soul is stronger than its surroundings. #hellolovelystudio #quote #williamjames
Hello Lovely Studio – my sweet freckle-perfect niece was holding a white balloon.

I’d love to compile a lovely collection of your responses for another post on the topic.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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18 Comments

  1. August 8, 2018 / 1:10 am

    This is such a beautiful post. Your lovely personality shines through it.
    Glad you are well again and that you had such support from your husband. That’s true love.

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 12:10 pm

      He is my true love and such an inspiration. If you had told me in my 20s or 30s that I would someday be disease free, I would have laughed. I never dared to think that possible. What a blessing!

  2. August 8, 2018 / 5:47 am

    What a wonderful question to ask – with the mountains of beautifully perfect inspiration all over the internet it becomes a fantasy land that most of us will never live in or flourish. It is those of us that gravitate toward the rusty, worn, and frayed that see deeper meaning, feel more history, and see more widely. We allow ourselves to celebrate the age and use of everything around us. I call this my “sophistication of utility” by showing the world the imperfect gorgeousness of the most simple and common objects as seen in my photography. No fancy lighting or props to visually enhance, just the raw, well-lived life of old, common, everyday kitchen objects.

    Our home will never be in on the cover of design magazines but when you walk in our door, you will first experience a warm welcome, a comfortable place to sit, and the company of meaningful conversation and peaceful encouragement. No comparisons, judgement, or lecture….just beautifully imperfect humans surrounded by beautifully imperfect treasures all happy to be together.

    Thank you Michele – this is a beautiful way of “refreshing” the beauty of imperfection and I will be anxious to hear the views of others. xoxo

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 12:08 pm

      Beautiful thoughts taking us deeper, Joan. Thank you for sharing more beauty. Your imperfect interiors sound peaceful and wonderful – to find contentment with your surroundings is invaluable. Sophistication is so rarely paired with utility, and together they reflect to me a very European inspired sensibility…I wonder where your ancestors lived? Where a lot of folks look at interiors and sort of do the math as to monetary value, this is not something which occurs naturally for me. I sense energies and notice palettes, silhouettes, and timelessness. I sometimes post bespoke rooms that are priceless and which were created outside of any budget, not because I am impressed by the expense but because I sense a commitment to a point of view or a purity and devotion. It’s the spirit infused in the pulling together of a peaceful interior that interests me!

  3. Marilyn S.
    August 8, 2018 / 7:11 am

    Couldn’t stop thinking of this old song while reading this post- in fact I’ve been thinking of it for days now , I just couldn’t remember all the words but it all unfolded as I read through this morning –

    Something beautiful, something good
    All my confusion He understood
    All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
    But he made something beautiful of my life

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 11:53 am

      And now I get to hum that today – I know it as well. Thank you, friend. Beauty from brokenness – shattered things becoming whole – such powerful ideas about transformation in wisdom and spiritual work, aren’t they? Oh that I would place more of my brokenness at his feet to receive blessing. xox

  4. Kristin
    August 8, 2018 / 7:42 am

    Oh, Michele,

    What a precious story of your husband’s loving care of you!

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 11:48 am

      I’ll cherish the bitterweetness forever.

  5. Tracy
    August 8, 2018 / 8:48 am

    Michelle if I may ask, who is the beautiful little red haired girl in the pale blue coat that I often see on your blog? Is she you?

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 11:48 am

      She is Marianne – a mixed media artwork by Loretta Lux. Her “imaginary portraits” of children captivated me years ago. She photographs her subjects but then agonizingly works with the images so they become these surreal fine art pieces which inspire a range of responses from the viewer. Marianne is wearing a soiled blue trench coat and to me appears to hold all of her tension in one hand which is something I also do. She is my imaginary daughter. 🙂

  6. August 8, 2018 / 1:40 pm

    I always played with what I like to think of as a “gracious formality” ~ that is, by following basic design principles but avoiding a stiff formality. Make sense? For example, a pair of wing chairs stationed just so as they flank a fireplace, a shawl casually draped across one chair with a corner hanging off onto the floor, an open book or magazine on top as though someone has just left it there. I don’t arrange that shawl or lap blanket; instead, I toss it and allow it to float down where it may. Sometimes it’s an effort to achieve that unstudied look, that perfect imperfection.

    By the way, the charm of an old ivy-clothed brick cottage is a perfect example of perfect imperfection. Vines soften the straight lines of the architecture, the same way a pot of cascading ivy spilling over the top shelf of a short bookcase will do.

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 1:50 pm

      Love that glimpse into your process which allows for a natural imperfection to elevate the whole. That stone cottage is an incredible property with imperfection and age everywhere – so perfect for us except for property tax sticker shock and outdated utilities involving a boiler room. The ivy! This not one of those ‘charming little cottages’ but a series of buildings including a 20 car garage, greenhouse, and caretaker’s cottage pretty enough for me to live in! 🙂

  7. August 8, 2018 / 1:52 pm

    Thank you for including me in your post today Michele!! I’m honored! I love the new direction that you are moving in, it’s such rich inspiration for art, interiors, living. I read your paragraphs about your husband helping you. I have a very similar story with my husband. We are so blessed to have them! Thank you for fearlessly sharing yourself with us❤️

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 1:58 pm

      Your beautiful work adds quality to any post here so thank YOU. Would love to hear the stories and am so happy you have them too. xox

  8. Janice Gail
    August 8, 2018 / 5:51 pm

    Look at the Japanese art of kintsugi. It celebrates the broken places and creates beauty in them.
    So beautiful, and such a life affirming philosophy!

    • michele
      Author
      August 8, 2018 / 9:34 pm

      Yes! I’m familiar with kintsugi – filling the cracks with gold is such a glorious symbol of light, isn’t it? Thanks for adding another layer of beauty here.

  9. August 16, 2018 / 10:28 pm

    This post is just beautiful in so many ways! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!

    • michele
      Author
      August 17, 2018 / 9:10 am

      Thanks so much for reading – just visited your wonderful blog and am eagerly looking forward to the instruction for painting upholstery! Keep in touch! 🙂

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing