Wabisabi Green Proves It's Stylish to Support the Environment

Just saying “Wabisabi Green” feels Zen.

The company, the brainchild of artist and graphic designer Jolee Pink, offers stylish eco-friendly home décor guaranteed to impress guests.

Wabisabi Green is basically Pink’s attempt to provide elegant designs for green living. Her collection of throw pillows and reusable bags are Encinitas’ answer to Marimekko.

Pink, who is also a ceramic artist, came up with the idea for her company after creating throw pillows for her own couch at home in 2007 while she and her husband, Larry, remodeled their home.

“We were at the point where we wanted to be more comfortable in our house,” she said. “When I remodeled, I really cleaned things out. Everything had to go out of the rooms and I didn’t want to bring clutter back in.”

And before really getting to know this designer, it seems important to see her home, a source of inspiration as well as a beautiful tribute to the Encinitas coastline and its local artists.

Upon approaching Pink’s house, guests are immediately greeted by the sign, “Beach House,” which is a gross understatement—the two-story home is nothing short of an undersea wonderland.

Pink designed her home with coastal living in mind. “I basically served as my own general contractor,” she said.

She has preserved sea fans up near her kitchen, which was featured in Better Homes and Gardens’ Real Life Kitchen & Baths and Kitchen+Bath Makeovers; ceramic stingrays along her living room wall; ocean-themed doors painted by fellow artists Karen Athens, Julie Ann Stricklin and Julia C.R. Gray; and even starfish shapes embedded within her kitchen backdrop.

Her garden, the temporary home to a ceramic octopus named Big Orange, also falls within the aquatic theme. The koi pond is surrounded by ceramic sea creatures and a custom-made table sporting seashells and succulents.

Once featured in Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living, Pink’s garden was a stop during the first Encinitas Garden Festival Tour. She won’t be a garden host this year, but will be participating in the marketplace.

Clearly, this is home to a designer who places high value on aesthetics.

“I couldn’t afford the ocean view so I created my own,” she said.

Pink has a bachelor’s degree in art from UCLA and a master’s degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State University. She worked as a graphic designer until 2002, when she decided to quit her job to pursue art full time.

Her ceramic creations have shown in several different galleries. Her newest showing will be at Art N Soul next month. She is also responsible for ceramic installations on Rady Children’s Hospital's sea, beach and sky floors.

When her home remodel was complete in September 2007, however, Pink said she felt as though she could continue to work within home décor design. “I just thought, ‘What am I going to do next?’ ”

She decided to take a break from ceramics and combine art with commercial products to launch her e-business, Wabisabi Green.

Pink chose the term “Wabisabi” because of its derivation from a Japanese aesthetic, which celebrates beauty in the face of imperfection.

“But those imperfections can be beautiful,” she said.

Her first designs were a turtle and a nautilus. Wabisabi Green has since grown to include other designs, such as starfish, Buddha, bamboo and cherry blossoms.

Wabisabi Green’s Zen designs are inspired by Asian motifs, according to Pink, who has been to 42 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand. Her adventurous spirit actually took her backpacking throughout many of those countries.

In addition to adhering to an attractive simple visual aesthetic, Pink also wants her company to support eco-friendly practices.

Her products are made of organic and sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and kapok fiber.

Wabisabi Green’s throw pillows also come stuffed with eco-fiber, which is made from recycled plastic bottles rescued from landfills. Approximately 10 recycled bottles are used in making one throw pillow. While it sounds as though the pillows would be on the harder side, they’re surprisingly fluffy and soft additions for any living room couch.

This year Pink said she’s exploring new fabrics and plans to branch out into table linens and expand her children’s line.

Pink derives the same kind of pleasure from her Wabisabi Green designs as she does from her ceramic creations, which are also available for purchase on her site.

“It’s nice to have that sense of satisfaction when people enjoy my work,” said Pink.