Perfect Imperfect takes as its founding principle the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, advocating the beauty to be found in imperfection, impermanence and the authentic. Importantly this is done without losing sight of the benefits of living in the 21st century, where designers are merging digital technology with the handmade to produce items that combine the best of both worlds. This beautiful, inspirational book, with thought-provoking text by Karen McCartney and stunning visuals by Sharyn Cairns and Glen Proebstel, is a celebration of accident, curation, collection, hesitation, collaboration, reuse, reimagining and true originality. It explores an established aesthetic in a new way, as illustrated by the homes and studios of international and Australian creatives. It embraces current design objects alongside well-worn ones, and features interior settings that mix comfort, design and an off-beat beauty.

Karen McCartney has a wealth of experience in the areas of interior design, art and architecture. She has written for British Elle Decoration, The Financial Times and The World of Interiors. In Australia she edited Marie Claire Lifestyle and was founding editor of interiors magazine Inside Out, a position she held for 10 years. Now an editorial consultant to online brand Temple & Webster, she has published 50/60/70 Iconic Australian Houses and a sequel, 70/80/90 Iconic Australian Houses.