Aqua Resin and Nordic Design
The charm of simplicity. The warmth of natural materials. The harmony between visual order and a welcoming atmosphere. Nordic and Japanese styles have conquered the world of interior design thanks to their ability to transform any space into a simple and authentic refuge. Today we're taking you on a creative journey to discover how you can reinterpret these styles with your own hands, using Aqua Resin.
This mineral chalk powder is non-toxic and safe. It's easy to work with, dries in 30 minutes, and can be easily colored, allowing you to create objects with a pure, elegant, and Nordic feel. And best of all, it's suitable for everyone: hobbyists, artists, designers, and even those new to DIY.
What is Aqua Resin?
Aqua Resin is an alpha plaster, mixed with cold water in a ratio of 100:30. Once the mixture is ready, it is poured into a mold, and the object can be unmolded in less than half an hour. It has a matte, velvety appearance, and is pleasant to the touch, but compared to traditional plaster, it is easier to work with, more durable, and less fragile.
It's solvent-free, odorless, and completely non-toxic, even for children. It can be colored with powdered pigments, acrylics, glitter, and gold leaf. It sands easily and can be combined with Aqua Shield for a waterproof, silky porcelain effect.
Perfect for creating decorative objects, design elements, table accessories, party favors, wall hangings, and small furnishing accessories. With Aqua Resin, you can create all this with the simplicity of a natural, clean, and contemporary material.
Nordic design: functional elegance
Scandinavian style is known for its simplicity. Every object has a function, but also a soul. The materials are natural, the lines are clean, the colors are soft and never invasive. Light wood, white, warm grays, and beige are the protagonists of an aesthetic that invites visual relaxation and well-being.
With Aqua Resin, you can recreate this style starting with simple shapes and neutral materials. You can create oval or shell-shaped trinket trays, countertop trays, cylindrical or cubic candle holders, and small containers with soft, smooth lines.
You can leave the material in its natural white, or add subtle pigments like dove gray, light gray, sand, or linen. The result will be an object that looks like it came from a Nordic atelier, but made by your own hands.
Japandi: The Meeting of Japan and Scandinavia
The Japandi style blends the visual balance and minimalism of Japanese design with Scandinavian warmth. Surfaces are natural and imperfect, shapes are irregular, and colors are inspired by the earth and the seasons. The concept of beauty shifts toward the authenticity of materials and the presence of small flaws that make each object unique.
Aqua Resin lends itself perfectly to this vision. You can create objects with rough textures, textured surfaces, subtle engravings, and shapes that don't need to be symmetrical or perfect. You can use clay, charcoal, ash, or light ochre pigments. Or, mix two shades and pour them simultaneously into the mold to create a marbled or layered effect.
A simple ceremonial dish, an incense base, a stone container or a desk container become objects full of meaning, capable of evoking silence, calm and authenticity.
Practical ideas to implement
A great idea is to create a matching set of candle holders. Use cylindrical molds, pour natural or colored Aqua Resin, and, if desired, add Aqua Shield resin (instead of water) for a glossy porcelain effect. Before it dries completely, etch a texture by hand with a toothpick or spatula: thin lines, irregular dots, or wave patterns.
Another very versatile option is oval trays or containers, perfect for organizing keys, small items, and jewelry. You can create a series of these to match, choosing neutral colors in matching tones. All you need is a single mold, some pigments, and a little patience.
Wall decorations are also very much in keeping with Nordic and Japanese styles. You can make them using geometric molds, or cast the material onto flat surfaces and then cut or engrave them once dry. All it takes is a discreet hook to hang them and add personality to a white wall.
Finally, coasters are a perfect place to start. Quick, easy, and versatile. Experiment with round, square, and flower shapes. Use natural pigments and, if desired, add a dusting of glitter on one side for a subtle touch of sparkle.
Texture, materiality and details
One of the features that makes Aqua Resin perfect for these styles is its texture. It's soft to the touch, like porcelain. It's opaque, full, and compact. If you sand it after it hardens, you can achieve a satin finish. If you leave it rough, it will give a more handcrafted, lived-in look.
You can play with rough or smooth surfaces. With sandy or smooth finishes. You can add small natural elements to the mix: fine sand, dried herbs, mineral pigments. Anything that makes the piece more personal and unique.
Remember that even imperfection is a language. Don't seek perfect symmetry, but consistency with your aesthetic sensibility. This is the heart of Japandi.
Creating as a form of well-being
Working with Aqua Resin isn't just a way to produce objects. It's an experience. A moment of slowness, concentration, and presence. Mixing the powder with water, pouring it into the mold, and waiting for it to take shape: all of this is part of a process that calms the mind and nourishes creativity.
You can do it alone or with friends. With your kids, as a couple, with friends. It's a perfect activity for weekends, rainy days, winter evenings. Each object becomes a fragment of the time you've chosen to dedicate to yourself.
How to present your creations
Once your objects are finished, you can enhance them with a coherent presentation. Use neutral backgrounds: light wood, raw linen, recycled paper. Photograph in natural light, without invasive filters. Pair your creations with other natural elements: a candle, a plant, a stone.
The eye also wants its part, and every detail counts.
What you need to get started
To get started, you only need a few tools: Aqua Resin, a mixing bowl, cold water, a silicone mold, optional pigments or additives, a wooden spatula, and fine sandpaper. No gloves, no masks, no stress.
In just a few minutes you will have your object, ready to be finished, decorated or displayed.
Conclusion
It doesn't take much to create something beautiful. All it takes is an idea, a good material, and the desire to get involved. Aqua Resin is a silent yet powerful ally for those who want to express themselves through simple, natural forms.
Every object created by your hands with this material carries a story. An inspiration. A vision. Whether you follow Nordic or Japanese styles, remember that authenticity can't be bought; it's built over time, with care, and with intention.
Creativity is a journey, not a destination. And every form you create is a step closer to who you are.