Ready to spice up your space with an East-Meets-West theme, but don't want to overpower your house with Asian decor, conspicuous colors, and a jumble of Asian trinkets?
It's not an impossible feat, I swear.
Why?
Think about the Japanese style of adorning their houses. Before I got "into" interior decorating, My friend stopped by with her British nanny (how cliche!) who said that my bedroom was "practically Japanese". I had to ask her what she meant. The comment wasn't directed at any Asian figurines I had (or didn't have), but the reality that my house was so.....bare. But, hey, I had practically just moved in!
But voila!....the secret to a simple Asian home decor. The Japanese don't over-decorate, so you can just take a hintclue from them.
First thing's first: to get on your way is go get a big box and get rid of all of your clutter. Pack away everything you don't need, focusing on items that won't fit into an Asian design.
When you choose to leave an item, make certain that everything has its own "space". Unless the items are part of a set meant to be displayed together, each item should have breathing room distant from other items to keep the area feeling open and spacious.
After clearing your space, you should find some Asian items to decorate with. My prescription for Asian decor:
* Houseplants - If you don't have time to take care of a plant, or don't have the best conditions for houseplants (like your vegetarian roommate keeps trying to eat them.....I kid! I kid!), you can always get fake plants. Of course, more often than not when someone thinks of "houseplant" and "Asian" is to scream "bonsai!", but you aren't obligated to go that route. Why not try an Asian money tree or if you like fresh flowers, an oriental lily? Remember to count the plant as a decoration and thus give it its own "space" as mentioned above.
* Water fountains - Water fountains are a very classic feng shui application. Not only are they beautiful, their trickling noise calms the most savage beast. A few drops of bleach in the water will kill the bacteria and algae that can turn a water green and stinky.
* Japanese Tea Sets/Sake Sets - Absolutely perfect for adorning a kitchen or dining area, even if you never use them. (Clean them off before company arrives to fool guests!) They can be found in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and patterns, anything from nice earthy tones to a bold blacks and reds.
* Chinese Gongs - You don't have to have a huge one! These gongs come in small sizes too, perfect for a desk, end table, or even at that perfect mantle centerpiece.
* Figurines - Buddha figurines are very classic, but if you're wanting something more secular, Asian figurines come in all shapes and sizes.
Remember the infamous KISS saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid!; you only really need four or five items to bring an Asian feel to any home, and the simpler you keep it, the more each of those items will stand out.
It really is that simple....you too can bring exotic luxury to any space
It's not an impossible feat, I swear.
Why?
Think about the Japanese style of adorning their houses. Before I got "into" interior decorating, My friend stopped by with her British nanny (how cliche!) who said that my bedroom was "practically Japanese". I had to ask her what she meant. The comment wasn't directed at any Asian figurines I had (or didn't have), but the reality that my house was so.....bare. But, hey, I had practically just moved in!
But voila!....the secret to a simple Asian home decor. The Japanese don't over-decorate, so you can just take a hintclue from them.
First thing's first: to get on your way is go get a big box and get rid of all of your clutter. Pack away everything you don't need, focusing on items that won't fit into an Asian design.
When you choose to leave an item, make certain that everything has its own "space". Unless the items are part of a set meant to be displayed together, each item should have breathing room distant from other items to keep the area feeling open and spacious.
After clearing your space, you should find some Asian items to decorate with. My prescription for Asian decor:
* Houseplants - If you don't have time to take care of a plant, or don't have the best conditions for houseplants (like your vegetarian roommate keeps trying to eat them.....I kid! I kid!), you can always get fake plants. Of course, more often than not when someone thinks of "houseplant" and "Asian" is to scream "bonsai!", but you aren't obligated to go that route. Why not try an Asian money tree or if you like fresh flowers, an oriental lily? Remember to count the plant as a decoration and thus give it its own "space" as mentioned above.
* Water fountains - Water fountains are a very classic feng shui application. Not only are they beautiful, their trickling noise calms the most savage beast. A few drops of bleach in the water will kill the bacteria and algae that can turn a water green and stinky.
* Japanese Tea Sets/Sake Sets - Absolutely perfect for adorning a kitchen or dining area, even if you never use them. (Clean them off before company arrives to fool guests!) They can be found in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and patterns, anything from nice earthy tones to a bold blacks and reds.
* Chinese Gongs - You don't have to have a huge one! These gongs come in small sizes too, perfect for a desk, end table, or even at that perfect mantle centerpiece.
* Figurines - Buddha figurines are very classic, but if you're wanting something more secular, Asian figurines come in all shapes and sizes.
Remember the infamous KISS saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid!; you only really need four or five items to bring an Asian feel to any home, and the simpler you keep it, the more each of those items will stand out.
It really is that simple....you too can bring exotic luxury to any space
By Sara Scott
0 comments:
Post a Comment