Interior Design With Asian Influence

Background

• Asian-influenced interior design draws its inspiration primarily from nature, culture and religion. Nature is incorporated by utilizing wooden furniture pieces, hanging landscape paintings and choosing a color scheme that compliments nature. In addition, certain religions, such as Buddhism and Taoism, had strong links to the natural environment, and this relationship may have been demonstrated in the home's zen-like atmosphere. While interior design with an Asian influence may give way to a combination of oriental cultures, such as Vietnamese, Korean or Indian, the dominant Asian designs come from China and Japan.

Chinese

• Interior design with an emphasis on Chinese culture often displays bold hues of color as well as ornate pieces of furniture and home accessory items, otherwise known as Chinoiserie, which became common in Europe during the mid-1800s and showcases Chinese-inspired embellishments on furniture and accessory pieces. Fiery red and orange are favorite colors as they symbolize luck and prosperity. Common accent colors include green and gold. Artwork or lacquered furniture pieces throughout the home may feature mythological beasts, such as a dragon or phoenix, symbolizing the emperor and his empress. Symbolic paintings are not uncommon in Chinese decor. For instance, peaches and turtles are favorites as they represent health and longevity.

Japanese

• Japanese interior design focuses on calming and zen-like influences. Nature is introduced into the home by incorporating indoor water fountains, tatami mats made from straw and exotic floral arrangements. Wall colors are typically of a subdued nature and include soft palettes of brown, gray and green. The simplicity and minimalist design of Japanese interior design make it especially appealing for contemporary design fans.

Feng Shui

• While feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics, it has become increasing common among many oriental designs. Literally translated, the term "feng shui" means "wind-water." The goal of bringing feng shui into the home is to align its "wu xing," or five elements, which are metal, earth, fire, water and wood, so that the "yin" and "yang" are in balance. Belief is that the position of the home and furniture arrangement contribute to overall well-being. For instance, the front door should never directly lead to the back door as this signifies energy leaving the home.