East Meets West: Asian Aesthetic and Feng Shui

Perhaps Memoirs of a Geisha has ignited your interested in the Japanese vision of beauty. If your appreciation of sake-tinis sparked a fit of creativity, you may be prepared to redecorate your space with an Asian-inspired aesthetic. Eastern interiors vary from region to region as much as fashion, language and cuisine. So here are just a few of the many themes to guide your home design. With any d�©cor, though, a few guidelines apply:

– Mix classic Asian and modern Continental elements to keep the room contemporary.
– Use color thoughtfully. A neutral palette with small, carefully chosen pieces in orchid bright colors makes a bigger impact.
– Don’t forget to incorporate fresh flowers.
– But what you truly adore, not just anything that echoes the theme.

Wabi-Sabi
The phrase doesn’t translate exactly, but roughly means “the beauty of fresh and natural things” and represents a comprehensive Japanese world view. This aesthetic values that which is imperfect, impermanent, or incomplete. In home dÃ?©cor, it means choosing recycled furniture or pieces with striking natural grain, arranging objects non-symmetrically, embracing vintage pieces and comfortable fabrics. Basically, wabi sabi appreciates organic beauty and furniture that comes with its own story.

Feng Shui
The Mandarin term for “wind and water,” feng shui is the Chinese art of positioning objects based on a belief in patterns of the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects. Design is balanced design -yin and yang- pairing hard and soft components. The placement of plants, furniture, wind chimes, crystals, and powerful colors are said to harness the home owner’s energy and help it properly flow.

Chinoiserie
The more fanciful and extravagant textiles, porcelain, and furnishings influenced by Chinese art liven the scheme. Toile-like Ming blue and white vignettes play nicely against crisp American shirting stripe sheets. Dressmaker’s satin pillows and shams in red or gold with small blossom prints add a touch of glamour. Intricately carved trunks and screens create exoticism in a basic space.

Bollywood
The fanciful films of India are great sources for home inspiration. Vivid palettes and elaborate metallic embroidery give a loft a new bohemian vibe. Though boho chic is no longer on the runways, it still looks great in the apartment. Ethnic hand block-printed textiles, rich aari embroidery, and luxe pashminas are as lovely in upholstery as they are in fashion. Arts and crafts lamps, round mirror groupings, and little brass icons complete the look.