| |
| |
|
Interior Decorating 4 You |
|
|
|
Free Backlinks At
|
 |
Eastern Influences On Western Interiors: Japanese Décor - Part I of II - Color, Texture and Contrast
The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a very broad subject. Many countries, such as China, Japan, Tibet, etc., have had an influence. Therefore, I have chosen to focus on one country for this article, Japan. Characteristics of Japanese Interiors 1. COLOR: Japanese interiors generally use neutral, natural colors, to provide a simple background. Interiors emphasize architecture, and as a result, provide a sense of geometric order. In addition, natural colors minimize a feeling of clutter, which is also essential to eastern design and its philosophy of simplicity. When a statement is made in a Japanese interior, it is usually through a single strong exclamation of color or a predominant texture. Eastern art colors are pure. Unlike western art, which mixes color and refines sketches, eastern art is original. This means the initial color and/or brush stroke is the final result. Western art is often complex, whereas eastern art is simple, strong, and graphic. Black is often considered a "non-color" in western society, yet, it is very important in eastern interiors. The use of black in oriental rooms lends definition and form. For example, black is a color in its own right, when used with white rice paper in a shoji screen. 2. TEXTURE & CONTRAST: Some Japanese textures and materials that immediately come to mind are cedar, rice paper, maple, bamboo, stone, and woven wicker. One might also think of textured silk, tatami floor mats, and the elaborate needlework of kimonos and obi's. Japanese culture seeks to balance opposites in all aspects of life (yin and yang), and interiors are no exception. Interior finishes can be highly opposing and contrasting, and yet achieve balance. Examples are, highly polished floors with heavily textured mats, a lacquered box displayed on top of a rough wooden table, or white pebbles on a polished black granite ledge around a tub. 3. DISPLAY: Western homes typically use an object on the perimeter as a focal point, such as a fireplace, a painting, or an elaborate window treatment. Eastern interiors, on the other hand, focus on a central object, such as a hearth (irori), a garden, an altar, or an elaborate still life composition. Japanese homes also commonly have display alcoves, called tokonoma. Objects placed in these alcoves generate two types of feelings, either (1) a natural or organic feel, by displaying an odd number of objects together, or (2) an ordered and disciplined environment by using an even quantity. For example, three calligraphy brushes in a cup would be organic, and four pebbles on a dish would be disciplined. Japanese displays are fluid. In other words, a Japanese alcove may display a scroll one-week, and a set of pots the next. Eastern cultures tend to store and rotate objects. (This is probably for two reasons; (1) limited space, and, (2) visual pollution, outside the home, as the population increases.) Japanese displays are a reflection of the season, celebration, or honored guest. This minimal approach focuses on the quality and craftsmanship. Instead of rotating objects, westerners tend to "display it all." (I guess its because they we're afraid someone whose given us something may come over and we won't have it out?) A westerner would also tend to add to a display to create a balance, whereas an easterner would create harmony by taking away. To easterners, less is more, order is harmony, and there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. This concludes Part I. Part II of Eastern Influences on Western Interiors: Japanese Décor will focus on the Tea Ceremony, Furnishings, and Antiques or Reproductions. About The Author Catherine McGivern is a professional interior designer who hosts www.aboutdecorating.net. About Decorating is devoted to home decorating information and resources. And, to helping visitors find the best decorating products at economical prices. The site also features a free newsletter, and free 20MB community web sites.
INTERIOR DECORATING RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS: MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Choosing Interior Doors When it's time to decorate - whether it's for a brand new home or redecorating the family manse, one thing that's often overlooked as a 'style choice' is the interior doors. After all, a bedroom door is a bedroom door, right?And yet, the style of door that you choose can make a subtle, definitive difference throughout your home. Finding a Color Scheme - Decorating with What you Have If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and blending colors, your answer could be as far away as your nearest pillow. Check out this quick way to create a color scheme for your home with our PICK - SEE -LMD method. How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner Filter The air filter in an air conditioning system keeps the cooling coils and air inside the room clean and free from all pollutants, pet dander, ozone emissions and airborne particles.There are many different kinds of air filters available today, such as HEPA, standard, pleated, electrostatic and electronic filters. How Curtains Can Change the Look of Your Home The roles of curtains have changed. At one time they were used to retain heat, block cold air, control sunlight and provide privacy. Bedrooms - Should Be A Safe Haven We spend a great deal of time in our bedrooms, hopefully 8 hours, and decorating ideas for them should reflect that and be well thought out. Very few other places should capture our attention like that of the bedroom. Beautifying Your Home "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." --Jim RohnAs a frequent traveler, I'm often amazed at how dramatically my mood changes depending on where I am staying. A Guide to Wine Racks It is a cliché that wines get better with age. How a wine ages will depend on how the wine is stored. Pass the Salt - Its a Hot Collectible Part of the attraction of any collectible is the story that surrounds it, and salt-cellars have a tale to tell. Here's what you need to know about this condiment collectible. Bathroom Vanity Cabinets Bathroom vanity cabinets are considered bathroom furniture, and usually range from simple two door storage units with a wood veneer or a single color paint to exquisitely detailed richly carved hard wood cabinets, with hand applied finishes and marble inlay tops. The vanity cabinet is the place to start in adding sophisticated elegance to the bathroom, as it can and tie together the occasional disparate element between mirror and sink. Essential Dishwasher Parts You may need to replace dishwasher parts from time to time. Call or visit your local appliance parts outlet. An Introduction to Wood Stoves Wood stoves are like small fireplaces. They are inexpensive and can be built into a home or added later. The Function of Hurricane Shutters Every part of the world has its share of natural disasters. Flooding, earthquakes, monsoons and tornadoes -- most every region occasionally suffers some unpleasant or dangerous weather. Ivory Like Sholapith Sculptures from India In the past, collectors have been fascinated with sculptures of pure white Ivory without knowing the damage it caused to our eco-system. Luckily governments of a number of nations have banned Ivory trade altogether. A Guide to Wood Stove Inserts A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all, they can keep heat from escaping through the fireplace. How to Install a Wood Stove "There are a number of factors that must be taken into account when installing a wood stove. It is important to make sure that the stove is set on a proper type of flooring. Have You Considered These Space-Saving Bed Designs To Maximize Your Interior Decorating Space? Vertical and functional space planning are two of the most overlooked areas in most households interior design layout. In this article we'll discuss how to double the functional space in the bedrooms of your house. A Vanity Bench Adds a Romantic and Old World Feel to Your Bedroom Decor One of the easiest ways to add a romantic or "Old World" feel to your bedroom's décor is by adding a vanity bench or set. By placing one of these vanity benches in your bedroom or dressing space, you can create a design element that cannot be obtained using other types of furniture. Decorate Your Home with Shabby Chic Are you ready to redecorate but have a limited budget? Do you have some great furniture but nothing matches? Do you love antiques but not stiff formal decor? Then think Shabby Chic, a fun decorating style that solves all these dilemmas and more.Shabby Chic is one of the hottest trends in decorating, and for good reason. How to Decorate Spaces for People When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the empty, lifeless rooms you see in interior design magazines and books. Instead, you should concentrate on designing all of the rooms in your home as backdrops for the people who will be living in those spaces. The Benefits of Bamboo Roman Shades Roman shades are inexpensive and elegant window treatment to block the sun or prying eyes of nosy neighbors. Roman shades can be purchased or made cheaply and relatively simply by the do-it-youselfer.
|
| Home | Site Map | |
| Copyright © 2006 Aesir Web Productions |
