Category: home improvement

Asian homes range from wooden houses on stilts in the jungles of Thailand to tiny, super-efficient apartments in Tokyo. So there are a lot of inspirations to draw from when putting Asian home decor in your dwelling. Many decorators draw on feng shui, minimalism, or tropical patterns to evoke an Asian look. Whether you prefer a simple Chinese teapot or an elaborate Vietnamese wall hanging, there are a few accessories that are necessary to Asian decor.

Red and Gold

Because of Chinese influence, red is a very popular Asian furniture color. Asian home decor should incorporate at least one or two pieces of wood furniture painted in a rich, deep, patinated red. Real antique Chinese furniture does not generally have Chinese words or gaudy flowers painted on it. The furniture is about subtlety.

Yet mixed with carving and gilt, Asian home decor can look subtle but also rich. Throughout Asia, adding a little gilt detail to furniture is common and tasteful. There is also a symbolism to the carving for people who know how to read it. Experts can tell where and why a piece was created just by looking at the kinds of patterns carved into the wood.

Fine Fabrics

Asia was already home to a thriving silk industry thousands of years ago. While silk is still a luxury, it is also typical of fine Asian home decor. This does not mean your whole couch must be upholstered in silk, but it does mean some throw pillows or a footstool covered in silk should be part of the look. Be creative with your choices. You could hang a picture of a woman wearing a kimono; for example, or you could hang a real kimono. The latter is definitely more interesting.

In Southeast Asia, batik or hand-woven textiles are popular. In Indonesia and Malaysia, intricate batiks are native attire for everyone from peasants to sultans. The best are hand-made in a restrained, geometric style. Some communities still weave on handlooms and create symmetric masterpieces with just a few colors of silk or cotton thread. Simply hanging one of the fabrics on the wall is a beautiful and authentic touch for your Asian home decor.

Flowers

While Asian decor might not utilize flowery fabrics, fresh flowers are a staple in the home. People in North America cannot get the inexpensive stems of orchid and lotus that are available in much of tropical Asia, but they should at least invest in some high-quality silk flowers, pictures or paintings of flowers.

Keywords: Home Improvement, Home Decor

Although some people consider the Americana home decor style to be country decor, it actually is distinctly different, even though it uses some of the same techniques. Americana home decor refers to the fact that you can feel the American spirit that you proudly display.

Whether that be in your accessories, your curtains, or your art, it is the display of the red, white, and blue that makes your patriotic senses come alive. Most items are hand made, either as originals or reproductions, and are truly meant to rekindle the feeling and memories of days gone by.

Red, white, and blue objects can come in any form to add to your Americana home decor. This patriotic color combination can be used in birdhouses, statues of Uncle Sam, wagons, stars, and hand made quilts. You can add touches in one place of the room, or put together a complete collection.

A vignette is an excellent place to start. Usually done on a mantle or fireplace, an Americana vignette is when you place five to ten different Americana items together. Using a runner of red, white, and blue, you can add candle sticks, a mirror, a flag, apples, and possibly a birdhouse all done in the American colors to add a special look to your fireplace.

Primitive Americana Home Decor

Since there are two types of Americana symbols, traditional and primitive, there are other symbols for your Americana home decor besides the American flag. Examples include the baseball game, the apple pie, and anything that conjures up images of the early 1900 s. Primitive colors include deep burgundies, dark greens, navy blues, and many different patterns that include the popular checkered patterns.

Americana folk art is reminiscent of the early 1900 s when life was easy. It can depict a family sitting around a large table, flags, roosters, trees, and sheep, anything simple and original to the surroundings. The colors are usually navy blues, reds, and browns. Checkered pieces are also utilized to add a splash of color as are barns in a vibrant red.

Rustic tins can also be added to your home to show an early Americana home decor look. If you fill them with wildflowers, it can really dress up a side table. Jars as well are used in the Americana home decor. You don t even have to fill the jar. Just group a couple of original canisters and glass jars together to achieve a great look. From Americana stars to God Bless America banners, there are multiple ways to add to your look of Americana home decor.

Keywords: Home Improvement, Home Decor