With the Feng Shui movement now deeply engrained
in the Western culture, amateur and professional decorators are turning to
Asian-inspired décor to complement their new found respect for all things
eastern.
This passion for the Far East goes beyond throwing a few silk pillows onto a bed
or putting a bamboo wall hanging in the dining area; it extends into furniture,
too. And it's no wonder - traditionally Asian designs mix contemporary
simplicity with a millennia-old love of the organic. The resulting designs are
functional, but also warm and luxurious.
It's not a surprise that Europeans and Americans are clambering for Asian
elements. After all, it's difficult to feel anything but introspective and
serene when you're surrounded by the soothing sound of a waterfall and the
natural beauty of a reminiscently Japanese or Chinese house.
And it's not just individuals and families who have swung so far to the east in
their decorating tastes. Many business leaders are also starting to realize that
a calm, relaxing environment de-stresses employees. Therefore, expect to find
more flora- and fauna-motivated décor in office spaces as corporations try to
“up” productivity by creating a pleasant working atmosphere.
Hotels, too, have joined the Asian décor bandwagon. Though you won't find a Feng
Shui suite at a basic Motel 6 or Hampton Inn, you're likely to be offered an
Asian-inspired room at some of the finer luxury hotels and spas and even some
smaller, niche-market bed and breakfasts or inns. This translates to rooms
filled with warm colors, gentle lines, restrained lighting, and soul-soothing
auras. (Many may also offer Asian massages and meals, a definite treat for their
guests.)
With the mingling of Asian functionality and artistry comes the ability to
create a fabulous room where the necessary is also eye-catching. Painted screens
lend an Asian tone to any area, while providing a service such as dividing one
room into two or creating storage space behind their lovely designs. That's the
true beauty behind the functionality of Asian furniture and accent pieces; like
simple-looking Haikus, they have a much deeper meaning.
Asian chairs and sofas are comfortable, but not oversized, thereby eschewing the
recent “couch potato” alternatives to streamlined furniture. Instead, Asian
lines are organic and smooth; gone are the flamboyant edges of Rococo styling
and whirling Art Deco scrolls of yesteryear. Celebrating the international 21st
century are delicate fans, lanterns, and birds instead of gaudy baubles and
strong lighting. But make no mistake - these aren't boring pieces of furniture.
In fact, they subtly call attention to themselves, as they are each rich with
textures that come from a variety of coverings, from cool cotton to
sophisticated silk.
Matte paints (which can be purchased at any home improvement store) color the
walls of Asian modified rooms in deep reds, oranges, and yellows, consequently
adding a spicy flavor to any area of a house or office, and immediately setting
the tone for an Asian-inspired, contemplative mood. Complimenting the
deeply-hued Asian color palettes are rich woods and other materials typically
found in Asian furniture.
One such material often used in furniture from countries such as China, Burma,
and Laos is rosewood, incredibly beautiful and, from a practical standpoint,
resistant to scratches and major damages. Thus, you can find rosewood jewelry
boxes, end tables, and chaise lounges, among other items. Unfortunately,
rosewood trees are disappearing from Asian forests; however, some very
innovative furniture makers are salvaging rosewood planks from demolished
structures.
Other exotic items manufacturers typically choose for Asian furniture include
coconut shells, leather, and mulberry paper. Though some buyers might be fooled
by imitations, more are becoming wise to rip-off pieces; thus, they want and
expect the “real stuff.” Fortunately, there are plenty of unique Asian pieces
out there, and they allow anyone to decorate a room, house, or office. Whether
someone's budget is modest or “skies the limit”, he or she can and will find
something to fit his or her needs.
Some of the more prolific Asian furniture companies include Deco Siam and Lao
Coco. For those persons searching for specific items, websites such as
www.asiannouveau.com and www.orientalfurniture.com have plenty of options at
many different price ranges. Occasionally, www.overstock.com also has items,
though availability will vary. Whether you want to furnish a small extra bedroom
or an entire hotel, there's a supplier for you. However, there is a caveat -
some manufacturers who create Asian furniture in the Far East and export to the
west do not export their items fully assembled.
Whatever your needs, don't hesitate to jump on the Asian furniture bandwagon
today; you'll only be grateful that you gave yourself and your loved ones the
pleasure of an Asian-inspired living space. After all, when you walk into a room
and are greeted by the elegance and balance of Balinese, Chinese, or Japanese
design elements, you'll be pleased you chose to follow the trend.
About The Author
To find out more about Asian Furniture, log onto
http://www.Furniture-Asian.comJ. Eugene Yeng is the Managing Director of
Netbizsolutions.com . An Internet Advertising Guru leading An Internet
Advertising Consultancy. He is also the author of the paperback book Killer
Internet Cashflow Strategies.
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