Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
House of the Dragon
Designing in traditional style Chinese motifs…
Since we are entering the Year of the Dragon and I honor my Asian roots, I thought doing a piece on Asian inspired home decor would be inspiring. First off, although I do have an affinity for Chinoiserie in home styling and quite like it, it is technically not Asian, but European-created. Ah, yes the seduction of the exotic has always been a muse of sorts. I can definitely appreciate that style of wallpaper down a staircase or dragon themed decorative pillows. Truthfully, the motifs themselves are really quiet poetic, but there is a bit of difference when we are talking about the lens in which these two styles are seen through. The western viewpoint captures the romanticism of Chinese landscapes and art, while I feel the traditional Chinese aesthetics delves more into the philosophy and beliefs of the Chinese culture.
Chinese design incorporates the need for balance and tranquility within the home. It uses natural textures and minimalism to enhance the character of the home. You’ll see a lot of intricate woodwork and lacquered furniture. Bold colors like deep reds and blacks are common in traditional Chinese design denoting good luck and sophistication respectively. Chinese decor is warm, but also functional, reflective of the art of Feng Shui. This all accompanied by Chinese art and figurines placed about the home accurately—Budai is everywhere.
Some elements you’ll find in this aesthetic are porcelain vases, decorative screens, intricately adorned chests and cabinetry, and of course Oriental rugs. Fun Fact: Shoppers used to bring their dogs to determine if the rugs were genuine. If the dog detected blood, they would know it was the real deal. Oriental rugs are woven by hand, often incorporating the weavers blood.
Designing an Oriental style home can showcase a bold and inviting space, but one that is also with purpose and practicality. It signifies elegance and suggests strength, peace, and harmony. Adding softer touches with Chinese floral motifs like lotuses, cherry blossoms, and orchids adds to the balance of this aesthetic and can calm any dragon.
For more Chinese decor and design ideas:
Seeing Red
The color red can be tantalizing, energetic, and inviting and shades of it in your home can prove to be a stand out choice…
Ah the color red, when I think of it in cinematic terms, the red room in Twin Peaks comes to mind and The Shining’s geometric rug. Not the most positive use of the color, but I did find Amelie’s bedroom dreamy as well as the grandeur of Downton Abbey’s grand room to the bewitching vibe I was looking for. It’s that time of year where I spotlight the color of the year trends, but unfortunately this years choice has left a bland taste in my mouth. Sorry Pantone but Peach Fuzz doesn’t do it for me. The remainder of 2024 color trends of the year are leaving me with lukewarm feels as I don’t tend to favor too many of the cool tones they’ve chosen this year. This is the year to feel emboldened!
I have always gravitated towards the color red and is the only pop of color I give leeway to in my wardrobe, however, I don’t see it enough in interiors. Reds can invoke warmth and energy in a living space not to mention what it can do when creating a lush bedroom dreamscape. In Asian cultures, red symbolizes good fortune and happiness, perfect in celebrating the Year of the Dragon. It also draws an audience to a focal point within a space. You want to be where it is.
I’m talking about deep warm reds for interiors, for example my staircase wall will be full of drama this year as I coat it with Benjamin Moore’s Flamenco. You have to be careful with reds which makes it all the more exciting to coat you with my dear. It’s a strong color, not for the weak. It says “LOOK. AT. ME.” with danger, desire, and mystery. You have to be confident to use such pigment, but once you yield to it, you won’t regret it.
Entryways
Red in an entryway says, “Greetings, come inside, let me show you more.” It' is a perfect lead in exuding confidence and interest.
Living/Sitting Rooms
I’m a fan of an “conversational” space and how I love thee Victorian aesthetic. I am destined to owned a velvet chaise lounge. Nothing says, “Spill the very juice tea” like a vermillion velvet loveseat. Now, I’m talking a lot of vintage here, but red has its place in the modern decor world as well. Artwork in particular comes to mind, thinking Rothko and Rauschenberg prints or red accent furniture. Red also pairs well with natural materials making it an ease to mix and match with. Finding Oriental rugs dominated by the color is a nice option to tie a room together. Pairing shades of oranges, yellows, and blues with the strength of red can create a relaxing atmosphere.
The Kitchen
Finding pops of ruby in a kitchen through appliances and cabinet backgrounds will bring any kitchen to life. Making tapas was never so vibrant!
The Bedroom
This is a “duh” color for this room. Since red stimulates conversation and invokes passion, it’s a desired choice. You may not want to go too deep with red walls, but you will still feel flushed by adding velvet curtains and linens for a dramatic effect, how Moulin Rouge of you!
Photo by: Pars Sahin
Red courage
Working with reds in your home can be a hard choice. When we think of red, it gives us different connotations of meaning…alert, blood, sirens…vampires—it can be alarming or too kitschy in some instances, so choosing the right shade for you is important. Red can create a beautiful and lush space. We know that red is quite the popular color with exterior doors and why wouldn’t you want your home to stand out! Incidentally, red doors historically mean that your mortgage has been paid off, but I do believe today it’s more of an invitation than a brag. Don’t be afraid to use the shade, have fun with it, play with it, you won’t regret the results. Here are few more ideas to fire you up…
