Posts Tagged ‘Wood Flooring’
Interior Design with an Asian Theme
Looking for a way to dress up a drab room in your home? Why not take your home on an exotic adventure to the Far East? Asian inspired decor can be a simple but elegant look that’s easy to achieve provided you control your impulse to over-decorate. In fact, when planning out your Asian decorating adventure, simplicity is the key to success. No need to overdo it, when it comes to Asian themed decorating, less is more.
Color: For the walls, think beige or tan, inspired by aged bamboo or rice parchment. The neutrality of the beige tone sets the stage for an exploration of some Asian inspired colors at the bolder end of the color spectrum. Liberal use of black and white in furniture and accents can be desirable. Green factors heavily into many Asian designs. They can range from the vivid greens of the bamboo jungle to the subtle luxury of a jade sculpture. Don’t be afraid to add some bold strokes of gold and red to really bring out the Oriental flavor.
Floors: The obvious choice is bamboo floors but despite their beauty are not the cheapest option. Bamboo-look laminate flooring is less expensive alternative, but any wood flooring is suitable in your new Asian room. Terracotta tiling is another great option, but light stone and ceramic tile look great too. While an oriental rug might seem like an obvious choice, consider passing on it. Instead, seek out a jute rug.This loomed, natural fiber alternative offers a simple solution that supports your design theme well.You should be able to find a 6′ x 9′ rug in the $200 range. If you’re on a budget, consider a wool blend or synthetic version.
Windows: Embrace the ambient light in the room and use light silk drapes tied back with gold cord with tassels. To set a mood that’s more relaxed, use roll-up bamboo shades. You can find bamboo blinds that are painted in Asian themes with calligraphy, classical oriental art of Asian symbols.
Lighting: Oriental lanterns come in all shapes, colors and sizes. You’ll find one to suit your budget for sure. these are great. Consider using candles to set the perfect mood. Try not to use lighting that’s contemporary or associated with a specific era. A lighted water treatment can really set the mood in a room and makes a great substitute for a lamp.
Furniture: This is an area where you may want to splurge. Lacquered furniture is frequently seen in Asian homes. Often finished in a polished black tone, it can make a grand statement sure to please the eye. Consider a small table, trunk, armoire or curio cabinet. These pieces are usually hand painted with unique designs, florals and landscapes or with scenes of every day Chinese life. Expand on the look with Wicker or bamboo furniture which perfectly complements a room decorated in Asian decor.
Decorations: Now you get to really have some fun. Make bold decisions, just remember the axiom that “less is more”. A Shonji divider can be used to separate the room and create more intimate areas. Buddha decor can be a fun, funky option. Considering displaying a few Buddha figurines in various poses. To add a bit of whimsy to your room consider a laughing Buddha statue. You may want to do a little research on Feng Shui as its theories will surely give you inspiration and instill your decorating ideas with meaning.
Jade carvings, Oriental wall fans, silk paintings, Asian wall reliefs or lacquered wall art are perfect Asian decorating choices. The addition of a porcelain vase or oriental fishbowl makes a strong Asian inspired decor accessory. Bonsai trees, Asian plants, tea jars, Asian clocks and mirrors work great too. The only thing standing in the way of your perfect Asian inspired room is lack of imagination.
Have a blast with all the great decorating options, just remember that in the case of Asian-themed decorating it’s important not to overdo it. It’s important to make sure that the space is free of clutter, otherwise you won’t get the same effect. Don’t overdo it. Use a few key decorative accessories to project your theme. You can always add more later.
Area Rugs To Jazz Up Your Home
A simple way to add charm and sophistication to a room is with the addition of an area rug. Most area rugs can be purchased affordably, and that extra “something” it adds to a room is worth every penny spent. Area rugs are the perfect compliment to a great coffee table.
To get the most out of your area rug, you have to a choose color and style that compliments your existing modern furniture. Whether your modern furniture is classic, country, or contemporary, the type of area rug you choose should be of the same style family. Simple area rugs are best paired with an ornate coffee table, so as to provide balance to the visual effect. If, though, you have a “plain jane” coffee table, it might be worth it to go with a more elaborate design. The principle is the same when it comes to other pieces of modern furniture and your window treatments. Bold and stunning color, if selected with care, will draw positive attention to your modern furniture.
It is important to select an area rug made of a fiber that is appropriate for your room. A home with young children is the perfect place for stain-resistant fiber. Common area rug materials are wool and silk blends, nylon, and even cotton (think bath mats). It is no surprise that wool and silk are the most expensive options. Don’t be afraid to spend money for a high-quality rug; they can last for generations! People with houses or apartments with open floor plans can use area rugs and other modern furniture to define spaces. A tasteful area rug, coffee table, and modern couch arranged correctly will define itself as the sitting area.
Finally, do not underestimate the value of an appropriate pad to go beneath your rug. Wood flooring is most likely to need a good pad beneath your new area rug. Non-slip pads should always be a consideration for safety purposes. A new area rug will bring that “something special” to your room. An affordable addition that adds a ton of charm and a lot of sophistication, the area rug is the perfect accent to all of your modern furniture. If you follow a few easy guidelines: matching the style of your eileen gray table to the style of your rug, making sure you select the right fiber type for your needs, and selecting an appropriate pad to go beneath the area rug, you are sure to be glad you made the choice to add an area rug to your home.
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