The New Trend in Home Decor

One of the newest, and consequently most exciting, trends in home decor is the influence of Asian culture.  There are probably too many reasons to count to explain this phenomenon.  However, it should be noted that the modern lifestyle in the West is increasingly a busy one. What Asian decor offers is a simplicity and an attention to sheer "space" that many people find attractive.  As a person begins to contemplate an approach to an Eastern scheme for their surroundings, it is a good idea to know some of the facts about the Asian options that are most widely known.  After all, you will have many questions as you start this exciting new enterprise!

The basic elements of Asian home decorating can traced back to two "schools" of thought, if I may use this general analogy for my purposes here.  The first school comes from the oldest civlization in East Asia:  China.  The second tradition finds its origin in the Empire of the Rising Sun:  Japan.  I will consider the Chinese school first.  "Feng Shui" is a Chinese idea which concerns the concept of space.  It is also concerned with the right kind of objects to be placed in such a space.  Feng Shui associates the home atmosphere with good health and prosperity.  There are usually various rooms in a house in which Feng Shui influence is more apparant.  The kitchen area is one such room.  It is considered "the heart of the home" in Chinese culture.  For the Oriental figurine collector, the kitchen is an excellent place to put a Buddha statue because this will increase "chi" (the life force of living beings) in the home.  A very good selection for this task for this important task would be the Laughing Buddha statue.  The material jade is often a popular and prudent selection among others.  In Feng Shui the Chinese dragon is also an extremely useful collectible to be used to increase the force of "chi" in your home.  Your living area or bedroom are usually good places for your dragon figurine.

You will not go wrong if you choose to adopt the Feng Shui school of decorating for your Asian home or office.  This is a deeply rooted and dynamic Eastern trend that cannot be overlooked.  Its connection to China is well known and firmly established.

Harlan Urwiler

Please feel free to check out my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.