How to Design Oriental

Oriental or Asian design is characterized by rich embellishment and elegant simplicity. Natural fibers and materials predominate. Colors are subdued neutrals offset by dramatic bursts of jewel-like intensity. The juxtaposition of the spare and the elaborate can make designing an Oriental-style interior seem like a daunting task. But, in fact, it is more like a Chinese puzzle or Japanese origami -- a challenge that can yield a very satisfying result. For a simple living room, an excursion into some classic elements of Oriental design produces a distinctive and livable space. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Clear everything out of the space to be designed and start with an empty room. Sketch the probable traffic flow patterns in the room to help determine furniture placement. Note how much natural light is available. Measure the space and block out the important pieces of furniture to be added. Select paint and trim colors, type of floor and window coverings, and additional lighting.

2

Paint the room. Choose from white, pale sand, dove gray or a creamy yellow for a Japanese design. Strip and wax natural wood frames around windows and doors or paint them to match the walls. Paint the walls faded celadon, antique rose or vivid red enamel for a Chinese-style room. Color trim metallic bronze, dark jade or red.

3

Lay a woven seagrass or tatami mat on the floor in a Japanese room. Add a simple rice paper and bamboo Shoji screen in one corner and a stone water fountain set in a ceramic base filled with rounded river rocks. Hang a framed embroidered silk kimono on one wall over a low, stepped wooden chest. Balance the room with a natural linen sofa with clean modern lines, a bamboo side table holding a Noguchi-style rice paper lamp and bamboo window shades. Match colors in the antique kimono with contemporary textiles from Japanese designers like Issey Miyake that cover a few sofa pillows and two cube-shaped floor poufs for seating.

4

Position a dramatic tall cupboard in a Chinese-inspired room, either red enamel or polished elm. Flank the cupboard with two similar but unmatched large porcelain jars, patterned with dragons or chrysanthemums. Cover the floor with a thick woven carpet in a classic Chinese motif, like a repeat floral design or Chinese symbols. Hang a framed calligraphy in stark black ink on undyed silk or paper on the wall opposite the cupboard. Focus attention on the antiques and decorative details by adding two low, armless upholstered chairs and a love seat in a solid neutral color. Frame the windows with distressed open shutters painted the same color as the room's trim, and add plain linen and bamboo pull-up shades. Install a row of gallery spotlights on the ceiling to illuminate the art and antiques.