summerlee19

Friday, October 30, 2009

Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people,

Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people, however, are a little lost when it comes to using Asian design in their own home. Here are a few ideas to help you begin.

Using Japanese influence in your Asian decorating theme is a popular choice. There are many different ways to use this style. Japanese Shoji screens are one of the most popular choices. These are wooden frames with a lattice design. The cutouts are filled with rice paper. Some shoji screens are plain and some have beautiful designs. These screens can be used as a room divider or simply as decoration. Another thing to add to your Japanese inspired room is the Kotatsu table. This is a rectangular table in a dark finish with clean lines. Many have heaters in the middle, and are considered in Japan to be the emotional center of a home.

Woven straw mats with colored borders are popular floor coverings in Asian interiors. These mats are called goza mats. In Japan, these mats are used for walking, sitting, and sleeping. They have two separate layers. One is the straw center and the other is the soft reed outer edge covered in cloth. These floor and bench coverings will add an authentic touch to your Asian style room.

Another classic element of Asian interior design is the gong. There are several different types of gongs, and the one you choose may have much to do with the size of your space. Some gongs are very large, so your room needs to be large to accommodate them. A more manageable size would be a hanging gong. These are usually 12 inches or so and come with a mallet to ring the gong. You can find ones with a beautiful scroll design to accent your Asian decor. You can also purchase a classic gong that hangs on your wall as an art piece. These are lovely and help to tie an Asian inspired space together.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Spanish Interior Design - Step Into the Sunshine

Do you want to make a wonderful, colourful statement in your home?

Have you ever holidayed in Spain? If so, I am sure you will be familiar with the fresh and vibrant Mediterranean style. Think about sun-kissed, rustic Spanish villas, slow, sleepy siestas, excitement-filled fiestas, and a good, old-fashioned sense of family.

This bold and colorful look will bring a really vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. Buzzing with energy, but at the same time, a warm and comforting place, to hold you in the bosom of your family.

This is a look which is as easy to achieve, as it is to live with. Just follow these few, simple guidelines.

Walls

Try a textured, rustic style wall, for a really authentic Spanish interior design look.

Combine this with beautiful, vibrant colors, to fill your home with Spanish sunshine style. Choose Mediterranean type colors for your look - red, orange, blue, green, brown, turquoise, terracotta, peach and pink. Use a neutral base of black and white to lighten and freshen the colors, and stop it all becoming too much of a jumble!

Flooring and Furniture

Carpet and Spanish interior design don't really go -so try to stick to a hard floor for the most authentic Spanish feel. Hardwood flooring, stone, or terracotta or ceramic tiles will all look great.

Soften the look up a little - and keep your toes warm! - by including plenty of rugs, in warm, rustic styles and tones.

The Spanish interior design look is quite simple and uncluttered - so go for a few basics of furniture, in a good quality, rustic style. Look out for dark woods, and a slightly distressed or worn finish.

If you want to go a touch more elegant, try some more decorative pieces with ornate wrought iron features.

Accessories

Wrought iron is a good look for accessories, as well as for furniture. Try chandeliers, wall-sconces and candlesticks, as well as beautiful, decorative wall-art, made from wrought iron. It will make a really unusual focal point for your room.

Also consider textile wall-hangings and tapestries - this gives a really warm look (ideal for chillier parts of the world!) and an air of real old-fashioned elegance - you know the kind - that comes without really trying...!

Religious paintings and statues (in a classic, old Catholic style) will also help you to get an authentic, elegant look in your room.

Look out for pieces of beautiful rustic, Spanish pottery - in plain terracotta, or in vibrant colors and glazes. These will give a simple, friendly, family feel to your home.

The Spanish interior design style is a great look to go for. It will give you a wonderfully bright, vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. It is a very dramatic look, really reminiscent of the sunny, relaxed Spain of your holidays.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Sneddon