Incorporating Bamboo Features Into Your Home
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Filed under Far East Decor Ideas
Bamboo is a common element in many Asian design decors. It is thought to be adept at incorporating the feng shui element of wood into a home. However, it also has many more practical purposes. This type of wood is rather durable and lightweight, and it can be constructed into a variety of different objects. Bamboo furniture has recently seen a surge in popularity within the United States.
Choose a Soaking Tub for Your Asian Inspired Bathroom Remodel
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Asian soaking tubs offer a great way to relax. Deep soaking in hot water is also felt to offer therapeutic benefits. What makes this type of tub unique?
The activity of deep submersion bathing is found in many different cultures. In the West, the most common form of Asian baths are Japanese baths. In fact, for many Westerners, Asian baths and Japanese baths are one in the same. Because of that, we’re going to focus our attention on the Japanese bath or ofuro.
The traditional ofuro is made of hinoki wood, which is unique to Japan. Other commonly used woods are Alaskan yellow and Port Orford white cedar. It’s also now common to see them made of acrylic or stainless steel. There is generally no overflow drainage built into the tub, so commonly, there will be a floor drain near the tub.
Another unique thing about Asian baths is that they’re not really for cleaning. They are intended to be used for relaxation and for the health benefits associated with soaking in hot water. The bather cleans themselves with soap and water before they enter the tub. Then, because of the depth of the tub, they are able to fully submerge themselves and soak. Instead of lying or partially lying in the tub, the bather sits upright. There’s often a seat built into the tub to make this easier.
If you’re considering adding an Asian tub as part of a re-modeling project, there are several things to consider. First off, if you’re putting the tub in the bathroom, do you have adequate space for it? Secondly, will you be getting a model with Western style plumbing or will you need to incorporate a floor drain into the project. A small ofuro may have a liquid capacity of 70 gallons. Compare that to a conventional Western style tub’s 40 – 60 gallons. Because of this you’ll need to consider weight and hot water supply. If the new tub will require much more water than the old tub, check to make sure that the floor is strong enough for the extra weight. Also consider the capacity of your water heater. Most residential water heaters have a 30, 40, or 50 gallon capacity.
Even if it does take a little more planning than a conventional tub would, one of the current crop of Asian soaking tubs may be perfect for your home.
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Minka Aire Outdoor Ceiling Fans for Asian Exterior Decor
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Your patio is more than an outdoor area where you place your outdoor grill or the area that surrounds the pool. For many homeowners, the patio is a place where they can relax and unwind, read a good book underneath the shade or host barbecues and invite friends over during the summertime. Nothing contributes more to the ambiance than artistic patio design and for many people, an Asian inspired patio design is the way to go. Now that you have your bamboo patio furniture and water fountains, you want to think about not only style but comfort. When relaxing, you want to keep yourself and your guests cool, and the best way to accomplish this is with patio ceiling fans.
Asian Inspired Choices
One of the cardinal rules of design is to mount patio fans. For the novice designer, you may not know that there is a difference between the indoor and outdoor appliances. Outdoor ceiling fans are made out of materials designed to withstand the natural elements – water vapor from humidity than can otherwise damage the motor. Most outdoor ceiling fans nowadays are equipped with a rust-proof finish and no-warp blades. Remember that these cooling devices move air. There is no direct effect to change the temperature. Instead, they provide a breeze to keep you cool and comfortable. For Asian inspired patio decor, look for models that feature bamboo or rattan blades, as these materials will coordinate well with your furniture. Fans with these features are often called tropical outdoor ceiling fans so start here when narrowing down your search for the perfect choice.
Recommended Styles
The Minka Aire Shangri La fan is a natural first choice for your patio. Minka Aire fans are well-known throughout the industry for great quality and innovative designs. This ceiling fan is designed to be used indoors or outdoors, which makes it perfect for installing in your patio. It has bamboo all-weather blades that will match nicely with your Asian themed decor. For another option in the Minka Aire family, try the Los Lunas Bahama. This model is a bit more ornate than the previous one and does not have the bamboo accents, but its eye-catching etchings on the body of the fan makes this one a good choice.
An alternative to bamboo is rattan. Rattan is a type of palm tree native to some areas of Asia. It is commonly used as material for furniture. If you have any rattan patio furniture, then the Casa Vieja Rattan Tropical Outdoor Ceiling Fan is a wonderful choice for your home. A similar alternative is the Casa Vieja Outdoor Tropical Veranda fan. These fans also come with an optional light kit if you’re looking for not only to add a nice breeze, but some light if you’re entertaining at night.
Palm leaf inspired blades also make a magnificent choice for Asian inspired rooms. The Minka Aire Gauguin fan is a very stylish option for your patio. It is sleek, contemporary, and an indoor outdoor model designed to catch attention. For other outdoor ceiling fans with palm leaf blades, try the Concord Fernleaf Breeze fan or even the Casa Vieja Tropical Leaf fan.
Please visit http://www.contemporaryoutdoorceilingfans.com for more ideas and recommended styles of contemporary ceiling fans for your home, including information on online retailers that offer deep discounts!
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Using Bamboo Water Fountains In Outdoor Asian Decor
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Bamboo water fountains really are quite unique and have been used for centuries in ancient gardens right up until modern day. Adding a bamboo water fountain can give a very Asian feel to one’s garden and home. Different cultures have used fountains and running water for the beneficial and calming background noises as an aid to relaxation and meditation. If you are interested in transforming your garden into an oasis with Japanese flare, this fountain is the right choice.
There are two basic types of bamboo water fountains. The traditional stationary fountain consists of multiple hollow bamboo chutes with one chute typically placed upright or angled along the edge of the fountain reservoir for water flow. The other type is the shishi-odoshi (or deer chaser) fountain.
A shishi-odoshi bamboo fountain is originally used by Japanese farmers to scare off deer and boar from crops. It was later used in gardens as their movement provided an element of change. As the water flows from the bamboo spout or other water garden dripping fountain, the knocking portion fills and spills the water creating a rhythmic knocking sound as it hits a rock.
In Asian cultures, bamboo is a symbol of longevity, friendship, straightforwardness, hard working, optimism, unity, and adaptability. Moving water is said to bring good luck and prosperity to its surroundings, the use of bamboo fountains is ideal within a home’s environment. The water is said to rejuvenate and move stagnant chi and add a proper balance of chi within that particular area. It makes sense; stagnant water will eventually become murky and lifeless but running water rejuvenates and refreshes.
Bamboo can be cut into various designs and, of course, it creates a natural channel through which water can flow. A bamboo water fountain has always been known that the peaceful sound of trickling water has a relaxing and calming effect on any environment. Would you like to have the soothing and tranquil benefits of moving water and create a beautiful natural bamboo fountain in your garden or home?
The Bamboo water fountains can be kept either indoors or outdoors. Bamboo spout kits also make it easy to incorporate multiple water fountains in your garden at a reasonable cost. This will allow you to choose different yet complementary designs, and enjoy an Asian theme throughout your garden or your home. They are also lightweight and easy to set up. There are no plumbing fixtures required and, aside from the power source, some of the fountain units can be used with a variety of sizes of containers.
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Using Bold Colored Rugs in Your Asian Inspired Home Decor
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The Asian style of decorating is bold, elegant and beautiful. If you want your home to make a great impression and exude style that demands attention, there is no better way to achieve this. While this style of decor may be a bit overwhelming for those who desire a relaxed atmosphere, it is definitely one for those with a love for the bold and dramatic! This article offers tips for transforming your home into one that will be the envy of all who enter.
As surprising as it sounds, Asian decor offers simplicity. Furniture and accessories are kept to a minimum, eliminating clutter. However, the pieces that are used are dramatic and boldly colored for greater visual impact.
Use of Bold, Dramatic Color
The colors usually used in Asian decor include red, black, gold and shades of tan, brown and grey, particularly in Japanese style decorating. Furniture is often finished in a black lacquer that shines like glass. Gold may be used for walls and trim.
Incorporating Texture
Asian decor includes an abundance of natural texture. Bamboo is often found in furnishings, window coverings and containers for plants. Paper surfaces might be included in wall prints, and the use of natural rock adds to the drama. Bamboo plants are often found in containers adorned with red and gold hues.
Oriental Rugs are a Must
This type of decor would not be complete without the addition of oriental rugs! Unlike other styles of decorating, floors are the basis of Asian decor. Whether covered with an exquisite floral wool rug or a tatami mat, furnishings are chosen to draw out and complement the colors of the floor.
Screens and window accents are other elements that are important in this style of decor. A Shoji screen can be used simply as a beautiful piece of decor to divide the room, or as a cover for more unattractive spaces. It may also be used to block the views from a window. Ornately decorated, screens are a vital aspect of the oriental theme.
For the windows themselves, things are kept basic and simple to provide the perfect balance to the distinctive flooring and furnishings. You will often find windows are accented by simple curtains or by bamboo or wooden blinds. If furnishings are tan, grey, or other neutral colors, window accents may be bold; the Chinese often use window accents that include tassels.
Asian decor, while dramatic, offers an atmosphere of serenity and peacefulness. Remember to keep clutter to a minimum, and use bold accents along with the elements of nature. Your rooms will be appealing and attention-grabbing, while at the same time simplistic and serene.
The next time you visit an oriental style restaurant, take note of the decor. You can find some extraordinary examples online that will give you more ideas on how to incorporate this exquisite look in your own home! When you want your home to stand apart from the ordinary, there is no better way to do it than with the elegant look of Asian inspired decor.
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Decorating Your Home with Antique Asian Inspired Furniture
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Oriental Inspired Furniture
The furniture you choose will be a vital aspect of your Asian inspired home decor. Asian style furniture has a very unique and distinct look.
Asian living has always been a charming living style. Embroidered floor carpets, wooden sitting benches, low lying wooden tables in square or round shape, small cabinets and lots of sculptures and other accessories. The mysterious look created by the Asian decor has been a charm worldwide. This kind of furniture gives a very traditional and ethnic look. To create an Asian living room all you need is a carefully chosen Asian antique furniture set, or an assortment of popular Asian antique furniture article, mentioned below, and put them together.
Low Tables
Low tables are the Asian style of tables. Not just for living room tables, even the dining tables in China and other Asian countries are low lying tables with floor seating. Get a low table made of wood and arrange for a floor seating cushions in Chinese fabrics and prints to complete the decor.
Cabinet
A small wooden cabinet, located near the door leading to the other rooms of the house was a popular Asian antique furniture article for the living room. Small cabinets specially the Tibetan style cabinets are still very popular among the Asian furniture. With their cute and traditional look, they don not look out of place in the living room, rather the cabinet tops are often used to display decor items, while the closed area is used for storage needs.
Wooden Bench
More than chairs, sitting benches were preferred in that times. These benches were the old times’ sofa sets. Wooden benches were furnished with Asian prints in silk and other soft fabrics. Dark and deep colors like red, maroon, dark green, peacock blues with a touch of golden, silver and dark brown were majorly used in the sofa covers and also in other furnishings.
Creating Asian antique decor is not difficult. One just needs to choose the original or reproduction Asian antique furniture and splash in the some Asian print-and-color furnishings.
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Asian Home Decor: Using the Feng Shui Water Element Outdoors
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The water element in Feng Shui practice is used to bring about harmony, balance and prosperity. This water element can be via a stream located on your property, a picture of a waterfall or art that represents water, colors normally associated with the water element, a reflective surface or a water fountain.
Asian Home Decor: Table Top Water Fountains/Falls
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If you want to add an Asian inspired water feature to your home (let’s say you are implementing various Feng Shui enhancements) but do not have the space for a large floor fountain, choose a table top fountain instead. You will reap the positive energy benefits of adding the water element while also conserving space.
Asian Home Decor: Indoor Water Fountains
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Generally speaking, the sound of water has a very calming effect on people. Because of this, Asian inspired water
fountains in or outside of the homes has become a very popular trend in Western culture. The practice finds it’s roots
in the Japanese theory of Feng Shui. Not only does water bring a tranquil energy, but it is also the ancient symbol
of wealth and prosperity.
Using Water Fountains to Add the Feng Shui Water Element
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The water element in Feng Shui practice is used to bring about harmony, balance and prosperity. This water element can be via a stream located on your property, a picture of a waterfall or art that represents water, colors normally associated with the water element, a reflective surface or a water fountain.