Oriental Design - Color Schemes
When looking to create your oriental oasis, you should start with your palette. The ideal color scheme for an oriental home design will include Red, Green, Jade (a lighter Green) and Black, which are all colors that feature in nature. Where possible, your furniture, wall colors and decorative pieces should reflect this natural affinity.
The greens could come from Bamboo. This will naturally incorporate the other colors of yellow and brown but since these are earthy, calming, natural colors, this slight deviation from color design principle is accepted. Green can also be incorporated with healthy plants, pale green wall colors or cushions, curtains and rugs.
The reds and blacks may come from natural hardwoods such as Teak, Oak or Mahogany. Choose good quality, solid wood furniture, in a stained, natural or black lacquer finish for an Asian inspired look. Oriental furniture is generally set low to the floor with clean, straight lines. The furniture pieces are relatively simple in design, achieving the desired, minimalist look.
The key here is to work with nature and with the cultural significance of the colors to create a truly harmonious space. A long held belief in the East and one that we are only really just beginning to understand and appreciate in the West is that different colors will influence the rooms they are used in, in different ways. It is important therefore that whatever decorative palette you use, you understand and work with the properties of the colors to create a tranquil yet energized home.
An example here is the color Red. It is associated with ideas of attraction, strength and warmth in Feng Shui and represents the fire element in Chinese culture. Used in small amounts, as occurs in nature, it will add energy and life to your home, as well as helping to attract good fortune. However, too much red can lead to over-stimulation, arguments and stress.
Green is the color of growth, restoration and balance - all good positive qualities to have in your life. However too much green, or too much of the same shade, can lead to stagnation, boredom and blandness. One simple tip is to vary the tones of green - as is seen in the natural world and you will then experience deep rest and peace in your home environment.
Black is not really a color - rather it is all colors absorbed together. Used in small amounts it will add sophistication, glamour, security and safety to the feel of your home. However it is easy to imagine how oppressive an all black room would feel - so again balance is required when using this color to add just the right amount to your color scheme. Black is best used as an accent color, to complement the brighter greens and reds and help them to stand out.
Oriental Design - Lighting
Lamp and candlelight are widely used in oriental design as the western style overhead, central ceiling light, is thought to be too intrusive. The Orientals see the interplay of light and shadow as an intricate dance and they relish in its complexities.
Oriental Design - Flooring
Natural flooring are best in an oriental style home and wood or stone tiles work better than carpet. Any floor coverings or rugs will be of natural materials and in complementary colors to the overall color scheme. Creams, beiges, browns, greens and reds are all good choices, and wool, silk or sea grass are all good choices of material.
Oriental Design - Accessories
Now we come to the choosing and placing of accent pieces or accessories. For many people, this stage of a room set design is the most fun but it is important, not to accessories too much as this will interfere with the flow of Chi energy. Choose a few, beautiful and valuable pieces for prominent display in your room set. This will serve to attract still more beautiful and valuable things into your life.
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