Influences of Asia

On the menu today are some beautiful spaces with an Asian feel.  I know for some it is a trend that has come and gone, but I spent many years traveling to Asia for my past career and personal trips, so it holds special memories for me.  (Designing with something that has special meaning is always a good design principle, I think.  :))  Even if you're not into Asian design, there are some great vignette ideas here regardless of the accessories that you choose.

I have my own collection of Asian images, but I decided to check out Houzz for some other ideas.  It was kind of funny because some of the pictures really looked (at least to me) like a tacky Asian restaurant!  Yikes. This is definitely one of those things that has to be done well, or not at all. I wouldn't go floor-to-ceiling Asian, but I think a little sprinkling is really exotic and interesting.  These examples do it beautifully.

SRM Architecture and Interiors

The black on the shelving is the perfect backdrop, 

it has great symmetry without being boring, and that artwork is so haunting!

Sylvia Martin

That killer table makes such a great statement piece.

Robert Passal

The scroll sets a serious, masculine, upscale mood...

via Eclectic Revisited Blog

I love the mix of elements in this room from Maureen's blog.

The room is a whole mix of cultures, actually, but the

touches of Asian via the blue and white ginger jars and a few other items are fantastic.

Lonny Magazine

I have a client who has a lot of items from Singapore and Japan,

and these pictures are the inspiration for her future living room.

She has great pieces to work with so the staging part will be very, very fun.

Kay Douglass

So serene.  I think I'd add a bit of color, but I'm not one to challenge Kay Douglass!

via Lonny Magazine

Zen.

Martha Stewart

I thought the little temple in the center was kind of cool,

but this is a good example where this has to be done right to make it look good. 

I'm not sure I would attempt it actually, but I think it looks great here...

That wallpaper and the pillows play off of each other so beautifully!

Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

A funky tablescape with all kinds of fun stuff...

Diane Bennett Bedford

Of course that cabinet is quite a piece of furniture,

but check out the table base too - pretty cool.

Nicole Hollis

I included this room because of the side table...it's an Indonesian Drum. 

I could use this in a lot of places:  of course the living room, but also as a bedside table, a few used as stools gathered around a casual table or even in a bathroom. 

OK now that I wrote all of that I really want one.  Christmas List?

Pierce and Company

The mix of Asian with the modern table and abstract art

provide a really surprising, fresh combination.

via Gallery No. 8

A fortune cookie sized portion of Asian decorating!

Speaking of fortune cookies, I thought this charm was pretty fun - you can find it here.

So what do you think?  Are you ready for some Chinese takeout??