Design Trends: Create Your Own Global Style
From Ikats to Chinoiserie, It's Easy to Put a Twist on Indian and Asian Design
Vanessa Brunner
May 18, 2011
Houzz Contributor
Indian, Asian, and North-African elements have been consistent influences on modern-day interior design. However, this trend of global chic has had a recent upsurge, due in part to the widespread impact of the Internet, which has allowed for many of these designs and products to be easily accessed and delivered. International design in every imaginable form is only a few clicks and key strokes away. Globalization has certainly helped put a diverse range of interior design styles and products at hand, but with such an incredible variety it can still be hard to figure out exactly how to put together a look. Sometimes just making a few random eBay purchases isn't enough!
Houzz user avtar seemed to be having this same dilemma — how can you put together a modern, Asian/Indian inspired look, without going having to go crazy on the color and accessories?
By blending together traditional aspects of Asian and Indian design with more modern colors and materials, these classic looks have a bit more flexibility in contemporary homes. Try incorporating singular elements into your home's design, rather than attempting to pull off an entire look at once — this will allow you to completely customize it, and give your home a welcoming and well-traveled feel.
Houzz user avtar seemed to be having this same dilemma — how can you put together a modern, Asian/Indian inspired look, without going having to go crazy on the color and accessories?
By blending together traditional aspects of Asian and Indian design with more modern colors and materials, these classic looks have a bit more flexibility in contemporary homes. Try incorporating singular elements into your home's design, rather than attempting to pull off an entire look at once — this will allow you to completely customize it, and give your home a welcoming and well-traveled feel.
Take inspiration from nature. Many Indian and Asian designs evoke the beauty of wood grains, natural fibers and organic finishes. These aren't styles that like to use plastic or artificial elements — particularly if you're going for an authentic feel. This pumpkin and chartreuse daybed is toned down by the presence of natural woods and neutral colored tiles and walls.
Mixing and matching patterns and colors in the same tonal family is a great way to achieve a bohemian and exotic style. It gives a room a well-traveled feel, particularly when chosen in bright, geometric patterns that are so prevalent in Asian and Indian designs. Try adding points of cultural interest in your home — think rich rugs, wood carvings, lanterns, and traditional motifs.
Jewel tones like red-purples, dark yellows, pumpkin oranges, and deep reds are certainly indicative of traditional Indian design, but they aren't a necessity. This all-white bedroom — with a soft cotton bedspread, screened accent doors, metal lanterns, and metallic jewel-toned throw — has the same exotic vibe as the room prior, but with a completely different set of colors. Going overboard on color isn't necessary — a few accents here and there will accomplish the same look.
This room really reflects a good sense of how traditional elements can be smoothly incorporated into a more modern setting. Lush textiles in warm colors play well off of the reddish wood nightstand. The pendant is sort of a contemporary play on a paper lantern, and I love how the brick wall juxtaposes with the entire setup.
The suzani pattern shown here is traditionally Persian, but I really like the basic idea of covering a simple couch with a more eclectic and ethnic looking throw. If you're looking for something that's more authentically Indian, try a geometric block print — ikats are a great choice that have become hugely popular over the past few years.
If you aren't quite ready to commit to changing the decor of your entire house, try incorporating just a few Indian-styled vignettes into a more modern design scheme. The eclectic vintage style of this home allows these accents to work very well. The use of gold — another natural element common in Indian and Asian interiors — with the muted jewel tones is a great touch.
Bring some animal energy into the mix! Animals are powerful symbols in Hinduism, and much of Indian and Asian culture. Elephants in particular are a consistently occurring motif in Indian design. This incredibly detailed carved wooden paneling is a subtle way to pay tribute to these elegant creatures — and is a fabulous stand-in for a headboard!
Next: Products that inspire a modern Asian and Indian look
Next: Products that inspire a modern Asian and Indian look
This fabric has a whimsical look, but a definite Asian feel. A slight modern take on chinoiserie, the more muted colorway makes it a natural fit for a contemporary home.
This Vietnamese-influenced design might be a bit too transparent for a room divider, but I love the idea of using a screen like this in lieu of a headboard. Its dark color would look fantastic with a brilliantly colored duvet.
How cute is this little apple green stool? The style is definitely Asian, but its bright color is reminiscent of the warm and vivid hues in Indian design. It'd be really fun as a nightstand next to a lower-set bed frame.
This is another great example of a more Asian-like design in an Indian-inspired colorway. This simple and pretty console will add a brilliant pop of color to any room! Be prepared to make this a statement piece in your home.
Yes, the description says Moroccan, but these hand tooled metal lanterns play with metallics and light in a way that is reminiscent of Indian style as well. I love the idea of using these next to a patterned couch in a vivid color, or next to a four-poster bed in a rich, red-purple room.
Much like the Shantung Silhouette Fabric from F. Schumacher posted above, these ikat sheets from Anthropologie lend a room a more muted and modern sense of a traditional Indian pattern. Ikats have been embraced among lovers of hippie-chic style, but its deep roots make it a truly classic pattern.
thetravelerscollection.com
Take advantage of a purely functional piece — like a hamper — and turn it into another excuse to incorporate traditional elements into a room. Of course, it's ideal if you've picked up a few authentic pieces, but if you're not really a world traveler, these African Prayer Hampers still provide a wonderful, worldly touch.
More ideas:
Bold Moroccan Style for Today's Interiors
East Meets West: Adding Asian Design to a Modern Home
9 Elements of Asian Style
More ideas:
Bold Moroccan Style for Today's Interiors
East Meets West: Adding Asian Design to a Modern Home
9 Elements of Asian Style
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Thank you for a great article!
If you want to stay simple go for the arched bookcases in natural wood tones and sheer organza curtains with just a touch of pattern. A banjara embroidered vibrant throw pillow on a leather sofa, an antique door headboard in an ivory bedroom gives a refreshing look. Stay laid back with soft cotton throws and soft toned pashmina blankets.
The powder room can have an element of surprise by using patterns in unexpected ways. Try mixing patchwork sari pillows in a random fashion and mixed with wall paper scrolls, the effect can be quite electric.
Lighting is a beautiful way to accent the antique cabinets. The silhouette of the brass Nataraja - dancing Shiva shadows onto the wall creating an amazing artwork. Hand carved vases with candles soften the edges and give a beautiful exotic ambiance to the bedroom. Old brass urns and peacock lamps beautify the sitting area.