An interior design blog with furniture reviews, interior decorating tips, DIY projects, and home furniture guides.

Posts Tagged ‘japanese design’

Japanese Design Dining Room

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Japanese style is characterized by minimalism: dining room furniture virtually has no architectural or decorative detail. The emphasis of Japanese interior design, whether it’s a dining room, living room or bedroom, is on space. Whereas Western design practices focus on artistically filling the space, Japanese interiors incorporate open spaces into the décor. Typically, the furniture is centered in the room and the space around each piece of furniture as well as the furniture grouping as a whole is the point of the interior design.

japanese dining

Japanese style décor is soothing, unassuming and restful. Therefore color palettes (from Benjamin Moore) will project these qualities while reflecting nature. Earth tones like deep browns and muted reds are popular choices as are neutrals like beige, taupe and gray.

http://www.diningroomstation.com/Somerton-Enchantment-7-Piece-Dining-Set-929LT-4SC-2AC.htm?src=FADIBlog

A Japanese dining table commonly has short legs and stands closer to the ground than Western style dining tables. But you can still capture the flavor of a traditional Japanese dining table by selecting a standard height table with lines that are calming minimalist in approach. The Somerton Enchantment 7 Piece Dining Set is beautifully appointed; lines are simple yet visual interest is created by the angled legs of the dining table and the unique slatted design of the backs of the dining chairs.

In a Japanese style dining room each piece of furniture has a specific function and purpose; no piece should be chosen solely for its esthetic value. The Sitcom Hida Collection Buffet has both style and purpose. Buffets or sideboards increase a dining room’s functionality by providing a place to conveniently store tableware and table linens in the room in which they will be needed and used.

A Japanese interior design dining room brings the outside in through natural elements like floor lamps and table lamps with rice paper shades; furniture pieces with bamboo and stone accents; and accessories like bonsai and water fountains. The Bluworld Innovations Tabletop Water Fountain in Dark Copper – Mini Moonshado would be the ideal accent piece to place on the buffet.

Light, especially natural light is an essential part of a Japanese interior design dining room. Another way to incorporate natural materials into the room’s design is through the shade of the Adesso Wright Tall Floor Lamp, which is made of silk. And because this floor lamp is also a shelving unit, it makes it an ultra-functional addition to a Japanese style dining room.

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Japanese Style Living Room

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Japanese style hasn’t changed much throughout the centuries. It is renowned for its use of Zen principles to create living spaces that are harmonized and serene. Even though it has been around as long as it has, because Japanese style is characterized by a minimal, pared-down look with no architectural or decorative detail, it has a contemporary or even modern appeal.

Japanese interior design for the living room will incorporate natural materials, like bamboo and rice paper. Use of natural light is maximized. Furniture is generally low to the ground. Horizontal lines, which represent man’s relation to the earth, are very prominent in Japanese decor.

Japanese Palette

Color schemes tend to imitate nature, the grays and greens of foliage contrasted with warm wood tones. Earth tones and neutrals that give the space a calming aspect are the best choices. In keeping with spirit of this minimalist style, once the walls have been painted, plan to keep them free of framed pictures or wall hung photographs.

If bare floors aren’t an option for you, choose the L.A. Rugs Nature Style Camel Rug. The texture of this area rug has a sisal or other grass-like appearance.

The Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Furniture Leather Bradford 2 Seat Sofa has clean lines, made of an organic material and is available in earth tones and neutral colors.

The Tema Kyoto Square Wood Top Coffee Table is the prescribed Japanese style height, low to the ground. Its profile is simple and clean. Wood, of course, qualifies as a natural element.

The recessed side panels of the Furnitech Contemporary Asian End Table add subtle detail to the Japanese interior design.

The Modloft Ann 123″ Wall Entertainment Unit is “close to the earth,” designed with clean, smooth lines and keeps the room from feeling too spare while filling the space without making it appear cluttered.

Furniture pieces should be selected carefully. According to Japanese interior design, each piece should have a specific purpose and function in conjunction with the other furnishings in the room. When accessorizing a Japanese style living room, do so in moderation. You don’t want the room crowded with “non-essentials.” The overall effect should be tranquil, serene and uncomplicated.

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Japanese Interior Design

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Japanese Interior Design for Your Home

The Japanese cultural influence is gaining popularity in interior decorating. It’s easy to see why it’s so admired – Japanese Interior Design has a soothing, Zen effect with its use of natural fibers and subtle colours. Since the design style is so simple, it isn’t a challenge to re-decorate your entire home with a Japanese flair.

To master Japanese Interior Design, remember to keep your pieces subdued with little to no detail!

Modern Sofa BedOne of Japanese home design features is furniture that’s as low to the ground as possible – it gives off the feeling of steadiness. So, when decorating your living room, try to find a sofa with a minimal amount of height.

Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Sorrento Convertible Sofa in Chestnut

Japanese Interior DesignA sofa with a wood base incorporates the natural, fresh look of Japanese décor.

Sitcom Hida Collection Oatmeal Sofa

Oak Modern Coffee TableFor Japanese Interior Design get a coffee table, you’ll want to stick to the same elements – short, wood-enhanced pieces give off a Japanese vibe.

GFI Furniture Sophia Rectangular Modern Coffee Table in Wenge Finish

Low Coffee TableModloft Mott Low-Profile Coffee Table in Walnut

Decorate your living room with pieces made from stone. Its neutral grey shade is ideal for completing a Japanese Design-themed room.

Japanese Kimono Vase

AA Importing Large Kimono Vase

Scented Candle

Zodax Four Wick Large Scented Candle Pot

In your bathroom, try to integrate straight, clean lines, and different wood fibers. Your sink and faucet should be extremely minimal in detail, and neutral in colouring.

Japanese Design Bathroom Vanity

Avanity Prado Vanity

Accessorize using bamboo-woven pieces – this natural fiber is practical, strong, and very well suited to the Japanese interior design style.

Bamboo Tissue Box

Selamat Designs Woven Bamboo Tissue Box

Bamboo Apothecary

Selamat Designs Woven Bamboo Apothecary

The bedroom is a place for you to unwind, and what better way to make it a peaceful place than by updating it with a Japanese design feel. Platform beds are heavily influenced by Japanese design – they’re close to the ground and normally constructed of hardwood.

Sitcom Japanese Platform Bed

Sitcom Edo Japanese Style Platform Bed

Look for small details in end tables that make them stand out from all the ordinary options out there.

Japanese Design End Table

Edo End Table with Bowl

To add some design aspect to your Japanese-themed bedroom, consider adding a room divider to your space. They’re useful for covering the window, hiding electronic wiring, or they can be placed against the wall for visual interest.

Teak Room Divider Japanese Style

Selamat Designs Classic Woven Teak Room Divider

Need to light up your space? Floor lamps with paper shades give off a warm glow while maintaining a Japanese look.

 Rice Paper Floor Lamp

Adesso Gyoza Rice Paper Shade Floorchiere Floor Lamp

Low tables and floor pillows are normally used in a Japanese design inspired dining room. If you want to keep up with the Japanese style, put a large coffee table in your dining room, since they have short legs.

Brown Wood Top Coffee Table

Sitcom Hida Collection Coffee Table

If you plan on using a normal-height dining room table, find one that fits Japanese design criteria.

Extendable Wood Dining TableModloft Cliff Extendable Wood Dining Table

Consider seating your dining room table with stools or benches – they are normally lower to the ground.

Modern Wood Stool

Modloft Cliff Modern Wood Dining Stool

When accessorizing outside, make “tranquility” your main theme. Install an exterior shade to cover your patio from the blaring sun, shield from bugs, or just as a decoration.

Roll Up Shade

Coolaroo Designer 6′ x 6′ Roll Up Shade – Sandalwood

Outdoor fountains in earth tones with natural accents represent the Japanese feeling of serenity. The sound of flowing water is supposed to drown out the rest of the world and put you in a Zen-like state.

Japanese Design Fountain

Alfresco Home ISHI Fountain with Pump

Make your patio suitable to sit on by throwing down an outdoor rug. Keep colours and pattern to a minimum – a simple Japanese-influence rug will make your patio more inviting.

Indoor Outdoor Rugs

Couristan Recife Indoor/Outdoor Collection – Summit/Natural-Cocoa

Final tips on turning your living space into a Japanese Inteior Design retreat:

Get rid of that clutter! Since Japanese style is all about minimalism, less is definitely more.

Japanese plants like bamboo and flowers like orchids look beautiful as table centerpieces.

Keep the walls clean. Japanese design doesn’t particularly focus on wall art or photo frames.

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

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Japanese Bedroom: Learn Japanese Bedroom Design!

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Japanese Bedroom Style in a Modern Bedroom Setting

Who doesn’t long for a bedroom that is truly an escape from daily life?  With its calming colors, low profile furniture and limited clutter, Modern design and Japanese Bedroom Design work very well together and can help you create the room of your dreams.

Japanese Bedroom Modern Platform BedFurniture that is low to the ground is common in a modern setting and is a staple in Japanese Bedroom design.  The idea behind the low profile is to give thefeeling of stability to the user.  A platform bed is the perfect bed in this setting and the Fashion Bed Kyoto Black Platform Bed is an affordable choice to create thislook.  The design of this bed is simplicity at its best.  The simple lines will work perfectly with other Japanese style furniture you may have. An Asian screen or framed Kimono can be hung above to add some color and design.


Japanese Bedroom Zen Platform BedIf eco-friendly products are important to you the Retro Japanese Zen Platform Bed by Lifestyle Solutions should meet your needs.  Again, the simple lines of this bed and the large, flared headboard make it a good choice for your Asian inspired bedroom.

Japanese Bedroom Modloft Platform BedFor a modern japanese bedrrom style check out the Modloft Monroe Platform Bed. While the dark solid pine finish is not commonly found in Japanese Bedrrom design, the low horizontal lines make it a perfect choice.  The added bonus of hidden storage behind the doors can reduce the need for other furniture pieces in the room

The goal in Japanese design is to keep furnishings and decorations to a minimum.  Most everything in the room should be functional and practical.  But a bedroom needs additional furniture such as nightstands and dressers.  While many of the beds mentioned have matching pieces, it is not necessary to have everything match.  However, it is important in Japanese Design to keep the woods in the same color tone.

6 Drawer Mahogany Japanese DresserOr, consider the Sitcom Edo Japanese 6 Drawer Double Dresser in Mahogany. Its distinct Japanese influence is executed in theslim-line drawer pulls and the frame-on-frameside panels.

Sitcom features the same dresser in a chest form – the Edo Japanese 6 Drawer Tall Chest. The simplicity of both these accent pieces works well in a Japanese-inspired space.

Japanese Bedroom MirrorThe entire Edo collection by Sitcom has many accent pieces that could be used in a modern or Asian-style room. The Edo Japanese Style Nightstand frames off a bed or a dresser, while the Edo Japanese Mirror can be mounted onthe wall to give the illusion of more space.
Japanese Bedroom Screen

Screens are often found in Japanese Bedroom interiors, and they can serve many purposes. For example, placed behind a platform bed, they make a very interesting headboard. Maybe you want to hide the electronics in the room when not in use. If your room requires some additional privacy from other areas, a screen becomes the perfect room divider.

They can even be placed in front of a window or sliding glass door to block the light and act as a window treatment. Take a look at the Japanese Hazelnut Screen Japanese Bedroom Wall ClockFolding Room Divider Screen, with its stripped bamboo panels for a natural look, and the Nextime Timeless Room Divider Wall Clock that is hung from the ceiling with steel wire suspension (andtells the time, too!). They offer a simple Japanese feel that will compliment any modern bedroom.

Color choices are important when you are trying to create a relaxing, Japanese feel to your room. Muted colors inspired by nature are best.  This would include soft grays, greens and light browns.

Your bedding should be simple in style and color. The mantra here is “Less is more”. Avoid the use of multiple throw pillows, fluffy bed skirts and lots of pattern.  Instead, opt for soft solids. If you must have some pattern, choose Japanese embroidery on an accent pillow.

Lighting is soft and preferably comes from a natural source such as windows and skylights. But tables and floor lamps are necessary, so choose pieces made from natural materials such as bamboo and wood and add paper shades.

Natural flooring materials are preferred. Wood floors covered with fibre rugs, such as tatami mats, contribute to the quiet and serene feel you are looking for in Japanese design.

Mixing Japanese design with your modern pieces will add texture and warmth to your room and create that retreat you’ve been longing for.

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

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