How to Design with Asian Influence

Peaceful, Relaxing, and Serene is the best way to describe the ambiance that Asian elements give to your home. Their culture carries a rich philosophy dedicated to Zen and they are obedient to the rules of Feng Shui. You can see this dedication to harmony and nature with restful colors, soft lighting, symmetry, natural elements, and furniture placement. Here are few designs I found online and projects of my own that exhibit these Asian influences.

Love the clean and unique look of this Japanese screen staircase and LED floor lighting. The hardwood screen is bold and sleek while the lights add a softness to the room.

The small ‘pebbled” tiles used around the mirror and flowing into the shower give hints of nature to this modern Japanese Bath. The sense of relaxation continues into the vanity with the vessel sink along with the blonde wood plank bench seating and floor. Finish the look with a bonsai tree or orchid, very Feng Shui.

This bedroom indulges in the Feng Shui tradition with the position of the bed against a solid wall which imparts a feeling of safety and security. The large art piece that hangs above the bed is also very Feng Shui as well, bringing in positive energy and enjoyment. Love bubble pendant and the color of the accent wall.

Beautiful earth tones are used in this Asian inspired master bathroom. Adding hints of nature is very popular in oriental cultures and can be recognized in the rock sink and waterfall installation in the back of the bathroom.

This spa bathroom is fitted with an amazing deep stone Japanese bathtub and sauna for a perfect relaxation retreat. You can see the distinct elements associated with Asian decor with the river rock decorative along the wall and the simplicity of accessories.

Here the designer fused the office and the meditation room together. The Meditation room is very important in the Asian culture. The built-in shelving with the contrast of dark and light stains on the wood create an exotic platform to display your Feng Shui accessories and Buddha Statue.

Japanese Cherry Blossoms decorate this tiled bathroom in Connecticut. I hired a gentleman to come paint the mural art after installing the tiles which gave it a very personal touch.

Again with the reference to nature and sleek lines. I see these bamboo plants and think of the Japanese forest.

Symmetry is a strong element in Asian design and is displayed beautifully in this Master Bedroom I designed in Connecticut. The purpose of this feature is to create balance throughout the room.

Chinoiserie is French for “Chinese-esque,” and represents a very popular Oriental style furniture that emerged in France. The vessel sink sits atop this one-of-a-kind piece that is decorated with detailed scenes painted on dark lacquer-like wood.

How to Decorate your new Fireplace?

The fusion of functionality and art is what vindicates my love for interior design and the limitless design options for your fireplace is a perfect example of this merger. Having spent years designing homes in the Tri-state area, I have found some key design tips to make a focal point out of your fireplace. I realize now is a bizarre time to reconsider redesigning the hearth but with several months of planning and rebuilding, you will have a dazzling masterpiece to enjoy this winter season.

Through my years of experience designing homes in NYC, it is clear how impossible a traditional wood-burning fireplace can be.  That is why EcoSmart Fireplaces are perfect for adding glamor to you home. They use a Bio-ethanol, a renewable energy source for each of their units. This clean emission allows for their fireplaces to be added anywhere in your home without expensive and invasive rebuilding. Below are a few examples of these EcoSmart projects.

Cement is an excellent material to use to spotlight your fireplace. It has a very natural masculine look and will bring your style to the next level. As mentioned before, this is a bio-ethanol project.

Minimalism can create some of the most spectacular focal points. This contemporary living space is seamless in its design, finished off with twin cushioned ottomans for enjoying the warmth.

Take advantage of a your space by using an irregular shape for your fireplace. Here, the designer built an extra wide fireplace which inevitably amplifies the warmth and eye-catching focal point.

Or here….notice the interesting textured wall that accents the fireplace. The stone finish glows when the fireplace is lit.

Be creative when designing your hearth. Try something a-symmetrical, like you find here in this eclectic living room.

This clean modern fireplace is a beautiful addition to any room whether its your bedroom or the master bath. Don’t bother with a mantel or hearth. Small white stones finish off this sleek look.

Design your fireplace to be three-dimensional so that you can enjoy it from multiple rooms. By installing such a unique fireplace aside these floor to ceiling windows gives the space a bonfire like atmosphere.

Now that we are in the warmer months, a great way to keep your fireplace engaging is to fill it with interesting objects. Organic spheres were added to this rectangle fireplace for contrast.  One could add some free-standing candles for a romantic feel.

How to get ready for the Summer Season?

While walking my two lovely dogs, Casey and Nola, I noticed the trees down Lexington have bloomed and are now shading the streets with luscious green leaves. Yes, Spring is here and now is the time to start focusing your home design with warm-weather inspirations. Whether you have a home with a large outdoor space or a small NYC apartment and a fire escape, nows the time to make the most of the sunshine. Here are some tips in transforming your space into a summer-soaked home.

Use bright, bold and cheerful colors when designing your space. Here, the style mimics the red brick color in the hanging bed with the clay roof tiles you find in tropical hot-spots.

Spruce up your porch with plants and patio furniture. A wicker set is perfect for outdoors and has a very traditional look. Hanging plants turn your patio space into a garden. Notice the sliding gate, very chic.

You dont need a lot of outdoor space to enjoy the sunlight. This small balcony is a perfect example of how to appreciate the fresh air with just a few signature pieces. A small colorful outdoor rug, an exotic vintage chair, and some waterproof pillows makes this space inviting. Add a sheer neutral toned curtain for some privacy.

With the warmer weather upon us, its a nice touch to change your bed linens to cool light tones for a beach cottage look. This Cape Cod bedroom uses bright whites on the walls and furniture to clean and freshen up the room.  The nightstand holds an old Cape-related book, a fun idea for your home.

Energy, time, and space are all necessities for a summer garden but there are still plenty of easy and beautiful ways to merge plants into your life. This room proves how container gardens revolutionize the room. All you need to do is find large pots or vases and fill them with your favorite fauna.

Seagrass or sisal carpet is a quick way to turn this modern home into a summer beach getaway. The best part of this tip is its practicality for the whole year. Other benefits of sisal is its extreme durability, its ability to absorb sound and although it may seem rough to the touch, it holds a natural warm cozy temperature.

How To Decorate For NY’s Red Hot Rental Market?

This narrow space was transformed into a modern sophisticated living room by adding simple clean window treatments and standard furniture. By keeping your sofa and bed classic sizes, it is easy to create the similar look in your next rental when you choose to move. Note: the ‘floating’ furniture is smart in diving the room into sections and makes a great floor plan.

Area rugs and art can instantly transform a bland box and give your apartment pleasant atmosphere. Not only do these adjustments add bright colors, they also have mobility. Things that you can take with you once you leave your rental are conducive for renters who tend to move more often.

Typically, property owners do not allow renters to paint their apartments. Even in situation where you are allowed to paint, the room must be painted back which can be daunting. An easy fix is to paint just one accent wall. By painting the wall behind the bed, color is added to this all white room and it also takes the place of a headboard.

Sleek is key with New York rentals. The designer here accented this barren room with a small but effective art installation against the longest wall. Simple sheer curtains finish the look while the clean lines of the coffee table and sofa make for a comfortable sitting area.

Another view of the same room.

Again, small painting projects are the way to go with rentals. This apartment in Greenwich Village brings the small built in shelves to life by painting the interior of the shelves a dark taupe.

Simple clean and neutral curtains accent these large floor to ceiling windows, and can easily be used in many situations after your lease is done.

How to Decorate using Ethnic Patterns?

While strolling through Mood Fabrics, it is hard not to LOVE every luxurious pattern that leaps out at you with bright colors and fashionable designs. Unfortunately, putting all these assorted fabrics in your home just creates a cluttered mess.  That is, unless, you find a pattern amongst the patterns. Ethnic and Tribal decorations is the perfect approach to bring these diverse designs together.

The wall tile in this Kitchen really brings out the dark navy cabinets and beautiful gold hardware. The detail in the tile repeat is endless while the rest of the room is simple both in color and set up. But, keep in mind the size of the wall you are decorating. The space relationship of this Kitchen is what makes such a crazed wall work.

Here is a  Colonial Home decorated in beautiful Ikat fabrics. The Ikat material is a very ancient dyeing process that produces very iconic patterns. Love the warm lived in feel that comes from the orange palette and the artsy piece that hangs above the bed.

Found this eclectic curated look with the hodge-podge of mixed patterned pillows very interesting. When designing a room with ethnic colors and patterns, be sure to include accessories that match, such as the iron candle holder sitting on the coffee table and the hand woven rug it sits upon.

This black and yellow private outdoor space really makes a statement with its abundance in unique accessories, complimenting colors and bright seasonal flowers and fauna. The bamboo shade is functional in making the space intimate and also keeps with the ethnic-tribal theme.

The tablescape here is supurb. Absolutely include animal prints with your ethnic patterns like the gray zebra book stacked on the bedside table. The warn finish on the mirrors frame fits with the “lived -in” look that ties everything together.

Safari Fusion is a brilliant way to incorporate your tribal quality. The hanging piece here is a Bamileke Feather Headdress, also known as a Juju hat. The fluffy feathered piece adds texture to your design while the bright blue and black beaded vases add authenticity to the room.