Plano

Add Serious Style to Your Bookshelves With These Five Steps by Margaret Chambers

It’s important to leave some negative space on each shelf so that the items have “breathing room.”

It’s important to leave some negative space on each shelf so that the items have “breathing room.”

Although shelves are rarely the focal point in interior design, it can’t be denied that cluttered, carelessly decorated shelves will distract from an otherwise immaculate space. If you’re redecorating your Dallas home and could use some help making your shelves look both clean and stylish, try following these five steps.

1: Edit Your Collections

We used a grasscloth wallpaper in the back of this bookcase for added depth, texture, and color.

We used a grasscloth wallpaper in the back of this bookcase for added depth, texture, and color.

To start with, remove all of the items on your shelves and go through them. Edit out anything that you either don’t love anymore or that clashes with the rest of your decorating scheme. This is also a great time to look at your bare shelves and decide if those could use an update, too. I like to add fabric or wallpaper to the backs of bookshelves to give them more depth and flair.

For a professionally designed look, keep in mind that interior designers usually decorate shelves with fewer items than the average homeowner. Cutting down on clutter gives each object more impact.

If you’re starting with a clean slate and could use some shopping tips, look for trays, small bronzes, boxes, antique tea caddies, vases, picture frames, and small art prints in addition to your books. Leaning a framed art print or photo against the back draws the viewer’s eye deeper into the shelf.

Organic accessories, such as petrified wood, geodes, coral, shells, and rattan baskets help give your shelves a variety of textures. Small potted plants (whether faux or live) add some refreshing greenery to your shelves too.

2: Pick Your Main Colors

Bookshelves should have a unified color scheme whenever possible. I recommend picking two complementary colors, adding in one type of metal, and using any number of neutral colors in-between.

3: Place Your Largest Items First

After you’ve narrowed down your selections, place your largest items on the shelves first. These can include stacks of coffee table books, baskets, vases, sculptures and trays. Some of these pieces may be large enough that you can put them on a shelf standalone.

The shelves in this Preston Hollow library are stained black, creating a dramatic backdrop for the clients’ books and objet d’art.

The shelves in this Preston Hollow library are stained black, creating a dramatic backdrop for the clients’ books and objet d’art.

4: Organize Your Books

Next, gather together all the books you’re using. If you have lots of books, you can group them by color.

Experiment with arranging books vertically, leaning them, or stacking them horizontally. A horizontal stack should have at least three books. If any of your books have unattractive spines or do not match your color scheme, turn them around so that the pages are facing out instead.

The blue-and-white china and the books on these shelves are all color-coordinated with the rest of the room.

The blue-and-white china and the books on these shelves are all color-coordinated with the rest of the room.

Some formulas for combining books and accessories include:

·        Putting books, a bookend, and a decorative bowl or basket together on a shelf

·        Setting a ball-shaped accessory against leaning books and adding a vase

·        Holding a set of books upright with a horizontal book stack that has a decorative object on top

5: Add the Finishing Touches

Once you’ve found a place for your large and medium items, use your small items to fill in any awkward gaps. That said, don’t fill out every shelf completely. A little negative space helps give your collections some “breathing room.”

As you arrange your shelves, make sure to vary the heights, pairing tall and short items together. Don’t be afraid to show your personality: shelves are the perfect place for travel mementos, family photos, and collectibles.

Before you finish decorating, take a step back to see how all the shelves in a room work together. It’s important to have some repeating colors or objects evenly distributed throughout the shelves, but it can be tricky to achieve the right balance. For example, if you have two gold objects on two adjoining shelves, you may want to move one of them to a further away shelf to balance things out.

A mixture of potted plants, porcelain jars, books, and picture frames fill these shelves we designed for a Plano home.

A mixture of potted plants, porcelain jars, books, and picture frames fill these shelves we designed for a Plano home.

One way to balance a tall shelving unit is to fill the four corner shelves with similar objects. These corners create a visual “frame” that bring everything together in the center shelves. To style a long shelf, create distinct vignettes that gently touch each other around the edges.

None of these design rules are set in stone, so don’t be afraid to experiment until your shelves feel right to you. And most of all, don’t forget to have some fun too. Shelves are a great opportunity to express a story about yourself. The end result shouldn’t look too staged, but rather, tell the world about who you are.

Having trouble editing down your collections? Getting a professional second opinion from an interior designer is invaluable. To contact us, send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com or call our Dallas office at 214-651-7665.

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7 Tips for Designing a Stylish, Yet Comfortable Living Room by Margaret Chambers

This living room is from a home we recently designed in Bent Tree (north Dallas).

This living room is from a home we recently designed in Bent Tree (north Dallas).

Living rooms can be challenging to design because they need to be so many things: inviting, comfortable, stylish, and functional all at once. Pristine living rooms that are only for entertaining guests are now a thing of the past. These days, it’s more common to have the living room be both a family space and an entertaining space.

As a designer, I’m also starting to see living rooms be combined into other spaces, including music rooms, studies, and libraries. A good-size room can even be all of these things. Whether you’re updating your home or moving into a newly built one, it’s helpful to think seriously about all the different ways you plan to use your living room.

A bright pink velvet sofa is the star of this living room in a Park Cities English cottage.

A bright pink velvet sofa is the star of this living room in a Park Cities English cottage.

Tip 1: Start With the Sofa

The best place to start is with the sofa. Sofas can make or break a room, so if your existing sofa is not the right style for the room you want, or not the right size for your space, unfortunately you’ll probably have to replace it. Take the time to plan your layout first, as buying the wrong sofa is an expensive mistake. Sofas available through designers tend to be built to last longer than those available from mainstream retailers. Another thing to keep in mind is that simple sofas are easier to style than ones with ornate details.

Tip 2: Use the Rule of Thirds

An easy way to make sure the major elements of your living room are balanced against each other is to follow the rule of thirds. For example, your sofa should generally be two-thirds the width of your area rug, and your coffee table should be two-thirds the width of your sofa. While your major furnishings should be timeless in style, you can safely follow trends for smaller pieces like throw pillows, as these probably won’t be a long-term investment.

This zebra rug adds an element of surprise to the living room for this Dallas ranch home we designed.

This zebra rug adds an element of surprise to the living room for this Dallas ranch home we designed.

Tip 3: Choose the Right Rug Size

Most living room rugs will need to be 9-by-12-foot, 10-by-14-foot, or 12-by-15-foot for a large room. If you have a small room and are having trouble finding a rug that’s just the right fit, try a rug with an unusual shape, such as a zebra rug. These kinds of “amorphous” rugs can fit into a variety of spaces.

Tip 4: Contrast Light Against Dark

The walls of this Plano home are all painted grey. We used black and white accents to create more drama in each room.

The walls of this Plano home are all painted grey. We used black and white accents to create more drama in each room.

A living room that’s all-white can seem too formal and cold. Meanwhile, an all-dark living room tends to feel cave-like, which is an ambiance you might want for your bedroom but not for entertaining guests. The safest color scheme is in the middle: a living room with both light and dark elements.

Tip 5: Shop for Durable Fabrics

If you have young children or pets, you’ll definitely want to choose durable fabrics, such as outdoor fabric lines or Crypton. You should also steer clear of white fabrics that show stains. It’s easy to wipe away spills on leather, but leather also scratches easily, which is something to consider if you have pets.

Tip 6: Mix Old and New

To give your living room some character, try mixing both new and old items. I personally always incorporate antiques into my designs. Including antiques or vintage items is a surefire way to avoid the “showroom” look. Also, mixing different kinds of seating not only makes your living room more interesting, but also gives guests different seating options for their comfort. Make sure to plan your seating around creating conversation groups, rather than have all of the seating facing the TV. Ottomans are one of my go-to’s for extra seating.

Tip 7: Blend Your TV Into The Room

TV’s are a reality of modern life (and sometimes even the focal point in living rooms), so you’ll need to plan around yours. A TV stand is a common solution, but some alternatives you may not have considered include: projecting onto a blank wall, placing a flatscreen TV on a wall and surrounding it with artwork in black frames, or concealing the TV in a large cabinet.

We mixed modern furnishings (art deco chairs) and antiques (incense burners and foo dog statues) in this living room.

We mixed modern furnishings (art deco chairs) and antiques (incense burners and foo dog statues) in this living room.

If there’s one room in your home that you really need to get right, it’s the living room. Not only does it shape the way guests see your home, but it’s a room you’ll want to enjoy for yourself, too. Regardless of whether you want your living room to be formal or casual, it’s worth your time to plan a space that’s welcoming for family and friends alike.

Of course, not everyone has the time to plan their living room design in detail. Hiring an interior design firm is the best way to ensure your home has that professionally designed touch. Schedule a free consultation with Chambers Interiors by emailing us at info@chambersinteriors.com or calling our Dallas office at 214-651-7665.

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Plan Your Home Lighting Like a Professional by Margaret Chambers

Featured here are a pair of Murano glass lamps from a dining room we designed in Kessler Park, Dallas.

Featured here are a pair of Murano glass lamps from a dining room we designed in Kessler Park, Dallas.

In previous articles, we’ve talked about how important balance is to interior design. Lighting is no exception. Even the most beautifully designed rooms will look unbalanced if they’re poorly lit. To help your decorations look their best, you'll need to light each room with care.

If you’re furnishing your home from scratch or working on a major remodel, walk through the house and ask yourself along the way: ‘what are the primary functions of this room?’ Odds are that you’ll want task lighting for your study, but mood lighting for your bedroom. Make sure to plan ahead your desired color temperature for the lighting in each room, too. Lower temperatures are warm and yellow, while higher temperatures are closer to blue daylight.

As a general rule, task lighting should be three times brighter than the rest of your lighting. Recessed lights
and pendant lights are reliable solutions for this. Another place where you may want to install task lighting is above the countertops in your kitchen (in this case, under-cabinet lighting strips can be very useful).

In this photo, you can see both the study hall and the dining area for SMU’s Kappa Alpha Theta house. We lit the seating areas for the study hall with brass chandeliers. To the right, the dining room is illuminated with a series of recessed lights.

In this photo, you can see both the study hall and the dining area for SMU’s Kappa Alpha Theta house. We lit the seating areas for the study hall with brass chandeliers. To the right, the dining room is illuminated with a series of recessed lights.

On the other hand, mood lighting is typically created using a balance of many softer light sources in the same room. Including dimmers in your plans will give you more flexibility to control the brightness levels. A popular new trend is to install one light switch that controls all the lights in a particular area or room. These “smart lighting systems” are preferable because having one switch on the wall looks cleaner than having three or four together.

Make sure that each light fixture is performing a specific task, whether it's highlighting an area, creating
depth, or illuminating a cupboard. There's a saying that "if you light everything, you light nothing." Although it’s tempting to plot lights throughout the room, you do need shadows to create variation and atmosphere.

Pendant lights help to illuminate the sink area in this eclectic master bathroom we designed in a downtown Dallas high-rise.

Pendant lights help to illuminate the sink area in this eclectic master bathroom we designed in a downtown Dallas high-rise.

Lighting can also establish focal points in a room. Use recessed lighting to draw the eye to a central seating area or a piece of art over the fireplace. If you have a gallery of artwork in your hallway, make sure each piece is equally lit. Just make sure not to project light directly onto a mirror, as this will create glare. Instead, highlight the mirror frame with a series of wall-mounted lights on opposite sides.

The overall shape of your room should have an influence on the kind of lighting you choose. Lighting can even compensate for a room’s less desirable features. For example, low-hung pendant lights make ceilings feel taller, while up-lighting will make the whole room feel larger and more impressive.

A chandelier is always an eye-catching lighting solution. For a traditional look, place a chandelier over the dining room table to draw attention. However, in a contemporary home you may want to use a pendant light (or group of pendant lights) instead.

The owners of this Plano residence asked us to update their home with a transitional style. You can see how we complemented traditional and modern pieces together in this dining room. The chandelier, with its fine details, has a more traditional loo…

The owners of this Plano residence asked us to update their home with a transitional style. You can see how we complemented traditional and modern pieces together in this dining room. The chandelier, with its fine details, has a more traditional look.

If you read our last article about harmony in design, you can guess that it's important for lighting fixtures to harmonize. Use multiple kinds of light fixtures in each room for variety and interest, but make sure the fixtures also match your decorating scheme. For example, Japanese paper shades typically look best in either modern rooms or Asian-influenced ones, while an antique crystal chandelier could look out of place in the same room. An antler chandelier is a classic choice for a rustic country home.

That said, maybe you have a room that has a little too much harmony, and could use contrast to break things up. In this case, consider making a statement with your lighting. A black iron chandelier would add a lot of impact to a room with a light and bright color scheme.

Whenever possible, get a designer to help you with lighting needs. Much has changed in lighting just in the past few years, and a professional can help you navigate the latest technologies. You'll be glad you went through the extra effort to give your rooms a beautiful glow—after all, a room that is well-lit, is well used. To schedule a free consultation with us, call our office at 214-232-9501 or send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

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Choosing the Perfect Patterns by Margaret Chambers

In the living room of this sorority house at SMU in Dallas, we paired a yellow pillow with a small-scale pattern and a blue pillow with a large-scale ikat pattern. Although the pillows are completely different, both of them fit into the overall colo…

In the living room of this sorority house at SMU in Dallas, we paired a yellow pillow with a small-scale pattern and a blue pillow with a large-scale ikat pattern. Although the pillows are completely different, both of them fit into the overall color scheme of the room.

Patterns are an important tool in any interior designer's repertoire. However, you don’t have to be a professional to appreciate the difference that the right wallpaper pattern or rug can bring to a room. Whether you prefer geometric designs or traditional motifs like floral and paisley, it's important to know when and where to use patterns in your home.

Patterns come in a variety of densities, from fine, to medium and oversized. We use the word “density” here to describe how close together the images in the pattern are placed to one another. One example of an oversized pattern would be a bold geometric design. Some examples of medium patterns typically include botanical motifs and plaids. Fine patterns, on the other hand, can be so small-scale that they look like a solid color from a distance.

We decorated this guest bedroom in a Dallas ranch home using a black, white, and gray palette, which can accommodate a variety of pattern densities. The ottomans have a large-scale cow print pattern, while the patterns on the upholstered desk chair …

We decorated this guest bedroom in a Dallas ranch home using a black, white, and gray palette, which can accommodate a variety of pattern densities. The ottomans have a large-scale cow print pattern, while the patterns on the upholstered desk chair and day-bed are both small-scale.

This is a detail shot from a transitional home we designed in Plano, Texas. The Missoni pillow on the left has a geometric pattern (stripes) while the pillow on the right features a traditional wood blocked pattern. As you can see, stripes can accom…

This is a detail shot from a transitional home we designed in Plano, Texas. The Missoni pillow on the left has a geometric pattern (stripes) while the pillow on the right features a traditional wood blocked pattern. As you can see, stripes can accompany a wide variety of patterns.

In addition to density, patterns can also be categorized by their style. Organic patterns are based on natural images, like plants or animals, while geometric patterns include abstract motifs such as stripes and squares. Both geometric and organic patterns can be used to create different visual effects.

Vertical stripes will make a low ceiling seem taller, while floral and toile prints give the room a soft and cozy feel. Animal prints are associated with glamour, and can work in either traditional or contemporary settings. If you want to cultivate a Bohemian or artsy look, ikats and paisleys are smart choices. Finally, stripes are a fantastic multi-purpose pattern that complements almost all other patterns, whether they are abstract or traditional.

It may be tempting to use the same pattern throughout your room, but be warned: doing so is a surefire way to make your home feel dated! From a design perspective, too much of one pattern is also just overwhelming. Incorporating complementary patterns that are in a variety of styles is the way to go these days. When in doubt, mixing different patterns that are all in the same color is a safe strategy. A monotone color scheme will give you leeway to mix patterns that might otherwise clash with one another.

Pictured here is another guest bedroom from the Dallas ranch home mentioned earlier. You can spot many different kinds of patterns here, but because they are all in various shades of gray, they do not clash with one another.

Pictured here is another guest bedroom from the Dallas ranch home mentioned earlier. You can spot many different kinds of patterns here, but because they are all in various shades of gray, they do not clash with one another.

The kind of pattern you choose for each piece should depend on what you're displaying it on. If you want to feature an oversized pattern, it needs to dominate the room. Use that pattern on wallpaper, a sofa, or an area rug. Large rooms can handle both darker and bolder prints, while small rooms will feel more open if you decorate them with fine, softly-colored patterns.

The pattern on these upholstered chairs is one example of an over-sized pattern. These Victorian chairs originally belonged to the clients’ grandparents: she updated them with a fabric that was originally used on the set of the Sex and the City movi…

The pattern on these upholstered chairs is one example of an over-sized pattern. These Victorian chairs originally belonged to the clients’ grandparents: she updated them with a fabric that was originally used on the set of the Sex and the City movie.

As a general rule, only use one oversized pattern per room. From there, you’ll want to complement your single oversized pattern with medium-density patterns on your chair upholstery, ottomans or curtains. Fine patterns look best on accent pieces such as pillows and lampshades.

Blue-and-yellow-striped curtains complement a blue sofa and yellow pillows in the Kappa Alpha Theta house at SMU.

Blue-and-yellow-striped curtains complement a blue sofa and yellow pillows in the Kappa Alpha Theta house at SMU.

If you've decided on a pattern but aren't sure what color you want, you can use your other furnishings as a guide. For example, if you already own a green upholstered ottoman, why not buy pillows or drapes in a similar shade of green? Once you’ve chosen your patterns, keep in mind that it’s important to space each pattern evenly throughout the room for visual balance. Putting solid color fabrics in between acts as a visual buffer.

These are only general guidelines. Experienced designers know that sometimes the best results can come from a little experimentation. Don't be afraid to play around with patterns until you've found the perfect combination!

If you could use an expert eye to help you balance your favorite patterns and colors, reach out to us by calling 214-232-9501 or sending an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

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How to Use Rhythm and Harmony to Design Great Rooms by Margaret Chambers

The words “rhythm” and “harmony” likely bring music to mind, but these are also terms that interior designers like myself use to describe our work. If you’re a Dallas homeowner and have ever wondered about what it takes to design a room that is both cohesive and interesting, you’ll want to study up on both of these design principles.

Many homes have architectural details that add built-in rhythm to the room. This is the foyer of the SMU Theta sorority house in Dallas, which was designed by Fusch Architects, Inc. and decorated by us. The elegant staircase curves as it rises up, i…

Many homes have architectural details that add built-in rhythm to the room. This is the foyer of the SMU Theta sorority house in Dallas, which was designed by Fusch Architects, Inc. and decorated by us. The elegant staircase curves as it rises up, inviting the visitor’s eye to follow along with it. Gold and yellow accessories create another kind of visual rhythm in the sitting area below.

Rhythm:

You can lead a viewer's eye throughout the room by repeating a pattern or color among your furnishings and accessories. This kind of visual flow is called rhythm. The use of rhythm can be subtle: for example, a particular shade of yellow in a painting could be echoed in the pillows on the sofa. By distributing that color or pattern throughout the room, you are creating visual "movement" and balancing your color scheme, too.

The owners of this home we designed in Kessler Park displayed their collection of African artifacts in the kitchen. The pieces are united in color, but have slightly different shapes and sizes.

The owners of this home we designed in Kessler Park displayed their collection of African artifacts in the kitchen. The pieces are united in color, but have slightly different shapes and sizes.

Any repetition of elements in a room can create rhythm. For example, a group of art prints along the wall, a series of matching lighting fixtures, or a row of candles on a mantle all establish rhythm through repetition. However, not all of your repeating accessories need to be identical.

You can also create interest through progression, in which you line up your accessories from large to small, small to large, or even from light to dark in tone. A series of similar but differently-sized vases in an entrée way is a charming example of progression. Featuring a basic shape throughout the room is another opportunity to create rhythm. For example, an oval-patterned wallpaper can be accentuated by an oval-shaped mirror.

Keeping repetition and rhythm in mind will guide you to make smarter purchases as you furnish your home, because it encourages you to create cohesive groupings. If you’ve tried to incorporate rhythm, but the room still feels “off” somehow, remember to step back and let your eyes naturally follow the lines of the room. This can help you identify where changes should be made.

A pink, toile-patterned wallpaper adds movement and rhythm to the walls of this formal dining room in University Park, Dallas. This dining room is part of a home decorated in a traditional English cottage style.

A pink, toile-patterned wallpaper adds movement and rhythm to the walls of this formal dining room in University Park, Dallas. This dining room is part of a home decorated in a traditional English cottage style.

Harmony:

Another way to achieve balance in your interiors is through harmony, in which all the elements of your space relate to each other in a pleasing way. When there are too many different colors, shapes, or textures in a room, the result is visual chaos. A room has harmony when almost everything in it is part of the same color family: in other words, a monochromatic color scheme.

The living room shown above is from a transitional home we designed in Plano, Texas. The color scheme for this house is made up of calming neutrals, while a variety of textures and patterns add interest to the space.

The living room shown above is from a transitional home we designed in Plano, Texas. The color scheme for this house is made up of calming neutrals, while a variety of textures and patterns add interest to the space.

While a room with contrasting colors and rhythm is exciting, a room with harmony is especially restful. So monochromatic color schemes are a great idea for rooms you want to be able to relax in, such as the bedroom. A symmetrically designed room will also feel more harmonious than an asymmetrical room.

If you are just beginning to furnish your Dallas home and aren’t sure how to proceed, pick one item or visual element you definitely want in your room, and then design around it. Be careful not to get too carried away, and make sure to leave room for ‘negative space.’ Negative space gives interiors a calming quality, and too much clutter can take away from that.

This Dallas dining room is a great example of a room where negative space makes the room feel more open.

This Dallas dining room is a great example of a room where negative space makes the room feel more open.

You don't have to make everything in your room all of one color to achieve harmony. Distributing similar textures throughout your room will achieve a similar effect: from coarse textures like brick and timber paneling, to smooth textures like polished concrete and glass.

The danger in creating a harmonious room is that without the right amount of contrast, you can end up with a boring design. A smart designer will know how to add just the right amount of variety while still maintaining a balanced look. If your monochromatic color scheme feels too “matchy-matchy,” you’ll want to introduce other colors.

Here is the formal living room from SMU’s Kappa Alpha Theta house that we featured earlier. We used a bright multi-color scheme for this room: golds, greens, and aquas are found throughout the room, and echoed again in the large floral painting over…

Here is the formal living room from SMU’s Kappa Alpha Theta house that we featured earlier. We used a bright multi-color scheme for this room: golds, greens, and aquas are found throughout the room, and echoed again in the large floral painting over the sofa.

When it comes to multi-color schemes, many interior designers follow the 60-30-10 rule. This rule is designed to guide you in distributing the right amount of color in each room. 60 percent of the room should represent your dominant color, 30 percent should be your secondary color, and the last 10 percent is for accents.

Now that you've read about a few examples of rhythm and harmony, hopefully you can approach your interiors with a fresh eye and see where you can make improvements. If you’re overwhelmed by the size of your project and could use an expert opinion, consider reaching out to our interior design team for a free consultation.

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Asian-Inspired Interior Design Trends by Margaret Chambers

Many interior designers and homeowners in Dallas today look to Asia for stylistic inspiration. "Asian-style" can refer to interior design with an East Asian (Chinese or Japanese) influence or South Asian (Indian) influence. Asian decor continues to be popular for a few reasons. Asian accessories or design elements can instantly bring tranquility into a room. Japanese style also blends very well with contemporary rooms, since both styles emphasize clean lines, open space, and neutral colors. Meanwhile, Chinese accessories, with their sense of history and craftsmanship, are well suited for traditional homes.

Characteristics of Chinese Interior Design

Curved, intricately detailed furniture is associated with Chinese style rather than Japanese. In a traditionally decorated Chinese home, it's common to see furniture with gilt details, hand-painting, carvings, and ornate handles. If you own a statement piece with these features, make it the center of attention by surrounding it with simpler furniture.

Oriental rugs, fine silks, and tasseled draperies are also characteristic of this style. When you're picking fabrics or patterns for wallpaper, keep an eye out for common Chinese motifs. Fish, flowers, dragons, monkeys, and tigers are all examples. Unlike the soothing earth and gray tones in Zen homes, Chinese style homes are more dramatic, with gold-painted walls or patterned wallpaper. 

A traditional oriental rug can still belong in a contemporary setting if its colors and pattern complement the rest of the room. The mirrors in this bathroom are also inspired by Indian design.

A traditional oriental rug can still belong in a contemporary setting if its colors and pattern complement the rest of the room. The mirrors in this bathroom are also inspired by Indian design.

Some Asian accessories, such as blue and white china and chinoiserie, are also at home in a traditional room. Blue and white china pieces were imported to Europe as early as the 15th century. Chinoiserie, a French-term for "Chinese-esque," are traditional decorations that draw inspiration from Asian art. Examples of Chinoiserie include paintings, pottery, textiles, wallpaper, and decorated furniture that depict a fanciful version of China. 

Blue and white china adds refinement to this transitional home in Plano.

Blue and white china adds refinement to this transitional home in Plano.

A Chinese design philosophy that is sometimes utilized by Western interior designers is feng shui. Feng shui, when applied to interior design, is a very exacting style. Every piece in the room must serve a purpose. The choice in natural materials becomes incredibly important, as wood, water, fire, earth, and metal-- and the furnishings associated with them--create their own distinctive energies. By hiring an expert in feng shui design or studying up on it yourself, you can carefully reconstruct the emotional quality of each room.

How to Incorporate Japanese Influence

If you enjoy modern design, but also appreciate traditional rooms with a sense of culture and history, Japanese design could be the best of both worlds for you.

Japanese-style rooms are often described as having a 'Zen' quality. A Japanese school of Buddhism, Zen teaches that its followers must experience enlightenment for themselves, rather than simply memorize a list of teachings. Living a simple life, experiencing the here-and-now, and disciplined meditation in a calm environment are said to be the path to results.

When it comes to interior design, Zen-inspired rooms usually feature low furniture, natural materials, lots of light, and very little clutter. Common natural materials include stone, bamboo, rattan, earthenware, and dark woods. Designers will often recommend neutral cream and beige for the walls and restricting dark colors to the furniture. Red and black accents-- such as lacquer pieces-- can add a dramatic touch to an otherwise even-toned room. Furniture should also have clean, simple lines, as in modern and contemporary design. Avoid pieces with ornate details and asymmetry. 

Whether you're adding Asian influence to a traditional or a modern home, you don't want to overdo it. Including even just one or two Asian symbols or accessories transforms the entire feel of the room. For example, a Buddha statue brings with it a whole history of cultural and religious associations. Paper lanterns, silk screens, and lacquer jewelry boxes will also immediately give your room an Asian feel for visitors.

Small Buddha figurines are just a few of the multicultural accessories we used in this eclectic downtown Dallas highrise.

Small Buddha figurines are just a few of the multicultural accessories we used in this eclectic downtown Dallas highrise.

Because of this, Asian can be an inexpensive style to emulate. Swapping in red accent pillows, a calligraphy scroll, or a religious icon can all help you achieve the style. A very casual room can still benefit from the surprise and cultural flair East Asian design brings. Try adding potted cherry blossoms or bamboo window shades to bring both nature and an Asian influence to your informal setting.

Tips for Designing an Indian-Inspired Home

If you've ever wanted to incorporate the beauty of Indian patterns and furnishings into your home, here are a few suggestions.

indian-painting-ochre-tones.jpg

When you think of India, certain colors probably come to mind. India has culturally embraced an abundance of colors, including both jewel and burnt tones. Burnt oranges, terracotta reds, and ochres can all be main colors. If you prefer something more understated, warm neutrals like taupe and sand will work too. Pure white is a color associated with mourning in India, so you will not see cool whites in traditional Indian homes; however, westernized homes will often incorporate warm and creamy whites. 

As for jewel colors like turquoise, green, purple, and magenta, these colors are usually reserved for accents. Common Indian accessories include statues of Buddha or Hindu gods, mirrors with carved or forged frames, and ornaments covered with small pieces of mirror or tile. Don't forget to fill your sofas and beds with lots of colorful embroidered pillows. For a truly traditional Indian look, you should use lamps, sconces, and lanterns for lighting rather than chandeliers.

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An Indian room isn't complete without furniture made of exotic woods such as ebony, rosewood, and teak. Antique pieces will feature beautifully intricate carvings, but Indian furniture is not dainty-- these are sturdy pieces meant to last a long time. Seating tends to be low, and a sitting area will often feature an ottoman or pouf. That said, you don't need to buy a whole new set of furniture to get an Indian look.

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You can also layer Indian throws, rugs, and textiles over what you already have. Consider using silks or even a sari as a sofa throw. Tablecloths patterned with woodblock prints and bedspreads with beading or metallic thread will immediately bring India to mind. Common Indian patterns for wallpaper and textiles include paisley, floral, swirls, birds, and elephants. 

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Regardless of whether you're only including a few Asian accessories, or having a designer redo your whole home according to Zen or feng shui design philosophies, Asian influence will add culture, harmony, and worldliness to your home. Here at Chambers Interiors, our team has a lot of experience sourcing multicultural antiques for homes. To schedule a consultation with us, call Margaret Chambers at 214-232-9501 or email us at info@chambersinteriors.com.

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