Japanese Style Decor

"Man stays in its own shadow and wonders why it's dark - Zen Saying "

Traditonal culture of Japan influenced Western designers for centuries. Famous for its art and crafts, Japanese style has a certain influence even now, in modern times..

Of all Asian philosophies, Zen has the strongest impact on japanese style decor. Introduced in Japan sometimes in the nineth century, as a philosophy, Zen implies a life in spiritual enlightment, and it's devoted to discovering beauty in simplicity.
That's why for example, without the clutter of furnishings one can concentrate on the materials and natural elements present in japanese decor.

There is always a dual purpose in the objects used for decor: appreciated for their aesthetics, they also serve practical purposes of storage or transport.
Immaterial elements of light and shadow are as important in japanese decor as the material ones.
As an example, through shoji(screens), light is difused in the rooms, but sets and frames the size of a room, too.

Achieve A Japanese Style Look

Elements of Design in Japanese Decor

• Colors - earthy tones and shades of beige, cream, brown, gray can be used for a japanese decor.
  Overall, colors are muted, calm and create the background of a serene atmosphere.
  Black was one of the first pigments used by men; and the same applies to Japan. It is seen in laccquerwork and it was used to adorn the ceremonial weapons: the samurai swords.
• Bamboo is found everywhere in East Asia. Its availability and versatility have made it an always used material in a japanese interior.
  While in a japanese traditional house, bamboo is used for shoji screens and bamboo mat walls, in a modern house the japanese mood can be achieved using bamboo or grasscloth wallpapering.
• In a traditional japanese house, rooms are partitioned through screens, called shoji if the screens are in the interior, and thick wooden sliding shutters for the exteriors, creating a flexible and ever-hanging relationship with nature.
• Interiors in a Japanese style decor are dominated(in a subtle way) by textures and materials, being a vital part of the look.
  There is a preference for natural materials, such as infinished wood, natural fibers, and roughly plastered walls, and for simple furnishings and ceramic wares.
• The complex relationship between man and nature is reflected in his use of materials:

Lacquer was introduced in Japan by Chinese, but in this case, the pupil outclassed the master by far.
Lacquer is made from the sap of the lacquer tree. Most often is stained black, but in the early years it was stained red also.
For decor, japanese will combine lacquer with metal inlays such as gold or silver, or natural materials such as mother-of-pearl, to create intricate designs in the furniture.

Stone and natural rocks are used usually in a modern japanese bathroom.

Paper plays a central role in Japanese life, as a material for painting, printing, calligraphy, and also as a building material, to cover shoji screens, windows, folding screens and light fittings.

Wood - polished to enhance the natural grain and color, it is used for braziers, pots, or vases for ikebana arrangements.

• Lighting is not sophisticated, but rather simple and plain. They all have the same characteristics: make use of the non-directional light, and are plain and unadorned.