(ARA) - The Eastern influence in home decorating is making a strong comeback. Some reasons for its current importance are steeped in ancient philosophy and cultural practices; others have to do with the characteristics and enduring versatility of Asian design.

Asian design is uncluttered - perfectly attuned to Americans’ quest for simplifying their surroundings and their lives. Yet, it is as elegant as it is spare, and many of its themes, such as the lotus blossom and bamboo, are timeless. Even the monochromatic French toile was borrowed from Oriental scenic designs along with the use of gilt and metallic accents — both popular today.

Modern designers in particular have historically shown a penchant for Asian design. Its spare lines and rich materials lend themselves to contemporary furnishings. Lacquered finishes add sleekness, while bamboo and rattan provide contrast and interest. Both are pleasing to the touch as well as the eye.

Feng Shui (pronounced fung schway), is at the heart of Oriental design. It is the ancient Chinese art of placement that allows the free flow of energy and guides our lives toward harmony. Feng Shui, practiced in China for 4,000 years, is now taken seriously, not only by American interior designers, but also by builders of high rises as well as residences nationwide.

The association between harmony and Asian influences now even moves beyond design into other important aspect of our lives. Acupuncture is gaining respect in the U.S. medical community, and Americans are consuming record amounts of herbal tea.

Several S.A. Maxwell Co. wallpaper and border collections celebrate Asian design and illustrate how perfectly this influence meets today’s demand for harmony at home. Like an exotic spice, Oriental design can be used generously or in small doses, either to make a unique statement or merely enhance the eclectic flavor of any room, any home.

Bamboo trail wallpaper from the Arrangements collection softens the walls of a crisp, contemporary bedroom. Without disturbing the clean lines of the room’s spare furnishings, it adds warmth that could not be achieved by color alone. The coordinating border in a reverse colorway, placed along the top of the wall, adds to the symmetry expressed in the horizontal lines of the platform bed and the two, perfectly centered prints above.

What a difference a change of color makes! The same bamboo trail pattern from Arrangements, this time in black and tan — a favorite contemporary color combo — ties together a master bedroom and bath. The stunning black background of the bamboo border is repeated with equally understated sensation on the walls of the adjoining bath. Meanwhile, the walls of the bedroom are bathed with just the slightest suggestion of pattern — also from Arrangements. The wallpaper features subtle, miniature repeats of an Oriental woodblock flower within a six-sided design reminiscent of the pattern of caning.

Surprise replaces subtlety when a Chinese red version of the very same bamboo trail pattern brings luxury and glamour to a traditional-style dining room that can be seen through the open doorway of an adjacent living room. Red provides eye-opening contrast to the monochromatic, tone-on-tone, beige wallpaper from Arrangements in the living room. This pattern carries faint renderings of Chinese calligraphy, another admired Asian decorative motif that has stood the test of time.

Proof that Asian design is equally at home in contemporary and traditional interiors, and can even blend the two, is offered in three coordinating designs from S.A. Maxwell’s Vintage Colonial collection. The toile wallpaper in the bedroom features parasols on parade in scenes derived from documented Oriental art. It makes the perfect counterpoint to a border based on an Asian bamboo cane pattern. Rendered in close-up, the border pattern serves as architectural detailing around the window inset. It continues, horizontally along the wall at windowsill height, separating the toile from a coordinating, woven, tone-on-tone striped wallpaper beneath it.

For true decorating detailing, the shades of the wall-hung reading lamps on either side of the bed are papered in a leopard print pattern from Vintage Colonial. They highlight a pattern on the bed pillow and add to the exotic nature of the room.

Harmony at home has special meaning for women with husbands who raise objections to floral motifs in the bedroom. The Oriental option puts his arguments to rest while fulfilling her dreams of luxurious comfort.

To locate a retailer in your area that carries Arrangements, Vintage Colonial and other collections by S. A. Maxwell Co., call (847) 932-3700 or visit www.samaxwell.com on the Internet.

Courtesy of ARA Content

There are many components of Feng Shui, and the five elements of Feng Shui are definitely worth studying further. Each of the five elements of Feng Shui is symbolized by one, two or three colors. Wood is represented by green, fire by red, water by black or blue, earth by brown or yellow, and metal by white, gold or silver.

The five elements of Feng Shui are governed by the Productive Cycle and by the Destructive Cycle. Both are just as important, but each has its own process and own purpose.

Wood

Starting with the first element, wood, this element represents the beginning of new life. Wood is the originator of the five-elemental cycle, and to harness the chi of wood you need to use live wood and never fake or imitation wood. Although the colors are not nearly as effective as the actual element, they still work well and green can represent the wood element.

Fire

The second element is fire, and this is considered as being the most Yang of all the elements. If you want to incorporate fire in your Feng Shui design then you will want to use candles or the color red.

Water

Another of the most important elements in Feng Shui is water. Water is what gives life to our planet, and without it we would not exist. Whenever you use water in your Feng Shui designs it should be clear and flowing and never dirty or stagnant.

Earth

The fourth of five elements of Feng Shui, earth is a rather interesting element. Earth represents the North East or the Gen Trigram. One great idea for incorporating the earth element into your Feng Shui design is to fill terracotta pots with potting soil and place them near the front entrance of your home.

Metal

Finally the fifth of the five elements of Feng Shui, is metal. Metal can be found in a variety of different forms, including copper, silver, gold, and bronze. One of the most important things to remember here is that Feng Shui is about creating a beautiful environment, and when using metal elements you need to make sure that they are all rounded and pleasing. Sharp and pointed metal elements are going to bring negative energy and should always be avoided.

These elements of Feng Shui are absolutely one of the most important aspects to the style of design in general, and need to be understood and the rules here followed if you want to use Feng Shui properly and have an aesthetically pleasing design that brings positive energy.

Throughout Chinese history the practice of what is feng shui has survived as the guiding principal in creating an environment that provides harmony between the people and their environment. Essentially, the belief centers on good and bad chi and design elements inside and outside the home to represent polarity with the Earth. Positive energy, Ying is allowed free flow while negative energy, Yang is rerouted away from the home and a healthy environment. When practicing what is feng shui, physical polarity is established on the north and south constellation positions and not on the Earth’s magnetic polarity.

 During China’s Boxer Rebellion between 1899 and 1901, complaints were noted that China was being taken over by foreign interest and were destroying many long-standing cultural traditions. Citizens complained that foreigners, not knowing anything about what is feng shui, were building in areas not appropriate to their way of life. The buildings, they complained, slowed the flow of chi, disturbing the relationship between the people and the natural environment.

There are two compasses used to determine the north and south axis for what is feng shui placement of any new construction. Since magnetic north changes with solar flares from the sun, true north is most often used. It is this confusion that often leads foreigners to mistakenly build outside of feng shui compliance.

All Aspects Of Life Governed By Feng Shui

Not only is building placement a major component of the beliefs of what is feng shui, but how the rooms are situated inside the building and the placement of furniture and other belongings. Farmers often practice methods of what is feng shui in planning their gardens and crop placement to allow them to prevent disaster from rain and wind. The literal translation of feng shui means wind-water and it is believed to have influence over a person’s personal life as well as their health and wealth.

A few older Chinese businesses utilize the practices that are what is feng shui when planning business expansion and when furnishing their business. Equipment and work station placement is based on their ability to allow the free flow of good chi while routing the bad chi around their business, focusing their powers on helping the business succeed.

Since the 1946 formation of the Peoples Republic of China, what is feng shui has been banned and persons are not authorized to advertise their services in feng shui. It is considered an act of sorcery in some countries and with a tie to some religious beliefs, the mostly atheist leadership of China is unmoving on the use of practices of what is feng shui.