Inviting calmness into your space is all about heightening your current living features, or perhaps adding accents such as Chinese influences.
Stylesmith Richard Misso shares his eye for detail below on Chinese interiors, how to layer specific items, and a set of colours that you should work with to find harmony in the rooms you create.
Richard casts, with beautiful mood boards that will calm you instantly by our very own Stylesmith Dale:
1. What are Chinese Accents all about?
Chinese interiors are led with tranquility by ushering in harmony and balance into each room or outdoor space. Creating an Asian-inspired room is much more than just adding a few Chinese decorations. It takes planning, and a clear thought process that allows you to do away with the unwanted clutter.
2. Creating a calm colour palette.
At its core, Chinese interiors are largely inspired by the colours of nature, and often mimic scenic landscapes and reinterpret natural colours to suit the interior. It is best to keep the backdrop as neutral as possible. Gentle cream, understated light blues and even an elegant grey work just fine, it doesn’t need to be just white.
3. Layer with softness.
Add layers of colour via accessories such as cushions, throws, curtains, upholstery and linen, think of pink like cherry blossoms, ravishing reds and dusty pale purples. If you’re looking for a little Luxe, add golden tones to create a majestic living room, which dominated at the Milan Interiors Fair in 2017.
If you’re craving a more traditional Chinese interior which is far more opulent the same rules apply simply turn up the volume with regal reds, lavish gold, stunning jade and plush purple tones.
4. Eliminate clutter, introduce structure.
Balance is key, you will need the right harmony of colour, textures and materials, think natural stone elements, timber floors or wall accents, bamboo blinds, Chinese artwork and ornaments. Add to the selection accessories with shine, accessories in matt and accessories that are worn and aged, this will give the interior heart and soul.
5. Delight all your senses.
The sound of flowing water is considered both harmonious and positive according to Feng Shui, and a small water feature in the entrance room, living area, or even in the backyard will create another gentle layer of tranquility. Download a good playlist and boost it in your home with some delicious incense.
6. Bring some light inside.
Most importantly lighting can make or break the look of your interior, it adds to the entire visual and accentuates the theme. Stylish hanging paper lanterns, sculptural lighting installations and a few carefully placed candles go a long way in creating a Chinese inspired interior.
7. Plants, nature, bonsai!
Oh one last thing… plants and flowers. Think bamboo, orchids and even blows of red or dusty pink roses.
