the influence of asian design on American decor

Asian design...exotic to the eye, and soothing to the soul. The Asian design aesthetic is the perfect counterpoint to hectic contemporary western living.  Over the centuries western interpretation of Asian design applied to home decor has alternated between the strict traditional to the highly contemporary. This influence has at times been subtle, strong, and other times completely shunned. The ebb and flow of American interest has been alternately driven by politics,  books, movies, economics and the influence of interesting people.

During the period of English colonization, America's relationship with the Orient was chiefly influenced by European-Chinese trade. After the creation of the United States in the 1770's, interest in Chinese trade goods was driven by New England sailor-merchants and was focused on goods such as porcelain, silks and spices chiefly because the products were unavailable locally or in the case of Chinese porcelain, perceived to be superior to local alternatives.

However, early interest in Asian design waned slightly as the newly formed nation was intent on building it's own culture. Interestingly enough, although recently divorced from it's parent country of England, US homemakers of the early to mid-1800's still were firmly attached to European design and saw Europe as the style setter for architecture, interior design and textile patterns. A renewed interest in Asian designs was not established until Japan was opened to foreign trade by the US Navy in the mid-19th century. Exposure to this exotic and previously forbidden culture fueled a renewed interest in Asian design that grew steadily until the tenets of minimalism and functionality combined with modern materials and the "machine" influence became cornerstones of  the modernism movement of the 1920's. This interest in Asian decor fell out of favor for a brief period during the depression and particularly during second World War from 1941-1945.

The mid-20th century saw a resurgence of interest in Asian style after World War II. Our armed forces, many of who had been stationed in occupied Japan and later in Korea and Vietnam, brought home renewed interest in these "exotic" cultures. In typical entrepreneurial fashion, the economies of these countries have taken advantage of this interest in products from their country and ramped up production for the US market.

In the latter half of the 20th Century interest has increased in Southeast Asian styles as Indonesia, India, Thailand and Vietnam joined the world economy. In the beginning of the 21st century, we are beginning to see China develop it's considerable economic power and it appears we are coming full circle to a renewed influence of Chinese design elements.

Until the latter part of the 20th century, Asian influence on western home decoration was generally by the purchase of an individual piece or by introduction of a concept such as a contemplative garden. The introduction of Asian elements to the design of a room was undertaken with a typical western notion of order, size, color and weight to the overall room design. Thankfully, during the last part of the 20th century the Asian notion of feng shui has begun to make it's way into the idea of western room design. The emerging western awareness of feng shui concepts has brought an appreciation of the idea that designing with an eye to harmonizing an entire living space can improve attitudes, harmony and general well-being. Feng shui has caused a reawakening of interest in Asian design and how it could be used to create harmony in a space.

elements of Asian design

Modern western decor is increasingly incorporating the best of the Asian aesthetic. More homes are choosing simplicity, less clutter. Drawing from Asian design, they are combining natural elements, ancient art and modern technology into a minimalist's dream. To the occidental eye, used to cluttered surroundings, the Asian style at once is calming and soothing. The practical beauty and less-is-more decorating style  blends with natural elements to provide all that is practically required to house the body and more than is required to nourish the soul.

Asian simplicity does not imply a lack of richness or beauty. The human need for a harmony with  nature is recognized in Asian decor by the inclusion of wood, water and plant material. The use of natural materials provides a visual and tactile harmony with the natural elements. Wood, earth, water and fire. All are present and all are arranged to perfection. A single white flower, natural wood finishes and straw matting come together both functionally and aesthetically.

Wabi is the essence of the Japanese aesthetic. It is the beauty of things imperfect, unconventional, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. Wabi is the kind of perfect beauty that is paradoxically caused by just the right kind of imperfection, such as an the potter's fingerprint in a ceramic bowl which reflects the handmade craftsmanship, as opposed to another bowl which is perfect, but soul-less and machine-made. Wabi translates to tranquil quiet...a harmony of all the pieces fitting together in a quiet and perfect manner.

Much of Asian design invites the occupant to stop and reflect on life's wonder and impermanence. The soothing, rhythmical sound of a water element, the fleeting beauty of a ikebana flower arrangement or the subtle play of light and shadow over the rocks in a stone garden. Asian design reminds us to stop and wonder. It compels us to contemplate the impermanence of man and the beauty of life around us.