Look east for inspiration
November 22, 2008
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Colin and Justin
Okay, so we regularly proclaim that our designer oeuvre is less about "theming" and more about being inspired by particular looks or styles.
You only have to reference one of our earliest submissions in this very column to confirm just that. So, with that in mind, sit back, pour yourself a saki, don your best Fu Man Choo moustache, reach for the glue gun and get ready to make a pagoda-style lamp shade from chopsticks and a kimono. Not! Come on! Did you think we'd lost our designer marbles? Our rooms are far more subtle than that.
Yup, be assured, as we extol the virtues of our current obsession, that you'll see traces of Asian style rather than our designs going, if you'll excuse the pun, crackers. We adore all things Eastern, having spent many blissful holidays in Bali, Japan, Thailand and China and our travels have shown us architecture, design and cultures as disparate as chalk and cheese yet as compatible (when teamed properly) as milk and honey. Darlings, in our book it's all about juxtaposed yang and yang; elements that, while you mightn't think they would, still manage to mesh in perfect design symbiosis.
So what's the best way (aside, of course, from our learned musings) for you to tool up on all things Eastern? Well, for starters, there are legions of excellent interior tomes on the market, many of which expertly showcase the looks we love to create. Pertinently, it's those with an Asian twist that make us especially happy – as far as this week's column is concerned anyway.
One of our favourite books is Japan Style, written by Angelika Taschen and Reto Guntli (published by Taschen) and another, Asian Elements (published by Conran) and written by Jane Edwards and Andrew Wood. Both titles succinctly extol the virtues of Eastern style rather than package it all up like a delinquent Trading Spaces slap dash. To get the most from these books, study them carefully and avoid making knee-jerk decorating decisions; instead, be inspired by an unexpected colour scheme or excited by the textures of wood arranged next to leather or bare plaster.
Go overboard in a quick fix way and your home will become the decorating equivalent of Aneka's Japanese Boy. Aneka? Yup, you heard us; search Google and discover a musical affront to all things Asian, courtesy of a Scottish folk singer with a black wig and chopsticks in her hair. We're sure it was intended as fun (and it was a massive European hit in the '80s) but as far as were concerned, it's a musical wrong on so many counts.
So, just to reiterate; as you leaf through the aforementioned books, remember to be inspired by the glossy pictures (rather than copy them to the letter) or you'll end up creating slavish and very overplayed results. And don't think that design styles of an Asian nature are all similar. They're not. Do your research properly and you'll soon discover each is possessed of a wondrously different aesthetic that in turn makes each one utterly individual. From the sweeping, heavily adorned lines of Chinese pagodas – and their lacquered interior detail – to the abject minimalism of Japanese pared-down buildings – and their simplistic monochromatic interiors – there's a world of inspiration out there.
Better still? Mix and match to create "fusion" decor, a look we utterly adore. We call it Pan Asian, spanning as it does, so many territories and countries. We'll happily add rich Balinese teak detailing, for example, in a predominantly Japanese-themed project if we think we can pull it all off. It's all about confident "vision" and balance; if you yearn for a gorgeous Pan Asian bedroom, remember our maxim: "To fail to plan is to plan to fail."
Okay, so it might sound like overly simple advice but unless you have a clear strategy, your scheme runs the risk of becoming "disconnected." Plot everything out carefully and "storyboard" your room to ensure all its inclusions work in harmony. Will that stunning lacquered Chinese wedding cabinet, for example, work with the Tibetan table you've just spotted on Craig's List? Or will that Balinese bed on eBay marry seamlessly with your hand-built Vietnamese armoire? Look for elements that unite different items – it could be your much needed "connection" is as simple as a timber tone or a complimentary paint shade.
When we scheme, we make lists of every required detail. We figure out key pieces, then we work the rest of our design (accessories, layers and ornamentation, etc. ) around these aspects. We'll generally start with wall finishes and assemble our schemes from there. Tip – if you choose a richly patterned paper, restrain other schematic aspects or everything will become too fussy. Conversely, if you choose low-key wallpaper, feel free to release a little more of your decorating passion by adding spicier tones via textiles and dramatically painted furniture items. For an awesome range of global village wall coverings look no further than thewallpapercompany.com. Based here in Toronto, they're fast becoming one of our favourite paper suppliers due to their awesome collection of grass cloth and bamboo-style designs, many of which take their style cues from the Orient and beyond.
As always, bear in mind that the best rooms are those that "whisper" – rather than "scream" – designer. Our advice (as it would be with any "inspired by" scheme) is to add relevant flavour via gentle decorative seasoning. Visit greenteadesign.com for further inspiration and cross-Canada delivery. And don't forget the wondrous Home Sense (our accessory Mecca) for all things Tibetan. And remember, of course, that a little Asian spice goes a long, long way!
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV's Colin & Justin's Home Heist (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.) and the authors of Colin & Justin's Home Heist Style Guide, published by Penguin Group (Canada). To order a copy of their book, send a cheque or money order for $32 (price includes GST and handling) to Torstar Syndication Services, 1 Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Or order online at starstore.ca. Go to hgtv.ca/homeheist and colinandjustin.tv for more on the Scottish design team.
Toronto Star