A is just one example of the style of art in a Japanese dining room.
Japanese-style means tranquility. It's comprised of colors that have taken their cues from the rich, fertile ground and the forests filled with lush bamboo plants. The decor is subtle, uncluttered and features artwork and accessories that have evolved from centuries of Japanese culture -- the samurai's sword, kabuki-inspired masks, traditional kimonos and Zen gardens all help set the tone for this dining room. When completed, a Zen-inspired space offers the perfect retreat to sip on a cup of green tea at the end of a long day.
Instructions
1. Gravitate toward items and paint colors in earth tones, but primarily browns, black, green, gray and tan as the dominant color. Accent colors include red and green.
2. Paint one of the walls red or jade green. This should be the wall that you plan on making your focal wall.
3. Hang your artwork on your focal wall. A number of possibilities exist. Hang wall fans, a traditional kimono, Japanese lettering, swords or a Japanese bamboo print. Use only a few pieces for the display. Unlike many European and American styles, Japanese-style decorating is sparse with minimal adornment.
4. Choose a table and chair set with simple, square lines. You don't have to go with a table that requires chairs, however. You can choose a small table that sits close to the floor and position Japanese sitting cushions around it. The pillows would be another place you could feature your accent color.
5. Paint the tables and chairs with a black lacquer paint if they are not already.
6. Place some tatami mats on the floor and center your table in this area.
7. Set the table with Japanese tea sets and straw mats. Add chopsticks bound together with bamboo leaves and a simple centerpiece of candles floating in water.
8. Utilize sliding Japanese-style doors or folding screens to break up the space. These are made of wood frames with rice paper "windows." They're common in Japanese decor. Often you can find this type of item at a furniture store that sells international styles.
9. Decorate a nearby side table with bamboo plants.
10. Hang ceremonial gongs on the walls and wind chimes near the windows.
11. Set up an indoor Zen fountain.
12. Feature a decorative display in the corner with a Buddha statue or glazed pottery.
13. Use Japanese lanterns to light the space. You can have hanging lanterns, floors lamps or table-top lanterns, and of course, a combination of all these types of lanterns works as well.
Tags: bamboo plants, bamboo print, dining room, focal wall, table that, table with, that have