Asian-Inspired Red Kitchen
Category: Inspiration Corner
Posted/Updated: 04/11/2010 14:47:03
Views: 5882
Chinese decorating goes back to thousands of years ago. It is based on simplicity and drawing elements of nature into one's home design. It features strong colors, each symbolizing positive elements such as happiness, good fortune, health and many others. In today's modern time, this ancient belief of meaning behind each design element is still practiced. Furthermore, positive energy is harnessed by arranging furniture and accessories by using the aesthetic philosophy of Feng Shui.
While Chinese design is an interesting topic to discuss, it is too broad and intensive in content for our purposes. We pledge to discuss certain elements of Chinese design in our future posts. For the moment, we'd like to focus on a beautiful kitchen inspired by the rich Chinese culture and give suggestions to our readers on how they can use Chinese and other Asian-inspired decorations in their homes too.
Red Kitchen featured in Southern Accents. Designed by Bohlert Massey Interiors, (850) 231-3940.
In the Western world, most kitchens are white or stained in a natural wood color. While Chinese design oftentimes features colors of nature and other subtle hues as well, much of it is dramatic and bold. Red is very common in Chinese design. It is the color of fire and thus associated with strength, courage and passion. It is interesting to note that in Western society, brides wear white dresses to their weddings. In Chinese culture, brides wear red dresses. We are going off on a tangent here, but the point is that Western and Eastern cultures use the color red in different ways. A red kitchen is more common in Asian homes than in American homes.
Not only is the color of the kitchen above symbolic of Chinese design, but so is the finish. The kitchen cabinets were stained in nine layers to give it that that signature high-gloss, lacquer look of Asian furniture (see our post about
Chinese Chippendale furniture for more information). To offset the bold design, more subtle, eclectic elements were introduced. A green beaded chandelier dangles from the ceiling and gives the room a more traditional look, while lime green pottery reinforces the accent color. A modern element is also present in the room in the form of the black countertops, white walls and stainless steel appliances.
If you'd like to decorate your kitchen using Chinese and Asian-inspired pieces, here are some suggestions:
Kyoto dinner plates, by L'Objet.
These salt and pepper shakers feature a dragon design. They are also hand-crafted by L'Objet:
L'Objet Salt & Pepper Shaker Set, available at Kitchen Clique.
This has got to be one of the nicest crafted things we had ever seen - this set of yin and yang salt and pepper cellars is available at
Peach Gifts.
To keep going with the red theme, this asian kitchen poster would mold perfectly with the walls of the above kitchen design.
Asian kitchen canvas by artist Bjorn Baar, available at Poster Checkout.
We'd also like to reference
Ralph Lauren's "Red Pagoda" fine china collection. The print features Asian wooden pagodas and large florals inspired by silk kimono designs. This is something that would definitely work with our inspired design.
Red Pagoda Cup and Saucer
Red Pagoda Dinner Plate
Red Pagoda Soup Bowl
Red Pagoda Large Platter
The chandelier in our Asian-inspired room is very unexpected. Asian lighting usually features Hokkaido lamps, bamboo and paper lanterns. Our inspiration room, however, features a beaded chandelier in exotic greens and browns. It works because it offsets the bold red color and strong Asian design. If you'd like to do something similar in your kitchen, we recommend this sophisticated chandelier with green, beaded accents. It can be yours by visiting
Belle Escape.
And lastly, if you need more storage for your red Asian-inspired kitchen, how about this red storage unit from
Dennis Miller Associates?
Comments on Asian-Inspired Red Kitchen
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Renata
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06/04/2010 14:38:05
the plates are very nice. very well put together article.
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