Sunday, September 12, 2010

Ethnic-Eclectic Decorating Reflects a Global Culture

Between the rise of jet travel and the advent of the Internet, Planet Earth really has become a much smaller place. The mingling of many cultural styles has result in a new decorating trend that combines international folk art with functional furnishings in a style known as Ethnic-Eclectic design.

Ethnic-Eclectic can be difficult to determine at first because of its very nature. The best way to decide if a room has become an E-E style is to check its overall mood. Decor with accents and accessories that look like they've come from faraway places definitely qualifies as the new Ethnic-Eclectic style.

To create this style of home decor, start by studying the main furnishings. These typically will have a decidedly ethnic style such as a sofa in a Native American print fabric, African animal prints or bold Mexican stripes. However, many times the furniture will be sturdy but plain, serving as the background for a large display of eye-catching pieces with a clearly global origin.

Take a good look at these smaller furnishings. Here is where Ethnic-Eclectic style will be most pronounced. Carved or hand-painted small tables, natural rattan chairs that evoke African or Pacific Islander images and coarse kilim rugs from Turkey are but a few of the visible signs of a global sensibility. Accessories will come from all over the world. They will include such things as Chinese brass cricket boxes, Indian brass candlesticks, carved wood boxes from many Asian countries, and candleholders in carved wood, wrought iron or boldly painted ceramic.

Examine the floor coverings. Whether the flooring is dark hardwoods reminiscent of Asia, stone or terracotta tiles from Mexico, the floors will be topped with an array of the world's finest area rugs: Southwestern rugs, African animal print rugs, leather rugs and soft Flokati rugs from Greece.

Walls likewise will show evidence of Ethnic-Eclectic influences, such as faux paint finishes that resemble adobe or African or Asian grass-cloth wallpaper. The walls will be adorned with folk art such as Mexican masks, embroidered Asian silk, Balinese batiks or framed antique maps or vintage postcards with photos of exotic lands. Clothing from other cultures, especially vintage or finely crafted apparel such as Japanese kimonos or beaded Native American moccasins, is often showcased.

Window treatments can run a gamut of materials and styles. There may be bamboo matchstick blinds, Roman shades made of woven wood, Mexican blankets hanging from big rings on wrought-iron rods, or plantation-style shutters. More conventional draperies are likely to be made of fabrics with patterns such as African mud cloth, exotic florals, Japanese or Chinese writing or bamboo prints.

Lighting fixtures and lamps also will have international flair. Chandeliers may be of wrought iron or hammered brass. Lamps will have bases made of Mexican pottery, terra cotta, rattan and ceramic ginger jars. Lamps could be designed as palm trees or jungle animals in wood, resin, clay or metal, with lamp shades of woven rattan, pleated linen or handmade paper to complement the cultural style.

Ethnic-Eclectic decorating is one of the most exciting trends today because it incorporates the art and craft of so many marvelous human cultures around the world.




Senior writer Sarah enjoys decorating homes from the floor up using ethnic inspiration. And she says that if you want your room to make a statement without spending a fortune then all you need to is place blue rugs or red rugs on your floor.

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