Design Trends: Eastern Influences In Home Decorating Makes For A West Style Takeover

“Eastern Influences meets the West” has emerged as a hot trend in interiors and high fashion this fall.

Designers for interiors, fashion and accessories are embracing the colors and cultural symbols of Eastern culture this season.   “East meets West” is hot trend to refresh your style this fall.

I first saw the trend for all things East while shopping at the furniture market last spring.  Then during my fall market visit the trend had grew stronger with appearances everywhere.  Now, East meets West influences has shown itself in the fall fashion collections on the runway from New York to Paris to Milan.  This fall, the trend to Go East is going to be Hot!

You can expect to see cultural symbols and historic design images from the Asian continent; China, Japan, India, Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia influence furniture, home accessories, and textiles snd fashion design this fall.  The “East meets West” influences appear in the Colors, Materials, Shapes, and Symbols we recognize from the East.

Throughout history Asian cultures have had a profound influence on fashion.  Some of the world’s most celebrated designers including YSL, John Galliano, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren have created collections influenced by Asia.

Colors of Asia – Traditional Porcelain Blue & White 

14th century Chinese porcelain vase in traditional blue & white

Chinese porcelain inspired evening dress by Roberto Cavalli

Manuel Canovas Jardin Blue

Some highly coveted and usually expensive Asian items in home furnishings have been blue & white porcelain, silks, carved wood furniture, furniture with inlaid stones and Asian historical carved statues.

As the world is made smaller day by day through technology, media, travel, Eastern spirituality and international trade it’s not surprising that Asia is influencing the way we decorate our homes.

Here’s my look at the top trends from East meets West Style:

Eastern Influence #1 – Colors

Accent Colors – Chartreuse, emerald green , red-orange, yellow gold & bronze, and royal blue are the colors trending in East meets West design.

Schiaparelli Fall 2015 Couture Collection – Bold Gold in Brocade

Scandinavian style Gio Ponti´s Gold chairs & walls

To read my post on Chartreuse trend click here

To read my post on Royal Blue click here

Balenciaga Chinese lacquered red handbag

Eastern Influence #2 – Materials

– Bamboo

– All things bamboo are strong in furniture – edging faux bamboo, colored bamboo

Faux Bamboo Etagere in gold

Bamboo Patterned lamps

Bamboo styled wallpaper in blue

– Brocades

Dolce & Gabbana Brocade Handbag with red leather

Solange in Brocade Chinese Dragon Patterned pants

– Aged looking metals – antiquities – smokey grey, burnt bronze, antique mirrors

Hammered metal coffee table in bronze

Bronze porcelain tiles and faucet

and – The Asia Trinity – Lacquer, Porcelain & Jade  

Eastern Influence #3 – Shapes &  Symbols

Chinoiserie – wallpaper, fabrics, and accessories – traditional and new styles

Chinoiserie wallpaper & fabrics with Pagodas

Symbols – Dragon patterns

Hermes Chinese dragon pattern china

Dragon Lamp in Porcelain

Scalamandre Chinese Dragon fabric on chair

Shapes – Pagoda Chic is everywhere from classic furniture armoires, to chest and in lamps.

Japonais Pagoda

Pagoda shaped Lamp

Pagoda shaped Mirror in lacquered faux bamboo

Outdoor – Garden stools inspired by traditional asian shapes in a fabulous array of colors

Antique Chinese Garden Stools – 1st dibs

Garden Stools in dynasty colors for indoor and outdoor use

Did you know – Asian countries are ~30% of the world land and 60% of world population?

It’s inevitable the west would be influenced by it’s aura.

The East meets West trend is not only a strong visual statement, it appeals to my desire to learn about different places in the world.

You may be bitten too.  The objects you may be attracted to often have meaning behind them.  This trend could be a perfect opportunity to learn about them.

I’d love to know what you think of this trend.  Will you embrace East meets West trend in your home?

Until next time …