When choosing a corner to introduce Japanese decor, choose an area with a large glass window. If you don't have such a corner, use the concept of borrowed scenery. It could be a patchwork quilt in silk, or scenery painted on straw mats. If you have chosen only one corner or a portion of the room, use shoji screens to divide the room to get some privacy. These are made of rice paper and wood lattice, the screens permit light and ventilation. The book 'SHOJI' "how to design, build and install Japanese screens by Jay van Arsdale, has pictorially described methods of making the shoji screens. For windows, use bamboo chicks or shoji curtains.

The Furniture

Japanese design encourages low level sitting, especially tatami mats to sit or sleep on. These mats consists of two separate layers, the straw core (tatami) and the beautiful soft reed cover edged with cloth called goza. Goza mats make attractive throw rugs for passages, kitchens, under coffee tables, in the bedrooms or even the verandah. Place some cushions on the mats and it is perfect for comfortable sitting.

If you already have a floor covering that cannot be changed, use big pillows to sit on. If the window is higher than the ground, get a low level bench or futon frame to raise the sitting level. If you have French windows use futon mattress or pillows for sitting. The kotatsu is the most widely used piece of furniture in a Japanese home. The family sits around it for get-togethers. The traditional Japanese ritual of entertaining guests is during the tea ceremony, and for this they use the teapots called the tetsubins. Originally used to boil water and provide warmth, today these iron vessels are a status symbol and are available in various designs, intricately carved or painted. Buying a good tea set is a must if you want to use Japanese decor.

Design

The Japanese are greatly inspired by ancient legends and mythology.Japanese dolls such as the Kime kome dolls, or the kokeshi dolls , paper lanterns or landscape paintings help in adding the Eastern touch. The other artifacts which one can use to give it the Japanese touch are:

A hibachi: It is a finely crafted, portable fireplace, used in old homes and shops to provide heat, warm sake, and boil
water for tea. They are made from ceramics, lacquer, rattan and metal. Large hibachis can be used as display boxes, or bases for end tables. Smaller hibachis, which were once hand warmers, are now champagne buckets or flower holders.

Kimonos: A kimono is to a Japanese artist, as a canvas is to a western painter.Wedding kimonos and fans are especially decorative and valuable. Kimonos can be displayed in a number of locations in the home by hanging them on clothing stands or decorative rods.

Obis: An obi is a wide sash worn with a kimono. Obi's make excellent table runners, or can be hung in a group, behind a bed, to create a headboard.

Tenigui: These are rectangular cloths, which were once used as headbands, now function as placemats.

Keyaki: This is an antique door that could be used for a desk or coffee table top.

Sake Kegs double as planters, end tables, and lamp bases, depending on their size.

Japanese clothing stands can be used as towel racks.

Japanese kites make fanciful shower curtains, and ceiling or wall decorations for a children's rooms. Smaller kites can also be used to make pillows.

No Japanese arrangement is complete without ikebana( a Japanese flower arrangement). The essential principle is balance, clean lines and an odd number of flowers or branches. If you have not learnt the art, then simply arrange odd number of flowers in varying heights in a vase.To achieve Japanese design use minimum items and place them independently. The minimal approach focuses on the quality and craftsmanship.

If you don't know where to procure certain typical Japanese items you could go to websites like www.orientalfurniture.com, shop.com,www.jlifeinternational.com,www.chopa.com,and www.japan-shop.com,www.jlifeinternational.com,www.chopa.com,and www.kimonoplace.com,www.kimonoplace.com and get the required details.

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